Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH - People who bought tickets to Sandance festival for New Years Eve raged on social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram demanding refunds after being unable to reach the venue last night due to massive confusion with buses in a gridlock on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. No public apology had been made by the organisers until the next day. The organizers said they will come up with a solution within the next 48 hours on their Facebook page.



Many people in Dubai called it the biggest scam of the year as they paid thousands for a table and could not reach the venue, while some walked up to 5km on foot and others waited up to seven hours in buses for access to Atlantis but failed to do so. Due to traffic regulations for December 31, as Dubai planned to set a world record with fireworks at the Palm Jumeirah, Sandance announced that the only way to reach the venue would be through shuttle buses through American University in Dubai. The buses were scheduled to run between 5pm and 9pm via a bus lane that was supposedly set up exclusively for the NYE beach party. A small bus accident was seen next to Media City and hundreds of people decided to walk from Knowledge Village to the location on foot.

The incident led to many people endangering laws and safety rules as many proceeded to walk through tunnels to Atlantis as well as throwing themselves in dangers way in the middle of the streets asking to be let on to buses or taking lifts from strangers driving on the Palm strip. All buses and cars were stopped at 11.30 for the fireworks and people were not allowed to proceed. Buses were seen arriving at 2 am as many people returned home in utter disappointment.



A facebook page 'NYE Scamdance Dubai' was created to get people together and demand for refunds collectively as all local newspapers posted stories of distress and anguish this morning. Twitter hashtag 'Sandancerefund' also condemns the poor management and asks for refunds for people who could not attend the festival due to the traffic chaos and mayhem on the streets.



Martin Sandmeier on Facebook said: "An absolute disgrace and appalling organisation. From getting on the shuttle bus at 8pm, I then proceeded on the longest bus tour in the history of bus tours. Never even made it to Sandance, with the bus being told to turn back before getting to the tunnel on the Palm. So, after obtaining a 600AED ticket for what I had been hoping would be an amazing first New Year celebration in Dubai, I ended up spending it stuck on a bus for over 6 hours with a group of extremely frustrated and angry people. Not to mention the poor driver who had to endure people standing in front of the bus demanding to be let on, as well as the extreme abuse he received from both inside and outside the bus.



A very poor reflection on Dubai, I am afraid, and I wait in anticipation to see if anyone from the organisation has the courage to explain themselves and apologise." Khalil Atieh another Facebook user posted: "What a waste of life time... worst event management I have ever seen. No one was there for those who had been robbed both of their money and this precious moment."



@Nemersvoice, a Twitter user said: "@Axwell lucky for you that you made it! Thousands of us didn't!! @SandanceDubai #SandanceRefund" @georgeborgi posted: "@SandanceDubai worst experience ever. No coordination between police and event management. I am a tourist #SandanceRefund my hotel and ticket." "Women were crying. People were angry. Thousands of people have flown in to Dubai for Sandance, we got our families to stay back because of this mega event and now we are all stranded, made to go home and feel cheated. I walked for 2 hours to get back at 5 am as we could not find cabs. It was freezing! We were not prepared for this! The organizers should apologize and return our money. This is justice and the least they can do. Imagine ruining a night for thousands of people living here. It gives Dubai a bad reputation. I wonder how the government will respond to that. In any case if they can't handle it they should not have taken the risk. They have lost all credibility now," Samuel Douglas told Saudi Gazette. Facebook user Richard Lockerbie, who could not make it to Sandance said: "Dubai in over its head, cant even organise a festival for 15,000 people, how you going to cope with expo."



The fireworks lasted for lasted less than ten minutes and lit more than 500,000 computer-controlled fireworks across Dubai including the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands. Emeli Sande, Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong and Axwell were the line up on Sandance this year. With the waste of hype, expenses and elaborated plans for arrangements, people are waiting for a refund from



Atlantis and Sandance organizers. Considering people spent their new years eve trapped in buses in the cold streets of Palm Jumeirah with a false promise as opposed to another country or a safer and cheaper choice, Sandance festival fans are now debating the festivals credibility and linking it to debates questioning Dubai's realistic ability to cope with future events.