Originally Posted By gardenrooms Good luck SuzieQ and I know you'll have a wonderful time anyway. Your mom sounds great - no wonder she has a daughter who is (sounds - I know I don't know you, but your posts are always so positive and upbeat) great too!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Talk about frustrating! I'm resigned to the fact we are going to have boxed desserts. That's fine. My beef is that the experience has been downgraded (without telling the purchaser), and the price remains the same. I spoke with a lead at the Fantasmic reservations phone number again this afternoon. I said I'd been told they no offer the buffet. Their response was, "Yes, it's been DOWNGRADED to a desserts served in a keepsake box." When I told them I'd been told it was a cardboard box with Fantasmic printed on it, they were speechless and transferred me to Guest Communications as fast as they could. No satisfaction there either. But you should have heard the lead's gasp when I told him the reservationist actually used the term "downgraded", LOL Basically, he told me I have to go experience the buffet, complain to the lead at the Riverside seating, then file a complaint at City Hall. "So, you want me to have to get upset in public, in front of my family and other guests rather than try to work out something now?" The answer was, "yes" By the way, two different CM's suggested I ask my parents, nieces and nephews to give me back their Christmas presents to I could get a refund and give them something else! Um, yeah right. "Gee Nick, I'm sorry. I know Aunt Sue gave you a ticket so you can actually see Fantasmic this time, but Disney ripped her off with what they charged, so I need you ticket back." My letters to Guest Service, Eric Juback, head of Premium Viewing, and Britt Holmbert, head of Food Services will be requests that they A) restore the buffet or B) lower the price of Riverside Seating to reflect the product. I know there won't be any changes before we go. I never expected there to be. However, I'm not one to be ripped off quietly, LOL!
Originally Posted By dsny1mom Suzie: I'm sorry you are disapointed in the switch back to the boxed dessert. As I'm sure you are aware, Riverside started out with the keepsake box and always charged, for adults, what the balcony charged even though there was a signifigant differance in level of food quality and quantity. I agree it stinks that Disney can change things and expect the guests to just accept, but that is the way of big business in general. In case you haven't see the keepsake box, it is rather nice. If they are doing them the way they used to I think you might be pleased with the actual box. They also used to have a box like that for the reserved seating for the ELP at DCA. We have a whole bunch of the F! ones, as they used to bring them up to us on the side balcony when we'd watch F! from there. It's the size of a small shoe box, covered in purple grograin ribbon like coating, with a F! bronze colored medallion afixed to the top. Your group just has to be careful not to leave any leftovers in it or spill in it as it is cardboard and it does stain fairly easily. One more thing, in the past if you had any children with you they used to give them the option of a MM plastic cup with a Sunday in it in place of the box. One suggestion though....... If you want any type of compensation for the change in offerings I'd be prepared to get it while you are there registering your complaint at City Hall. if you choose to go that route. Historically in situation like yours all a letter will get you is a nicley worded letter in return. Dsny1mom
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I also have one of the old keepsake boxes and the boxes we were handed at Riverside last week were no where near that quality. Theses were more like what you get at the take out counters except the lid closed. I can't imagine calling them a keepsake unless you wanted to tear off the lid and scrapbook it, maybe that would be do able I should have taken a picture of it. I liked the old keepsake box so much and I was a little surprised when they started the buffet at Riverside But, thinking back to last week, now that I know it wasn't because of the threat of rain, I'd have to say it was a downgrade. I'll be interested to know what their reason is for the change. SuzieQ, I'm sorry that I'm the one who broke the news in this thread I hope everything works out for you and you have a fantastic time watching Fantasmic
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Yep, I'm very aware of the history of both Fantasmic seatings. I've done each 4 times. A few years ago, they had a significant drop in the quality of desserts offered at the Balcony as well. I went this same route through the Disney system. As a result, I ended up with a dear friend who has since moved to a dept. outside Guest Services, and the desserts were restored to their expected quality. LOL - I still remember the day I got the email entitled "We got the cheesecake back!" If no one complains or raises a fuss about the lower quality with the still high price, nothing will change. Today, Guest Services and the Lead from Premium Viewing both told me the balcony is considered to have superior desserts and the Riverside the superior view. (As I said, I've done each view 4 times, and I would have to agree) They have far more complaints coming from the Balcony than they do Riverside, due to the packed seating and some obstructed views. The current thinking is that the boxed desserts allows the greater number of people in Riverside to all get dessert before Fantasmic starts. Apparently, this has been a problem in the past. They feel you are paying for the chair, and dessert is kind of a bonus. So, the lesser buffet selection (and now downgrading to boxes) is a trade-off for having the better view at Riverside. I suggested they check a few Disney boards to see if they were in touch with their guests regarding this whole "Dessert is just a bonus" line of thinking, LOL 40 years of leaving compliments at City Hall, and only 2 times come to mind that I have left a complaint. Both times, I was obviously not the only one who didn't like what was going on because the situation changed. That's all I expect in return.
Originally Posted By dsny1mom Awesome job, Suzie. Keep everyone posted when they change the box back to the buffet. Amaezed, WOW so now it's just a cardboard box. Ick!!!!! dsny1mom
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Will do! I'm actually flying to Disneyland for the day tomorrow to meet up with a friend from overseas. I'm hoping to pop by Riverside to check out the current set-up before heading back to the airport to come home.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I didn't get the chance to see Riverside seating yesterday, but the person I went to visit was going to be sitting there last night. She'll fill me in!
Originally Posted By debtee Sue, when we were there last week it is indeed a cardboard box with fantasmic printed onto it! I would not call it a keepsake box! However I have to say that the contents are actually MORE then what we received on our last trip to Balcony seating as we were jammed in so tight we could not move to get up to the buffet. The CM put a table either side of our group in the front row and blocked us all in and we could not get out to the buffet to get to the dessert so we ended up with one piece of lemon something that the CM brought over to us!! There were 22 people squashed into the balcony seating! This was our third time at Balcony and after that experience we will never do it again and will stick to Riverside where you can move around a bit! Fingers crossed you get somewhere with management as they should have informed you at time of booking!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Well, it definitely was NOT a keepsake box, though the print on the cardboard was nice looking. Inside was two each: Jelly-filled cookies; macaroons; frosted biscotti (that was actually good, lol. i hate biscotti, and bit into the frosted side first without realizing what it was, lol); chocolate dipped strawberries; small Mickey-head rice krispy treats. Staffing was wonderful. Very attentive and no more than 10 people per CM. The regular CMs down below us made sure no one put kids on their shoulders to block our view. When one gentleman was told to please take his daughter down, he turned to the Riverside area, rubbed his eyes and loudly said, "WAHH, WAHH!" Tough luck, buddy. No one in our area acknowledged him, LOL The fireworks began right after Fantasmic ended, then it snowed directly overhead. Very magical! I did not file a complaint at City Hall. A couple of people in my party said they preferred receiving the boxed desserts over the idea of getting up for a buffet. I chatted for some time with the different CM's working the seating areas - all exceptional CM's worthy of a compliment left at City Hall. However, I came down with the flu the next morning and didn't make it back to the park
Originally Posted By ssturgeo I do not think I would pay for Riverside Seating without the dessert buffet...I have done both Riverside and Balcony. My granddaughter would not have liked several of the selections in the box, and with the buffet she could pick out her favorites.
Originally Posted By dlandfans Is there a direct line to make reservations for Fantasmic seating? My friend is going in April and would like tickets. How early do you need (or can) you call? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
Originally Posted By LacyBelle The telephone number to call is 714-781-4400. You should call a month ahead of the date you want tickets for. So, if you want to see the show on 2/24, you call on 1/24. Start calling a few minutes before 8am Pacific time, as sometimes the phone lines open a little earlier. Disney time does not always match the Atomic clock. Good luck!
