Matthew, my observations

I was at ASM from Monday to Friday. We got gas on Wednesday. Thursday we did 3 parks and hit our favorite rides several times. Got more beer and food at 2 gas stations and watched one run out of gas, and a smart manager lock the door to avoid a riot before they ran out of food. I could not believe how quickly the stress level of the crowd elevated, it was ugly.

Back at ASM, we decided to check the food court. Madness, the line for food was out the door into the bus area. My wife talked to a woman that waited hours for a pizza. Everyone was expecting that they would not be leaving the room on Friday, so they would need food and drinks for a full 24 hours. I saw families with stacks of pizzas, and the infamous box lunches. We ate our sandwiches in the food court just to people watch. I bought and extra 6pk of beer to give away. Found a guy who looked like he needed it, and gave it to him. It was one of the most sincere thank yous I have ever received. The next day, I was up at 7am, and expected it to be bad out. I had planned on taking photos of the storm and it's damage. Wind was 30 or less, rain less than average. Decided to check the food court. Free coffee and breakfast being served. By 9am people were out with small children and packing cars. We left at 11 am, easy drive to Key West.
 
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Bolt

Bolt

Well-Known Member
beertiki said:
I was at ASM from Monday to Friday. We got gas on Wednesday. Thursday we did 3 parks and hit our favorite rides several times. Got more beer and food at 2 gas stations and watched one run out of gas, and a smart manager lock the door to avoid a riot before they ran out of food. I could not believe how quickly the stress level of the crowd elevated, it was ugly.

Back at ASM, we decided to check the food court. Madness, the line for food was out the door into the bus area. My wife talked to a woman that waited hours for a pizza. Everyone was expecting that they would not be leaving the room on Friday, so they would need food and drinks for a full 24 hours. I saw families with stacks of pizzas, and the infamous box lunches. We ate our sandwiches in the food court just to people watch. I bought and extra 6pk of beer to give away. Found a guy who looked like he needed it, and gave it to him. It was one of the most sincere thank yous I have ever received. The next day, I was up at 7am, and expected it to be bad out. I had planned on taking photos of the storm and it's damage. Wind was 30 or less, rain less than average. Decided to check the food court. Free coffee and breakfast being served. By 9am people were out with small children and packing cars. We left at 11 am, easy drive to Key West.
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Groundbreaking journalism.
 
beertiki

beertiki

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Boxed Lunches. I was disgusted that Disney could charge $13 for emergency rations, because that is what they were selling. People were told that there would be nothing available on Friday, and Disney wanted to make a 500% profit. I bought a 6pk for a stranger, and one day out of 10 years Disney can't buy a sandwich for its trapped customers. I was prepared and had extra, I can not imagine how it would have felt for some on a tight budget (poor) family from middle America to be stuck in this situation. We have been coming to Disney for 20 years and now that we live in Florida have an AP. This was an opportunity for Disney to really take care of its guests, and it's response is a $13 sandwich.
 
mikeymouse

mikeymouse

Well-Known Member
beertiki said:
Boxed Lunches. I was disgusted that Disney could charge $13 for emergency rations, because that is what they were selling. People were told that there would be nothing available on Friday, and Disney wanted to make a 500% profit. I bought a 6pk for a stranger, and one day out of 10 years Disney can't buy a sandwich for its trapped customers. I was prepared and had extra, I can not imagine how it would have felt for some on a tight budget (poor) family from middle America to be stuck in this situation. We have been coming to Disney for 20 years and now that we live in Florida have an AP. This was an opportunity for Disney to really take care of its guests, and it's response is a $13 sandwich.
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I can understand that Disney lost a ton of revenue that day and a half but still its just wrong.
 
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
beertiki said:
Boxed Lunches. I was disgusted that Disney could charge $13 for emergency rations, because that is what they were selling. People were told that there would be nothing available on Friday, and Disney wanted to make a 500% profit. I bought a 6pk for a stranger, and one day out of 10 years Disney can't buy a sandwich for its trapped customers. I was prepared and had extra, I can not imagine how it would have felt for some on a tight budget (poor) family from middle America to be stuck in this situation. We have been coming to Disney for 20 years and now that we live in Florida have an AP. This was an opportunity for Disney to really take care of its guests, and it's response is a $13 sandwich.
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Devastating. What a mean and sorry corporation this is.

You should send this to some regular media, with pics and your story.
 
beertiki

beertiki

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thursday. Went to DHS at 9:10. Walked on Toy, then did it again with a 5 min wait. RR twice, then Tower. Went to AK with plans to ride Everest twice and then have a few beers at the Dawa bar. Did Everest 4x, just walk right on. Figured MK would be just as empty and skipped the Dawa. MK was less crowded than the Halloween Party on Tuesday. Did pirates, HM, and space. Left the park at 3pm. It was one of the most fun days we ever had at Disney.
 
beertiki

beertiki

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Not sure if your comment about Disney being a mean corporation was sarcasm. I don't think they are mean, I just see it as a big mistake that they will learn from. No pictures were taken by me, I don't believe in profiting or exploiting the misery of others. If there is anything to be learned here, it's take care of you and your family yourself, because no one else will.
 
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
beertiki said:
Not sure if your comment about Disney being a mean corporation was sarcasm. I don't think they are mean, I just see it as a big mistake that they will learn from. No pictures were taken by me, I don't believe in profiting or exploiting the misery of others. If there is anything to be learned here, it's take care of you and your family yourself, because no one else will.
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No sarcasm. Bitter criticism of a corporation that espouses MAGICal family values but sees dollars in the misery of stranded families.


Although there is a stark contrast with the free breakfast of the day after. Different management? Somebody seeing the light? Actual management on the floor vs. some suit issuing a decree from an office?
 
beertiki

beertiki

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Discounted breakfast, Free coffee, but those people in the long lines did not know that. In their minds, it was going to be 24 hours or more in their rooms. I think at some point on Thursday night, pictures of long lines and the $13 emergency ration on social media got the attention of some higher ups. Free coffee and cheap breakfast was just damage control.

Thus is a trip report and Matthew observation at the same time. Impossible to separate the two as we were constantly watching and preparing.
 
beertiki

beertiki

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I forgot one interesting detail. Yesterday as we were packing up, I noticed a flash light on the night stand. It was not mine. My wife saw it the day before and thought it was on of mine. I travel with 2 flashlights. 1 of my dive lights that could be described as a tatical flashlight, I guarantee it will temporarily blind any aggressor, and a mini waterproof light, a back up dive light. The mini light comes with me to the parks every trip. I think house keeping placed a flash light in every room.
 
SorcererMC

SorcererMC

Well-Known Member
beertiki said:
No beer fairy, I just knew that for a few dollars I could make this situation much better for one person. In Florida, beer is high on the list of hurricane preparedness.
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I'm very curious about their crisis management. Overall how would you describe Disney's response or how they managed it -- (Aside from the boxed lunch fiasco, which seems to be universally getting negative comments.)
Were their communications effective?
Were the long lines an issue for people?
Did Disney seem to have enough capacity/capability if the situation was prolonged?
 
Goofyernmost

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
beertiki said:
Boxed Lunches. I was disgusted that Disney could charge $13 for emergency rations, because that is what they were selling. People were told that there would be nothing available on Friday, and Disney wanted to make a 500% profit. I bought a 6pk for a stranger, and one day out of 10 years Disney can't buy a sandwich for its trapped customers. I was prepared and had extra, I can not imagine how it would have felt for some on a tight budget (poor) family from middle America to be stuck in this situation. We have been coming to Disney for 20 years and now that we live in Florida have an AP. This was an opportunity for Disney to really take care of its guests, and it's response is a $13 sandwich.
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You had me until the highlighted sentence. Poor Family at WDW unable to pay for food on a one day basis at WDW. What would they have eaten if the storm didn't interfere. I've seen it on intersections in the city, but, I have yet to see a family with cardboard signs at the entrance to WDW asking for money to buy a sandwich. Time for a little more reality and a little less hyperbole. Just as a side note or perhaps question what about all those poverty stricken folks that live on the east coast, northern states, southern states or western states? Is it only middle America that would contain a population of poor people that somehow manage to take a trip to WDW?

PS. I'm so glad that you were able to help support the poor alcoholic with a six pack of beer. His family must have been very grateful.
 
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21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
Goofyernmost said:
You had me until the highlighted sentence. Poor Family at WDW unable to pay for food on a one day basis at WDW. What would they have eaten if the storm didn't interfere. I've seen it on intersections in the city, but, I have yet to see a family with cardboard signs at the entrance to WDW asking for money to buy a sandwich. Time for a little more reality and a little less hyperbole. Just as a side note or perhaps question what about all those poverty stricken folks that life on the east coast, northern states, southern states or western states? Is it only middle America that would contain a population of poor people that somehow manage to take a trip to WDW?

PS. I'm so glad that you were able to help support the poor alcoholic with a six pack of beer. His family must have been very grateful.
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I was kind of thinking the same. What would a poor family who can't afford a $13 meal be doing at WDW? They would have had to eat regardless.


@beertiki How was the drive to Key West? Was there a lot of traffic?
 

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