Very upset over what I saw yesterday!!

[Dizknee_Phreek]

well, i'm one who thinks this is a terrible thing! i can understand the safety issue...i COMPLETELY understand that! MS can get really crazy at the end of the day! and i'm not saying that taking people behind the scenes is the end of the world or anything.
but this would be a completely different issue if we were talking about Universal Studios or Six Flags...but we're not. this is DISNEY, and as someone said, Disney is about details. if they are going to take people back there every night, then it's definately something that needs detail, and Disney's magic touch!
someone mentioned being back stage and seeing characters with their heads off...what if a child was walking on that secondary exit and just so happen a character with their head off walked by? i shudder to think of the consequences!
having guests pay to go backstage and see that stuff is one thing...they're WILLING to see it, and they're more likely prepared to see it! but FORCING guests back there, whether they be 1st timers or 37th timers, for whatever reasons just shouldn't be happening. i've been to WDW 16 times, and i'd even be a bit disappointed by this!
yes, create a secondary path to allow guests a safer exit, but don't let them see what could possibly ruin the magic! if you're going to have another route, make it look like a part of the park! Disney should definately put someting permanent up! i don't see how that could possibly be a mistake! i don't care how long this has been going on, but it's something that should be changed, and soon!
and Mike, maybe you're right...maybe Disney isn't concerned one bit with this. but lately they haven't been concerned with a LOT of things that they SHOULD be concerned with!

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by aracuanbird
Not sure what bygone days you are lamenting. Disney has been using the Backstage area behind Main Street as a relief valve for more than a decade (that's when I first experienced it). While I detest it, it is not some recent policy.

I agree. If I understood correctly, this is the procedure to evacuate the park faster when it´s too crowded. Now I wonder why the attendance was that big that night...

 

[bluesnut]

Similar thing at MGM

About four years ago when Fantasmic was brand new they offered a package if you ate at one of a few restaurants, (I don't remember which I just remember the Brown Derby cause that's where we ate) you got early seating and up front seats. To take you back early they lined us up by the Gas Station where you get wheelchairs and strollers. They took us behind the buildings and across to the Fantasmic theater. I too thought it was cool but was surprised they did this.

I also agree about cast members being more and more where they shouldn't be. You will see cm's walking with their back packs and jackets or lunch bags so you know they are headed home. That is something that was almost never seen before.

 

[bluesnut]

WS

never mind

 

[CTXRover]

Originally posted by Dizknee_Phreek
if they are going to take people back there every night, then it's definately something that needs detail, and Disney's magic touch!
someone mentioned being back stage and seeing characters with their heads off...what if a child was walking on that secondary exit and just so happen a character with their head off walked by? i shudder to think of the consequences!
having guests pay to go backstage and see that stuff is one thing...they're WILLING to see it, and they're more likely prepared to see it! but FORCING guests back there, whether they be 1st timers or 37th timers, for whatever reasons just shouldn't be happening.

First, I guarentee that no one taking this path would see characters that are not "fully dressed". Again, this path is not a free-for-all around the backstage area. At least during this past holiday, most areas of the path were lined by trees and there was a CM practically every other foot or so with those red, flashy traffic sticks directing you. There were also signs with pics of Disney characters with sayings about the magic being just around the corner. There were spots though that the backstage stuff could be seen pretty well, but the whole path is well organized and directed. The most you will see is the back of the buildings, a parking lot with some cars and I think maybe a dumpster or two, but this was one of those areas that had lots of trees and I actually kind of liked seeing the backstage so I was trying to make the most of it I agree that no one should see that which could be seen between the parts that had no trees, etc., but right now, for safety, it is their only option when MS becomes "full" after the fireworks. They really should come up with something better and do it fast to provide a secondary exit , but unfortunately, if you've seen MS as full as it gets when they need this, it is the only thing available right now. It seems that Wishes has compounded the need for this secondary exit even more, as it is really best viewed from MS, since this path was only used on extremely busy days before.

Second, no one is really forced to use this exit. Of course, when it is extremely congested and you are walking by the end of MS they will "direct" you to take the backstage path, but you aren't forced to. Unfortunately for anybody that doesn't know better, they will take the path without knowing what they are about to see (and its quite possible these folks might not even realize where they are). But you can opt not to take it if you want. (EDIT: Now that I think of it, when I entered the park right before Spectro one night, I was actually "forced" to the backstage area if I wanted to get into the park, oh well.)

I suppose we should let guest relations know that we are unhappy with the way they have tried to solve the crowd control problems. I agree that something is needed but if they know that their current means is unsuitable to what we expect when we pay to enter the parks, they may come up with another solution or at least "theme" that small area of the backstage that can be seen (a permanent lighting package in the backstage area that would direct your focus on the path and away from the buildings would help, as the path is only used during the night). Trust me, they listen if there is enough voices.

 

[Tramp]

Re: Similar thing at MGM

Originally posted by bluesnut
About four years ago when Fantasmic was brand new they offered a package if you ate at one of a few restaurants, (I don't remember which I just remember the Brown Derby cause that's where we ate) you got early seating and up front seats. To take you back early they lined us up by the Gas Station where you get wheelchairs and strollers. They took us behind the buildings and across to the Fantasmic theater. I too thought it was cool but was surprised they did this.
.

They still do that!:wave: It's part of the Fantasmic dinner package. You have dinner at certain restaurants and you get a voucher. You can then bypass the long line by entering near the gas station and entering the theater from the side rather than the back.

 

[niteobsrvr]

Originally posted by WDWFREAK53
No they're not. Disney is an escape from reality. You walk through the gates to the Magic Kingdom and you are immersed in this "land of fantasy and adventure"...You are away from the troubles of real life... Everything in this fantasy realm is to be what you'd want in your fantasies...we shouldn't have to be escorted backstage to see how it's all "performed".

It's like going to a magic show and seeing how the magic is done. It turns it from being "magic" to being "Oh, just trickery...we were all fooled"

Being a repeat guest, you may like the idea of seeing the "backstage areas" but being a first time guest...I would really be disappointed.

Not really. The people who visit took the element of reality and plugged right back in there in recent years. Cellphones, pagers, nextels, two-way radios, screaming children, arguing, pushing, shoving, rudeness, coolers, snackmix, quadruple-wide strollers with 15 storage compartments that also doubles as a picnic table and luggage cart, and on and on brought in by the guests have pretty much turned the place into another amusement park.

The only time you can really find the Disney everyone dreams of is if you go in the off off season on a week day.

 

[SIR90210]

6 letters: E-I-S-N-E-R

 

[niteobsrvr]

Originally posted by Maria
I agree. If I understood correctly, this is the procedure to evacuate the park faster when it´s too crowded. Now I wonder why the attendance was that big that night...

If they were referring to this Past Saturday night, it is because we are in the middle of a three day weekend if I am not mistaken. Presidents day or Martin Luther King day of something like that. You know, one of those bank and federal government holidays.

 

[CTXRover]

Originally posted by SIR90210
6 letters: E-I-S-N-E-R

Um, I can guarentee this was NOT Eisner's idea. I don't care for the guy and am rooting for Roy to succeed in his quest to replace him, but you can't blame the guy for everything little thing. The decision to use the backstage area as a secondary exit does not need to get the approval from him nor did Eisner provide this "solution" to crowd control. This is one thing I'm almost 100% positive Eisner had nothing to do with. Trust me, if he is as detached from the company as many say and believe he is, he isn't spending the time to decide what WDW's Magic Kingdom should do with crowd control (if he is, then that's another problem as there are much bigger things that need his attention). If we want to fix the problem with this procedure, blaming him is not the right path, trust me.

 

[General Grizz]

Not Eisner personally, no, but there just to be so much slack (ala buildup) these past few years (management --> Eisner). This is just another straw to be added to the stack.

And I agree with Freaky.

 

[SpongeScott]

Originally posted by grizzlyhall
Not Eisner personally, no, but there just to be so much slack (ala buildup) these past few years (management --> Eisner). This is just another straw to be added to the stack.

And I agree with Freaky.

So, Eisner is responsible for their being such a large crowd that they had to open part of the backstage area to let people exit? What does "ala buildup" have to do with this?

And obviously Grizz, we really differ on this issue.

 

[Sir Hiss527]

I was there last night, and they wern't doing this. I'm very dissapointed to hear that this happend. But I mean, you got to find a way to get everyone out of the park somehow.

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by SpongeScott
So, Eisner is responsible for their being such a large crowd that they had to open part of the backstage area to let people exit? What does "ala buildup" have to do with this?

And obviously Grizz, we really differ on this issue.

"Buildup" was in reference to a member's post "E I S N E R." Basically, a buildup of cutbacks and hints of "lost magic" in show, quality, safety, and efficiency (the four keys to the kingdom) put Eisner into the situation.

 

[SpongeScott]

Originally posted by grizzlyhall
"Buildup" was in reference to a member's post "E I S N E R." Basically, a buildup of cutbacks and hints of "lost magic" in show, quality, safety, and efficiency (the four keys to the kingdom) put Eisner into the situation.

Ok, I understand you now. BTW, can you explain your avatar, please? Surely that's a doctored picture.

 

[General Grizz]

Yes, it is. All of my avatars are edited.

In the photo, Eisner is holding up a book for children. This is his postion: (well, not necessarily children, but at least suitable for them, you know)? - as a Disney CEO.

However, Disney owns Miramax Films (i.e. Bad Santa), Dimension Films (i.e. Scary Movie), ABC (i.e. Victoria Secret Lingerie Show, Are You Hot?), parts of E! (Howard Stern, etc) and A&E (tour through Playboy Mansion).

So on one side of the book is Mickey Mouse. On the other side is the ______. And, according to several online sources, apparently an insider book, and reliable cast members, Disney has at some point - if not currently - held distribution rights to ography through a "Viewer's Choice" program.

And last night, Wonderful World of Disney for families, Liar Liar was the presentation. I find there to be too many sexual issues in this film for a wholesome Disney family experience.

(SORRY FOR THE THREAD DRIFT!)

 

[Kramjam33]

When i marched in a parade last January in 2003, for my high school marching band, that is exactly what i saw. I saw the whole backstage area, it wasnt very "disney like" at all. In fact, the personal told us that we were not allowed to take any pictures of the backstage area at all, becasue they didnt want people to see that the backstage area was not disney quality at all. I cant believe that they actually took huge crowds back there, wow, that was very dumb in my opinion.

 

[General Grizz]

I agree that no average guest should see this - but it wasn't dumb. It agreed with:

(1) SAFETY
(2) EFFICIENCY

It lacked in

(1) SHOW

I am upset, too. I just think they should theme the area.

 

[SpongeScott]

Originally posted by grizzlyhall
Yes, it is. All of my avatars are edited.

In the photo, Eisner is holding up a book for children. This is his postion: (well, not necessarily children, but at least suitable for them, you know)? - as a Disney CEO.

However, Disney owns Miramax Films (i.e. Bad Santa), Dimension Films (i.e. Scary Movie), ABC (i.e. Victoria Secret Lingerie Show, Are You Hot?), parts of E! (Howard Stern, etc) and A&E (tour through Playboy Mansion).

So on one side of the book is Mickey Mouse. On the other side is the ______. And, according to several online sources, apparently an insider book, and reliable cast members, Disney has at some point - if not currently - held distribution rights to ography through a "Viewer's Choice" program.

And last night, Wonderful World of Disney for families, Liar Liar was the presentation. I find there to be too many sexual issues in this film for a wholesome Disney family experience.

(SORRY FOR THE THREAD DRIFT!)

Thanks for explaining and I totally agree with you on this one. :animwink:

 

[Michael72688]

Originally posted by grizzlyhall
I agree that no average guest should see this - but it wasn't dumb. It agreed with:

(1) SAFETY
(2) EFFICIENCY

It lacked in

(1) SHOW

I am upset, too. I just think they should theme the area.

Why should they spend the money if it is just something they do on certain nights, for maybe an hour at most?