AP holders PAY for Carsland preview - seriously?

[Gothemi]

We bought some D23 tickets for the 9th. Our Disney friends did as well so we're all going together. My wife is pregnant and just wants to look around and see CL and BVS since we won't be back for some time. It works out well in our circumstance. Quick trip, have some experiences and enjoy some DLR. While it might be free or open the following weekend, we want to be no where near that mess.

 

[fctiger]

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.

I know they get a bit more than the meal but its still over priced! But I do agree, there is nothing to be angry about. As I said in my other post, if people want to pay it then Disney has the right to charge whatever they want! And I also pointed out, June 11th is the free preview so people can try and get those tickets. I personally think the $50 and $75 tickets are well worth it and I would do it myself if I wasnt planning on going opening weekend already! But I usually dont like the preview stuff for some reason, I prefer to go when its open to everyone. Just more exciting for me personally.

 

[Rhonna]

I don't know that anyone is angry - just surprised that the market bears this in this economy - but obviously it works for some people. What would be nice is if they had more free preview time frames for AP holders than they are giving - not a mad house open to all like someone mentioned leap day - but maybe the first x amount of AP holders that respond to a free offer?

I suppose there might be soft openings that are unadvertised - for anyone who happens to be there at the right time? Or are they keeping a tight rein on Carsland? I doesn't affect us since we already did a pre-Carsland trip and then plan to go back in the fall when things calm down. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at what disney charges for anymore since obviously they will fill those spots.

I thought it was nice that the dream suite was available to guests who got picked at random.

An even mix between those who pay extra and those who don't for special things is nice to see.

One thing I don't get about the offer where AP holders pay more to preview it all - I don't understand the logic of giving a free day pass when everyone who does this has to already be an AP holder. Are you supposed to give the free day pass to a friend? How is that a benefit to someone who already has an AP?

 

[DLR29]

I don't know that anyone is angry - just surprised that the market bears this in this economy - but obviously it works for some people. What would be nice is if they had more free preview time frames for AP holders than they are giving - not a mad house open to all like someone mentioned leap day - but maybe the first x amount of AP holders that respond to a free offer?

I suppose there might be soft openings that are unadvertised - for anyone who happens to be there at the right time? Or are they keeping a tight rein on Carsland? I doesn't affect us since we already did a pre-Carsland trip and then plan to go back in the fall when things calm down. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at what disney charges for anymore since obviously they will fill those spots.

I thought it was nice that the dream suite was available to guests who got picked at random.

An even mix between those who pay extra and those who don't for special things is nice to see.

One thing I don't get about the offer where AP holders pay more to preview it all - I don't understand the logic of giving a free day pass when everyone who does this has to already be an AP holder. Are you supposed to give the free day pass to a friend? How is that a benefit to someone who already has an AP?

The free day pass is for D23 members or AP holders who have valid APs during the signups for the preview but they expire before June 11th.

 

[fctiger]

I don't know that anyone is angry - just surprised that the market bears this in this economy - but obviously it works for some people. What would be nice is if they had more free preview time frames for AP holders than they are giving - not a mad house open to all like someone mentioned leap day - but maybe the first x amount of AP holders that respond to a free offer?

I suppose there might be soft openings that are unadvertised - for anyone who happens to be there at the right time? Or are they keeping a tight rein on Carsland? I doesn't affect us since we already did a pre-Carsland trip and then plan to go back in the fall when things calm down. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at what disney charges for anymore since obviously they will fill those spots.

I thought it was nice that the dream suite was available to guests who got picked at random.

An even mix between those who pay extra and those who don't for special things is nice to see.

One thing I don't get about the offer where AP holders pay more to preview it all - I don't understand the logic of giving a free day pass when everyone who does this has to already be an AP holder. Are you supposed to give the free day pass to a friend? How is that a benefit to someone who already has an AP?

Well some AP holders will normally be blocked out on some of those days, thats why! So its saying even on a black out day you can still come if your pass is blacked out!

And from everything I read and been told, its basically a zero to none chance CL will before June 9th! They are still tinkering with two of the three rides for one thing! It would be nice if they could just open the land to sell food and merchandise (hint-hint Disney) but I dont even think that would happen. Who knows MAYBE things will open sooner, but there are zero plans at the moment!

And to be fair to Disney, the lack of a real preview for Aps is exactly why they are doing the MM just for Aps in the first place, so they can come and see it early before the park opens for everyone else! I think its a fair compromise and honestly if you are an AP now, then most likely you will have several, if not many chances all year to experience the land. Some people will have maybe a few days at best to see it and may not see it again for years if at all!

And the $50-75 deal is reasonable! Its still waaay less than a one day ticket and people can still enjoy the rest of the park that day!

 

[Rhonna]

Well some AP holders will normally be blocked out on some of those days, thats why! So its saying even on a black out day you can still come if your pass is blacked out!

And to be fair to Disney, the lack of a real preview for Aps is exactly why they are doing the MM just for Aps in the first place, so they can come and see it early before the park opens for everyone else! I think its a fair compromise and honestly if you are an AP now, then most likely you will have several, if not many chances all year to experience the land. Some people will have maybe a few days at best to see it and may not see it again for years if at all!

I hadn't thought about AP holders being able to use the free ticket on a blackout day. Wouldn't help a PAP holder but it would for others. That makes a lot more sense since you are getting more value for what you pay. I am not normally an AP holder so I forget all the ins and outs.

And I didn't read all the details for the MM for AP holders - that's nice too.

 

[lulubelle]

I bought a $50 ticket and I have a PAP.

Patience is a virtue and I don't have any. I want to see CL as soon as I can. And to not have to fight massive crowds the first time is worth it to me. It's all a matter of choice and I gladly choose to go - I am beyond excited!

 

[fctiger]

Well I actually just went and checked the AP calendare black out date and on the 9th ALL of the APs would be blocked out except the Premium of course! And on the 10th, all of them would be open except the lowest one, so yeah it would definitely be needed for the one day pass!

And I agree the MM AP is definitely a good move! So yeah I give them credit for trying to have them see it without the main crowds and it will be guaranteed to be 100% complete! Right now BOTH areas is still being worked on, especially BVS! We keep talking about CL, but also forget to include BVS as well and right now that IS behind and they are working around the clock to make it as complete as they can come the first previews, but chances are not everything will even be open in that part of the park yet. So thats why the previews arent happening like they normally would or any earlier. They will be working down to the wire on both of these areas!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

So from what I understand on the D23 Event Website (D23 Preview Events - Carsland/BVS), only those that purchase the $500 tickets (the ones that include the CCR dinner) will be receiving the pass to DCA valid only on their designated preview day, June 9 or 10. So those that are only purchasing the $50 or $75 tickets will not receive the day pass. However, if your AP is blocked, you will not need the one day pass because your APs will be unblocked for the one day. So.. if you're both AP and D23, then you should be okay, but if you're just D23, then you would need to purchase a ticket to get inside the park and on top of that purchase the preview.



This is an excerpt from the website:
Theme park admission is required and not included in the preview event ticket; if you are a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder attending this event and are blocked out, your block will be lifted for this one day. Parking is not included with the price of the ticket, unless otherwise indicated. 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.

 

[fctiger]

So from what I understand on the D23 Event Website (D23 Preview Events - Carsland/BVS), only those that purchase the $500 tickets (the ones that include the CCR dinner) will be receiving the pass to DCA valid only on their designated preview day, June 9 or 10. So those that are only purchasing the $50 or $75 tickets will not receive the day pass. However, if your AP is blocked, you will not need the one day pass because your APs will be unblocked for the one day. So.. if you're both AP and D23, then you should be okay, but if you're just D23, then you would need to purchase a ticket to get inside the park and on top of that purchase the preview.



This is an excerpt from the website:
Theme park admission is required and not included in the preview event ticket; if you are a Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder attending this event and are blocked out, your block will be lifted for this one day. Parking is not included with the price of the ticket, unless otherwise indicated. 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.

Yeah thats what it sounds like! Which is still fine IMO! I think maybe they couldve made price a bit cheaper for D23 members but I'm GUESSING if you are a D23 member and live close enough to come to this majority of them will probably have an AP anyway! I mean a D23 member is basically a Disney fanatic so I cant imagine most of them not having an AP of some kind!

 

[nunzia]

Yeah thats what it sounds like! Which is still fine IMO! I think maybe they couldve made price a bit cheaper for D23 members but I'm GUESSING if you are a D23 member and live close enough to come to this majority of them will probably have an AP anyway! I mean a D23 member is basically a Disney fanatic so I cant imagine most of them not having an AP of some kind!

Welll.. I do have an AP this year and think I will renew next, but not sure about the following year. An AP is only worth it if I go more than once a year, and since I don't live close I don't always do that. Some D23 events are so jam packed there is no time to go to the parks...

 

[Dizneydaz]

I went today and processed my AP that I bought before the price increase and that's when I found out about the $50 event. I briefly considered it but then realized that would be $100 for DD12 and I and what was I thinking!

I did ask the CM helping me process my AP (which took way too long by the way) if she thought there would be long lines and she nodded. No way am I paying $100 for the privelege of waiting in long lines. If it's too crowded this summer I'll wait to ride until October when my DD is off track again.

I was one of the privileged few (hah!) APH who got to preview Star Tours last May-got up way too early and waiting in way too long of a line to only ride once-all so we could be background for the channel 7 reported who was there. Sorry, Disney, I love ya but you won't fool me again.

 

[aan1701]

Well I paid 100 for my wife and myself to go yesterday between 1-5. It was so worth it. Never waited more than 25 min for racers in the Stand By line. Walked on twice using single rider. Waited about 40 min for the tires and walked on to Maters. That is not going to happen all summer so it was money well spent.

 

[cmwade77]

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!).

This is definitely not the first time that this has happened. It used to be that all AP previews were paid, this ended with the Light Magic Annual Passholder Premier, see the link below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Magic#Annual_Passholder_premiere

What Wiki doesn't mention is that the cost of this premier was equal to a one day park ticket at the time, then when they got there they were told it was a dress rehearsal. They just paid a lot of money to see a dress rehearsal and not only that, it was the first dress rehearsal.

All of the negativity from this led to the elimination of all AP special events for a long time (I think 5 years or so), prior to this all AP events were paid, but they would have 4-6 per year.

 

[cyclenut]

DW and I just returned and we paid the $50 per person. It was so worth it. We had unlimited access to BVS and we entered right at the gate ... no walking all the way around to Soarin'!

We browsed around BVS and then headed over to CarsLand. When our time came we went in and enjoyed the place. It was a bit crowded, but not bad. We road RSR three times, Luigi's tires (but the line there was much longer than it should have been) and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

We also ate at Flo's V8 diner and split one of the deserts, the cheddar apple pie.

From what we could see and our guess for the summer, we figured the lines and crowds were less than half of what we would see after park open. When we left we felt it was worth the $50 each for two. I wouldn't pay that for a family though.

 

[jenergy]

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.

Totally agree. I'd pay $500 for that dinner in a heartbeat. It sounds really special and not that horribly inflated IMO.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I was surprised at how many DISers stated on another thread here on DIS that they were paying for it. There's a lot, even in our little DIS commuinty here.

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?

Because people will pay it. If no one bought it, they would not do it. But these offerings sell out over and over and over.

- Dreams

 

[fctiger]

Well it does sound like for people who ended up paying, at least the $50-$75 events it was worth it! For one thing, it sounded like they didnt oversell the thing to chaotic crowds and people got to do the stuff pretty quickly, especially RSR! Another perk seem to be you got to do BVS all day, so it doesnt interfere with your time on CL since I thought the 4 hours included both of them. But that made it better because BVS was just treated like another area of the park!

So I'm glad people really liked it! But I havent heard about the WOC bit and did they include the Brave scene?

Also for people who went after 6, did you happen to be in CL when the fireworks went off and could you see them?

But yeah it sounded worth it! Almost made me wish I paid to go now, but I'm going the first day with a group of friends and even though it will be a nightmare crowd wise, I am glad to do it with them! And I get the GCH entrance so that will be a head start as well I'm hoping!

 

[jetskigrl]

Yes Add us in as another group that felt it was money well spent. We took DD's BFF for her birthday (and because we wanted to go anyway...but we paid for her also as part of her birthday present).

We didn't even know we had access to BV street all day until we were leaving Carsland (we had the 8 am to noon preview time) so that was an added bonus. Both new areas are amazing and I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to see them and experience the new rides without a horrible crush of people. We walked right up for a photo op with Mickey and Pluto in their new outfits on BV street with just 2 families in front of us (that never happens, LOL).

We waited about 30 minutes for RSR when we first got there and that was only because it broke down for about 15 minutes (we were in the first wave of people to head to that ride). Then we went back towards the end of the preview and rode it again with about a 10 minute wait.

MJJ was a walk-on the entire time. That one is a hidden jem for sure. I didn't hear much about it before we went but what a fun ride DH and I rode it twice and the kids went on three times.

Luigi's....well, I don't see us waiting in line to ride that one again soon. It is just too short of a ride and it takes you the entire time to figure out how to really get the tire going. Once things calm down though, I'm sure we will ride it again.

I originally hadn't planned on spending the money to attend the preview but by the end of the day, my whole family was thanking me like crazy for doing it (even DH, who didn't think it would be worth it, but changed his mind quickly).

 

[aan1701]

Jetskigrl, I can so understand about the tires. While in line we where talking to a CM and he have us a tip that worked very well. We just sat still for a few seconds and figured out what way the tire wanted to go naturally. Then we leaned in the direction and the tire kinda took off. It was so much fun. We can't wait to ride again. Oh another tip we got is make sure you sit all the way back in the tire. That helped a lot too. Give it another shot and see if you might like it better.