Failures at Disney Social Events

Let me Preface this by saying that over the last year I have been a part of ALL but one Disney Blogs Events.  I have been happy, satisfied, and rejoice over the wonderfulness of the events (especially Last Years Villains Party, which I'm sad to learn will not be repeated this year).  I am generally grateful for the opportunity to participate in these special events, and thankfully as an avid Disney Blog reader, Twitter and Facebook Follower, I learn about these events, and am included.

Recently TDA (Team Disney Anaheim), Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print, posted a special event for Annual Passholders at Disneyland.  From 8pm-Midnight on two days, they would allow a large number of annual passholders to come into the parks after closing, and experience some special things like the Soundsational Parade at NIGHT, and a few other things like access to Tomorrowland AND Fantasyland.  

While these things seem like a wonderful Idea, it seems that Ms. Glover is less than organized with the whole event.  After teasing people for DAYS that the lists would be posted, and emails would be sent, she then backtracked and said that ONLY the list for the 12th of October would be posted last friday, and emails sent for that day only, with the list and emails for the 17th "the following week".

Here's the problem.  Most people cannot take off on a moments notice to stay out until after Midnight on a weeknight for Disneyland.  We have to make arrangements with our jobs to take the following morning off, or arrange to get off work early the day of the event as well.

Here's the OTHER problem.  There are about 2600 people on the list (plus or minus), with EACH PERSON allowed to bring up to 3 guests.  Assuming a MAX attendance, that's 10,000 people in the park.  WoW.  Not very intimate really.  Not very special anymore are you?  I certainly don't feel special.  Even assuming a 60% turnout (which sounds low), that's still 6,000 people in line for 2 rides in Tomorrowland, and 4 rides in Fantasyland.  That's a LOT of people on those 6 rides at once.

I don't care though, because I WILL attend.  If I'm accepted.  I've made my reservation for the 17th.  Based on the current situation, Ms. Glover seems to be looking at posting the list around Friday the 14th at 5pm, making it virtually impossible for people to request time off from their bosses for the following week.

Also, She commented that she will NOT be attending the "parties"?!?  Who organizes an event and then isn't on hand to solve problems, etc?  Seems irresponsible to me really.  Heather Hust Rivera would NEVER have done it this way, she also would have given us loyal AP's more time and notice to arrange for Babysitters, Carshare Rides, Friends with AP's to go with us, etc.

I am not a fan of Ms. Glover (and I will continue to refer to her as such until she proves to be friendly and caring enough to earn a first name basis with us loyalists).  I've spoken to Heather at past events, and she was ALWAYS friendly, and caring, and frankly a wonderful Person who seemed to CARE about how the event turned out.  I don't get that feeling from Ms. Glover, and believe she would be better suited working for a different company than Disney.

Also, her response to people with problems is to call a 714 number (event services?), and plead their case with someone who knows nothing, and doesn't have the ability to do anything more than confirm or deny a reservation for the event.  Poor Job really.  From all I can find out about her past, it appears she worked for TDO (Team Disney Orlando), which is among the lower forms of employment for Disney.  Most of the people who work for TDO are nice enough people, but some of them have no business running a company, and have little to no experience with customer service, and the level or loyalty we here in California expect from our Disneyland Cast Members and staff.

At this point I would give her an F.  The event would have to be PHENOMENAL for me to raise it much higher at this point.