Space 220 evacuated today 2/22

[GoingSince1990]

We were enjoying our Space 220 dinner today when just after finishing our appetizers (a little after 8 PM), an alarm went off (rumored to be a fire alarm) and everyone had to go outside. Obviously the “space elevator” was not used, so it did ruin the illusion a bit. While outside there was an announcement that the restaurant was “closed for the day” so we assumed that we were done eating there and I started looking on the app for another place to eat. A few minutes later they clarified by saying that those who had already been dining would be allowed to return, so eventually we were allowed back inside to finish our dinners. Those with reservations who had not been seated were allowed to re-reserve for a day and time of their choosing. While we were finishing up, a manager came to our table and apologized for the incident, telling us we would be getting a 30% discount. And given that we were allowed to piggyback the 10% DVC discount on top of that, our final bill was a lot more reasonable than I had been anticipating! When we returned, the restaurant was MUCH emptier than before the alarm, so many people must have been misled by the “closed for the day” announcement, or just bailed out to avoid having to pay for what they had already consumed.

 

[Skippyboo]

I wonder what percentage dined and dashed I definitely can see people doing that if they were near done with their meals or just doing drinks and apps at the lounge.

 

[Beer Me]

I wonder what percentage dined and dashed I definitely can see people doing that if they were near done with their meals or just doing drinks and apps at the lounge.

I wouldn’t call it dine and dash. They may have legitimately not known what to do if the restaurant had really closed for the day as the announcement indicated. I may have thought “oh well they know where to find me” and left.

And maybe I’m a karen but I don’t think 30% is enough for that much of a disruption.

 

[Narcoossee11]

I think 30% would be GREAT!!!
Plus you have a story to tell the rest of your life.. That is PRICELESS

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I don't understand.... what do you mean they didn't evacuate using the space elevator. That's not the only way out?!?!

 

[RoseGold]

I was in a very fancy restaurant that was ~$200/head when the fire alarm went off and the sprinklers. We were halfway through dinner. They comped dinner including booze, and ordered pizza from their favorite local joint, which everyone ate outside in fancy clothes. The pizza seemed to show up before most of the firemen.

This was a restaurant that was difficult to reserve. They gave us a contact to help us rebook in the future, and we've used it more than once after the fantastic way this was handled.

Returning to a 30% discount LOL. Probably wish you'd dine and dashed.

 

[ziravan]

My kids love “in-show” exits. They’d probably beg me to PAY a 30% premium for one.

 

[JC1984]

I don't understand.... what do you mean they didn't evacuate using the space elevator. That's not the only way out?!?!

The people that “bailed” are forever lost in the vacuum of space

 

[loves to dive]

And maybe I’m a karen but I don’t think 30% is enough for that much of a disruption.

I'm just the opposite and would have told them it wasn't necessary. I was in Chefs in France once and a little girl at the next table dropped her glass. Sucker shattered worse than my heart when my first boyfriend broke up with me. Glass flew across my table just missing me to under the table next to me. A small speck of glass landed on my plate. I was already finished with my meal at that point, even though there was probably half still on my plate. I flagged a waiter down and told him there was a piece under the table next to me so someone wouldn't get cut and pointed out the piece on my plate so they would know to scrap it carefully. He told the manager who came over and wanted to comp. my meal. I had had a glass of wine, an appy and the entre so that was just too much. No thanks I told him, I'm good, I was done and I just didn't want someone to step on the glass under the table. We discussed a few minutes and I finally convinced him not to comp. the meal. When I paid he had comped the wine, which at that point I was tired of discussing it and let him. There was no harm to me, I had eaten all that I was going to eat, I wasn't hit by glass so I really didn't see any reason to not pay for my meal. But, I come from a family that has owned, managed and worked in the restaurant business my entire life so while I won't tolerate bad service or waiting for my check, I also know crap happens that isn't their fault.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I don't understand.... what do you mean they didn't evacuate using the space elevator. That's not the only way out?!?!

you would not want to be on an elevator if there had really been a fire and power went out. just saying not that was what happened

 

[JC1984]

you would not want to be on an elevator if there had really been a fire and power went out. just saying not that was what happened

I think the OP was being sarcastic since you are supposed to be in space

 

[Beer Me]

I'm just the opposite and would have told them it wasn't necessary. I was in Chefs in France once and a little girl at the next table dropped her glass. Sucker shattered worse than my heart when my first boyfriend broke up with me. Glass flew across my table just missing me to under the table next to me. A small speck of glass landed on my plate. I was already finished with my meal at that point, even though there was probably half still on my plate. I flagged a waiter down and told him there was a piece under the table next to me so someone wouldn't get cut and pointed out the piece on my plate so they would know to scrap it carefully. He told the manager who came over and wanted to comp. my meal. I had had a glass of wine, an appy and the entre so that was just too much. No thanks I told him, I'm good, I was done and I just didn't want someone to step on the glass under the table. We discussed a few minutes and I finally convinced him not to comp. the meal. When I paid he had comped the wine, which at that point I was tired of discussing it and let him. There was no harm to me, I had eaten all that I was going to eat, I wasn't hit by glass so I really didn't see any reason to not pay for my meal. But, I come from a family that has owned, managed and worked in the restaurant business my entire life so while I won't tolerate bad service or waiting for my check, I also know crap happens that isn't their fault.

I wouldn’t have complained or expected compensation for a kid breaking a glass near me. And like you can’t imagine excepting their generous offer to comp the meal for something so trivial. But I would walk away with a very favorable impression of how they treat their customers! Your story makes me want to try it on our next trip.

I don’t think that’s comparable to evacuating the restaurant in the middle of the meal and announcing it was closed for the day then changing their mind so that customers can return to a half eaten meal. And with the whole illusion spoiled - especially for kids. It would be hard to walk away and be happy with the experience.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I think the OP was being sarcastic since you are supposed to be in space

I would hope but I am one that not being able to use elevator makes it hard to leave quickly so I can see someone actually wanting to use elevator

 

[thanxfornoticin]

OK, I've lost track of the sarcastic/fun responses and those more serious! In an emergency at 220, no one will be directed to the 'pretend' 220 mile long elevator. They will be sent out the closest emergency exits, instead, for safety.

 

[rdaky]

Personally, I think it should have been 100% comped. Disney can afford it.

 

[jimmymc]

I don't understand.... what do you mean they didn't evacuate using the space elevator. That's not the only way out?!?!

They used the escape pods, which are converted Great Movie Ride vehicles.

 

[jimmymc]

OK, I've lost track of the sarcastic/fun responses and those more serious! In an emergency at 220, no one will be directed to the 'pretend' 220 mile long elevator. They will be sent out the closest emergency exits, instead, for safety.

I'm imagining the cast members holding everyone in the elevator as the building is on fire yelling "Wait, we're almost there! Nobody leave yet!"

 

[JC1984]

OK, I've lost track of the sarcastic/fun responses and those more serious! In an emergency at 220, no one will be directed to the 'pretend' 220 mile long elevator. They will be sent out the closest emergency exits, instead, for safety.

Okay we get it you can’t use the space elevator to evacuate during a fire but what if they installed the escape pods from RotR so you could free fall back to earth and not worry about fire damaging the mechanical components of the elevator

 

[JC1984]

They used the escape pods, which are converted Great Movie Ride vehicles.

Great minds think alike

 

[Narcoossee11]

Maybe while missing gst are floating in space, they will find George Clooney. What a HUNK!