Unforeseen circumstances Cali adventure closing early tonight

[Armadillo4]

Because of the lower than expected crowds, the wait times for most rides were pretty short most of the day. For example, when we walked up to Pixie Hollow in the afternoon, there were only two families in line. Most guests would have been able to ride more attractions and see more characters in a shorter amount of time. The early closure, while unfortunate, probably didn't impact one's ability to experience all the rides you wanted to go on.

I also think Disney overestimated the crowds for post-New Years Day. One of my friends posted the following Facebook status on Sunday night at 10:30pm. "We just rode Haunted Mansion and there was no one else in the building (except cast members). It was just Becky and I in the elevator. And no one was waiting to board the doom buggies. It was kind of freaky and awesome all at once."

At the same time, I do wish Disneyland had better entertainment operations when it does rain. I've seen pictures and videos from the Florida and Tokyo parks of parades in the rain. I totally would watch a parade in the rain with my poncho and umbrella.

 

[pixiewings71]

But deffiently not TOO COLD to enjoy Disneyland.

Definitely NOT too cold to enjoy DL!!! NEVER too cold for that! LOL

 

[Albort]

what day are we talking about?

and yes, DCA can close due to low crowd levels.

 

[disneychrista]

what day are we talking about?

This was on Monday.

 

[23bw]

Can’t believe I’m reading this of our beloved theme park.

Threatening weather such as possible lightning or heavy rain would be reasonable but closing early due to low crowd levels? What kind of crock is that?

DLR commits to varying lengths of park hours when it publishes the park hours on its website and in those weekly park info sheets given out at the gates. Resort guests plan their vacations and buy park tickets based on this information. In simple terms, DLR is selling a service everyday in the form of entertainment. Customers buy the service and it’s the responsibility of DLR to honor that agreement.

Just because fewer than expected guests show up, DLR wants call it a day and renege on the deal made with park guests? All this sounds very sleazy to me. For those of you who feel this is an acceptable policy, what if DLR cancelled the day’s showing of Alladin on the same day because they felt there wasn’t enough of a crowd to justify running the show? What about shutting down the less popular rides during the day to save on electricity and ride operators? Where do you draw the line?

In the happiest place on earth, I would expect DCA to stay open even if there was just one family inside the park. But if all park guests agree on the early closing, then I have no problem with DLR shutting down early.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

Can’t believe I’m reading this of our beloved theme park.

Threatening weather such as possible lightning or heavy rain would be reasonable but closing early due to low crowd levels? What kind of crock is that?

DLR commits to varying lengths of park hours when it publishes the park hours on its website and in those weekly park info sheets given out at the gates. Resort guests plan their vacations and buy park tickets based on this information. In simple terms, DLR is selling a service everyday in the form of entertainment. Customers buy the service and it’s the responsibility of DLR to honor that agreement.

Just because fewer than expected guests show up, DLR wants call it a day and renege on the deal made with park guests? All this sounds very sleazy to me. For those of you who feel this is an acceptable policy, what if DLR cancelled the day’s showing of Alladin on the same day because they felt there wasn’t enough of a crowd to justify running the show? What about shutting down the less popular rides during the day to save on electricity and ride operators? Where do you draw the line?

In the happiest place on earth, I would expect DCA to stay open even if there was just one family inside the park. But if all park guests agree on the early closing, then I have no problem with DLR shutting down early.

ITA!

 

[pixiewings71]

Can’t believe I’m reading this of our beloved theme park.

Threatening weather such as possible lightning or heavy rain would be reasonable but closing early due to low crowd levels? What kind of crock is that?

DLR commits to varying lengths of park hours when it publishes the park hours on its website and in those weekly park info sheets given out at the gates. Resort guests plan their vacations and buy park tickets based on this information. In simple terms, DLR is selling a service everyday in the form of entertainment. Customers buy the service and it’s the responsibility of DLR to honor that agreement.

Just because fewer than expected guests show up, DLR wants call it a day and renege on the deal made with park guests? All this sounds very sleazy to me. For those of you who feel this is an acceptable policy, what if DLR cancelled the day’s showing of Alladin on the same day because they felt there wasn’t enough of a crowd to justify running the show? What about shutting down the less popular rides during the day to save on electricity and ride operators? Where do you draw the line?

In the happiest place on earth, I would expect DCA to stay open even if there was just one family inside the park. But if all park guests agree on the early closing, then I have no problem with DLR shutting down early.

As with any theme park DLR/DCA reserve the right to cancel shows or reduce operating hours if it is deemed necessary. As I said, we were there one night when they closed DCA early, it was fine with us, we went to DLR for the rest of the night. It was cold, it was wet, DCA was practically deserted, they closed it, not a big deal. By buying tickets to theme parks (and this has happened to us at 6 Flags as well, prior to carrying DL AP's we had Season Passes for our local 6 Flags, they closed early a lot more times then we experienced at DL!) we are agreeing to their terms and one of those terms is last minute changes.

 

[Armadillo4]

First of all, let me say that I don't like the idea of any park closing early. That being said, I understand why it would happen.

Threatening weather such as possible lightning or heavy rain would be reasonable but closing early due to low crowd levels?

My numbers here are a guess, but 95% of the time, low crowd levels--low enough to call for an early closure--are caused by bad weather. They usually go hand-in-hand. It's rare (but I guess possible) that you would see an early closure when the weather is perfectly nice outside.

DLR commits to varying lengths of park hours when it publishes the park hours on its website and in those weekly park info sheets given out at the gates. Customers buy the service and it’s the responsibility of DLR to honor that agreement.

Just because fewer than expected guests show up, DLR wants call it a day and renege on the deal made with park guests? All this sounds very sleazy to me.

Note that the reverse has also happened. This past summer, when WOC opened, park hours were EXTENDED at DCA and an additional WOC showing was scheduled. Should Disney have kept to the original park hours and show schedule published in advance, despite the large guest demand for WOC?

For those of you who feel this is an acceptable policy, what if DLR cancelled the day’s showing of Alladin on the same day because they felt there wasn’t enough of a crowd to justify running the show?

Another example of this in reverse is the ADDED showing of a THIRD Fantasmic on those crazy busy weekend nights. Should Disney honor its agreement of only two Fantasmic shows since that was what was originally on the published schedule?

While the concept of closing early due to low crowds sounds terrible, in practical experience, it's usually because of severe weather. And I think Disney has shown that it will do the reverse when there are extremely heavy crowds--e.g. adding WOC and Fantasmic shows due to guest demand.

(Although as I posted earlier, I do wish DLR was able to better handle rain like the Florida and Tokyo parks with regards to entertainment offerings.)

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

The Disneyland Resort rarely reduces park hours, when they do its usually because of poor weather that has led to much lower then planned attendance. The decision to shorten parks hours is obviously is not taken lightly. But the idea is with much lower then forecasted attendance, Guests are able to complete all the attractions they wanted to because of the minimal waits. The same goes for when park hours are extended, management notices that there are much higher then expected crowds leading to very long waits. The decision can then be made to extend park hours so Guests can go on a more acceptable amount of attractions and have an overall better experience. As a CM I don't like it because it means my hours are cut, however this only happens like maybe 2 or 3 times a year on average. In addition the hours are only cut an hour or two.

 

[iKristin]

Haven't they been closing DCA early due to low crowds? I'm not surprised, I mean they might as well save the money it costs to keep what few rides they have running since the whole park is under construction. Can't wait til all this construction is done!! I bet they can't wait either lol

 

[23bw]

First of all, let me say that I don't like the idea of any park closing early. That being said, I understand why it would happen. My numbers here are a guess, but 95% of the time, low crowd levels--low enough to call for an early closure--are caused by bad weather. They usually go hand-in-hand. It's rare (but I guess possible) that you would see an early closure when the weather is perfectly nice outside.

I too understand why it happens but that doesn't make it right. It appears many who aren't bothered by this are from the SoCal area and possibly with APs. For locals, I can see it's not big deal because you can just go visit the parks next day, next week, or next month. However for vacationers who visit DLR once every few years, it matters much more. I've never experienced an early closure so I can't say how disappointed I would be. But the concept of closing early because of low crowds is just plain wrong.

Note that the reverse has also happened. This past summer, when WOC opened, park hours were EXTENDED at DCA and an additional WOC showing was scheduled. Should Disney have kept to the original park hours and show schedule published in advance, despite the large guest demand for WOC? Another example of this in reverse is the ADDED showing of a THIRD Fantasmic on those crazy busy weekend nights. Should Disney honor its agreement of only two Fantasmic shows since that was what was originally on the published schedule?

Giving away something extra isn't the same as taking away something already paid for. If DLR kept to their original planned schedule, I wouldn't care as long as they didn't take anything away. DLR never committed to these extras so park guest should not expect them. What if you paid for a theme park view room at the GCH, but they gave you a standard room instead? And the reason given was that not enough guests are staying at the upper floors so those rooms are not available. IMO, it’s the same principle here.

Closing early due to weather, guest safety, or events beyond their control (power outage, etc) is acceptable. Closing because they didn’t get enough people in the parks is wrong.