After hours - $149 for EMH?

[goofy4prez]

Did anyone think this may be a way for off-property guests to get the on-property benefit? It may be a smart move for Disney to justify the higher prices for accommodations compared to off property. You would think the most guests staying at a Disney resort would not pay for this if they can go to EMH for free.. Why would Disney take away EMH if it is one of the biggest selling points for staying on-property? Disney is not stupid.

I can think of 149 reasons (as in dollars) why Disney would get rid of EMH (not saying they will, but I'm of the opinion it's coming). No Disney is not stupid, they know that the minions will gladly fork over $149 for those three hours. Oh sure there will be those who say I'm selling my DVC, I'm no longer going to renew my AP's, I'm going to vacation in the Smokey Mountains instead; only to keep their DVC, renew their AP's, and continue to come to WDW year in and year out. And for those who are first timer's and coming for that once in a lifetime vacation they simply won't know any better and buy it without batting an eyelash. If Disney were to eliminate EMH it would just be another to the list of things that Disney once provided but have eliminated, or are now charging for it; Let's also not forget the popularity of hard ticket events like the many fireworks events and cruises, MVMCP and MNSSHP. No, Disney is not stupid... For the most part, we will continue to pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and Disney knows that. Disney has become one of the best when it comes to nickle and diming and as long as there is a little pixie dust in the air we will continue to breath it in and not think clearly, LOL.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I can think of 149 reasons (as in dollars) why Disney would get rid of EMH (not saying they will, but I'm of the opinion it's coming). No Disney is not stupid, they know that the minions will gladly fork over $149 for those three hours. Oh sure there will be those who say I'm selling my DVC, I'm no longer going to renew my AP's, I'm going to vacation in the Smokey Mountains instead; only to keep their DVC, renew their AP's, and continue to come to WDW year in and year out. And for those who are first timer's and coming for that once in a lifetime vacation they simply won't know any better and buy it without batting an eyelash. If Disney were to eliminate EMH it would just be another to the list of things that Disney once provided but have eliminated, or are now charging for it; Let's also not forget the popularity of hard ticket events like the many fireworks events and cruises, MVMCP and MNSSHP. No, Disney is not stupid... For the most part, we will continue to pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and Disney knows that. Disney has become one of the best when it comes to nickle and diming and as long as there is a little pixie dust in the air we will continue to breath it in and not think clearly, LOL.

It may not keep us from coming to WDW, but it will stop us from staying onsite. EMH is the main reason we stay onsite, if Disney were to ever take that away, which has been rumored for a couple of years now, we will reduce the amount of trips and will book a hotel off onsite.

I'm willing to pay the inflated cost to stay onsite for some things, but if they tack on a resort fee to the already inflated room rate, and take away something like EMH, they've forced my hand.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

Pixie dust, free parking, EMH, transportation, and proximity are the main benefits for staying on property, which helps to justify higher costs. Off-site properties realize that and are offering many of the same benefits at less cost. Disney should realize that without free parking and EMH that only pixie dust is left to justify the higher price for accommodations. While Disney banks on selling pixie dust and is the most successful at selling pixie dust, most people don't pay their bills with pixie dust and losing these benefits will provide an opening for lower cost off-site accommodations to take advantage.

 

[Eoghann]

I'd be curious to know how big a sales point EMH actually is. Not enough to stop Disney reducing it obviously, and clearly there's a significant portion of onsite guests who don't even use EMH.

Not that I'm in favor of them taking away anything, I just think it's possible people are overstating EMH's importance to Disney. It's quite expensive to run (which is why they've reduced it) and the hotels aren't the part of the operation that generates the real profits from what I understand. In which case $149 after hours and $70 Early Opening may offer a better RoS.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I'd be curious to know how big a sales point EMH actually is. Not enough to stop Disney reducing it obviously, and clearly there's a significant portion of onsite guests who don't even use EMH.

Not that I'm in favor of them taking away anything, I just think it's possible people are overstating EMH's importance to Disney. It's quite expensive to run (which is why they've reduced it) and the hotels aren't the part of the operation that generates the real profits from what I understand. In which case $149 after hours and $70 Early Opening may offer a better RoS.

I get what you're saying, and there have been trips where we havent used it because we were too tired or something came up, however I like the option of having it. It's a major reason why we stay onsite, we may not use it, but we know the option is there to use it if we want to.

 

[DisOrBust]

They are also adding some type of Fantasyland EMH for extra I think 69$ but you get muffins, wow. Really Disney how to squeeze young families even more!!! Sorry but would ever pay the 150 for EMH. For my family thats 750$! I can think of a boatload of ways better to spend the money. Even if I did do it I would then just cut back somewhere else in my vacation, like no deluxe resort. I have been going for 20 years and have seen some major price hikes(ie Cindys) and hour reductions(post 9/11). But this has totally jumped the shark. Hopefully sainty will prevail.

 

[Aurora0427]

I don't disagree but EMH wasn't always offered. I don't think EMH ending would prevent me from coming back. It's a nice perk but my last two trips I didn't use them at all.

Yeah, the only time we ever used EMH was back when they ran from 12-3am and we were young and childless. We avoid parks with morning EMH nowadays because of crowds, and our kids are too little to enjoy evening EMH.

I still think it's crappy to cut the program though!

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, the only time we ever used EMH was back when they ran from 12-3am and we were young and childless. We avoid parks with morning EMH nowadays because of crowds, and our kids are too little to enjoy evening EMH.

I still think it's crappy to cut the program though!

My last two trips were marathon weekend. I could stay out late many days or wake up early. We did use it in 2014 though. It really depends on the nature of my trips.

 

[Aurora0427]

I haven't read the entire thread, and haven't been on the boards in awhile, but I think the worst part is you pay $149 and not all of the attractions are open. No way is that worth it.

 

[rteetz]

I haven't read the entire thread, and haven't been on the boards in awhile, but I think the worst part is you pay $149 and not all of the attractions are open. No way is that worth it.

I think many would say it is if it's very minimal or no wait time.

 

[Aurora0427]

I think many would say it is if it's very minimal or no wait time.

I guess it depends on how many people are in your party and how long you'll be at WDW. It would cost is over $600. We usually go for at least 6 nights. We have time to get everything done. I'd rather take that $600 and put it towards another night or two. But if you're a party of 1 or 2, and there on a quick trip, I can see the benefit.

 

[rteetz]

I guess it depends on how many people are in your party and how long you'll be at WDW. It would cost is over $600. We usually go for at least 6 nights. We have time to get everything done. I'd rather take that $600 and put it towards another night or two. But if you're a party of 1 or 2, and there on a quick trip, I can see the benefit.

Yes I think that has a lot to do with it as well.

 

[kenny]

I agree that I could see this being more for smaller parties or offsite guests. But even for a party if 2 I'd rather stay an extra night at moderate then get 3 hrs of park time

I guess it is a way to lure offsite guests to spend more

Just afraid I can see this ultimately replacing EMH. Maybe not today but down the line especially if this selld out. Or they could do 2. One at this price point that is very limited and then another night a less cost but more crowded.

Just feel like others have said. Lately it is get money anyway they can

 

[cmash95]

just so people know. DL doesn't offer magical express, you have to pay to get to the resort. They charge a daily rate to park and their resort fee is more than $15. only WDW gets all this for free and the one disney initiative is probably looking at this as a way to standardize things between the resorts.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I agree that I could see this being more for smaller parties or offsite guests. But even for a party if 2 I'd rather stay an extra night at moderate then get 3 hrs of park time

I guess it is a way to lure offsite guests to spend more

Just afraid I can see this ultimately replacing EMH. Maybe not today but down the line especially if this selld out. Or they could do 2. One at this price point that is very limited and then another night a less cost but more crowded.

Just feel like others have said. Lately it is get money anyway they can

Some of us can't add an extra night due to timing..pre or post cruise, etc. And staying at a deluxe is not cost efficient to stay an extra night to do another crowded park day...instead we can purchase this and maximize our park time on a short trip-using it to replace a full day ticket. This event is not aimed at the 5 night or more traveler. I stayed 8 nights at the Poly in September..no, this wouldn't have had any value to me. I'm staying at CR 4 nights post cruise in December, something like this would have value. It wouldn't be offered on those dates because of the Christmas Party..but a different time of year- heck yes I would choose this option to do 1 of my MK days at night- with lower crowds, instead of 2 full days.

 

[rteetz]

just so people know. DL doesn't offer magical express, you have to pay to get to the resort. They charge a daily rate to park and their resort fee is more than $15. only WDW gets all this for free and the one disney initiative is probably looking at this as a way to standardize things between the resorts.

Well Disneyland is also in the middle of a city and has numerous third party hotels outside of it. You also are paying for that magical express in your hotel price whether you use it or not.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I agree that I could see this being more for smaller parties or offsite guests. But even for a party if 2 I'd rather stay an extra night at moderate then get 3 hrs of park time

I guess it is a way to lure offsite guests to spend more

Just afraid I can see this ultimately replacing EMH. Maybe not today but down the line especially if this selld out. Or they could do 2. One at this price point that is very limited and then another night a less cost but more crowded.

Just feel like others have said. Lately it is get money anyway they can

There's definitely a well defined group that would benefit from this from a financial aspect, if they meet all or most of these criteria:

1. Small group
2. Adults or older children (can stay up late)
3. Staying offsite
4. Short stay or only planning 1-2 days at Disney (also going to Universal, the beach, etc.)

A 1 day park ticket is $110 in April. This $149 could replace that ticket and could conceivably allow the travelers to compress 2 days of Disney into 1. If a party of 2 is paying $200 per night for a hotel room, they could pay $40 extra per person for this extra hours ticket ($80 total extra), but reducing their vacation by 1 day saves them $200.

I think part of the reason why people on this board are so upset by the change is that we are the exact opposite of the target audience for this. I'm guessing We tend to have longer stays, tend to stay onsite, are more likely to spend the whole vacation at DisneyWorld rather than going to other attractions.

 

[Kimberly9701]

There's definitely a well defined group that would benefit from this from a financial aspect, if they meet all or most of these criteria:

1. Small group
2. Adults or older children (can stay up late)
3. Staying offsite
4. Short stay or only planning 1-2 days at Disney (also going to Universal, the beach, etc.)

A 1 day park ticket is $110 in April. This $149 could replace that ticket and could conceivably allow the travelers to compress 2 days of Disney into 1. If a party of 2 is paying $200 per night for a hotel room, they could pay $40 extra per person for this extra hours ticket ($80 total extra), but reducing their vacation by 1 day saves them $200.

I think part of the reason why people on this board are so upset by the change is that we are the exact opposite of the target audience for this. I'm guessing We tend to have longer stays, tend to stay onsite, are more likely to spend the whole vacation at DisneyWorld rather than going to other attractions.

Exactly.... the only place I disagree with you is that I do think a lot of short stay on site guests will take advantage of this. As I said in my above post...It makes sense to me. I'm all for it because I really do believe that it will help disperse crowds. I don't choose to stay at a deluxe resort because I think they are 5 star accommodations..bc they definitely are not. I mean seriously where have you ever seen a place charge over $700 per night and not provide a bathrobe?!?!lol. During my F&W days I stayed at Epcot resorts For Convenience. Now, I stay at monorail resorts with my son- For Convenience. Disney knows that people will pay for Convenience- and lower wait times. Again, if you have less than a 5 day park ticket this does make sense to replace one of your MK days. There is a huge amount of people who visit florida and do not make Orlando their only destination...or, like you said- the Universal/Disney/Sea World people.

I keep reading posts/threads where people are totally freaking out about this. I don't see the harm in it at all.

 

[Mrlogboy]

I keep reading posts/threads where people are totally freaking out about this. I don't at all see the harm in it.

Wish I was calm and confident like you.
I think a lot of us on this board think actions like this are beginning up a slippery slope .
If everything stays as it is now and nothing else changes I agree with you 110%
But with all the stuff recently going on with Disney thought like I don't trust him but no sorry I don't trust them.
I believe all these things are like dipping their toe in the water to see how warm or cold it is and like other people on this board I see them not necessarily taking away stuff but augmenting but then again maybe taking away .
Similar to Universal I could see them doing a VIP fast pass that allows you to really skip the lines . Or maybe at night to see the fireworks they'll charge of $49
I guarantee it is there's a couple rooms out there were people are thinking about all the stuff what they can do what they can do when they can do it and how far they can push it and trust me they will

 

[Planogirl]

There's definitely a well defined group that would benefit from this from a financial aspect, if they meet all or most of these criteria:

1. Small group
2. Adults or older children (can stay up late)
3. Staying offsite
4. Short stay or only planning 1-2 days at Disney (also going to Universal, the beach, etc.)

A 1 day park ticket is $110 in April. This $149 could replace that ticket and could conceivably allow the travelers to compress 2 days of Disney into 1. If a party of 2 is paying $200 per night for a hotel room, they could pay $40 extra per person for this extra hours ticket ($80 total extra), but reducing their vacation by 1 day saves them $200.

I think part of the reason why people on this board are so upset by the change is that we are the exact opposite of the target audience for this. I'm guessing We tend to have longer stays, tend to stay onsite, are more likely to spend the whole vacation at DisneyWorld rather than going to other attractions.

We often meet all of your parameters and I don't like this because of the price for number of hours. If we go to MK I want the whole day and would personally rather deal with crowds than get my day shortened.

I do like the nighttime event better than the morning version though. That one is seriously awful IMO.