Is this the future of Extra Magic Hours?

[bbmassey]

So I have read multiple posts here and on other sites discussing the future (or possible lack there of) of the Extra Magic Hours at WDW and its sister parks. I could not help but to draw a possible connection to the potential removal of EMH with the announcement of the "After-hours Neighborhood Beach Bash" at Typhoon Lagoon specifically for DVC members. For those that have not seen it yet, Disney has announced four dates where DVC members will have personal access from 7:00 until 12:30. Is this Disney testing an additional perk to increase sales in the DVC program? The program is guaranteed money and to many people might be the type of perk that pulls them into the program. Am I drawing too broad of a conclusion on this news? What do those of you in the know think?

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

So I have read multiple posts here and on other sites discussing the future (or possible lack there of) of the Extra Magic Hours at WDW and its sister parks. I could not help but to draw a possible connection to the potential removal of EMH with the announcement of the "After-hours Neighborhood Beach Bash" at Typhoon Lagoon specifically for DVC members. For those that have not seen it yet, Disney has announced four dates where DVC members will have personal access from 7:00 until 12:30. Is this Disney testing an additional perk to increase sales in the DVC program? The program is guaranteed money and to many people might be the type of perk that pulls them into the program. Am I drawing too broad of a conclusion on this news? What do those of you in the know think?

Hmm, like DVC members could arrive 2 hours before park opening, or stay 4 hours after the park closes. Hard to believe a "deluxe" guest (or any onsite) would be OK with that-but ya never know. Maybe additional charge for non members.

 

[Planogirl]

I was thinking additional charges too. I can't see that level of exclusivity for just DVC but who knows?

I have to ask, would people buy into DVC just to get a few after hours perks? It's a nice extra but seems rather minor.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

I was thinking additional charges too. I can't see that level of exclusivity for just DVC but who knows?

I have to ask, would people buy into DVC just to get a few after hours perks? It's a nice extra but seems rather minor.

Yea hard to say. But it could be "before" hours as well. That way members that are early risers benefit, as would night owls.

But I can say this: If I were a guide-my job would be a lot easier if I could pitch that the parks open early and stay open late for DVC members, esp if it included FP+ needed or not.

 

[Brocktoon]

I think there's a very good chance that once Disney Springs is completed, at least evening EMH will go away and we may even see earlier closing times. From Disney's perspective they need to pay the CMs and operating costs to keep things running and they feel they're not getting enough in return of the investment. So what could happen without evening EMH or earlier park closing:

- More hard ticket parties / events after park closing like Harambe Nights and the Epcot Food / Drink tasting. Disney can limit the park operations after hours AND have an additional revenue stream for hours that were not making money before
- Disney Springs (and places like Trader Sam's) is the cornerstone to this plan, as Disney needs more evening entertainment to keep people on site with the removal of EMH and earlier park closings. Disney springs is ideal because while people are entertained by shopping / eating, they are also spending $$$$ on site

EDIT: to add, without EMH, I think they'll push staying on site and DVC benefits mostly through FP+ advantages, although there may be some exclusive party/event offerings

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

I think there's a very good chance that once Disney Springs in completed, at least evening EMH will go away and we may even see earlier closing times. From Disney's perspective they need to pay the CMs and operating costs to keep things running and they feel they're not getting enough in return of the investment. So what could happen without evening EMH or earlier park closing:

- More hard ticket parties / events after park closing like Harambe Nights and the Epcot Food / Drink tasting. Disney can limit the park operations after hours AND have an additional revenue stream for hours that were not making money before
- Disney Springs (and places like Trader Sam's) is the cornerstone to this plan, as Disney needs more evening entertainment to keep people on site with the removal of EMH and earlier park closings. Disney springs is ideal because while people are entertained by shopping / eating, they are also spending $$$$ on site

Agreed. But then why keep TL open 5 1/2 hours for free?

It could be testing the waters (pun) for attendance etc, and ultimately lead to something larger as the OP implies.

DVC revenue is important, and they could charge for other participation.

Many other revenue "parties" could arise, MNSSHP, MVMCP, the old Princess/Pirates etc. as well.

 

[Brocktoon]

Agreed. But then why keep TL open 5 1/2 hours for free?

It could be testing the waters (pun) for attendance etc, and ultimately lead to something larger as the OP implies.

DVC revenue is important, and they could charge for other participation.

Many other revenue "parties" could arise, MNSSHP, MVMCP, the old Princess/Pirates etc. as well.

Yep ... I think Disney is testing waters for DVC and resort specific events. I think they've also announced a Ft Wilderness / Discovery Island tour for DVC members. And then you have the new cooking class being offered at the Contemporary. With the $$$ being brought in from all the hard ticket events Disney has got a fever for additional cash-flow. I wouldn't be surprised if management isn't challenging the functional areas (resorts etc.) to test out additional revenue streams. The TL event may be free for DVC now ... but if popular who knows? They may be offering DVC members because it's an easy free batch of guinea pigs to test the concept. If the events are mess ... hey they were free so you really can't complain much

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Yep ... I think Disney is testing waters for DVC and resort specific events. I think they've also announced a Ft Wilderness / Discovery Island tour for DVC members. And then you have the new cooking class being offered at the Contemporary. With the $$$ being brought in from all the hard ticket events Disney has got a fever for additional cash-flow. I wouldn't be surprised if management isn't challenging the functional areas (resorts etc.) to test out additional revenue streams. The TL event may be free for DVC now ... but if popular who knows? They may be offering DVC members because it's an easy free batch of guinea pigs to test the concept. If the events are mess ... hey they were free so you really can't complain much

I'm with ya.

But won't rule out (yet) a DVC theme park perk of some kind.

 

[dogdangling]

am I the only one that feels like the lower class to disney . I paid over £5000 for my holiday which doesn't include park tickets which were just below £300 each.

Now there are even more exclusive parties the majority do not have the finance for and have no access to.

And yes before anyone says it, I will come back to the parks because I love wdw.

 

[Brocktoon]

I'm with ya.

But won't rule out (yet) a DVC theme park perk of some kind.

I agree. I think the future market is for premium 'after-park' activities with no EMH. These perks could easily be used for boosting DVC sales / membership. Think of a WDW when the parks close you need to either go to Disney Springs or pay for a hard ticket event ... but DVC (and potentially deluxe on-site hotel guests) could promote:

*** MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES EXCLUSIVE DVC COMPLIMENTARY AFTER-PARK HOURS EVENTS ! ***

May very well help with sales, and with DVC folks having multiple visits a year who still want to do stuff after park closing and fed-up with the extra $$$ for hard-ticket events

 

[Brocktoon]

And yes before anyone says it, I will come back to the parks because I love wdw.

And therein lies the problem ... they don't need to offer anything for your market. If Disney does move to an after park hours premium event model, Disney may be detecting that DVC members may feel 'cheated' ... especially after adding / and continuing to add more DVC rooms. I don't think they would go to this plan unless their marketing and surveys are starting to detect some satisfaction issues, or DVC starting to slow.

Until they run into issues with foreign tourism dropping, Disney won't focus on it

 

[Reddog1134]

It's a moot point. Soon all onsite rooms will be DVC so onsite perks and DVC perks will be one and the same.

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

It's a moot point. Soon all onsite rooms will be DVC so onsite perks and DVC perks will be one and the same.

Nice, and pretty accurate.

 

[rteetz]

It's a moot point. Soon all onsite rooms will be DVC so onsite perks and DVC perks will be one and the same.

I can very well see the vast majority of deluxe hotels go the way of DVC as they have been. However I don't think we will see the values go DVC. Moderates I think it will happen sooner or later and there have been plenty of rumors saying they are going to.

 

[Josh Hendy]

I was thinking additional charges too. I can't see that level of exclusivity for just DVC but who knows?

I have to ask, would people buy into DVC just to get a few after hours perks? It's a nice extra but seems rather minor.

I'm reminded of something that someone pointed out re: free dining promotion. Namely that (IIRC) the individual hotel managers basically pay for the dining packages and decide how many rooms to offer and on what dates, within the overall terms of the program.

If DVC is offering a special Typhoon Lagoon evening, I gather that the DVC management is "renting" the water park and offering it to points holders presumably in order to enhance sales of new units, discourage re-sale of existing units, or whatever.

I'm pretty ignorant of DVC but I suppose that technically the bonus entertainment is available to people who signed on the dotted line for DVC, even if they sell or rent out most of their points, most of the time (or whatever you call it) ... and not available to people who merely stay at DVC because they are essentially renting a room? And what about people who bought DVC at some non-WDW location but can use points or trade them or whatever to stay at WDW?

DVC seems to me to be a fairly confusing muddling of the concepts of "membership" and "property" with aspects of a shell game (to be frank). Is the goal to fill the rooms with guests, in which case the premium should apply to anyone staying at a DVC, or is it to "move" units, i.e. sign up every possible "buyer" or "member" or "owner" and to heck with the rest?

 

[peg110]

May very well help with sales

Yes, because sales for Disney is falling

 

[Disneychick75]

Probably wrong but I'm thinking that Disney will begin giving perks depending upon the $$$$ level of stay. They're starting with DVC. As a DVC member, I'm not opposed, lol. I can see where others would be though. Disney is charging more for less but people keep going.

 

[Reddog1134]

I'm reminded of something that someone pointed out re: free dining promotion. Namely that (IIRC) the individual hotel managers basically pay for the dining packages and decide how many rooms to offer and on what dates, within the overall terms of the program.

If DVC is offering a special Typhoon Lagoon evening, I gather that the DVC management is "renting" the water park and offering it to points holders presumably in order to enhance sales of new units, discourage re-sale of existing units, or whatever.

I'm pretty ignorant of DVC but I suppose that technically the bonus entertainment is available to people who signed on the dotted line for DVC, even if they sell or rent out most of their points, most of the time (or whatever you call it) ... and not available to people who merely stay at DVC because they are essentially renting a room? And what about people who bought DVC at some non-WDW location but can use points or trade them or whatever to stay at WDW?

DVC seems to me to be a fairly confusing muddling of the concepts of "membership" and "property" with aspects of a shell game (to be frank). Is the goal to fill the rooms with guests, in which case the premium should apply to anyone staying at a DVC, or is it to "move" units, i.e. sign up every possible "buyer" or "member" or "owner" and to heck with the rest?

All DVC perks are based on membership and some require you to be staying at a DVC resort. Renters cannot gain use of the perks by staying at a DVC resort.

 

[nkosiek]

What some of you may or may not have heard is that when they opened the Poly Villas they took a HUGE hit on the member website from existing members not caring about the Poly, how DVC doesn't care for them, where are the ticket breaks, yadda, yadda, yadda. I think this is one form of quieting the masses.

 

[HopperFan]

I thought the "DVC Pool Party" was very interesting given the size of the event. This would not surprise me at all given that Disney seems to be getting out of the hotel business in lieu of DVC. POP opened in 2003 half finished and while they eventually finished with AoA, I don't know that it would have happened had it not been an eyesore and expectation of something coming. Other than that we have watched the steady stream of DVC with Wilderness Bungalows coming next. Their idea of adding hotels seems to be selling land on the outskirts to build brand name hotels (ie: Flamingo Crossing). Would not surprise me at all if their only focus is DVC construction/sales and offering them more member/owner perks for their investment.