Two Disneyland "Never Agains" from my recent visit

[MkaMouse]

Let's start with the positive: My visit last weekend (Saturday 3/23 - Tuesday 3/26) was absolutely fantastic. Weather was gorgeous. Crowds were heavy, but manageable. And the Grand Californian is amazing. Just amazing. Now I understand why so many are willing to pay $$$ to stay there.

Never Again #1: World of Color Dessert Party. I understand that the main point of doing the dessert party for most people is to get premium viewing for the show. But I'm not most people. The highlight of the dessert party for me was going to be the gorgeous plate of little desserts. I'm slightly food-obsessed. I'm also gluten-free. I've done the dessert party gluten-free in the past and I've been happy with the desserts. Not this time. Here's what I received: the usual three cheeses and grapes, a very COLD little loaf of gluten free bread about the size of my fist, a tiny bowl of gummy/coconut stuff (I have no idea what it was, but it wasn't very good), a tiny bowl of raspberry puree, one mini macaron, and a candy-dipped strawberry (not even a chocolate-dipped strawberry - it was dipped in some pink, almost flavorless candy coating.) And one drink. No refill. That was it. Compare this to the "regular" desserts offered: cheeses, grapes, French bread, breadsticks, shortbread cookie, chocolate bundt cake, cheesecake, Mickey-shaped macaroon, and mini macaron, along with two drinks. I was SO disappointed. It is 2019. There is a multitude of good gluten-free dessert options available. Disneyland has no excuse for providing such a pathetic dessert plate. First world problem, yes. But still. SO disappointing. Never again.

Never Again #2: Disneyland Express for transportation to SNA. I have used the service in the past with no issues. But this time the 11:20 am shuttle to SNA did not arrive on time. I don't know if it ever arrived, because after waiting over 20 minutes I ended up taking a taxi to the airport. The concierge desk at the Grand had received no word on where the bus was and when or if it would ever arrive.
While I was sitting there waiting a Disneyland Express shuttle did pull up, but he was only dropping off, and could not provide any information on when the shuttle for picking up would arrive. Again, this is 2019. With all the transportation and communication options available, how can Disneyland Express expect people to patiently sit and wait hours for a shuttle that may or may not arrive on time, with no way of knowing if or when said shuttle will arrive? Ugh. Never again.

Which of the two am I more disappointed about? Definitely World of Color Dessert Party. Especially since I'm more of a Fantasmic girl anyhow.

And what the heck was that gummy coconut stuff?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Write in to Disney to let them know your thoughts on the GF Dessert Party offerings. Be specific, as detailed as you can be, and be sure to state that this recent experience did not measure up to your past experience. Explain why not and how that affected your experience. Disney needs to know about this and your comment can be very helpful.

 

[Belle5]

Oh, I would be livid over the gluten free garbage you were given (especially when you've had much better from the same party in the past)! It's not a first world problem when you've paid $80...it's actually highway robbery! Someone knowingly made the change in offerings. Very, very bad decision! Even if you paid $30 of the $80 to have a chair/view...there is no way your plate was the balance, even considering the included tax and tip!

 

[MkaMouse]

Write in to Disney to let them know your thoughts on the GF Dessert Party offerings. Be specific, as detailed as you can be, and be sure to state that this recent experience did not measure up to your past experience. Explain why not and how that affected your experience. Disney needs to know about this and your comment can be very helpful.

Yes, I was planning to email them to express my disappointment. Hopefully my complaint can spare future gluten-free diners from a similar sad plate.

 

[GatorChris]

I've never done the Dessert Party at WOC. To me, the seats are so far back and the price is far too high for what you get. I'd definitely complain about the GF offerings. For $80, they need to have premium foods, not leftovers they found on the Big Lots rack.

 

[LizzyS]

Oh, I would be livid over the gluten free garbage you were given (especially when you've had much better from the same party in the past)! It's not a first world problem when you've paid $80...it's actually highway robbery! Someone knowingly made the change in offerings. Very, very bad decision! Even if you paid $30 of the $80 to have a chair/view...there is no way your plate was the balance, even considering the included tax and tip!

I agree with the sentiment that it transcends a first world problem when you're paying bank for something.

Sorry you had a bad experience, OP. As has been suggested, I would write to Disney about it.

 

[avalon451]

Write in to Disney to let them know your thoughts on the GF Dessert Party offerings. Be specific, as detailed as you can be, and be sure to state that this recent experience did not measure up to your past experience. Explain why not and how that affected your experience. Disney needs to know about this and your comment can be very helpful.

Yes, please do this. We are going to do the WOC dessert party in September, and 5 of our party of 6 are GF.

Last time DH and I did it (Sept '16) I'd forgotten to mention the GF thing when making our reservations. When we checked in, they were in a bit of a panic, but recovered well. They ended up just giving us the regular offerings plus an extra plate of fruit and cheese. We picked through the regular desserts and had the macaroon and the chocolate dipped strawberry (we aren't that susceptible to cross contamination, but our daughters are more so).

They really ought to do better in this department. In this day and age, there are SO many easy and delicious GF options.

What the heck was the cold bread thing? Like, a muffin? A dinner roll? A GF hamburger bun? We had a pretty good GF muffin at Minnie and Friends Plaza breakfast. Also, Jolly Holiday bakery had a fine gluten free chocolate cake (read: brownie). They could think about incorporating those. Plus, like, a creme brulee, maybe.

 

[kimmar067]

Yes, I was planning to email them to express my disappointment. Hopefully my complaint can spare future gluten-free diners from a similar sad plate.

.....good-to-know. My DH has celiac, so I am crossing this one off my bucket list....what a shame...

 

[MkaMouse]

Yes, please do this. We are going to do the WOC dessert party in September, and 5 of our party of 6 are GF.

Last time DH and I did it (Sept '16) I'd forgotten to mention the GF thing when making our reservations. When we checked in, they were in a bit of a panic, but recovered well. They ended up just giving us the regular offerings plus an extra plate of fruit and cheese. We picked through the regular desserts and had the macaroon and the chocolate dipped strawberry (we aren't that susceptible to cross contamination, but our daughters are more so).

They really ought to do better in this department. In this day and age, there are SO many easy and delicious GF options.

What the heck was the cold bread thing? Like, a muffin? A dinner roll? A GF hamburger bun? We had a pretty good GF muffin at Minnie and Friends Plaza breakfast. Also, Jolly Holiday bakery had a fine gluten free chocolate cake (read: brownie). They could think about incorporating those. Plus, like, a creme brulee, maybe.

I have sent my unhappy comments to DL Guest Services. I will be sure to report back on what they reply. It will take a few days for them to get back to me, but I know they always do respond.

The cold bread thing was simply a mini loaf of sliced white bread. Had it been warmed it would have been 100% better.

 

[MkaMouse]

.....good-to-know. My DH has celiac, so I am crossing this one off my bucket list....what a shame...

I didn't mention earlier that they initially presented me with a plate of the regular desserts. Even though my reservation was clearly marked for a "wheat/gluten allergy" and even though I had a special wristband to indicate a food allergy. I had to flag down a server to request the gluten-free plate.

 

[kimmar067]

I didn't mention earlier that they initially presented me with a plate of the regular desserts. Even though my reservation was clearly marked for a "wheat/gluten allergy" and even though I had a special wristband to indicate a food allergy. I had to flag down a server to request the gluten-free plate.

...wow...irresponsible on their part!

 

[tarheelalum]

Imho most of the special event/seating meals are a rip off. Disney has no shame.

 

[LizzyS]

Imho most if the special event/seating meals are a rip off. Disney has no shame.

I have to say that we definitely enjoyed the dessert party at Magic Kingdom so that we could be seated and watch the HEA fireworks last year. I loved the dessert buffet, but am not sure I want to shell out to not get a buffet, tbh.

 

[mentos]

Oof, that's annoying about DL Express - I love using them as it negates needing to bring a car seat, but that would rile me up. Did you ever hear back from them, if you contacted them?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I didn't mention earlier that they initially presented me with a plate of the regular desserts. Even though my reservation was clearly marked for a "wheat/gluten allergy" and even though I had a special wristband to indicate a food allergy. I had to flag down a server to request the gluten-free plate.

That's really odd. When we've done the Dessert Party, I've always received extra attention because of my allergy wristband. Hmmm... something's really off here. There's a good chance someone from Guest Experience will contact you about your comment. Please go into more detail about this and let them know how far things are slipping -- this could really be dangerous for someone who doesn't know to speak up and thinks that this level of carelessness is normal.

 

[MkaMouse]

Oof, that's annoying about DL Express - I love using them as it negates needing to bring a car seat, but that would rile me up. Did you ever hear back from them, if you contacted them?

I did hear back from them. Here is what they replied: "We apologize for this slight delay. We work hard to stay as close to our schedule as possible. However from time to time experience some delays due to road conditions and other matters out of our purview. We sincerely apologize for this experience and hope you understand that this is not a normal occurrence for our service."

I did not bother to request a refund for the transportation I paid for but never received, because I already know they do not give refunds. They can keep my $18.

 

[StormyCA]

Since they handed you a 'regular' plate, I have a feeling that your GF plate didn't get delivered so they probably threw together whatever they could find.

I don't 'do' shows, so it's not likely I'd ever do the dessert party. But the idea of paying $80 for basically nothing 'special' is outrageous. Actually, paying $80 even for a plate of 'delicious' is outrageous IMO. That's pretty much dinner for two at a nice sit-down place.

 

[Astylla]

Since they handed you a 'regular' plate, I have a feeling that your GF plate didn't get delivered so they probably threw together whatever they could find.

I don't 'do' shows, so it's not likely I'd ever do the dessert party. But the idea of paying $80 for basically nothing 'special' is outrageous. Actually, paying $80 even for a plate of 'delicious' is outrageous IMO. That's pretty much dinner for two at a nice sit-down place.

I've done the WOC dessert party no less than 6 times and loved it for one main reason - I could sit and enjoy the show instead of standing to have so many taller people block me. I've always enjoyed the desserts as well as the company I've met since I go solo due to my DH not liking sweets.

I don't have any allergies so I can't imagine how frustrating that must have been for you and absolutely think you should contact Disney regarding that. It's my favorite splurge and I'll likely do it 2-3 times this year again but it's not cheap for sure. Value is relative though depending on the individual so for me it's a good value for the comfort and enjoyment of a favorite show that changes with the seasons.

I hope you'll come back and enjoy other aslexts6of Disneyland again though

 

[avalon451]

I've done the WOC dessert party no less than 6 times and loved it for one main reason - I could sit and enjoy the show instead of standing to have so many taller people block me. I've always enjoyed the desserts as well as the company I've met since I go solo due to my DH not liking sweets.

This. I did the FastPass thing but found it so frustrating and boring to sit on the ground , squished like sardines, for more than an hour. Then we stood up for quite awhile more while they packed more people in. I was at the railing, but there was a couple behind me with two kiddos maybe 8 & 10, and they were very clearly going to miss so much because of the people ahead of them. So I offered to let the kids stand in front of me at the rail.

It was just so much better to just show up 30 minutes before the show, sit at a table, and get a great view while being served drinks and snacks. It wasn't about how wonderful the snacks were, although we enjoyed them, even though they'd kind of messed up our GF options. I'd pay that amount just to not have to line up in so squished an area, only to have my view blocked by some tall person, which isn't hard because I'm only 5'4".

 

[Joestoppable]

I've done the WOC dessert party no less than 6 times and loved it for one main reason - I could sit and enjoy the show instead of standing to have so many taller people block me. I've always enjoyed the desserts as well as the company I've met since I go solo due to my DH not liking sweets.

I go to DL fairly often, but on the rare occasions when I take a few days off of work for it, I go like its my first time at the parks. So for me the WOC dessert party is mainly about the seats. I would $90 or even $100. The desserts arent the greatest, but you do get unlimited coffee/hot chocolate/sparkling wine. I sometimes ask the CM to mix the coffee and hot chocolate together. Not all that bad. But after a full day from rope drop to closing, all the walking and rides and what not, its just nice to be able to sit down, not have worry about the crowd around you and the parents with kids on their shoulders. You can really just sit back and enjoy the show