Never Again McDonald's

When our kids turned 1, we had their party at Harana.  When they turned 2, we had it at Yummy's.  During those two birthdays, we never encountered any problem with the party venue nor with the party hosts.

This year, on the other hand, we had it at McDonald's.  We initially wanted it at Jollibee since we have attended quite a few birthday parties at Jollibee but the Transformers theme was already phased out.  Caleb loves Bumblebee so much.  Calix on the other hand likes to play with Optimus Prime but never really up to the extent of going gaga over it.

 

So we decided to hold it at McDonald's since their Toy Story theme was still available.  Both Caleb and Calix love Toy Story a lot.  However, Calix is the one who sincerely goes gaga over Buzz Lightyear.

Our experience with McDonald's at Abreeza was, sad to say, a bit difficult.  Our party was supposed to start at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.  We arrived before 4 o'clock in the afternoon because I wanted to check how things were going and I wanted to drop off their birthday cake.  This was the first lapse they committed.  The party place was not yet set up.  An hour before the party, no one was decorating or arranging the party place.  And so, being a bit kind, I asked the person in charge what time we should come back.  She answered, "4:45 po Ma'am".  And I wanted to scream at her, "Our party is scheduled at 5 and you expect us to come at 4:45?!"  But not wanting to spoil the kids party, we peacefully left.

We went up to New Jersey Studio to have our picture taken.  At around half past 4 in the afternoon, I told my husband we should go back to McDonald's to once again check on things.  On our way back, we chanced upon my in-laws.  Second lapse.  My father-in-law told us that he almost had a shouting match with  one of Mcdonald's Abreeza's staff since he asked why the place was not yet set up.  The lady whom he asked answered, "Sir, 3pm pa man." to which my father-in-law answered, "Miss, your watch is 1 hour late. It's already 4 o'clock in the afternoon."

Third lapse, when we arrived at the party place, some of our guests have already arrived and yet, the staff at McDonald's just started to decorate.  I do not feel that it is right.  I have never experienced this before.  It's usually that when we arrive at the party venue, the place is ready for the party.  But McDonald's Abreeza is different.  They were still decorating.

Fourth lapse, the staff was not courteous to our guests.  For instance, our wedding ninang asked why they were still decorating to which a party staff answered sarcastically, "Wala pa man 5pm."  This I overheard.  Subsequently, this same lady asked the other staff, "Diba alas-5 pa man ang party? Nagayawyaw na lagi sila."  At this point, I approached that lady and told her to hurry up since party is supposed to start at 5pm.  The decorations were not yet finished, they still had not prepared the loot bags (which I had delivered in the morning!), the party venue was still in disarray.  And this lady, in a lowly voice, eventually said, "Ma'am, ikaw po pala ang parent?".  This eventually made them realize that they need to move fast.

To say that we had a bit of a problem is an understatement.  I though we were going to have a stress-free party at McDonald's.  We never had that.  It was a stressful experience.  The good thing though was that the party went on smooth and without any hitch.  So if you're going to ask me if we're going to do it there again, I would say no.  Not ever.  Sana nag-Jollibee na lang kami (their Mascot's even dance to 1 full song!).  And oh, I made sure I left a strongly worded feedback. Never again McDonald's.