Post #389141 by ESP182 on Tue, Jun 24, 2008 9:16 AM

Agreeing with everyone on this post that had to wait. My story - arrived at 8am, had to start waiting near the outlet street (is it really a street?) past the last building on Main Street. Definitely enough grumblings to go around. Yes there were the perennial questioning from others - What is this line for? At one point my girlfriend's brother told someone - I don't know. Person just looked confused and left without any follow up.

After 5 hours of waiting, add in the brief pause for the restocking of merchandise. (Note - at one point they removed the Rongo Bowl from the display case and the person watching the door said, "If it's no longer there, its' sold out." You can imagine the sinking feeling in us as we had to pass along the news. Luckily we were very happy when we heard "restocking shelves"). A little after 1 am and we finally walked in. Walked out with - purse, 2 rongo bowls (yea-and they are awesome), jewelry box, pitchers, glassware, hand towels, shirts, artwork, and shadowbox. On the list for the fountain.

For anyone that purchased the shadowbox by Dave Avanzino, you will notice that the letter key and explanation on the back doesn't correspond to whats on front. I emailed Mr. Avanzino and he responded by saying there was a bad run at the facility in China (hmmm, running theme here...how about Made in the USA for once!!). He realized the problem when he was asked to sign the first one and there was nothing they could do about it, because the facility in China had closed. He said there will be a link on the Disney Gallery website with the right image file that should have gone with it. But now the shadowbox has definitely turned into a collector's item.

Even though we didn't get to meet the artists (I was looking forward to meeting Mr. Miehana (aka Kevin Kidney himself)I'd like to thank them for sticking it out longer for those that did get to meet them. Again I agree with other members when they say that Disney should have done a better job in handling this event. It is the 45th anniversary after all!! I for one would have gladly paid an extra fee for a hosted event somewhere within the park (preferrably air conditioned)with the whole nine yards - band, meet and greet, Dole sponsored pineapple juice / whip, exclusive artwork on display. But no, long line, heat, and a lack of preparation. But a thank you Disney employees - Hardy and Martha. The former was managing the line and explaining the situation as the day progressed, and the latter for explaining the Tiki Fountain list. Hopefully we get a call.

Knowing in 5 more years they will have this again, is there anyone we can contact at Disney to tell them - Hey it's the 50th, we don't want to wait in a long line in June heat for a mismanaged merchandise opening. Do something special (or perhaps..enchanted?), Charge us a little extra and we will gladly pay for it.