Anyone else annoyed by how often the "parties" are scheduled?

[MyTwoPrincesses]

Tour books suggest taking mid-day breaks etc. How are you supposed to do that when the Merry Christmas Party is every day of your trip except 1, causing the Magic Kingdom to close at 7? Park tickets are expensive enough. I don't want to buy party tickets on top of the park tickets. I don't mind the idea of the party, but it is unfair to close the park SO early so for so many nights. It has only gotten worse as it appears that they added at least 1 if not 2 party days to our week since we booked the trip.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You betcha.
2) It really cuts into evening hours during Peak times.
3) We are not getting good value from our admission tickets/hoppers/passes.
4) But, WDW makes TONS of bucks from the parties, so regular people don't count.

IMHO.

 

[realityland]

I guess it is a no-win for Disney. People have been complaining all over these boards that the parties are too crowded. When Disney adds additonal parties to keep up with the demand, it impacts the folks regularly attending the parks by way of shorter hours.

No easy solution, I suppose.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I guess it is a no-win for Disney. People have been complaining all over these boards that the parties are too crowded. When Disney adds additonal parties to keep up with the demand, it impacts the folks regularly attending the parks by way of shorter hours.

No easy solution, I suppose.

Well, they could close the park at 9. Or not charge for Park Hoppers. Or charge less for the party. It is ridiculous to pay ~ $50 per person per party ticket when they also charge a ridiculous amount for park tickets compared to other amusement parks.

 

[jctwizzer]

1. Disney is much more than an "amusement park". 2. Name a comparable park with ticket prices are substantially lower than Disney. 3. If you
don't like it, don't go.

 

[kmk1180]

I can see your frustration but don't totally agree.

We tend to go during the winter months and the parks close earlier then
and don't have parties to go to.
It's just part of decision of when to go that you have to factor in when deciding. What's happening, what's open/closed, what are typical park hours then, ect.

Realityland has it right. Disney can't win. There will always be people who complain about any thing Disney decides to do.
If you got on the boards saying there's not enough parties, you'd have people agree. If you say there were too many, people would agree.

As for RustySupper,
Mid Dec. is the slowest time of year. it's anything but a "peak" time.
They are doing what they can to draw people in.
If you don't think your getting value for your ticket then, then don't go at that time. Or don't go at all.
and having the parties is hugely popular so having so many is trying to help the regular people enjoy it. And as any PM EMH proves people go to the parks during the days. Attendance hugely drops off in the evening after parade time. The later it goes the few people. So parties gives people a reason to continue to stay in the parks.

Plus the party is only at the MK. Even the basic ticket is good for 1 day at ANY of the parks. You still have 3 other parks you can go to to get "value for your ticket" that day. And As much as people over plan and obsess over ADR's plan to go dinner in the evening or another park.
Go to dinner one night, Fantastmic another, Illuminations another...heck swim at the pool that evening since you didn't take an afternoon break.
(you'd still end up with the same amount of in the parks hours)
You have tons of options.

In general (not to anyone specific) It still amazes me how people complain about everything Disney does.
You would think people are forced to go on vacation there the way some people on the boards have nothing but negative things to say it.

I say instead of spending your time being negative, your still on a Disney vacation, enjoy the time you do have and have fun. It's DisneyWorld people.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree that it can be a little trying when they have so many parties. During my trip last week there was only one night there wasn't a Halloween party. I did end up buying party tickets, but it wasn't part of the original plan.

Typically though in the fall/winter months MK without the parties MK isn't open past 8 or 9 pm. With the parties they are open until Midnight, so they have to charge for it. Think of what Disney has to pay in order to stay open later--they have to pay not only the park CMs but for bus drivers, and for all sorts of utilities. All of that costs a ton of money. Not to mention the extra decorations and all of the additional characters you find at the parties.

Disney is first and formost a business, and they will charge what the market will bare for their goods and services. As long as people like me are willing to shell out over $50 a person for party tickets, they will continue to charge us that much.

If you don't want to go to a party, then don't go. But from your last it sounds like you are frustrated with the cost of Disney across the board, not just with the party tickets. A trip to Disney World is expensive, but it is not like a trip to any other amusement park. It is much better!

 

[mb168]

Well, they could close the park at 9. Or not charge for Park Hoppers. Or charge less for the party. It is ridiculous to pay ~ $50 per person per party ticket when they also charge a ridiculous amount for park tickets compared to other amusement parks.

I don't know what parks you could be referring to. Go price Universal or Sea World tickets and have only 1-2 parks as an option to go to.

 

[dyna]

Yes I too find it frustrating with the parties sure cuts down on my time in my favorite park. Dodged the halloween party an will dodge the christmas party in Dec. While it's frustrating as a AP holder it easy to hop over to epcot an we will prolly go back in Jan.

We mostly going in Dec to see the holiday decor otherwise would have waited till Jan an went without a party.

 

[RMulieri]

Yes I am..Out of my 6 nights in December, there is a party going on on 4 of them.

 

[bellemeeko1]

I do understand some posters frustrations.....some of you say well dont go, but in all fairness to those that go or have vacations planned.....Disney is constantly adding nights to their parties. While I understand they are doing so because so many want to attend and they (Disney) wants to keep the attendance bearable to those of us that do attend the parties, it still can cause havoc on those that already booked their vacations and have their intineraries planned out and then find out their day/night planned on spending in the MK has to be changed due to a party going on, that wasnt on the list when they booked their vacations.

Disney is in a no win situation but so are those that cant go to Disney as much as others can and dont have a choice as to when to go due to situations at home, which only they know! We (as in myslef and my family) are lucky enough to be able to go at different times of the yr and once a yr, if not more, but so many plan and plan for their visits and it has to be very disappointing to find out your plans have to change at the last minute. Not everyone can just go to another park, not everyone buys hoppers, what happens to those that made ressies and then find out that day/night ended up being on the revised list of the parties?? They get to eat at the restaurant and then made to leave the park if they dont have the special tickets.....they do have a valid reason to be upset and I think Disney needs to rethink adding extra nights to hold more parties. The dates come out early enough and to me maybe it should be first come first served cuz most that want to go know when to start watching for prices for the tickets and when to buy them. Once a party is full its full, dont keep adding more nights....

 

[brunette8706]

I don't know what parks you could be referring to. Go price Universal or Sea World tickets and have only 1-2 parks as an option to go to.

**********
Yes, I can go to Universal for $99.00 for the whole week, vs Disney 1 day park is $80.00!

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I do understand some posters frustrations.....some of you say well dont go, but in all fairness to those that go or have vacations planned.....Disney is constantly adding nights to their parties. While I understand they are doing so because so many want to attend and they (Disney) wants to keep the attendance bearable to those of us that do attend the parties, it still can cause havoc on those that already booked their vacations and have their intineraries planned out and then find out their day/night planned on spending in the MK has to be changed due to a party going on, that wasnt on the list when they booked their vacations.

Disney is in a no win situation but so are those that cant go to Disney as much as others can and dont have a choice as to when to go due to situations at home, which only they know! We (as in myslef and my family) are lucky enough to be able to go at different times of the yr and once a yr, if not more, but so many plan and plan for their visits and it has to be very disappointing to find out your plans have to change at the last minute. Not everyone can just go to another park, not everyone buys hoppers, what happens to those that made ressies and then find out that day/night ended up being on the revised list of the parties?? They get to eat at the restaurant and then made to leave the park if they dont have the special tickets.....they do have a valid reason to be upset and I think Disney needs to rethink adding extra nights to hold more parties. The dates come out early enough and to me maybe it should be first come first served cuz most that want to go know when to start watching for prices for the tickets and when to buy them. Once a party is full its full, dont keep adding more nights....

This is EXACTLY it. This is our first Disney trip. We are going with two little ones. MK is the most special park for the little ones, from what I've heard. The ONLY change we can make is to switch our MK day to the last full day of the trip but that (1) requires messing with our ADRs less than 2 weeks from the trip (we have a hard to get Coral Reef reservation that night) and (2) missing out on MK until then. We wanted to do our full MK day earlier in the trip. Right now it is scheduled for the afternoon of day #1 and day #3. I don't mind the fact that they HAVE parties, just the fact that they are every night.

 

[brunette8706]

Yes I am..Out of my 6 nights in December, there is a party going on on 4 of them.

*******

Hi! I hear ya, and it is RIDICULOUS! Disney has those darn parties for for nearly 1/3 of the year! Some people don't have the luxuary to pick and choose the dates of their vacation.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

1. Disney is much more than an "amusement park". 2. Name a comparable park with ticket prices are substantially lower than Disney. 3. If you
don't like it, don't go.

I have only been to WDW one time when I was 10, so for me, it is an amusement park, one of many I can choose from. We chose WDW because my girls are at their Disney/Princess phase. We anticipate going back again in the future but not for another 3+ years.

 

[fla4fun]

I think Disney needs to rethink adding extra nights to hold more parties. The dates come out early enough and to me maybe it should be first come first served cuz most that want to go know when to start watching for prices for the tickets and when to buy them. Once a party is full its full, dont keep adding more nights....

I would have to agree with this point. I think they should set their schedule, sell their tickets, and when they are sold out, they are sold out. If people have to plan 6 months out where and when they want to dine, then the calendar should be set that far ahead, including the parties. No one wants the headache of trying to find alternate ADR's a month or so out from their trip because extra parties are put on the roster at the last minute.

 

[kmk1180]

. The dates come out early enough and to me maybe it should be first come first served cuz most that want to go know when to start watching for prices for the tickets and when to buy them. Once a party is full its full, dont keep adding more nights....

Do you run an American auto company?
With that thinking you sound like you do.

First, Can you imagine, Ford or GM saying, hey we built the cars, you know when they would come out...now that they are sold out we're not building more? We don't want to sell more! That would mean more money and profits We can't have that!

Second,
Most people don't know the dates. Maybe more than normal people here do. But I'd bet ever here most people here can't name the dates off the top of their head.
But the people here are NOT most people. People here are obsessive about Disney to the last detail. (my self included) But most people who go to Disney's don't spend hours researching everything about their trip.
They book when they can go and discover what's offered then or what the travel agent told them about it.
If anything the people here should have less reason to complain because they do obsess and know more. Including the likely dates of parties and the likelyhood of adding more dates during that time.
Anyone here, if they had a problem with it, falls in the catagory of should have known and planned better if it's a problem for them.

 

[floydfamily4]

I am completely annoyed by the parties! During the week I am there (11-15-11/21) there are 4 parties!!!! Four - are you kidding me! I have saved for 3 years to bring our twins for their birthday and we cannot afford another $100+ for the party. I planned our schedule and now that I went back and looked this morning (thanks to this thread) they have added 2 more days! The crowds are going to be crazy and it is unfair to the rest of us who can't go every year, or several times a year, or pay for the parties. And please don't say, "don't go" because my kids want to meet Mickey and enjoy Dumbo just like yours but we can't afford to do the additional extras (and shouldn't have to) when we've bought our tickets. I am very disappointed and frustrated

 

[kmk1180]

I am completely annoyed by the parties! During the week I am there (11-15-11/21) there are 4 parties!!!! Four - are you kidding me! I have saved for 3 years to bring our twins for their birthday and we cannot afford another $100+ for the party. I planned our schedule and now that I went back and looked this morning (thanks to this thread) they have added 2 more days! The crowds are going to be crazy and it is unfair to the rest of us who can't go every year, or several times a year, or pay for the parties. And please don't say, "don't go" because my kids want to meet Mickey and enjoy Dumbo just like yours but we can't afford to do the additional extras (and shouldn't have to) when we've bought our tickets. I am very disappointed and frustrated

The party is only at MK.

Go to EPCOT, HS and AK. That's three evenings right there.
Go to a character meal, that's another.
Go swim at the pool, another.
Shoping DD, another.

Your talking about 1 park closing at 7pm (I think I have the time right)
instead of 9? Two hours. Hardly ruining your day. That still gives you 10 hours of MK park time. Plenty of time to see the park.
Don't be frsutrated. Go enjoy your trip and if your kids still have energy after 10 hours in the park, go have fun elsewhere.

 

[DebbieB]

If you have a park hopper, you can work around it. It makes it rough if you don't because MK is crazy busy on the non-party days and those are the only days for Spectromagic & Wishes.

My gripe is it used to be Halloween parties were in October and Christmas was late November/December. Now they are non-stop from the beginning of September all the way to right before Christmas.