Charging for Lilly Belle now?

[gottalovepluto]

What's everyone's take on this article? http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/the-grand-circle-tour-debuts-at-the-disneyland-resort/

Is this replacing the previously free round the park ride with a conductor in the Lilly Belle if you signed up first thing in the morning?

 

[minnieralyks]

Holy smokes!! $85 pp??? How long does the tour last I wonder? If it's just a once around in the train with a brief tour of the train, that's pretty steep. I kinda laughed when they said it includes "a beverage and a doughnut".

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I'd be interested to see what else it includes for the price. I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea, but they have to do more than let me on the Lily Belle and give me a donut for $85. We never did have any luck signing up the old way- it was never running the days that we tried.

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Just plain tacky.

 

[GatorChris]

First, this is no surprise. Disney cashing in.....no brainer. Any company that would ask you to buy a ticket for a normal October day, and then ask you to fork over another $95+ so you can stay let that night for the Halloween party has got you by the ankles and turning you over trying to shake free every bit of change left in your pocket.

But even with that happening, this seems a bit pricey. $85?!?!?! For a one hour train ride and a donut?!?!? Would a large enough group of people be willing to pay this amount to keep this tour going indefinitely? If this group does exist, supply and demand. Disney will charge what folks are willing to pay. But it does "demand" itself right out of our price range. I had been considering trying to get to DL early and seeing if we can pull this off, but I won't trade in set of tires for the van to do it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

But even with that happening, this seems a bit pricey. $85?!?!?! For a one hour train ride and a donut?!?!?

And a beverage man! You forgot the beverage!

 

[GatorChris]

And a beverage man! You forgot the beverage!

HAHAHAHAHAHA! For that much, the beverage better be water melted from the ice moons of Saturn.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

And a beverage man! You forgot the beverage!

Also, the donut is "exclusively-themed."

 

[gottalovepluto]

HAHAHAHAHAHA! For that much, the beverage better be water melted from the ice moons of Saturn.

ROFL! Here I was thinking a glass of dom perignon... gotta learn to think bigger!

 

[kylie71]

The nickel and diming.. is getting excessive! Wow indeed!

--Lori

 

[Nonsuch]

I'd be interested to see what else it includes for the price. I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea, but they have to do more than let me on the Lily Belle and give me a donut for $85. We never did have any luck signing up the old way- it was never running the days that we tried.

I have also tried "the old way" a few times, waiting at Main Street Station, but it was not available.
There have also been reports about guest causing damage, and even theft.

I have been able to ride as part of a D23 event and a VIP tour. A conductor provided some information about the Lilly Belle, but primarily was there to monitor guests. It would be nice to have a scripted tour about the car and the railroad. I assume the tour will include an exclusive pin.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

ROFL! Here I was thinking a glass of dom perignon... gotta learn to think bigger!

Non-alcoholic; it's Disneyland. Unless of course they're lettting you tour Club 33 and have your drink and donut there! Are you listening, Disney?!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

My first thought was about the rumored reason why Disney stopped letting people ride on the Lily Belle in the first place. The rumor was that people were stealing things and damage was being done.

For anyone who did this in the past, was a cast member always on the Lily Belle to babysit or was it just guests left to themselves?

I really hate to justify any Disney park charging for things that used to be included, but I might be able to understand this one if the rumors about damage/theft were true. If guests can't behave and need to pay a fee so there is a baby sitter on board so be it.

 

[Rabb it]

Better be a huge donut..

 

[theluckyrabbit]

My first thought was about the rumored reason why Disney stopped letting people ride on the Lily Belle in the first place. The rumor was that people were stealing things and damage was being done.

For anyone who did this in the past, was a cast member always on the Lily Belle to babysit or was it just guests left to themselves?...

We had asked a Plaid about this exact thing on one of our tours. She said that, sadly, there was theft and damage to the Lily Belle. A Plaid was in the car with the guests, but she stepped out at a station for just a moment to check something. That's when the damage must have happened. A photo (thankfully it was a copy, not the original) was stolen. If guests cannot respect Disney property or appreciate the privileges they have, then I understand why Disney is going to charge for the privilege now.

 

[ParkHopper1]

No different than the other tours where you get to go into Walt's apartment, Dream Suite or 1901 as part of the tour.

I have zero problem with it if someone wants to pay for the experience.

 

[DizMe]

I've been on the Lilly Belle several times. It's cool, but no way would I pay $85 for it. It's also a funny idea to me that if you make people pay a lot, they won't steal or damage things. That certainly hasn't been the case in Club 33 or Disneyland in general. It's too bad that there is often that element that has to ruin it for everyone else . It just seems like the majority are so often at the mercy of the unscrupulous. Would security cameras help?

This thread has given me lots of laughs, at least! Now I'm craving a nice glass of Saturn ice moon water.

 

[Tasscrapper]

We got the chance to ride it during the 60th anniversary. It was a bucket list item for my daughter and kind of cool but I wouldn't do it again. It was hot and stuffy. One lady got off at the first stop because she couldn't handle the heat. Her husband went around the whole way, lol. $85 bucks is crazy but I bet you anything people will pay it.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

About if the cost is worth it...

If you already had a chance to ride it obviously the cost seems a waste.

Now, if you are a big Disney history buff and this is the only way to ride it...then maybe it is worth it.

I know I paid to take the Walk in Walt's Footsteps so that I could go in the apartment.