Anyone book Member Homecoming this morning?

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Grace,

I was just thinking the exact same thing. When the prices were orignally released my dw & I decided that it was just a little too much $ for our budget (we have APs). Now that they have the APs, and I have had another week to think about it, I think that I want to try to change my plans, shell out the money, and attend.

Anybody know if there is a cost for a then 26 month old? I know that there are child rates available, does anyone know that ages for those passes? My ds should be ok with the midnight events, as he typically goes to bed around 11:30pm. His mommy works retail in the evenings, and he likes to be awake when she comes home.

 

[vanstoj]

I understand the concern about young children. Our daughter will be about 21 months at the time of the event. I believe we have decided to hire the babysitting service,(I believe it is called Fairy Godmothers, for the two night events. I have heard good things about this group. It is something to consider for all of us who have small children. OF course, I will need to check it out further before we make our final decision. Also, it is expensive so it adds further to the cost.

 

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by CRobin
Maybe they're going to make you guys carpool

Y'know, I almost asked the CM that, and then decided I didn't want to know!

 

[DrTomorrow]

The Passholder rates, from the DVC Web Site:

$249 per Adult
$229 per Child (age 3-9)

Long-standing Disney policy is that under-3 is no charge. If they do charge for a 2YO to attend MH, then I'll put Jonnie Fedora on my shoulders and scream that it's a rip-off!

 

[Lesley]

Most likely the children's passes are for ages 3-9. My experience has been that children under 3 are free for everything that we have to pay for children over 3. That's generally park admissions and all meals that are priced by age. And when they're 10yo we pay full adult rates for them.

Just to clarify...I didn't mean that anyone here had made those who can't afford this feel like anything less than "real" DVC members....more that the strategy of making the price of something very high to limit interest does this. Which sort of rubs me the wrong way...as do many of Disney's business practices. But that's a whole other issue.

Anyway..to those of you going...have a great time! We'll see you around the BWV!

 

[MarkRG]

Dr Tomorrow:

I really don't think they'll do that either, btw. Kids under 3 will more than likely be free to this too.

Now, again, I would say much to the people on the fence and the naysayers.

FIRST, If you think for even one tiny second that everything in the literature is all that's going to happen, you really don't get it and should probably sell your points right now. I don't mean that as insulting, but one thing Disney does do is make the special events very satisfying, and always, ALWAYS does not show their hand until they are good and ready to.

This mixed response is exactly the response that the Member Cruise got. And I can't even begin to tell you of the things that happened that were not announced anywhere. But I'll at least try.

Begin with these, the three member update emails we got, each one announcing a new event or happening.

Member Update 1(Sent back in December)

Member Update 2(Sent out January)

Member Update 3(Sent out March)

And that doesn't even begin to cover it. We got special gifts in our staterooms each night, and not 'crap' either. A very nice web beach bag stands out, also on the last night and not mentioned in the website we got a very limited edition Steamboat Willie teapot(which was a nightmare to repack around, but a wonderful cap to the trip)

Then you can go on about how it was more points than the same cruise at that time of year. It was not that many.

4 day Member cruise, Cat 8, 232 points for 2 adults.
4 day Nassau cruise, Cat 8, 220 points for 2 adults.

12 point difference, and still a lot less than

7 day eastern cruise, Cat 8, 328 points for 2 adults.
These are all for feb 2003 cruises, in the same pricing season as the Member Cruise. It was a huge ripoff. Riiight.

Go look at the website I made on it again (click to go there) and then tell me those extra 12 points were poorly spent. I don't even remotely think so.

Now, about trying to do the math on this, you can throw out just about everything in comparing these nights to an e-ticket night.

They are not capped at 4000! You can still have a huge crowd at those nights. I can guarantee we will have both parks all to ourselves. The closest I can compare this to is the first year they had the Holloween party in 1995(Mickey's Holloween Treat), it was an unannounced event and it was empty! Every ride was a direct walk-on, and it was just incredible in really REALLY having the park to ourselves.

Now, it's actually the other way around Lesley, because they are limiting these nights to 4000 people it is going to cost more. And again, I would emphasize that I honestly expect there will be more going on that just what the literature has spelled out. They will definitely make it worth the cost. And that's not blind faith, that is experience talking.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
The Passholder rates, from the DVC Web Site:

$249 per Adult
$229 per Child (age 3-9)

Long-standing Disney policy is that under-3 is no charge. If they do charge for a 2YO to attend MH, then I'll put Jonnie Fedora on my shoulders and scream that it's a rip-off!

Careful...with recent Disney pricing schemes for DVCers, it's conceivable that you could end up with 185 unwanted extra pounds.

*****
BTW, I see the selling suggestion has been mentioned several times here. It is usually brought up anytime non-pro-Disney opinions get expressed. let me clarify why I wouldn't sell: I love the DVC resorts, I like Disney, I don't like how Disney views DVCers.

*****
For those of you have chosen to attend the MH, given what you know about the events etc., at what price would you deem this event too expensive to attend?

 

[LIFERBABE]

Last month as I read Mary Waring's trip report for the Press Event to kick off Mission Space and Mickey's Philharmagic, I thought how great it must be to be able to attend such a special event at WDW.

Everything she described on that trip that was for Media only, is very similar to what DVC has planned for Member Homecoming.

Another thing is I don't believe E nights have Fireworks or Spectro. (Please correct me if i am wrong) I have sat for 2 hours in one spot (kids were sleep anyway) to wait for Spectro. To be able to see Spectro in a small setting would be Awesome!

I don't honestly believe that DVC would do this Raggedy! If I believed that I would not have bought DVC in the first place. The one thing I have experienced at WDW is that you will pay for it, but you are guaranteed a good time and that's why we made it our home. After visiting other vacation destinations, I know that this is not always the case and what starts out as reasonable quickly turns to unreasonable.

I will most likely go to MH solo unless I find someone as happy as I am to be there as DH will stay with Ds's for the last week of school. My boys could probably hang til midnight but will wait until they get older.

I am booked at SSR and will see you there!

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE

Another thing is I don't believe E nights have Fireworks or Spectro. (Please correct me if i am wrong) I have sat for 2 hours in one spot (kids were sleep anyway) to wait for Spectro. To be able to see Spectro in a small setting would be Awesome!

No, from what I have found in searching, having never been to one myself, e-nights are rides only. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. And yes, I have sat that long in obnoxious crowds to be on main street too. I think this is one of the big points for it too- you'll be able to just line up and have a front row seat immediately! Can't beat that.

I don't honestly believe that DVC would do this Raggedy! If I believed that I would not have bought DVC in the first place. The one thing I have experienced at WDW is that you will pay for it, but you are guaranteed a good time and that's why we made it our home. After visiting other vacation destinations, I know that this is not always the case and what starts out as reasonable quickly turns to unreasonable.

Exactly, Liferbabe, EXACTLY! I didn't buy into DVC looking for some fantastic and impossible DEAL. NOTHING in life is free. And I do expect them to carry their end, they have once already.

Let me drop a small theory on you early dvc'ers. Do you know why your dues havn't gone up along with cost-of-living? Because they stopped subsidizing your 'freebies' as cost of living went up. I am VERY tired of hearing you in different ways bemoan your loss of freebies, that honestly I never expected or looked for. Would I like to see some things akin to what the Fla residents get? Certainly, as we are in the same category as they are, in that we do own down there now. But will I keep that in mind and go around bashing Disney or DVC when they do other things? No.

I don't fool myself for a second, Disney is first and foremost a buisness. You want to hang out with a charity, there are tons of non-for-profit organizations out there. We're paying Disney to entertain us, period. And Disney treats DVC exactly the way it should be - a separate entity on their property. Should they be offering us some of the deals they offer the regular resort guests? No. They are not selling us anything, we've already made our purchase. 'Deals' are to entice someone into a purchase, and we got our deal in that we pay less than the deluxe resort guests for a room that blows theirs away. And one that will not increase in price until at least 2042, and I probably won't care by then.

Again, about this event, The one thing you can count on is that there will be more than what you have been given in writing going on. I'd expect a good deal more, there WILL be surprises, but what we have been told more than meets my expectations already.

 

[Regina]

I don't understand the comparison to E-Night when they have all of nine attractions running. It's not even close to what DVC has planned at the MK.

I think the price is reasonable for what we're getting. Our merry group of six is really looking forward to it. The four "kids" (ages 23 to 19) will be dancing the night away at Epcot. If you see a handsome redheaded young man doing the "Sprinkler" that's my boy!

If you spot a chubby middle aged lady with tears in her eyes watching the private performance of Spectromagic, that's going to be me.

And if you spy six tired but happy travelers at the Grand Opening of SSR, that's going to be us.

I'm still pinching myself that the date worked out for the entire family (and one very nice boyfriend.) You can't put a price tag on the memories that we'll carry with us for years to come.

 

[LIFERBABE]

If Enights do not have Spectro of Wishes, then that is definitely worth more than 12 bucks! A private Parade and Fireworks!
That is not a fair comparison.

Also the AP discount can go both ways.

What if Disney valued the AP days as we would like them to, and increased the price of the AP's accordingly. An Ap or Hopper day is not worth $50. Single day Admission is $58. I always calculate the cost of our hoppers at about $30-$40 a day.

I have hoppers, but since they are worth more a little more than $25 a day and don't ge me into PI or DQ, I will buy the MH package and save our hoppers for later.

Do I wish it was cheaper, Yes, I wish a stick of gum was cheaper!

I don't have money to burn, and it helps that only I will be attending and I have banked points to use.

This will be my Spa Vacation.

I think we shoud start a new thread......Excited About Member Homecoming!

 

[DrTomorrow]

I'm with you, LIFERBABE; we could use a "MH Positive" thread.

And thanks to MarkRG, and others, who have helped this self-proclaimed "Sucker" feel "Super" about this wonderful event.

 

[burnsoc]

Thanks MarkRG for getting me excited about the MH! I was starting to doubt whether this was worth it. I'm really looking forward to meeting you guys from this board. Happy Holidays!

 

[cgcw]

I have utmost confident that MarkRG is correct about the scale of this event. I saw the scrapbook Mark & Mary made after the DVC members cruise. To say I was jeoleous of all the fun they had would be an understatement. It truly looked spectacular. And, if another were to offered in the future, we would book -- no matter what the price/point.

In talking to our guide, she explained to me that this will not be similar to MNSSHP or MVMCP. It will be WAY better and on the Disney big event basis.

We are very excited and certainly looking forward to it. This is probably the best Christmas gift I will receive this year.

 

[Diana Lyn]

Originally posted by cgcw
We are very excited and certainly looking forward to it. This is probably the best Christmas gift I will receive this year.

Same here. My birthday is on Christmas and I told my husband no gifts for me this year for Christmas or my birthday. I'll be celebrating with the best Birthday/Christmas present ever in MAY!!

 

[paults]

JMHO

I wonder how many of you going are AP holders?

Anyway , anyone going I hope you have a great time.

Please don't take this wrong ,as it's just my opinion.

 

[cgcw]

Originally posted by Diana Lyn
Same here. My birthday is on Christmas and I told my husband no gifts for me this year for Christmas or my birthday. I'll be celebrating with the best Birthday/Christmas present ever in MAY!!

Sounds like lots of celebrating of special occassions for some of us attending. We'll be celebrating our 15th year wedding anniversary.

Happy Birthday, Diana Lyn!

PaulTS, by the way, we are AP holders.

 

[Dave M]

When I made the plans for the MH I did not think about the celebration of our 46th wedding which would be in June. That will ready make for a special trip. Hope to see you all there.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Add us to the list: DW and I will celebrate our 24th anniversary on May 2. MH just gets specialer and specialer

 

[Mooobooks]

I hope it's good. My wife and I attended the Happy Haunts event in October at WDW and, at $900 for both of us, it was a poorly planned rip off.
Lousy planning, not enough staff, not enough things to do to justify the ridiculous price, and the farewell gift you were given as you left the Magic Kingdom was a 25 cent red plastic bathroom cup with a logo printed on it.
Hope you do better in May!