After hours - $149 for EMH?

[smiths02]

If anyone is in panic mode it's Disney.

They're not thinking this through imho. If the $150 for 3 hours upsell is seen as good value then how do they think their $105 ticket for 10 hours will be perceived? It's like saying, ok, we know that you had a lousy time all day struggling with crowds and dealing with FP+ on our flaky wifi. But we want to make it up to you. We really, really do. Just give us another $150 per head and this time it'll be great.

It's one thing to offer a range of products at different prices and perceived values ... but I doubt if they will succeed in convincing people that BOTH the ticket options are great value, different strokes for different folks. They might leave people feeling that (a) is somewhat overpriced and a bad value given the crowds and the lines, and (b) is vastly overpriced.

It's odd that Disney reacts to the popularity of cruise ships by building more boats, but when their theme parks are full (and extremely profitable) their main reaction is, don't build more ... squeeze more.

I agree that I think they way overpriced this and the thing in the morning is as well. If I already have multi-day tickets or APs, I won't want to pay another $150 to ride the rides for 3 hours (or $70 for one hour). It really only makes sense if you were doing a short trip for some reason because if you just wanted a VIP experience and you were some rich, fat cat on your once in a lifetime trip, then why wouldn't you just spring and do the VIP tour? Disney needs to make this an event or an add-on...snacks and rides for more hours are an add-on, so making it a hard ticket event seems like a bad move. But what do I know? Let them make their money. My family will have a good time in June as our last hoorah with APs and then we will enjoy other things.

Disney may have it all together. Not only have they monetized EMH..with the morning offering, they've basically monetized FP for 3 rides.

 

[Josh Hendy]

The only way that cruise ship analogy works is if they decide to build a replica Magic Kingdom.

The analogy is with any company which has a successful and profitable product. Do they make and sell more products at the same proven price point and profit margin or do they bet on the assumption that their customers will keep buying the same product but at vastly higher prices?

I was going to call it a double-or-nothing gamble ... but probably they assume that they can recover from any pricing gaffe by offering discounts and that no lasting damage to the brand will result as long as new fairy tale and sci fi hits are produced semi-regularly.

 

[EricInPA]

Magic Kingdom is unique because there is only one, and it can't be duplicated (like a cruise ship boat). They are building more capacity, it just isn't complete yet. Until it's finished, they need to find ways to get the most out of what they have.

Maybe they could have started building earlier, but they didn't, and they are doing it now, so we'll have to be patient (or spend the dollars else-ware).

 

[circus4u]

David Hannum supposedly said it about Barnum

Another circus fan/historian?

 

[circus4u]

Whether he actually said it is entirely irrelevant. You knew the reference and so will everyone else.

Just trying to set the record straight.

 

[sgtdisney]

IMHO, the success of this delightful new event will remain to be seen. No one knows where this will go. I personally don't see many people, who are already in the park for the day, paying 150.00 for 3 more hours + all the free ice cream and beverages you can cram down your gullet. Unless the ice cream is made of gold.

Seriously, I think Disney is throwing a line in the water to see who bites. Based on the comments I have read in numerous places, I don't see many people biting. It's really just not a great value for most people. Of course some will, but many won't. However I feel we may see this morph into something similar to the E-ticket Nights. As for the price, I think eventually what we'll see is that they would charge this as an add on, and maybe charge 30-40 bucks over a regular admission ticket, and ditch the free refreshments. So, the people who would be willing to spend the 150.00 to come in for 7 hours still can, and day guests who want to stay later would only pay an add on to the regular admission. It's obvious Disney is trying to find a way to fund some of their perks, be it through a 15.00 resort fee, or additional cost for extra magic time. No one knows how this will turn out. My only concern as a stock holder, is how this is going to impact the consumer's perception of Disney. Will they embrace it, ignore it, or will people get fed up with the perception of a money grab. Only time will tell.

 

[Jake]

How many thing can you do in 3 hours. If there is no lines. And if you go to a show, like Country bears, walk in sit down and show starts. It still has to take over 10 minutes per attraction. So you can do 18 things. I really don't think so. So my question how many attractions can you do in three hours ???

 

[Eoghann]

How many thing can you do in 3 hours. If there is no lines. And if you go to a show, like Country bears, walk in sit down and show starts. It still has to take over 10 minutes per attraction. So you can do 18 things. I really don't think so. So my question how many attractions can you do in three hours ???

Well put it this way, during regular rope drop in December we were able to knock out 4 rides in the first hour... When you remove the queuing a lot of these rides are very short.

 

[rteetz]

Well put it this way, during regular rope drop in December we were able to knock out 4 rides in the first hour... When you remove the queuing a lot of these rides are very short.

And if a guest knocks out 12 attractions during this party I think they'll be very happy. Of course some will try to do as much as possible but I think the average guest that buys this will be happy with 10-12 attractions.

 

[brown1990]

We canceled our 2016 trip, and are already talking about doing the same for 2017. Mark my words, if they do this, I have a feeling this will be the end of Magic Hours. That rumor has already been going around for a few years that they would end.

This is the first step to ending them, if people pay the money, they'll end magic hours and onsite guest will have to pay it as well if they want access to the parks for the 3 additional hours.

This will be the end for my family. We'll go back for a once in a lifetime trip after star wars opens, but the yearly trips will be done.

I'll take my money elsewhere.

I agree as well. My whole family has been going as a family for 25 years. Imagine how much money we spent. I feel awful i talked my husband into buying DVC sometimes but i know i can use the points to hang out at resorts and not go to the parks.. i dont know if i should feel bad for being poor or being mad at Disney for making impossible to go once a year. I never thought i was going to not be able to afford disney..my husband works two full time jobs and has a bachelor's degree so i would classify our family as middle class..but when people are not getting raises i cant compete with feeding my family or saving money on the side for a family vacation..



I mean i just bought season passes to Adventureland (my states amusement park) for the summer for $250 for my family.. no there isnt mickey but there are trains rides a big water park.. my kids probably wont the difference this year. Its just incredibly sad..

 

[dvcdream4fld]

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.

 

[Jake]

People, family's stay off property to save money. If you are trying to get the most value for your money. I don't think you are going to spend $150 PP for three hours. With chrildren I don't think you are going to do that much in three hours.

 

[Planogirl]

People, family's stay off property to save money. If you are trying to get the most value for your money. I don't think you are going to spend $150 PP for three hours. With chrildren I don't think you are going to do that much in three hours.

I don't think that all families stay offsite to save money but I agree that many do. I like offsite often but don't see the value of either the morning or evening add-on. If others do that's great but I feel like you get so little.

 

[TeresaWen]

People, family's stay off property to save money. If you are trying to get the most value for your money. I don't think you are going to spend $150 PP for three hours. With chrildren I don't think you are going to do that much in three hours.

We stay off property because we love the space. Having a living room is awesome. My husband can relax and watch TV when I go to sleep early. We can make a healthy breakfast in our full kitchen. I use the second bedroom to store luggage, purchases (great at Christmastime), being able to do an emergency load of laundry is such a stress reliever. And the property is beautiful with activities for all ages (adults too - like beer tasting classes)

The money we save is a bonus. It makes spending on any extras we want very easy to swallow. Not interested in this one but can't wait to see what is offered when we are going in the fall

 

[beer dave]

Who knows, that's why I said it will make it on its own or fail.

Interesting nobody mentions all the extra CM hours this would potentially add.

Sorry, I'm a bit behind on this thread-- working my way through it now.

Yes-- everyone is complaining about the budget cuts and CM hours reduced and layoffs, but here they are taking nights where the parks are not even open, and opening them for people who have money to burn, adding hours for CM's-- Sounds good to me.

 

[beer dave]

We stay off property because we love the space. Having a living room is awesome. My husband can relax and watch TV when I go to sleep early. We can make a healthy breakfast in our full kitchen. I use the second bedroom to store luggage, purchases (great at Christmastime), being able to do an emergency load of laundry is such a stress reliever. And the property is beautiful with activities for all ages (adults too - like beer tasting classes)

The money we save is a bonus. It makes spending on any extras we want very easy to swallow. Not interested in this one but can't wait to see what is offered when we are going in the fall

If I didn't know better, I would think this was a DVC advertisement.

 

[TeresaWen]

If I didn't know better, I would think this was a DVC advertisement.

Not even close! We use a get-a-way at a Marriott timeshare. I love Disney but there are days I am glad that agent never returned my call when we were considering a resale at BCV

 

[sarahcaribou]

I can seeing this maybe being worthwhile to a family with kids in older elementary to high school. For families with young kids, I think it is too much money to be able to get much done in 3 hours especially that late. I do agree that I don't think it necessarily spells the end of EMH and I think it is good for CM's who are maybe trying to make some of the hours that have been cut recently.

 

[mcd2745]

And if a guest knocks out 12 attractions during this party I think they'll be very happy. Of course some will try to do as much as possible but I think the average guest that buys this will be happy with 10-12 attractions.

The price is ridiculous, we're all pretty much in agreement there. However, I also think most agree there are a decent number of people who won't mind ponying up the money because either they just have it like that (and we shouldn't begrudge them for it), or there are those who will bite at anything Disney-related...regardless of how unwise a decision it may be for them with regards to their personal financial situation.

That said...the old E-Ride nights (at only $10-$15 pp for the same 3 hours), where there were only 9 attractions open (see old brochure/map below), can be used as somewhat of a gauge of what can possibly be done. What we were able to do in the 3 hours was pretty incredible. We would (easily) do all 9 attractions. Alien Encounter, Timekeeper, Country Bears would be one time only. The other six (3 mountains, POTC, HM, Astro Orbiter) would be at least 5 times each. You would literally walk right on them, and when you were done, there most likely was no one waiting so you wouldn't even have to get off. You'd go around again...and again....and again. So, IF crowd levels are similar for the new event...you will be able to get in most of the attractions that are open. Whether or not that's worth $149...will be very subjective of course. I will add...there was something incredibly enjoyable about the experience beyond the attractions themselves. I am not sure I can describe it accurately. Just the feeling of practically having the place to yourself - walking around they empty walkways and through the empty queues - had some kind of sub-conscious/psychological effect that made it all the more pleasurable. Although, maybe the fact that we only paid $10 pp for it had a lot to do with that.

 

[manning]

Look at the bright side, you could be the only one in the park. Think of it, You'll be first in line on every ride.