May I vent here about Disney in general (DVC related too) :(

[cseca]

I'm a lot disappointed with Disney lately.

First the AKV concierge mishap. It was handled very poorly and even tho I'm not directly affected it considerably lowered my perception of disney in general (DVC of course is the main issue).

And now Disneyland.
We were SO excited about going to DL to check out the GCV model in Oct.
I'm still weary about adding on in general after the aforementioned mishap but I was still excited about having another resort to stay in.
I had done research about the weekends to go and even decided that we can bear increased gay day crowd that weekend only to hear that DL is closing early (5pm - they changed it from midnight closing to 5pm) for Miley Cyrus B'day/Charity bash ($250 per person)... on the only full day that DH and I can spend together in the park.
I don't understand why they have to have it at DL and release the info a month and a half beforehand.

Makes me feel like second class citizen. Take it or leave it kinda thing...
They are extending the DCA hours but we don't like DCA. There aren't many rides at DCA to support 2 parks worth of people after 5pm. They main reason we go is DL and now they're cutting the hours by half.

I understand that "hours are subject to change". But I never expected DL to close 7 hours earlier than the posted schedule just because they can.
They could set up the charity event at any location and people would still come... it's miley... people pay more than that for her concerts. I just don't think there's any overwhelming reason they have to do it in DL... Even if they do it at DCA people will be fine.

People don't go to DL for a week like WDW. They usually go for 2-4 days and to cut one of the days so short just doesn't seem right to me.

Well, we already bought flight tix and those things aren't quite refundable. So we are going and hoping to make the best of it this time around. Maybe I'm making too much of this but I can't help feeling crappy because I was already planning to have a nice fireworks night with DH on our first DL trip as H&W. No fireworks for us this time...


Anyways, Thanks for reading this far.
I just want to vent... I don't know where else to post this. I know that Disney can't make everybody happy. But on this issue they'll make a handful of Miley fans happy and p-o-ed the rest of park visitors...

 

[CastleLight]

I'm a lot disappointed with Disney lately.

First the AKV concierge mishap. It was handled very poorly and even tho I'm not directly affected it considerably lowered my perception of disney in general (DVC of course is the main issue).

What is this mishap???

 

[eliza61]

.

And now Disneyland.
We were SO excited about going to DL to check out the GCV model in Oct.
I'm still weary about adding on in general after the aforementioned mishap but I was still excited about having another resort to stay in.
I had done research about the weekends to go and even decided that we can bear increased gay day crowd that weekend only to hear that DL is closing early (5pm - they changed it from midnight closing to 5pm) for Miley Cyrus B'day/Charity bash ($250 per person)... on the only full day that DH and I can spend together in the park.
I don't understand why they have to have it at DL and release the info a month and a half beforehand.

Makes me feel like second class citizen. Take it or leave it kinda thing...
They are extending the DCA hours but we don't like DCA. There aren't many rides at DCA to support 2 parks worth of people after 5pm. They main reason we go is DL and now they're cutting the hours by half.

I understand that "hours are subject to change". But I never expected DL to close 7 hours earlier than the posted schedule just because they can.
They could set up the charity event at any location and people would still come... it's miley... people pay more than that for her concerts. I just don't think there's any overwhelming reason they have to do it in DL... Even if they do it at DCA people will be fine.

Anyways, Thanks for reading this far.
I just want to vent... I don't know where else to post this. I know that Disney can't make everybody happy. But on this issue they'll make a handful of Miley fans happy and p-o-ed the rest of park visitors...

Op,
Don't take it personally. The same thing happen at WDW in orlando a few years ago. I went the last week in August to find out they were closing MGM down at 2:00 pm for a popular radio show's family reunion.
I don't think they schedule this to specifically p.o. you or any one else. I think the organizers of the event said "hey let's have it at DL" and the powers that be thought it was a good idea.
Sure they could have had it any where else but since Disney pretty much owns Miley Cryus, doesn't seem farfetched that they would hold it at DL.

How have the rest of your vacations been?

What is this mishap???

WDW had to close some of the AKL concierge rooms and did a really poor job of communicating the closure and what they offered the displaced guest was not comparable. Not sure how it got resolved at the end.

 

[cseca]

What is this mishap???

here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1911617

 

[cseca]

Op,
Don't take it personally. The same thing happen at WDW in orlando a few years ago. I went the last week in August to find out they were closing MGM down at 2:00 pm for a popular radio show's family reunion.
I don't think they schedule this to specifically p.o. you or any one else. I think the organizers of the event said "hey let's have it at DL" and the powers that be thought it was a good idea.
Sure they could have had it any where else but since Disney pretty much owns Miley Cryus, doesn't seem farfetched that they would hold it at DL.

How have the rest of your vacations been?

Thanks...
I know it's nothing personal (heck... they don't know I exists... )
It's just that we had only 1.5 days at DL and we picked those days because the calendar said opened until midnight. Then they slashed the hours down to 5pm... just extremely disappointing that we won't get to see any fireworks at all while we're there.
I know I should be happy that we're going.

But I wished we had saved the $ to go at another time when DL is actually open longer... Live and Learn

Thanks for listening!

 

[Chuck S]

You realize that Disneyland has only been open 7 days a week, year round, since about 1980 or so. Prior to that the park closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter months. DL has always been a somewhat regional venue, drawing most of its visitors from the So Cal area, and it still tends to operate that way. The So Cal folks are used to this, the park has often closed for private parties and hard ticket events.

 

[cseca]

You realize that Disneyland has only been open 7 days a week, year round, since about 1980 or so. Prior to that the park closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter months. DL has always been a somewhat regional venue, drawing most of its visitors from the So Cal area, and it still tends to operate that way. The So Cal folks are used to this, the park has often closed for private parties and hard ticket events.

I guess I didn't know that...
Thanks for the info.
The part that bothers me is that they released the park hours as opened to midnight and then changed it to 5pm less than 2 months to the date.
I should know better I spose ... "hours are subject to change"...

This clinches it... no GCV for us!
Thanks for making my decision easier. I was REALLY debating about it for awhile. Now this is final... whew...

Love my BWV and WLV. That'll be it for us for now...

 

[wildernessDad]

I'm not sure who drove the need to do the maintenance on the concierge area of AKV. Maybe there was some urgent need. It could have been handled differently, but I wouldn't necessarily blame DVC over it.

As far as Miley's birthday party, happy birthday. May you celebrate all of your future birthdays outside of Disney property. Or you could make mistakes and act like an adult, doing stupid "adult" things, until Disney dumps you for the next Tween Queen.

 

[Chuck S]

I wouldn't let some odd private party hours at Disneyland (which, again, is not uncommon) decide whether I would purchase at GCV or not. There is a LOT to do in the general area. San Diego's Sea World is within driving distance, the local beaches are beautiful, Knott's, while mainly a coaster park now still has some a great Chicken Dinner restaurant outside the gates where you don't have to pay entry. Univeral Studios in CA is, IMO, far superior to the FL version. If you like roller coasters, Magic Mountain (now a Six Flags park) has some of the best and is probably the nicest overall Six Flags park, and is also within a couple hours drive of DL.

And the weather for the vast majority of the year in CA is absolutely beautiful.

I grew up in the Los Angeles area, there is lots to see.

 

[toocherie]

not as big a crisis for me since I go to DLR quite often, but I also am planning to be there on the night of the 4th (and the night of the 3rd because of the Mickey's Trick or Treat party). I am hoping that since the hours at DL are so limited on the 5th that people who do not have tickets to the Miley event will stay away and crowds will be light that day! (Of course, it is Gay Days so who knows.)

 

[BroganMc]

This is more an issue with the idea of Disneyland. It's a regional amusement park tied to a huge brand experience. Disney World is the vacation destination in itself. disneyland is more a place to hang your hat and spend a day or 2 while you explore the area at large. With Disney World you needn't explore outside the Mickey gates. Orlando pretty much grew up as a runoff and drawing of people away from Disney World.

Disneyland is the natural venue for any of its celebrity events by virtue of its proximity to its studios. And it just doesn't have the area to vent overflow.

But in the end this is just one of those annoying things you need to cope with as travellers. After all dozens of things can affect your one carefully planned day: storms, sickness, theft, etc. My first luau at the Poly was cancelled due to cold weather. My second was marred by a stomach virus. it wasn't until my third that I really got to enjoy it.

I don't suppose there's a way you can alter your plans a bit?

As for Miley, I like the girl but my 11 yo niece is planning her demise. You two could vent together about her. man, 11 yo girls can be downright mean.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

have you thought about contacting Disney, and just asking if anything can be done?? Explain your situation, why you planned it the way you did, who knows, maybe they will comp you tickets tothe event??

 

[cseca]

I wouldn't let some odd private party hours at Disneyland (which, again, is not uncommon) decide whether I would purchase at GCV or not. There is a LOT to do in the general area. San Diego's Sea World is within driving distance, the local beaches are beautiful, Knott's, while mainly a coaster park now still has some a great Chicken Dinner restaurant outside the gates where you don't have to pay entry. Univeral Studios in CA is, IMO, far superior to the FL version. If you like roller coasters, Magic Mountain (now a Six Flags park) has some of the best and is probably the nicest overall Six Flags park, and is also within a couple hours drive of DL.

And the weather for the vast majority of the year in CA is absolutely beautiful.

I grew up in the Los Angeles area, there is lots to see.

Thanks ChuckS...
I just feel that DVC is getting bigger too fast. I was in a quality dept for years and the one thing I keep seeing is that if a company gets big too fast the first thing that goes is quality.
Not saying that it's true of course... it's just my humble opinion...
I still have stocks in disney so I'm still hoping for improvement. But meanwhile I think all this is a sign for me to slow down (on my disney obsession) and keep a close eye on their business side. Here's to seeing quality improvement!!!

not as big a crisis for me since I go to DLR quite often, but I also am planning to be there on the night of the 4th (and the night of the 3rd because of the Mickey's Trick or Treat party). I am hoping that since the hours at DL are so limited on the 5th that people who do not have tickets to the Miley event will stay away and crowds will be light that day! (Of course, it is Gay Days so who knows.)

Oy vey... me too!
I was thinking of going to the MToTP but now that we'll be going to DCA on the 5th pm do I really want to spend the 3rd pm there too?
It just seems silly to me because I don't like a lot of rides there... oh well... I have to think about this. Maybe if I decide to go to MToTP we'll run into each other!

This is more an issue with the idea of Disneyland. It's a regional amusement park tied to a huge brand experience. Disney World is the vacation destination in itself. disneyland is more a place to hang your hat and spend a day or 2 while you explore the area at large. With Disney World you needn't explore outside the Mickey gates. Orlando pretty much grew up as a runoff and drawing of people away from Disney World.

Disneyland is the natural venue for any of its celebrity events by virtue of its proximity to its studios. And it just doesn't have the area to vent overflow.

But in the end this is just one of those annoying things you need to cope with as travellers. After all dozens of things can affect your one carefully planned day: storms, sickness, theft, etc. My first luau at the Poly was cancelled due to cold weather. My second was marred by a stomach virus. it wasn't until my third that I really got to enjoy it.

I don't suppose there's a way you can alter your plans a bit?

As for Miley, I like the girl but my 11 yo niece is planning her demise. You two could vent together about her. man, 11 yo girls can be downright mean.

yeah I know...**** happens... ... I just was hoping that it won't be the only full day both DH & I would be there.
If it was the day I was going solo, I probably won't be too upset.

Naah... our plan is pretty much set...
And I don't want Miley's demise, I just was hoping that DL would be a little more understanding regarding their "guests".
Altho I understand why people don't like her... I am just indifferent.

have you thought about contacting Disney, and just asking if anything can be done?? Explain your situation, why you planned it the way you did, who knows, maybe they will comp you tickets tothe event??

I did... just to voice my displeasure. Of course all they say in a nutshell is:

We say hours are subject to change. So sorry.

I expected that... they're in business of making $. Two upset customers aren't going to cost them anything...

Thanks everyone for listening... I feel better already...

 

[marynvince]

How far ahead do you plan a bdy party? 6 weeks seems pretty reasonable to me. Donate to the Charity and snag some of those tickets and enjoy the party!

 

[dis-happy]

You may not be missing much...the last 2 times I went to DL the fireworks were cancelled due to wind. Mind you, it wasn't the least bit windy on the ground, but apparently these cancellations happen regularly in So. Cal. due to winds that form higher up.


Chuck: thanks for making me feel old....I remember when, too.... LOL

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

How far ahead do you plan a bdy party? 6 weeks seems pretty reasonable to me. Donate to the Charity and snag some of those tickets and enjoy the party!

I was thinking the same thing. $250 is a bit steep, but think about it, the park will be way less crowded, and you'll most likely be able to walk on to the rides because most everyone else will be queuing up to meet Miley!

 

[cseca]

Hehe... if I were still in the market for DVC add on I'd spend that $500 as a downpayment for more points...
$500 is way too steep for me. That's a lot of mickey waffles...

 

[Alexander]

How far ahead do you plan a bdy party? 6 weeks seems pretty reasonable to me. Donate to the Charity and snag some of those tickets and enjoy the party!

Nah, I don't buy that! They have known for a long time when she would be 16 and have had this in the works for a while. They just started advertising it on the Disney Channel recently. That means they have filmed and edited the commercials over the past few months. How much notice would YOU have to give to close down DL for your kids b'day party? Much more than 6 weeks!

$250 a ticket? Are you kidding me--for 7 hours in the park? That equates to $35.71 an hour per person.

I think the OP has a right to feel disappointed, especially since she did her homework in regards to the planning of this trip.

 

[eliza61]

$250 a ticket? Are you kidding me--for 7 hours in the park? That equates to $35.71 an hour per person.

I think the OP has a right to feel disappointed, especially since she did her homework in regards to the planning of this trip.

It's a charity event. They aren't looking for the average visitor to the park, they're looking for the deep pockets who will not think twice about kicking out a couple of hundred bucks. They held one recently in AC $500/ticket to get a picture w/ Miley and believe me there are folks out there with those type of pockets. They closed down the casino for the afternoon so all those lovely teenage girls could look at daddy with big eyes and enjoy a very expensive afternoon with Ms. Cyrus.
Planning trips does not guarantee that changes will not occur. Op simply got the luck of the draw.

 

[bavaria]

Disneyland has only been open daily since 1986; there are often local events which result in varied hours of operation. Weather tends to have a greater impact; I have been on a rainy January day when attractions closed and eventually the parks closed early as a result.

WDW is somewhat unique in that it draws more tourists and fewer locals for longer periods of time. The rest of the Disney parks in the world are not like that; they tend to have a larger ratio of locals than WDW does. And many of us lprefer those parks for exactly that reason.

I like getting on the train after work and going to DLRP for a few hours; if I am working in the LA area I often go to DL for a few hours after work. It is a completely different athmosphere and more easily accessed then WDW, and personally I prefer that.

The tradeoff is that hours are more likely to change with special events driven by the local community.

DL along with the other Disney parks require far less planning, less stress, and less advance booking than WDW. OP has simply seen the difference. But then, I have also experienced times when parks at WDW closed early for private events such as the Pop Warner group, or media functions.