Mickey's not so scary saturated Halloween party

[Tway5076]

Well just returning from an 8 day trip to the world and saved the best for last Mickey's not so scary Halloween party. We were there celebrating my twin sons 12th birthday and really looking forward to the party all week. Upon arrival it started to rain and keeping a positive attitude and hoping Disney would push on with the show. We lined up on main st. for the parade and after waiting almost an hour in the rain they cancel it. My sons now in disappointment I tried making the best of it and hoping to see the fireworks and castle show but all events were cancelled. I've been reading rumors of Disney refunding the price of party admission on Facebook. I called today and Disney rep said she's heard of this issue and rudely said she couldn't control weather and that was that has anyone else had any luck with this issue?

 

[dave&di]

I had heard of this and feel so bad for everyone involved, we attended the first party a few weeks ago and would have been devastated to be in that position.

On a UK WDW site I also look on people who were there said that guest relations had offered money back or tickets for another night, how true this is I don't know.

 

[copcarguyp71]

I doubt you will see a refund. If you squeal loudly enough you may get something in terms of a peace offering but I am sure there are disclaimers somewhere that the lawyers have covered themselves on.

You have about as much chance of getting anything as I do in getting a prorated refund on my full price admission on MNSSHP days even though I was told I had to leave the park early so they could milk the cash cow with "special event" tickets if people want to get back in...

 

[Nemo14]

We have friends whose party was rained out, and they got a full refund at Guest relations on their way out.

 

[wdwfan22]

To get the full refund you normally have to do it before leaving the park at City Hall or at your Disney Resort Guest Services desk. I've had my money refunded everytime one of the major elements such as parade or fireworks have been canceled.

 

[hollywoodj]

Yep, I read somewhere that refunds are issued if things don't happen. The fireworks especially-- But you did have to visit Guest Relations right then. Now I'd say you're out of luck.

 

[CeciliaKy]

if you're referring to the party on October 4, guests were offered 3 different choices of compensation:

- exchange ticket for another party night
- use ticket as one-day pass to MK any time within the next year (I think there may have been some black out dates around the holidays.)
- full refund

to get the refund, you had to show your tickets and method of payment. resort guests were told to take care of it at their hotel, but refunds were also processed at any of the guest services windows in the parks.

 

[GeoDonJac34]

Last year, we had an off and on rain through most of the day of our MNSSHP. Some of the events were cancelled, like the castle parties, and other shows. The headless horseman was also absent from the parade. I think if we are thinking about going again, we will buy tickets when we are in the World, so we can watch the weather a little better. I know it will be more expensive. but we will avoid some disappointment.

 

[rct247]

if you're referring to the party on October 4, guests were offered 3 different choices of compensation:

- exchange ticket for another party night
- use ticket as one-day pass to MK any time within the next year (I think there may have been some black out dates around the holidays.)
- full refund

to get the refund, you had to show your tickets and method of payment. resort guests were told to take care of it at their hotel, but refunds were also processed at any of the guest services windows in the parks.

^This, plus the first parade was cancelled, the 9:30 fireworks were delayed until 10:15ish and then the second parade went on right afterwards. Even then, due to the extenuating circumstances that night, the above options were given to guests who had major complaints, but proof of tickets and payment was required and it had to be taken care of promptly before, during, or directly after the event.

 

[tigsmom]

My daughter was there on Thursday and due to rain the first parade was cancelled, the fireworks were late & the second parade was modified (no headless horseman); they were offered a pass into Friday's party or their money back and decided to take the money because their Friday was overbooked with stuff already. Sorry your kids were disappointed.

 

[CeciliaKy]

^This, plus the first parade was cancelled, the 9:30 fireworks were delayed until 10:15ish and then the second parade went on right afterwards. Even then, due to the extenuating circumstances that night, the above options were given to guests who had major complaints, but proof of tickets and payment was required and it had to be taken care of promptly before, during, or directly after the event.

When I went to City Hall (sometime after 9pm), the line was LONG. It was quite chaotic in places. Guests were frustrated, tempers flared when it looked as though people were cutting the line, and the rain kept falling. It wasn't pretty. The MNSSHP cast had a tough job - there did not appear to be a clear plan in place, and if there was ... It wasn't being conveyed to them. It took some time before MK management cast came out to clarify things to the guests waiting. I was surprised to learn that refunds were an option - I expected to be offered tickets to another party, which I would've happily accepted if Friday wasn't our last day of vacation.

I did have some issues getting the resort to process the refund, though. I did exactly what MK management said to do - take tickets, wristbands, and form of payment to guest services. The CM said a refund was not possible, the email they received said all tickets would be converted to a one day MK pass. It took some time & going through 2 managers before they would give refunds, and even then we (two other guests were trying to get a refund at the same time) were made to feel like they were doing us a favor. I learned that the parks cast loves to push their problems on the resorts cast, who don't have the capability to clean up their messes. I also learned from the resort cast, who had much to say on the issue that the MK isn't prepared to handle the weather disaster that happened on Thursday night. (edited to add the italicized part)

A side note, the last hour of the party was a blast. It stopped raining & they were able to open some of the candy stops. The parade went on without the HH, but everyone seemed to be thrilled to be performing. We were hoping they could extend the party 30 minutes or so etching, just because everyone was finally getting into the party spirit.

 

[rct247]

I also learned that the MK isn't prepared to handle the weather disaster that happened on Thursday night.

In no way in what I am about should you feel like I am discounting how you feel or your disappointment, but weather disaster is really dependent on the guest. Disney cannot predict the weather nor can they build an entire protective dome over all aspects of the theme park experience. As all ticket media states, some aspects of your visit are subject to weather closures, delays, and cancellations even at an event that guests purchase an extra ticket to see headline entertainment like the parade and fireworks. While many guests took their disappointments and complaints to guest relations that night, there were many guests to just put on the ponchos and sucked it up. The attractions still operated when they could (with plenty of them being indoors and unaffected). They fireworks, while delayed, did end up going off. The parade did end up stepping off, candy was still given out, and cast members still did their job to provide the best possible experience despite the situation. Even on a typical night with maybe a short rain shower, the headless horseman may not ride. While disappointing, I can almost guarantee you that it wouldn't result in a refund, rainchecks, or replacement ticket for everyone. So while that night did interupt normal operations and did create a disaster in some guests eyes, I thought Disney did the best they could to respond and even went so far to give those replacement tickets or refunds when the ticket media specifically says they are not responsible for weather related events. If anything, I will agree that it was a crowd control nightmare. It sounded as if managers from across the park were called to respond to the chaos and cast did push the problem to the resort just to handle the situation rather than leaving guests to be forced to wait at the park for the fix leading to a more angry tempers and possible rioting guests. Sometimes there is only so much you can prepare for, but guests can always throw operations for a loop when they become out of control.

I am glad to hear that you got your refund and I hope your experience next time goes smoother. Sorry to hear that it was such a headache. Mistakes happen sometimes, but it sounds like they still did their best to provide the Disney service you come to expect.

 

[Gabe1]

Having a kid in guest relations, they dread nights like this. Ever changing solutions that haven't made it to them yet, angry guests that they are supposed to respond to kindly. Very long hours and quick turns during this and Christmas party. And weather, something Disney can't control and for the safety of their CM's cancel certain aspects. It wasn't long ago Disney lost a CM on a stage, slipping on the wet stage. Me included, I want my money's worth however sometimes the guests really push the attitude beyond reasonable tantrums because Disney can't control the rain enough to make it safe for their cast members. No CM's life is worth risking guests satisfaction. It is amazing how far most CM's will go if respect goes both ways.

 

[luv]

On the one hand, Disney can't control the weather. On the other hand, they are charging people a whole bunch of extra money for the parade and fireworks.

It's a hard call to make, but if people aren't getting the party stuff, Disney really should refund the money. IMO, anyway.

If they weren't charging all the extra dough and offered this stuff with regular admission prices, I think I'd have a different opinion. But they do, so I don't.

Rain is the reason I don't buy tickets until the day I go. I've been rained out of hard ticket events before. It sucks.

 

[draybook]

My daughter was there on Thursday and due to rain the first parade was cancelled, the fireworks were late & the second parade was modified (no headless horseman); they were offered a pass into Friday's party or their money back and decided to take the money because their Friday was overbooked with stuff already. Sorry your kids were disappointed.

I wish I had known about the refund possibility. This is exactly what happened on the 9/21 party. First parade cancelled, with the fireworks being delayed and the Headless Horseman-less 2nd parade going on right afterwards.

 

[CeciliaKy]

In no way in what I am about should you feel like I am discounting how you feel or your disappointment, but weather disaster is really dependent on the guest.

I edited my post immediately after reading this ... because in re-reading it, I can see where it sounded like "I" was the one who felt that the MK cast handled the weather situation poorly. I should have worded that differently -- It was the resort cast who were commenting on the ability of the MK folks to handle a major weather event. That's what I meant -- I "learned" it while standing at the guest services window at the resort.

We were very impressed with the MNSSHP cast, especially the ones on the college program we talked to at Cosmic Ray's did a GREAT job. We were very impressed with them!

 

[CeciliaKy]

Having a kid in guest relations, they dread nights like this. Ever changing solutions that haven't made it to them yet, angry guests that they are supposed to respond to kindly. Very long hours and quick turns during this and Christmas party. And weather, something Disney can't control and for the safety of their CM's cancel certain aspects. It wasn't long ago Disney lost a CM on a stage, slipping on the wet stage. Me included, I want my money's worth however sometimes the guests really push the attitude beyond reasonable tantrums because Disney can't control the rain enough to make it safe for their cast members. No CM's life is worth risking guests satisfaction. It is amazing how far most CM's will go if respect goes both ways.

I can't imagine how stressful it must have been on Thursday night working in guest relations. I waited until around 9:00pm to go to City Hall, when it was becoming clear that the rain wouldn't stop and the likelihood was high there'd be no Villians Mix & Mingle, Headless Horseman, or many of the other outside activities. The line was already as far back as the flag pole and people were frustrated, wet, and impatient. The guy in front of me was flat out mad, and finally sent his wife & kids back to their resort .. he nearly lost it when told he'd need everyone in the party's wristbands & tickets for a refund. It wasn't pretty. It also got pretty heated when security split the line (near the train station) and cast members were unknowingly allowing folks to extend the line at the split, in front of people who had been waiting for an hour in the rain. IMO, that's when the MK plain-clothes cast should have come out and started talking with people about their options for compensation ... I think that might have diffused the situation a little bit. That would be my only comment on the waiting at City Hall.

 

[Mrs. Jobson]

Ok, we were there that night and it was terrible. I am a former cast member and I know things happen. Weather, crowds, rides down etc. however, this night was beyond frustrating. It just seemed as though the cast and management were overwhelmed. It was very disorganized. We were just so disappointed. It's been 2 years since our last trip and party. We had a 1 year old in tow, and it was just so difficult. Never in a million years would I ever complain but that night I wanted to. Just like what someone else posted, we spent a lot of money to attend an event which half of the things weren't opporational. If I had of known that we could have gone the next night, we would have. We didn't know that comps were given. I didn't want a refund, I really wanted to go the next night.

 

[ChrisFL]

Of course they'd avoid a lot of these problems if they didn't try to make everything a separate ticketed event and give all guests their money's worth, but oh well....that's not what Disney's for these days.

 

[Gabe1]

I can't imagine how stressful it must have been on Thursday night working in guest relations. I waited until around 9:00pm to go to City Hall, when it was becoming clear that the rain wouldn't stop and the likelihood was high there'd be no Villians Mix & Mingle, Headless Horseman, or many of the other outside activities. The line was already as far back as the flag pole and people were frustrated, wet, and impatient. The guy in front of me was flat out mad, and finally sent his wife & kids back to their resort .. he nearly lost it when told he'd need everyone in the party's wristbands & tickets for a refund. It wasn't pretty. It also got pretty heated when security split the line (near the train station) and cast members were unknowingly allowing folks to extend the line at the split, in front of people who had been waiting for an hour in the rain. IMO, that's when the MK plain-clothes cast should have come out and started talking with people about their options for compensation ... I think that might have diffused the situation a little bit. That would be my only comment on the waiting at City Hall.

Exactly. And because guests are ticked at the weather condition and results they file complaints against the CMs, nice. Disney does vet that position with CMs that have endured many situations well. None of this Party stuff compares to the day the power went out at TTC and the 50 some ticket boths had no power, back up system failed, zero running water and all incoming guest had to go to the 5 ticket booths and 4 axillary ticket booths in the round booth. Those were angry guests.

But on topic, IMO Disney should handle this like a baseball game. If you are there "x" amount of time, that is it, you rode rides, trick or treated, done. If prior to "x" hours, you physically leave, a refund or choice of coming another night if available. Again, MO, any element that is cancelled beyond Disney control, oh well. Just like when Space or Everest going down unexpectedly for the day. I'd expect there would be just as many angry guests if Disney canceled Party and didn't allow guests into the park at all or booted them from the parks midway and refunded the money. I can't imagine that many guest are that clueless or unaware that fireworks could be cancelled or parades cancelled, delayed because of storms when they purchase special tickets. It is a gamble. I worked as a ticket agent at Ohare for years. Like I could control flights cancelled because we had a blizzard conditions. We'd rebook them, refund, but some wanted, money, a car rental, food, people expected a lot and wanted to hit the jack-pot because the weather didn't co-operate all the while abusing the front line staff.

And of course they needed the ticket/wristband for refunds, that silly man. No way would I have ever refunded 4 airline tickets when the passenger only produced one. No business operates like that. Disney guests amaze me the most though.