Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I called this morning too. The cm was very nice and said the same - not booking packages at this time, they did not know when they will. She also very strongly told me that it WILL be announced on the blog and Disney website before it is open for booking. She seemed to make it clear that we would know when it opens and that it will be posted before the opening.

While I can appreciate why this CM said this (either told this was the case or perhaps out of some frustration at this point!), this has certainly NOT been the case with every new opening. At times I've heard first from DPB, and other times heard here first and by the time it hit the blog, some days were already booked solid.

 

[dachsie]

Mine wasn't approved either. I didn't think it was bad, just the same as others. Oh, well, the message has been delivered!

Mine said: It behooves me that Disney wants us to plan what we are going to eat 180 days in advance, what we are going to ride 60 days in advance and they announce 4/22 as the opening date for ROL, but they cant seem to get things together so people can plan their trips for May, June, etc

 

[jlundeen]

While I can appreciate why this CM said this (either told this was the case or perhaps out of some frustration at this point!), this has certainly NOT been the case with every new opening. At times I've heard first from DPB, and other times heard here first and by the time it hit the blog, some days were already booked solid.

Well, I for one sure hope it opens quietly before the news hits the blog. That would be/has been a disaster in the past...why would they want 6 ga-zillion people hitting their "shaky at best" website or call centers all at the same time...more poor planning.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You really can't go by anything you are told on the phone.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

So, just some perspective on this whole thing.
We went in December last year and for months I left a spot open for Skippers Canteen. I kept calling and checking and pretty much hoping for it to open on time. It didn't and they never made a "significant" announcement. It just sort of opened with like a weeks notice. My point is just- this is par for the course with Disney.
I hope it gets done soon because I understand why people are upset. I just am not sure why people are surprised this has gone this way.

I can only speak for myself... I would not call myself a "frequent" visitor - this is our 5th trip since 2009, we've averaged about 1x every two year, except this trip, which is a year out from our last. I really haven't experienced a lot of new roll-outs, they just haven't coincided with our trips. The only thing I'd have to compare is when they started taking ADRs for BOG breakfast, and while there appeared to be a lot of technical difficulties for people with MDE, it appeared to proceed as they communicated it would.

My difficulty has come with the combination of the hype with the lack of concrete information. I'm hearing that it's commonplace with Disney, but it's just not something that I've experienced directly. I get that this is a huge undertaking, and I would actually expect delays. If they announced that it wasn't happening until June, that wouldn't surprise me. It's more the hype with the blog posts and the sticking with the 4/22 date. I get it, they want to keep people on the hook in case they can get it together, but it just feels like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. But I can only worry about my response and enjoying our trip as much as possible, so at this point, I will keep checking but focus on pulling the rest of trip together, hope for a FP for the 22nd or a preview party on the 17th, but continue knowing that it's probably not in the cards!

 

[gwynne]

Well, I for one sure hope it opens quietly before the news hits the blog. That would be/has been a disaster in the past...why would they want 6 ga-zillion people hitting their "shaky at best" website or call centers all at the same time...more poor planning.

That's sort of what happens the first day Food and Wine booking opens to the public. I hope for the best and deal with the worst. Our computers just went down is the last thing I want to hear after being on hold 25 minutes.

You really can't go by anything you are told on the phone.

Wise, wise words.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

My comment made it in (first at the top)! No response though - big surprise.
I need sleeeeep! Wish they would throw us a bone already. Everything is set except the AK day. GRRRRR

You'd think it would just be good customer relations to respond with something like, "we're working hard to get everything ready. We're glad you're as excited as we are about this new show. We want to make sure everything is in place before we start ADRs and FPs. Please bear with us. We'll let you know when we're ready to take reservations." I mean seriously, I think it would go a long way and show some good faith effort to make everyone happy (not to mention giving everyone a break from the wild speculation).

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Hang in there, my friend! At the very least, you will have a wonderful trip, and if it doesn't work out that ROL is part of it, hey, there are 3 other parks with incredible night time activities!

I went through exactly what you are saying last week...add in to that the end of winter blues (Minnesota) and I was really in a bad way last week...especially Friday, when they had been saying "FRIDAY IS THE DAY" all week...when Friday came and went, with only the "try tomorrow" advice, then Saturday came and went with no more relief, I finally pulled my head up off the desk, had a glass (or two of wine) and decided that I wasn't going to let their lack of planning and project management ruin my trip.

HANG IN THERE EVERYONE!!

I think it's the 30 day mark. I feel more scattered about this trip, and like I need to get organized and shift my expectations. Not to get all Kubler-Ross stages of grief-y on people, I'm moving into acceptance! And it will be a wonderful trip. And if nothing else, not only did I score an extra night out of this (unless DH makes me cancel it), but I wouldn't have known about the extension of the SW dessert party without all of this! If only I could remember when I scheduled it...

 

[AngiTN]

you would think right?
The state of communications at Disney is very, very sad. And it affects everyone involved, the guests and the Cast Members.
Side Story: I was at DHS yesterday and decided to ask the CM and a manager for the fireworks dessert party why the party wasn't being offered April 18th. You go to the site and see all available dates through April 30th but April 18th is grayed out...
So I asked why is April 18th grayed out, the CM and manager (they were standing together) told me "The dessert party runs until March 30th....I tell them "No, it's available until April 30th" They take out a paper from their pockets and look through it and say "Oh, yeah, it sayd dates have been added" I ask again "Why is there no dessert party on the 18th?" They tell me "Oh, maybe it's sold out?" So I proceed to explain that when something is sold out it will tell you but you can still click on it...they just looked puzzled and told me to call....guess where...WDW DINE

That particular case sounds more like a problem with the CMs not reading the info they were given than Disney not giving them information. You can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink.
Now, I can understand why they would not know a date is not offered. There's really no reason to tell someone why something isn't offered. Though like you I'm curious. The 18th is the day I'm at HS so it was the date I wanted most. We have AP and Hopper tickets so we'll get to HS and do the dessert party another night.

Here is my thinking based on what's happening. April 15th and 16th previews were cancelled because they think they won't be ready. April 17th is still on for now. April 22nd is still the official opening. There is also supposed to be an AK media event on the 19th.

This is where my thoughts go also.

 

[figmentfan423]

I currently have 2 nights planned for AK in August and have very early dinners booked but if I can't get a dining package for either night we may not get to see it. We can't wait on line for hours as one of our party is autistic and we're staying at SOG so 30 days out for FP. Wish me luck. THNX

 

[figmentfan423]

I think it's the 30 day mark. I feel more scattered about this trip, and like I need to get organized and shift my expectations. Not to get all Kubler-Ross stages of grief-y on people, I'm moving into acceptance! And it will be a wonderful trip. And if nothing else, not only did I score an extra night out of this (unless DH makes me cancel it), but I wouldn't have known about the extension of the SW dessert party without all of this! If only I could remember when I scheduled it...

I know you'll have a great trip and I'm keeping my fingers crossed something works out for you.

 

[Vernie822]

I currently have 2 nights planned for AK in August and have very early dinners booked but if I can't get a dining package for either night we may not get to see it. We can't wait on line for hours as one of our party is autistic and we're staying at SOG so 30 days out for FP. Wish me luck. THNX

Hopefully they'll have FP's by then and you can get one of those, or a dining package!

 

[Vernie822]

I think it's the 30 day mark. I feel more scattered about this trip, and like I need to get organized and shift my expectations. Not to get all Kubler-Ross stages of grief-y on people, I'm moving into acceptance! And it will be a wonderful trip. And if nothing else, not only did I score an extra night out of this (unless DH makes me cancel it), but I wouldn't have known about the extension of the SW dessert party without all of this! If only I could remember when I scheduled it...

Haha.. we're in the same boat!

We've begun visiting 2 times a year so I know we'll get there eventually, probably next March. But I can't help but think of people who may not visit for another 3-4 years (or ever again) that really want to see this show.

 

[jlundeen]

One of the things that has me most frustrated is this:

While I realize that not everyone who wants to do an event will GET to do an event, (the old "You can't please all the people all the time" thing), the fact that they hype the heck out of it, tell you that details will be revealed in Blogs, Live Chats, etc., seems to me to be a "bait and switch" kind of thing. With the past 5 or so years of record attendance and profits, they certainly don't need to attract more guests...why the heck are they pushing on something so hard, when there is no way they can deliver on it?

Rant done. Carry on. LOL

 

[figmentfan423]

Hopefully they'll have FP's by then and you can get one of those, or a dining package!

THNX FP at 30 days is something I'm not holding my breath for but with 2 days I still have a glimmer of hope of getting a dining package. Heck I'll take FT even if I can't eat the food just for the voucher at this point

 

[lugnut33]

Haha.. we're in the same boat!

We've begun visiting 2 times a year so I know we'll get there eventually, probably next March. But I can't help but think of people who may not visit for another 3-4 years (or ever again) that really want to see this show.

And for us it'll be our last trip for a long time. After years of going twice, sometimes 3 times per year, we sold our DVC points and our APs will expire this August. That will be it, so I would like to see this ROL show during our last trip May 5-8th.

 

[figmentfan423]

Now the blog has something about an okapi

 

[figmentfan423]

And for us it'll be our last trip for a long time. After years of going twice, sometimes 3 times per year, we sold our DVC points and our APs will expire this August. That will be it, so I would like to see this ROL show during our last trip May 5-8th.

Good luck

 

[Vernie822]

And for us it'll be our last trip for a long time. After years of going twice, sometimes 3 times per year, we sold our DVC points and our APs will expire this August. That will be it, so I would like to see this ROL show during our last trip May 5-8th.

Exactly. I really hope you get to see it!

 

[jlundeen]

Now the blog has something about an okapi

Somehow I doubt that there will be anything new on the BLOG about ROL for quite awhile, especially after the responses from yesterday! I would be nice if SOMEONE would reply to them, though.