AP holders PAY for Carsland preview - seriously?

[Rhonna]

I haven't seen this on the boards here yet but just read it elsewhere. So is this the first time DL has asked AP holders to pay to preview a new attraction/land? I thought that was a possible perk - not something you paid extra for.

Preview is June 9 & 10 for 4 hours of Buena Vista Street and Carsland. AP holders can purchase up to 8 tickets but ALL persons must be AP holders. They start at $50 and go up if you include the special showing of WOC or dinner at the Carthay Circle restaurant ($500!).

 

[fctiger]

I haven't seen this on the boards here yet but just read it elsewhere. So is this the first time DL has asked AP holders to pay to preview a new attraction/land? I thought that was a possible perk - not something you paid extra for.

Preview is June 9 & 10 for 4 hours of Buena Vista Street and Carsland. AP holders can purchase up to 8 tickets but ALL persons must be AP holders. They start at $50 and go up if you include the special showing of WOC or dinner at the Carthay Circle restaurant ($500!).

Actually there WILL be a free AP preview, it will be June 11th. The problem is its lottery based only so your chances are iffy if you can get in on that day.

But yes, this was done to get the people who really want to do it. I still dont get whats wrong waiting another week when its open daily for the next 30 years lol, but I know it will be smaller crowds and people will pay for that alone.

 

[pycees312]

The fact you all have to be passholders sucks.

 

[CalvaryMike]

The problem is there are plenty of AP holders that will gladly pay for this.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I think the most ridiculous part about it is that if you want dinner at Carthay, you're essentially paying $425 for the meal. It's quite the price jump from $75 for private WOC, and Carsland and Buena Vista Preview to $500 for private WOC, Carsland and Buena Vista Preview, and dinner at Carthay. $500 - 75 = 425. There better be some edible gold in there or something.

 

[ArchOwl]

There was a thread earlier, but there wasn't much chatter on it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2927445&highlight=carsland

If it is any consolation, it appears as though the money will go to charity.

 

[mvf-m11c]

The fact you all have to be passholders sucks.

You don't have to be an AP holder to buy a ticket to see CL/BVS preview on the 9th and 10th. If you are a D23 member you can purchase tickets on the D23 website just like the AP website. The prices are the same as the AP website.

Here is the link: http://d23.disney.go.com/events/201...uena-vista-street-and-carthay-circle-theatre/

 

[Rhonna]

The problem is there are plenty of AP holders that will gladly pay for this.

Yeah, we are getting priced out of DL. It's was 4 1/2 years since we were in DL (and we just came back this month) and even longer since we were at WDW. I was surprised to see that we could probably do WDW - even a deluxe resort in off season/with discount - and still come out better than DL. It's just crazy that going to the opposite coast (we live in Oregon) is cheaper than the state bordering us.

Of course, I'm talking about staying onsite at both locations. I realize offsite is more budget friendly. Too bad Walt wasn't able to get all that land in CA. Sigh.

 

[fctiger]

I think the most ridiculous part about it is that if you want dinner at Carthay, you're essentially paying $425 for the meal. It's quite the price jump from $75 for private WOC, and Carsland and Buena Vista Preview to $500 for private WOC, Carsland and Buena Vista Preview, and dinner at Carthay. $500 - 75 = 425. There better be some edible gold in there or something.

Yeah it is ridiculous, beyound ridiculous! I dont have any idea how they factor in a 500% increase just for having a meal at the restaurant? I mean who sits in these meetings to make these decisions and people think thats completely logical? I dont get it? THAT said though if Disney offers it and people are willing to PAY it, then I cant really blame them! I mean there are people out there who will pay for anything if its 'exclusive' enough or they can brag to be the first to do it. I dont get it but there it is.

Anyway, no one is being forced to do this if they want to see CL, BVS or eat at CCT! In litterally less than a week, people will have access to these areas for years on end. I will save the $500 I have burning in my pocket and just go for the more reasonable lunch deal at CCT for $20-30 I reserved for June 15th!

 

[ArchOwl]

Yeah it is ridiculous, beyound ridiculous! I dont have any idea how they factor in a 500% increase just for having a meal at the restaurant? I mean who sits in these meetings to make these decisions and people think thats completely logical? I dont get it? THAT said though if Disney offers it and people are willing to PAY it, then I cant really blame them! I mean there are people out there who will pay for anything if its 'exclusive' enough or they can brag to be the first to do it. I dont get it but there it is.

Anyway, no one is being forced to do this if they want to see CL, BVS or eat at CCT! In litterally less than a week, people will have access to these areas for years on end. I will save the $500 I have burning in my pocket and just go for the more reasonable lunch deal at CCT for $20-30 I reserved for June 15th!

Well, people love to do things before others. So you get early access to Carsland, BVS, and CCT. You also get a less crowded park and dining experience. A private showing of WOC. And don't forget the free valet parking! And it is for charity, which you routinely pay more than retail value.

All that being said, I won't be buying a ticket. But I understand why someone would if they were looking to be first and have a less crowded experience than the week after. And you get to do some good while you are at it.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I wonder if it'll be considered tax deductible since it's for charity. $500 off taxes would be wonderful! Yes, you'll definitely get a less crowded park, but less crowded dining experience? Not too sure about that one. Plus, isn't it just Carsland and BVS open to you? Not the entire DCA? So it'll definitely be less than park capacity, but it's also less square footage to share :/ But if you have the money why not? If only we were all club 33 members *sigh*

 

[ArchOwl]

I wonder if it'll be considered tax deductible since it's for charity. $500 off taxes would be wonderful! Yes, you'll definitely get a less crowded park, but less crowded dining experience? Not too sure about that one. Plus, isn't it just Carsland and BVS open to you? Not the entire DCA? So it'll definitely be less than park capacity, but it's also less square footage to share :/ But if you have the money why not? If only we were all club 33 members *sigh*

Well, at $500 a pop, I am guessing that will keep a lot of folks out. But I suppose I could be wrong about that!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We are doing it (the 75.00 version with the private World of Color)--because it is a way for us to see Carsland. Our trip is scheduled June 10-14, so we are just missing the opening. I had figured we would see it eventually, but when this came up I thought it would be a nice addition to our trip. I don't know if it will be worth it or not. The WOC show was extra--but we have only had crummy views of WOC up to this point (we have seen it twice) and I am hoping for a better chance at a good view.

 

[aan1701]

I am doing the $50 ticket. I figure it won't be as crowded and I can help out some kids. I am looking forward to it.

 

[MAH4546]

There was a thread earlier, but there wasn't much chatter on it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2927445&highlight=carsland

If it is any consolation, it appears as though the money will go to charity.

No, it's not. Disney slyly added something about charity into the announcement, which is beyond appalling because it's clearly misleading consumers. A $500/head charity dinner is very reasonable, but it's not a charity dinner. Disney is giving $500,000 to CHOC in celebration of the re-opening of DCA irrespective of these ticket sales and purchasers do not get a tax deductible form.

And to answer another question, no, this is not the first time Disney is charging AP holders for previews. While its been a few years, Disney regularly does this. It's a simple matter of crowd control.

 

[nunzia]

Yeah it is ridiculous, beyound ridiculous! I dont have any idea how they factor in a 500% increase just for having a meal at the restaurant? I mean who sits in these meetings to make these decisions and people think thats completely logical? I dont get it? THAT said though if Disney offers it and people are willing to PAY it, then I cant really blame them! I mean there are people out there who will pay for anything if its 'exclusive' enough or they can brag to be the first to do it. I dont get it but there it is.

Anyway, no one is being forced to do this if they want to see CL, BVS or eat at CCT! In litterally less than a week, people will have access to these areas for years on end. I will save the $500 I have burning in my pocket and just go for the more reasonable lunch deal at CCT for $20-30 I reserved for June 15th!

Well, it is not just a dinner: From the D23 site:
<<Dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant includes a three-course meal featuring modern cuisine that pays tribute to the bold and diverse flavors of Southern California, and a special wine presentation, as well as preferred boarding on Radiator Springs Racers.>>
<<Guests who purchase tickets for the Carthay Circle Restaurant dining experience will receive one complimentary one-day ticket to Disney California Adventure Park (valid only on day of event) as well as complimentary valet parking in Downtown Disney; tickets for the dining experience include tax and gratuity>>

Of course it is ridiculously overpriced, but I'm sure it will be a very special evening, probably with the chef and wine experts, in addtion to day ticket and parking. I'm sure the price for a three course meal at Carthay will be well over 100 pp then add the wine and tax and gratuity and it's getting close to 200 pp cost.
I don't know why people get all angry about this stuff. The AP is still good to go when the park opens on June 15 for no extra fee. If the preview was free than way too many of the 1 million APers would flood the park and it would be a miserable experience. It's a nice way to get an interested group in before the crush begins and the lowest price is less than a blockout ticket.

 

[tinkermomma]

I don't know why people get all angry about this stuff. The AP is still good to go when the park opens on June 15 for no extra fee. If the preview was free than way too many of the 1 million APers would flood the park and it would be a miserable experience. It's a nice way to get an interested group in before the crush begins and the lowest price is less than a blockout ticket.

This.

It makes tons of sense to me that they are doing this. In fact, I'd be shocked if they didn't.

 

[ludari]

I entered the raffle for AP but I also purchased the preview ticket for June 9. I'm hoping for shorter lines on June 9 but regardless I am sure I will enjoy the preview.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Honestly, if people will pay for it, why not? If it was free, they could end up with a Leap Day type situation again as the APs come en masse.

Another thing about this offer is that it gives the purchaser full day admission to DCA. For So Cal passholders who want to see the new offerings and hang out in DCA all day, it's a good deal since the daytime tickets are $50 and the nighttime with special WOC viewing is $75 but a block-out day ticket is $70 and it's a block out day for So Cal APs. They can't go to DL with this special offer that day, but with the new offerings and the rest of DCA open to them, they probably won't need to.

 

[Disney Dreams]

On another thread about this I posted that I don't understand why people would pay to see something that they will get to see for no additional charge a few days later. However, my DIS'ers posted that they bought their tickets. So.... I guess people don't mind.

And we wonder why Disney thinks the economy can bear a ticket price hike?

- Dreams