4/21 After Hours - Is it really worth it?

[mickeyluv'r]

But how much are you really paying? This is targeted for mostly locals and short stay off-site guests because On-site or guests with Multi-Day tickets are not going to buy this. If I plan on going to MK and pay $110 for one day, I would easily pay an extra $39 to enter at 7, get to see Wishes, and ride the shortest rides you will ever see at MK.

I suppose, except that there are still many nights each year where anyone can get an onsite hotel room EMH for about $100 which gives you two days of EMH access, plus parking ($40), and early access to FP+. Last I checked, anyone can book a hotel room onsite.

If, as you say, the target is locals and those offsite, they will still need to pay for parking, so that's like getting a room for $60, or $15 per person. To me, $15 pp for two days of EMH is a better deal than this. Locals have the ability to pick their day, it isn't hard to pick a low crowd EMH.

I ran similar math when looking at staying onsite at US. At first, the onsite deluxe hotels rates looks crazy high, and they often are!, but then I did the math. Onsite at US means 2days of FotLA passes.

Amazingly (not really), the cost of an site hotel room usually = the cost of FotLA passes for 4 people.

In that light, if you are a group of four, it doesn't really make sense to buy FotLA passes in the park.

 

[Chirple]

double post

 

[beesly]

Some of us will

We had no problem purchasing Club Villain not once but twice. It's sold out for our trip next month or we'd be doing it a 3rd time. So we decided today to do the after hours event at MK instead. Same money. More activities really. And DH is happy in that he won't have to get up early 1 morning of our trip. Heck, DH would pay more if it meant he got to sleep in

I'm another multi-day guest who might join in. I wasn't originally planning on adding this to our trip as we have 7-day PHs (and I'll be upgrading to an AP once we arrive tomorrow), but after seeing some of the reviews, and after having a conversation with DH the other night where he stressed that he does not really have any desire to be in the parks late (not even to see CTM and Wishes), I could see myself adding this for 4/28, just for me. We'll be at the Poly that night, so I could easily hop on the monorail once DD and DH are settled down for bed. We're planning on sleeping in the next morning anyway.

 

[whiporee]

I ran similar math when looking at staying onsite at US. At first, the onsite deluxe hotels rates looks crazy high, and they often are!, but then I did the math. Onsite at US means 2days of FotLA passes.

I do wish people would stop saying this. The only way to get Front of the Line passes at Universal is to to their tour.

Staying at a resort gets you an Unlimited Express Pass, but those aren't the same thing as Front of the Line. They are a lot like Fast Passes without reservations -- you still end up merged with the standby line, just much further down the line. And they don't work for the HP rides.

I'm not denying it's a benefit, but it's not Front of the Line.

 

[mom2rtk]

I do wish people would stop saying this. The only way to get Front of the Line passes at Universal is to to their tour.

Staying at a resort gets you an Unlimited Express Pass, but those aren't the same thing as Front of the Line. They are a lot like Fast Passes without reservations -- you still end up merged with the standby line, just much further down the line. And they don't work for the HP rides.

I'm not denying it's a benefit, but it's not Front of the Line.

Still sounds like a great deal. We need to go give that a try soon.

 

[Momtomouselover]

As mentioned, there is no change to EMH. This is something different, the same way the Club villian parties or seasonal parties don't mean eliminating EMH. I'm sure you will still have a great time at your EMH. No indication has ever been stated in my posts that this is the end of EMH or changes the offerings. The limited number of guests couldn't support the resort guests if sold out, so it's not in direct competition either.
There are only about a half dozen nights for this party and many many more EMHs.

Regarding your specific vacation timing, I really couldn't say. Hope it works out for you though.

Have fun!

Are you sure they haven't reduced EMH? We are going for a week in June and I only see one night at MK with EMH and those are from 10-12am. No midnight to 2am like last year and again only one night of EMH. I don't mind additional offerings but in this case it seems like they reduced EMH and now are replacing at least some nights with paid events.

 

[ArielSRL]

Are you sure they haven't reduced EMH? We are going for a week in June and I only see one night at MK with EMH and those are from 10-12am. No midnight to 2am like last year and again only one night of EMH. I don't mind additional offerings but in this case it seems like they reduced EMH and now are replacing at least some nights with paid events.

I don't know if they reduced the number of nights but once they extend June hours, EMH *should* go later than midnight.

 

[Momtomouselover]

I don't know if they reduced the number of nights but once they extend June hours, EMH *should* go later than midnight.

I hope they extend the hours, however, some will have to be reduced. Last years MK hours for these same dates the MK was open until 12 or 1 every night. At least one of those nights the park was open to 2 am because we were there for the EMH. Now, because of the additional paid offering the MK will have to close earlier on those nights. I get it. The Mouse is a business but I just hope they keep some or even most of those late nights. If not then it's just another case of something being reduced or taken away and that is why some people are not happy with it.

Look at this...http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june15.cfm

 

[HopperFan]

Yes but social media reviews like this one IS the marketing campaign. I'm sorry to be snarky but that review seems just a bit too positive almost seems like the exact review they want. And it did get over 700 views today.

Even up to 1700 views this is hardly marketing. And hardly a widespread demographic. DIS is a VERY VERY small percentage of the people going to Disney World. We are a narrow market, and honestly MUCH of what Disney does is not geared to our demographic. I get the power of social media, while some have talked about it there is simply way too many changes and things happening at WDW for it to get much spotlight at all. Talk about 3 hours of MK EMH for $ or talk about Rivers of Light not happening or Frozen Ever After being delayed again? Not going to be tweeting about EMH for $.

Other than a Disney Blog post I have seen no other public marketing of this. Now it is possible they are doing the behind the scenes marketing; like to Deluxe resort guests, travel agents, offsite resorts, DVC, AP, conventions .... but so far I haven't seen anyone talk about receiving info that way. I am AP and heard nothing. AND yes I get the "why would AP" use it? Because I have an AP I do spend the extra bucks on Club Villain, Africa Trek, Dessert Parties etc.

There is a market for this, it could be doing well, it could do even better if it were 3 hours BEFORE the park opens with a breakfast instead of ice cream and soda. Down the road it would be a slam dunk for the new lands. For now: Disney has boxed themselves in a corner with too much happening and balls dropping. Gonna be a LONG summer around the conference room table.

PS. Yeah kinda snarky. Most "trolls" have low post counts. The OP is not and appreciate her giving a review. From everything everyone who has gone has posted and from what MK CM has told me, the review sounds spot on.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't know if they reduced the number of nights but once they extend June hours, EMH *should* go later than midnight.

There were a lot of people who thought they would extend morning hours that week after Easter. And it just didn't happen.

 

[AngiTN]

I hope they extend the hours, however, some will have to be reduced. Last years MK hours for these same dates the MK was open until 12 or 1 every night. At least one of those nights the park was open to 2 am because we were there for the EMH. Now, because of the additional paid offering the MK will have to close earlier on those nights. I get it. The Mouse is a business but I just hope they keep some of those late nights. If not then it's just another case of something being reduced or taken away and that is why some people are not happy with it.

Look at this...http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june15.cfm

Right now the extra hour events aren't even scheduled in June so not sure how they can impact emh in June

 

[LisaCM614]

Even up to 1700 views this is hardly marketing. And hardly a widespread demographic. DIS is a VERY VERY small percentage of the people going to Disney World. We are a narrow market, and honestly MUCH of what Disney does is not geared to our demographic. I get the power of social media, while some have talked about it there is simply way too many changes and things happening at WDW for it to get much spotlight at all. Talk about 3 hours of MK EMH for $ or talk about Rivers of Light not happening or Frozen Ever After being delayed again? Not going to be tweeting about EMH for $.

Other than a Disney Blog post I have seen no other public marketing of this. Now it is possible they are doing the behind the scenes marketing; like to Deluxe resort guests, travel agents, offsite resorts, DVC, AP, conventions .... but so far I haven't seen anyone talk about receiving info that way. I am AP and heard nothing. AND yes I get the "why would AP" use it? Because I have an AP I do spend the extra bucks on Club Villain, Africa Trek, Dessert Parties etc.

There is a market for this, it could be doing well, it could do even better if it were 3 hours BEFORE the park opens with a breakfast instead of ice cream and soda. Down the road it would be a slam dunk for the new lands. For now: Disney has boxed themselves in a corner with too much happening and balls dropping. Gonna be a LONG summer around the conference room table.

PS. Yeah kinda snarky. Most "trolls" have low post counts. The OP is not and appreciate her giving a review. From everything everyone who has gone has posted and from what MK CM has told me, the review sounds spot on.

Never said she was a troll. Someone can be prolific on the DIS and a CM. I don't think those are mutually exclusive.

Also I never knocked DAH or the AM deal. Not interested this year but totally could see doing it in the future especially for a short visit during Spring Break!

 

[Momtomouselover]

Right now the extra hour events aren't even scheduled in June so not sure how they can impact emh in June

You are right they haven't scheduled them in June yet but if they do then by its very nature then some nights the hrs will have to be reduced (or the event will only be exclusive from 12-2 and more rushed or I guess they could do 12-3am). Again, as long as there are still many late nights and EMH then I suppose I'm fine with it. I do think it is hard to ask one group to pay so much though then leave the park open until 2 am for resort guests "free" on other nights. Perhaps during very busy months the exclusivity makes it worth it though or at least to some it does. Perhaps to day visitors with limited time it makes sense too, if you are a real night owl that is.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes but social media reviews like this one IS the marketing campaign. I'm sorry to be snarky but that review seems just a bit too positive almost seems like the exact review they want. And it did get over 700 views today.

Never said she was a troll. Someone can be prolific on the DIS and a CM. I don't think those are mutually exclusive.

Also I never knocked DAH or the AM deal. Not interested this year but totally could see doing it in the future especially for a short visit during Spring Break!

The wording and saying the review was a bit too positive implied to me that you felt they were a plant or someone doing their job to pump it up. If I were the OP I would take it that way and I think a couple other posters did as well. I was just saying I didn't think the OP was inflating the event for Disney's benefit.

And honestly CMs are a customer too as for many things they get minimal or no discount.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I'm another multi-day guest who might join in. I wasn't originally planning on adding this to our trip as we have 7-day PHs (and I'll be upgrading to an AP once we arrive tomorrow), but after seeing some of the reviews, and after having a conversation with DH the other night where he stressed that he does not really have any desire to be in the parks late (not even to see CTM and Wishes), I could see myself adding this for 4/28, just for me. We'll be at the Poly that night, so I could easily hop on the monorail once DD and DH are settled down for bed. We're planning on sleeping in the next morning anyway.

This is how I feel and I was totally against this when it was first announced lol. Little by little I have been swayed. I'm also a multi-day guest. This is something I would do solo. I love being solo in the parks, and thg reviews have been great so far. If I had a trip during these DAH nights, I would probably take a night to myself and do it. My trip isn't until Labor Day week though, so it may not even be offered during that time.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Other than a Disney Blog post I have seen no other public marketing of this. Now it is possible they are doing the behind the scenes marketing; like to Deluxe resort guests, travel agents, offsite resorts, DVC, AP, conventions .... but so far I haven't seen anyone talk about receiving info that way.

We got an email from our travel agent about it. I guess I didn't think to mention it. It was basically copy/paste from the Disney website. I heard more about this than I did about Club Villain. That sells out. Granted CVs been around a while but I don't think it's any more highly publicized. I wouldn't have known about it other than reading here (when planning it honestly never occurred to me to check the Events page since I assumed those were things like marathon weekends and whatnot that would be in the crowd calendars).

 

[ArielSRL]

I hope they extend the hours, however, some will have to be reduced. Last years MK hours for these same dates the MK was open until 12 or 1 every night. At least one of those nights the park was open to 2 am because we were there for the EMH. Now, because of the additional paid offering the MK will have to close earlier on those nights. I get it. The Mouse is a business but I just hope they keep some or even most of those late nights. If not then it's just another case of something being reduced or taken away and that is why some people are not happy with it.

Look at this...http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june15.cfm

Well, at this point the DAH is not offered in June. It most likely will be added but it's not a certainty at this point. If it is, I'm assuming it'll be the same night - Thursday - and MK might close at 11? Still thinking the rest of the nights will be at least 12 with EMH to 2. Wishful thinking, anyway...

 

[ArielSRL]

There were a lot of people who thought they would extend morning hours that week after Easter. And it just didn't happen.

Idk, but I seriously doubt they don't extend hours during summer season. I mean, I doubt that June hours would be less than May hours. But, of course, I could be wrong.

 

[Spork24]

I already bought my ticket for next week! I can't wait!

 

[AngiTN]

I don't think they are doing much marketing on property either.

We were there last week, one night CL. No one ever mentioned to us about the Extra Hours. No flyers in the rooms. Didn't notice it mentioned on the info channels on TV. Nothing.

Wonder if they are doing any advertising off site, like on local TV to get those locals without AP to come? Or around off site hotels to pull in off site guests?