A Bluey event at a hot dog restaurant in Las Vegas did not live up to people's expectations. On Facebook, Dirt Dog Las Vegas created an event listing for "Bluey Day" and said the event, which was scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, would include a marathon of all Bluey episodes, face painting, Bluey treats, games, and the opportunity to meet Bluey and friends.
But people who commented on the event after it happened called it "horrible and a waste of time" and "a huge mistake." "This is like a SpongeBob episode where Mr. Krabs upsets children," one person commented on Facebook.
What went wrong?
First of all, the restaurant grossly underestimated how many people would show up for the Bluey-themed event. Thousands of people responded to the event invite on Facebook, but a spokesperson for the restaurant told FOX5 that restaurant staff members had expected about 50 to 60 people to attend.
Instead, hundreds of families showed up, resulting in extremely long lines and safety concerns, reported SFGate. "Maybe they didn't realize what a following Bluey had, but the amount of people who were 'going' and 'interested' in the event should have clued them in," one disappointed customer wrote on Facebook.
The customer said their family arrived right when the event was supposed to start, and there were already long lines. "We left quickly, didn't bother with the face painting or line for food," the customer wrote, adding that the restaurant "alienated a huge customer base."
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But the crowds were not the only issue with the event. The Bluey character at the event was not what parents or kids envisioned. Instead of a full Bluey costume similar to the characters at Disney World, a Dirt Dog employee wore a blue onesie with a hoodie, so his face was still visible.
One child, Sophia, explained to FOX5 that Bluey "looked unexpected. We could see his beard."
One parent, Stephanie Hernandez, told FOX5 that the event made some kids cry. “The kids were distraught. Some kids were crying. Some kids were upset, crying in their parents’ shoulders," she explained. "How could you do that to little kids: advertise something so fun and eventful for kids ranging from toddlers to six, seven years old, and not actually follow through with it?"
During the event, some customers posted on Facebook warning other families that the event was a "scam" and that "Bluey is a guy in Bluey pajamas. It's not an actual character costume."
"This place knows it dead wrong for having all these kids and moms, dads show up and it’s some dude in PJs !!!!" one person wrote.
The restaurant took to social media to share an apology. "To our Bluey families, we are truly sorry this event wasn't the expected experience! We take pride in putting on community events for you and your families to enjoy," the statement read. "We have staff play out host characters for an added personal touch." The statement also noted that the restaurant was "overwhelmed" by the number of people that showed up for the event.
Many customers who responded to the statement continued to complain about the event and how upsetting it was for some of the kids that attended. However, others defended the restaurant, saying that it was a free event and people's expectations were too high.
"It wasn't the greatest, but in the end it was free, and to be fair my daughter still really enjoyed herself," one person commented.
Dirt Dog management also explained the situation to FOX5, noting that staff members put in a lot of work to make the event happen. The restaurant explained that staff at the restaurant like to coordinate different events for customers, and for this event in particular, some staff members volunteered to do face painting, dress up as characters, and bake desserts for the free event.
According to the restaurant, a staff member baked 125 cupcakes for the event, reported FOX5.
"If it was a free event I know you guys worked your hardest," one person commented on Facebook.
An Instagram user told the restaurant that its staff did "nothing wrong." "You tried to make a special cute free event for the community," the Instagram user wrote.
But other social media users pointed out that the event was for kids and they were expecting to meet Bluey — so they were obviously upset.
"Children were so incredibly upset and RIGHTFULLY SO. they're children," one parent wrote on Facebook. "Parents including myself told kids they'd meet bluey, because this is what we thought and expected."
