Are "After Hours" and "Early Morning Magic" Cutting Into Regular Hours?-Analytics (Long)

[JimmyV]

LOL - Your title reads like the headline on so many articles. You, like the media, want to claim that you point no fingers, but the reality is that you could have pointed out what you perceive to be a cut in hours without putting these things in the subject line. You chose your title for a reason.

You can laugh. And you can be skeptical. I can't stop you. But honestly, truly, (as in...I'm not kidding), there was no agenda here. No manipulating the headline to suggest an outcome. No finger pointing. No perceptions whatsoever. Others have volleyed back and forth on cause and effect, and all I tried to do is post hard data. At no point in this thread have I said: "There's your proof." To the extent you see this, you are seeing ghosts. If you think that there would have been a better way to title this thread besides asking an open-ended question, I'm all ears. I'm not above constructive criticism. But ad hominem attacks? Likening me to the media? That's a low blow.

I wouldn't say that DAH and EMH from 12-2 is the same, at least in our experience. Last August 22, the lines during EMH were still about thirty minutes for the mountains, and this was after 1 am. It was a Saturday, so maybe expected. But if that's the only night we can take advantage of them, it's not much of a benefit for us.

I would say that there is a big difference between DAH in late April to mid May, (one of the few "slow seasons" left on the books), and EMH in August. And again, I tried to make clear that DAH is not the same as EMH. The latter have never had only 2,000 people. But the subtle point is that even at 10,000, the MK is very manageable and enjoyable.

 

[mummabear]

As for the morning, read more here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/early-morning-magic/

I think the bigger concern for folks is the loss of late night hours that are being sold back for $149 plus tax. (Three hours after closing). Not included in my prior post is another stat, which I will add here:

Total number of nights the park closed at:
10:00 p.m.......2015 = 0; 2016 = 2
11:00 p.m.......2015 = 19 2016 = 24
12:00 a.m.......2015 = 27 2016 = 26
1:00 a.m.........2015 = 4 2016 = 0
24 hour event..2015 = 1 2016 = 0

I think it is the swapping out of the 1:00 a.m. closures in favor of 10:00 p.m. closures that is making people grind their teeth. I don't have a trip planned for June, but I see chatter here that it is getting worse.

Yes, for us personally, we have up to an 8 hour time difference, we always close out the park. The earlier closures ie 10pm are just too early for us.

To me, it makes perfect sense that you close when you close,a nd if someone wants to pay be have less crowds, why not offer that? I

Because we do pay for it in the ticket price which has gone up in price while offerring less hours to use it.
Secondaly,in EMH it is paid for as part of the onsite premium cost of your room.

 

[mummabear]

I wouldn't say that DAH and EMH from 12-2 is the same, at least in our experience. Last August 22, the lines during EMH were still about thirty minutes for the mountains, and this was after 1 am. It was a Saturday, so maybe expected. But if that's the only night we can take advantage of them, it's not much of a benefit for us.

Part of the reason may be the clearing of the park.
Can someone clarify with DAH are regular day guests able to enter a line 5 minutes before their closing time and be able to ride?

I personally think EMH should be treated more like a hard ticket party where people are told to leave once their closing time hits if they arent onsite guests.

 

[Nancyg56]

For comparison, MK hours for the first full week in May over the last few years:

2012: 93 + 4 EMH
2013: 94 + 4 EMH
2014: 101 + 3 EMH
2015: 104 + 3 EMH
2016: 98 + 3 EMH

Now if we could add attendance into the mix we could have real insight into the total impact EMH reduced or increased, have on guest experience.

 

[Delirium]

LOL - Your title reads like the headline on so many articles. You, like the media, want to claim that you point no fingers, but the reality is that you could have pointed out what you perceive to be a cut in hours without putting these things in the subject line. You chose your title for a reason.

So, the original poster, who spent a lot of time providing the board with meaningful and interesting information, did so because of an 'agenda'. But, posters that require DNA level proof as a counter-argument have absolutely no agenda whatsoever. Got it.

 

[Nancyg56]

You can laugh. And you can be skeptical. I can't stop you. But honestly, truly, (as in...I'm not kidding), there was no agenda here. No manipulating the headline to suggest an outcome. No finger pointing. No perceptions whatsoever. Others have volleyed back and forth on cause and effect, and all I tried to do is post hard data. At no point in this thread have I said: "There's your proof." To the extent you see this, you are seeing ghosts. If you think that there would have been a better way to title this thread besides asking an open-ended question, I'm all ears. I'm not above constructive criticism. But ad hominem attacks? Likening me to the media? That's a low blow.


I would say that there is a big difference between DAH in late April to mid May, (one of the few "slow seasons" left on the books), and EMH in August. And again, I tried to make clear that DAH is not the same as EMH. The latter have never had only 2,000 people. But the subtle point is that even at 10,000, the MK is very manageable and enjoyable.

Thanks for the work Jimmy! Those of us who know your posts knew your intention. Don't worry about explaining your motives because you can never justify yourself to those who have already made their minds up.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So, the original poster, who spent a lot of time providing the board with meaningful and interesting information, did so because of an 'agenda'. But, posters that require DNA level proof as a counter-argument have absolutely no agenda whatsoever. Got it.

He did have an agenda, as does just about every person who posts here. We come here for a reason. We all have agendas. Pretending otherwise is just dishonest.

 

[JimmyV]

Some weeks, guests are getting pretty much to exactly what they got before. And in every instance, EMHs are not impacted.

You are right that events might not cause the cuts.

The title didn't purport to come down on one side or the other, and neither did the data.

I intentionally removed Easter from consideration so that I could gather data for which I had absolutely no preconceived notion.

As noted earlier, there is ammo on all sides.

Somehow, hidden among these statements, is an agenda that blames Hard Ticket Events for all of the evils of WDW.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

He did have an agenda, as does just about every person who posts here. We come here for a reason. We all have agendas. Pretending otherwise is just dishonest.

I've been found out!! My agenda: give me something to do when I'm sitting in bed sick as can be from being pregnant.

 

[serenitynow]

I've been found out!! My agenda: give me something to do when I'm sitting in bed sick as can be from being pregnant.

I am sorry, that is really unpleasant. Hopefully you'll feel a little better soon.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've been found out!! My agenda: give me something to do when I'm sitting in bed sick as can be from being pregnant.

Feel better soon!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thank you for taking the time to analyze.

 

[WillAustin]

Bottom line, less hours for an increased ticket price.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

Bottom line, less hours = less money in your pocket = more money in Disney's. And while it may only be a few hours to us, don't fool yourselves... It is mountains of money back to the Mouse.

I'm am astounded by those who choose to justify this... repeatedly. If I went to the grocery store to buy milk yesterday and it cost $3 a carton, and went again to buy more and the same milk (or even a smaller size) was now $9, I would be surprised and disappointed. I would complain. I can't believe how many on this board would happily accept the smaller, more expensive milk, and defend the grocery store's policies in the process.

In my pessimistic heart, I suspect a grand total of 0% would in reality. And yet...

 

[DLM1980]

Did anyone else's eyes just glaze over and get flashbacks to math class when reading this first post?

 

[nicko]

Bottom line, less hours = less money in your pocket = more money in Disney's. And while it may only be a few hours to us, don't fool yourselves... It is mountains of money back to the Mouse.

I'm am astounded by those who choose to justify this... repeatedly. If I went to the grocery store to buy milk yesterday and it cost $3 a carton, and went again to buy more and the same milk (or even a smaller size) was now $9, I would be surprised and disappointed. I would complain. I can't believe how many on this board would happily accept the smaller, more expensive milk, and defend the grocery store's policies in the process.

In my pessimistic heart, I suspect a grand total of 0% would in reality. And yet...

I totally agree. If we continue to accept this trend of "pay more, get less" the trend will only continue. There is no point where the executives will say "OK, we are now profitable enough. We will no longer cut back to increase profits" unless the consumer pushes back. I am astounded how many people happily accept these cuts and even defend them.

 

[Hikergirl]

Bottom line, less hours = less money in your pocket = more money in Disney's. And while it may only be a few hours to us, don't fool yourselves... It is mountains of money back to the Mouse.

I'm am astounded by those who choose to justify this... repeatedly. If I went to the grocery store to buy milk yesterday and it cost $3 a carton, and went again to buy more and the same milk (or even a smaller size) was now $9, I would be surprised and disappointed. I would complain. I can't believe how many on this board would happily accept the smaller, more expensive milk, and defend the grocery store's policies in the process.

In my pessimistic heart, I suspect a grand total of 0% would in reality. And yet...

Well you could always choose to buy your milk elsewhere, just like you can choose to spend your vacation dollars elsewhere.
I defend Disney because they are a business but in no way are they forcing you too do anything. If you don't like how they run their business don't patronize it, its really that easy.
I may not agree with all their business practices, but I'm still spending my money there. That is my choice.

 

[Hikergirl]

I totally agree. If we continue to accept this trend of "pay more, get less" the trend will only continue. There is no point where the executives will say "OK, we are now profitable enough. We will no longer cut back to increase profits" unless the consumer pushes back. I am astounded how many people happily accept these cuts and even defend them.

Maybe the cuts don't bother some people. Some people still may feel value in what Disney offers. I'm not sure why you are so astounded, do you expect everyone to be just like you?
I don't care about less hours, I don't spend my entire day in the parks anyway, nothing changes for me. I'm also willing to spend more money for less crowds. I bet that astounds you too.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm putting on my moderator hat and adding a reminder to keep it friendly and please don't get argumentative as that's against DIS Guidelines.

 

[rajak73]

So what exactly are "regular park hours?" 10-8? 9-10? I'm talking "regular" hours, not what time MK was open in 1995, or 2004, or 2010, or even last year, just "regular hours?"