WOC Cancelled tonight- fountain broke

[brenda1966]

 

[skiingfast]

I have done the Fantasmic Dining package at WDW. As another poster mentioned. If the show doesn't go that night, you don't get anything.

I look at it this way I pay $20 more for dinner and don't have to wait 2 hours in line. Which is how Fantasmic works in DHS. I knew making the reservation months out that it is quite a risk that it won't run. It rains a lot in Florida and this is why they cancel the show.

It is unfortunate to the people who experienced this WoC cancelation. But if you feel like you paid for something and didn't get it, don't expect millions in recourse. I once sat on a stuck chairlift and when it ran again, I was handed a coupon for a beer or cocoa. Cost to the company 75cents. BTW I wasn't thinking about a beer when I was sitting on the chair, I was thinking about the restroom at the top.

If you get to see the show the next day what about the people who reserved for that show? There are lots of things Disney could of done but that's not one. Nor is having extra CM's onsite to deal with these sudden problems.

 

[djc6535]

Now I do feel bad for the FP holders who've spent time to see the show, they are pretty much out of luck. But for people who have booked a dining package and spent $100 for about $50 worth of food, that other $50 is a good will dontation toward a show ticket. If the show doesn't happen, that should be refunded in some way.

Let me ask you this, can you see the argument that the TIME spent by the people who waited for the fast pass is every bit as valuable as the MONEY spent by others on a dining package? After all, didn't they spend that money to avoid losing that oh so valuable Disneyland time?

For me it just seems like money is easier to return than time is.

 

[djc6535]

I agree with Dreams and Darth Nader etc. I am not quite sure what people expected Disney to do - particularly for the regular FP holders.

I made my 'Time in the park is at least as valuable as money' argument already so I'll stick to this, what I believe Disney should have done... or the plan they should have had in place for people who don't get to see the show. I actually think the situation is easiest for the annual pass members.

If you have an annual pass, you get a ticket that gets you to the front of the fast pass line for WoC on your next visit. That's all I'd ask for. A fast pass for the fast pass line if you will.

Simple right? I waited in a line for a show. I didn't get to see the show but I already paid it's 'cost' in time at the park. I shouldn't have to pay that cost twice to see the show once.

It doesn't detract from people who already have dining reservations for future shows because I'm not in the running for any of their 'slots'. It doesn't require Disney to do anything special or give me any extra benefit (like a free extra day at the park, or front of the line pass for other rides or anything) and most of all, doesn't cost them anything. If anything it probably earns them money because it gets me in the park a second day I might not have originally planned for.

All it really takes is for them to be prepared.

It's a little less ideal for people who bought tickets at the gate or have their APs expiring before they can return, but I do believe that it is a fair and sufficient way to recover from a canceled show.

 

[brenda1966]

For me it just seems like money is easier to return than time is.

Exactly! I'm not sure there's anything Disney can do to return the time you've spent.

One could argue scenarios until we're blue in the face. It's an unfortunate situation all around, but when I've paid money for something that wasn't delivered, I want a refund. They can't ever pay me back for the time I've lost.

 

[Shockberta]

That sounds like an unpleasant experience.

This technical difficultly is to experience on new attractions. It seems the new rides ALWAYS break down, so that's is not the big deal.

Disney should of had a plan for this situation. They should of gave the money back to all the people with the dining package.

 

[farmgirljen]

Here is my 2 cents- I am not a frequent disney traveler. I have been once in my whole life,and am planning another trip currently for october. When I was there last June- F had a malfunction and the first show was cancelled- It was hugely dissappointing, but we were able to get there for the next nights show. I had not spent hours in line nor had I spent a lot of money for a dinner package to get a good view. If I had spent a lot of money to buy a dinner package that ensured me a good seat, I would be downright PO'd about not getting to see the show! I would expect to get comp'd something for the missing show- as it was part of my dining package that I paid for. If you book a charachter meal and then there are no charachters would you be ok with that? No- I don't think anyone would be ok with that- it is part of what you are paying for for that experience. I feel lucky in that I got to watch WOC online the night they premiered it. It was neat, and obviously not like bein there in person- but there is no way I would waste my precious time in DL waiting in line for it the way people are....

 

[ironlou]

I looked at it this way.

We have to eat anyways while there so why not just get a meal plan that includes the show? This way you are not wasting 2+ hours in line in teh morning getting tickets.

we all knew there was going to be issues with the first year. I bet by next year the way they handle all of this will be different and better. We are the test rats for this year.

As for a character-less meal, the CM makes it very clear when you reserve your meal that there is no characters.

 

[iKristin]

The thing is how do you expect them to give out fastpasses for another showing?? It would screw up the numbers for THAT showing. You can't just hand out passes to a show that has limited seating because then all those people that have passes, some of them won't get in because the people that got canceled on took their place on the next showing and they'll be feeling the same way you were when the first show got canceled. So maybe you don't get a fastpass to WOC, you had a nice meal and you're at DISNEYLAND!!! It's a show for pete's sake, not a life or death thing. Just take a deep breath and go ride some rides instead! So it sucks, just see another showing and don't take it out on anyone. No one, not even higher management can control issues like these. They're going to happen no matter what and it's not exactly something you can plan for in detail. People just get heated way too much now a days over stupid things like that.

 

[djc6535]

The thing is how do you expect them to give out fastpasses for another showing??

You give them a pass to get a fast pass without waiting in line next time. A little card with a barcode on it (to ensure single use only) that they take to the guest relations booth when they come back that gets them a WoC fastpass. The whole system is computer run and networked so it'd be easy to pull off. Preferred diners wouldn't be able to get the preferred viewing area (yellow) but they would still be on the preferred viewing platform. Given that or miss the show entirely I know what my choice would be.

 

[wdi2b]

i was there also. i was in the wet zone in the middle. everyone was furious and the flooding was from the little water playground. we still got a little wet from the flooding. the 11:15 show was on. probably just the wrong valve was turned on.

that line was insane. i chose to ride rides instead of getting in it.

 

[farmgirljen]

I looked at it this way.

We have to eat anyways while there so why not just get a meal plan that includes the show? This way you are not wasting 2+ hours in line in teh morning getting tickets.

we all knew there was going to be issues with the first year. I bet by next year the way they handle all of this will be different and better. We are the test rats for this year.

As for a character-less meal, the CM makes it very clear when you reserve your meal that there is no characters.

I was talking about specifically going to a charachter meal- if you go to goofies kitchen ,you expect to see and interact with charachters- it is part of what you are paying the extra money for - I was not talking about a regular meal that is not billed as a charachter meal. My point is that the WOC dining packages are billed as dinner and a show. If the show does not happen, then they should be reimbursing people for that.

 

[camouseketeer]

I am sorry that the show was canceled and understand the disappointment in not getting to see World of Color. I am not sure what exactly people expect of Disney when a show has technical issues.

Disney did not consciously choose to cancel the show, leaving guests without a show.

Of course they didn't, and no one is arguing that they did.

If you go to the movie theatre and the movie cannot be shown due to technical reasons, they refund your money because you paid to see a movie. [

If you go to the Park and TSMM is down the entire day due to technical issues, does Disney owe you a refund? I think we would all agree, "No."

If one shop in Disneyland is closed for the day or one ride doesn't open does Disney owe a refund? What if the Tiki room doesn't open? That's a show.

Correct, but there are many other options of attractions to visit beside those closed rides or show. With WOC, it was the ONLY attraction that people spent their time/money (time in line or money on a meal) to watch and that ONE attraction was no longer available.

In the case of World of Color, two entire Parks were open throughout the day for enjoyment, so I don't understand how one could argue that the money spent on Park admission is due to them - the Parks were there for them for enjoyment. And yet it sounds like Disney even DID offer this.

If people were asking for a refund for the DCA ticket, then yes, I would agree that Disney does not owe them anything. But from the tone and words of these posts, that is NOT what people wanted. They wanted compensation for their time/money spent solely on WOC.

As for a refund for a WoC Dinner package, I suppose the question comes down to: Are you paying for the dinner or for the show. I think Disney would argue, you are paying for the dinner and receiving priority seating for a FREE show that no one has pay any additional money (beyond Park admission) to see. You do not HAVE to pay to see WoC. It's a free show.

Yes, it's a free show, but the PREFERRED VIEW that comes with the meal IS NOT FREE. It ONLY comes when one PAYS for an expensive meal. Disney sold people a commodity that is only available by paying money. Then they did not produce that commodity. That is a problem.

It's a very unfortunate situation and one that no one wants to have happen, but I just don't understand the giant lines at Guest Relations or the sense of entitlement for compensation. It's a free show that experienced technical difficulties. What exactly does Disney owe?

For those who paid for a preferred view, they owe them a preferred view for another show. That is a paid commodity, and it needs to be redeemed.

For those who either stood in line or got the picnic, Disney probably doesn't owe them another FP BUT good customer relations dictates that they should have AT LEAST tried to get them into the 11:15 show that night or a subsequent night.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Correct, but there are many other options of attractions to visit beside those closed rides or show. With WOC, it was the ONLY attraction that people spent their time/money (time in line or money on a meal) to watch and that ONE attraction was no longer available.

If you are referring to the premium FPs, I think there is a value in the meal that has been eaten. There is a nominal difference in price between the meal and the WoC package. It is a free show. As for the time in line, if you camp out on Main Street for 2 hours (a CHOICE, not requirement) to see the fireworks and they are canceled, does Disney owe you something? I don't think so. I just don't view the world that way. Things happen. If Disney printed on the schedule that there is a fireworks show, allows people to camp out, and all the while does not plan on delivering said show, then something is owed to people for deception. If the fireworks "system" malfunctions, it's unfortunate, but something beyond Disney's control. Again, it's not the ONLY thing you can enjoy in the Park. With WoC package, many people have posted that they were told when making their PS that the show is not guaranteed.

Yes, it's a free show, but the PREFERRED VIEW that comes with the meal IS NOT FREE. It ONLY comes when one PAYS for an expensive meal. Disney sold people a commodity that is only available by paying money. Then they did not produce that commodity. That is a problem.

Again, it's a question of are you paying for the meal and receiving a preferred spot or are you paying for the spot and receiving the meal. I'm not saying I have the answer, I'm just presenting the question.

For those who either stood in line or got the picnic, Disney probably doesn't owe them another FP BUT good customer relations dictates that they should have AT LEAST tried to get them into the 11:15 show that night or a subsequent night.

But using your argument that it's about the time people invested, doesn't Disney owe everyone who waited something?

I just don't view it the same way you do.

 

[camouseketeer]

If you go to the Park and TSMM is down the entire day due to technical issues, does Disney owe you a refund? I think we would all agree, "No."

If one shop in Disneyland is closed for the day or one ride doesn't open does Disney owe a refund? What if the Tiki room doesn't open? That's a show.

Dreams, I was referring to your analogy above. It's a faulty analogy because with a park ticket, people have options of activities beyond those that are broken. With a WOC FP, there are no other options.

If all of the rides and attractions in DLR were broken and you bought a ticket, wouldn't you think you deserved a refund?

Dreams, we do see things differently. I appreciate your comments on so many threads on this board and respect your knowledge. I just think that Disney should have been more prepared for this and done more to ease a volitle situation.

If you are referring to the premium FPs, I think there is a value in the meal that has been eaten. There is a nominal difference in price between the meal and the WoC package. It is a free show. As for the time in line, if you camp out on Main Street for 2 hours (a CHOICE, not requirement) to see the fireworks and they are canceled, does Disney owe you something? I don't think so. I just don't view the world that way. Things happen. If Disney printed on the schedule that there is a fireworks show, allows people to camp out, and all the while does not plan on delivering said show, then something is owed to people for deception. If the fireworks "system" malfunctions, it's unfortunate, but something beyond Disney's control. Again, it's not the ONLY thing you can enjoy in the Park. With WoC package, many people have posted that they were told when making their PS that the show is not guaranteed.

I thought of the fireworks analogy. That is why I said this:

For those who either stood in line or got the picnic, Disney probably doesn't owe them another FP BUT good customer relations dictates that they should have AT LEAST tried to get them into the 11:15 show that night or a subsequent night.

I tried to say that they were not OWED anything, but the hype, publicity, and novelty of this show makes it more than a simple fireworks show. Currently it is a major draw to the parks, and that is why there were far more people upset and talking to guest relations than when a fireworks show is cancelled.

I think that Disney dropped the ball. They weren't prepared to even RESPOND to this issue, let alone find a reasonable solution.

Do I think every single person should have been given a new FP? No, but I given that people are reporting lots of room at the 11:15 shows and the fact that Disney CAN control the number of FP's handed out for future shows, they could have TRIED to accommodate people.

Again, it's a question of are you paying for the meal and receiving a preferred spot or are you paying for the spot and receiving the meal. I'm not saying I have the answer, I'm just presenting the question.

Here I strongly disagree with you.

Earlier you said:

I think Disney would argue, you are paying for the dinner and receiving priority seating for a FREE show that no one has pay any additional money (beyond Park admission) to see.

Of course people are paying for the preferred spot. They can eat anywhere, especially in places that are less expensive. If people simply wanted a good meal at Ariel's, wouldn't they go when they could get princess interaction too? No, they are going for the WOC preferred FP. Even the restaurants say it is a special menu. A WOC menu.

If an item (in this case, a WOC Preferred Viewing FP) can ONLY be obtained by paying money, it is not simply a free token thrown in. It is PART of what people paid for. They got their meal, now they want their show. It's a fair request, and it doesn't seem to be a hard request to fulfill.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I understand your view and I just think we disagree.

As for those with dinner packages, I think the key question is how much value is the meal vs. the show.

I completely understand the view of, "I never would have had dinner at AG or WCT if it weren't for the ticket to the show."

But I can also understand the argument, "You enjoyed a meal at a nice restaurant. The show is not a guarantee due to circumstances beyond our control."

It's a tough situation for all involved.

- Dreams

 

[aurora.in.wa]

The 10:15 dining crowd certainly had a right to their indigination, IMHO. I see it as Disney's own fault for mishandling the situation. The biggest mistake they've made is with the term "preferred seating". The word "preferred" conjurs up visions of superior viewability, but the truth is that all the sections have good views IF you have less than 2 people in front of you. For everyone else, regardless of how much you paid or what section you're in, your view will be obstructed.

The good news is, the show is a fabulous spectacle and worth seeing, despite the obstructions.