Disney adds a premium package to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

[wallrock]

People keep bringing up Villains Unleashed in reference to the Soirée and MNSSHP in general. I agree that VU appeared to be a DISASTER. Those patrons were rightfully able to receive refunds. MNSSHP and the VSS are NOT VU though, and judging by the first night of parties, were very successful. Pete Werner's review is still the only negative I've read. Let's keep this in context. If you want to be mad about the upcharge events, fine. That is your right, but the VU debaucle has nothing to do with MNSSHP.

And once again, if you are so angered by the direction Disney is heading, STOP GOING. Vacation somewhere else. I'm as hyper critical of WDW as anyone, I'm not a "kool aid drinker". I LOATHE FP+. I balk at what they call deluxe rooms for the prices they charge. I see that they continually give less for more money, which is why I'm not staying at a Disney resort next month, I'm not buying a regular Disney park ticket, I'm not eating at a WDW table service restaurant, and next spring we are going back to Disneyland, where amazing and magical things are happening, rather than back to Orlando.

I bring up the Villians Unleashed because it's an event just like the Halloween party. You can't simply exclude one over the other because one faltered and the other didn't (time will tell). This argument, as it has always been, is about Disney providing the value and a proper cost correlation to that value.

And I wouldn't call myself or others that share my sentiments angry. Frustrated is more of the correct term. And using the argument of 'just stop going' is sort of a cop out. I and others still like going to Disney, but unless things like this are kept in the forefront Disney will continue with their policy of packaging up the same items and charging an absurd price for them. To 'stop going' is to more or less abandon the concept of what Disney was, throw up the hands and say "oh well, the bean counters have won the battle. Let's forget the notion that we should expect more from the place that set the bar for theme park experiences". I want to see Disney return to those glory days, not give up and walk away.

 

[patrickpiteo]

I bring up the Villians Unleashed because it's an event just like the Halloween party. You can't simply exclude one over the other because one faltered and the other didn't (time will tell). This argument, as it has always been, is about Disney providing the value and a proper cost correlation to that value. And I wouldn't call myself or others that share my sentiments angry. Frustrated is more of the correct term. And using the argument of 'just stop going' is sort of a cop out. I and others still like going to Disney, but unless things like this are kept in the forefront Disney will continue with their policy of packaging up the same items and charging an absurd price for them. To 'stop going' is to more or less abandon the concept of what Disney was, throw up the hands and say "oh well, the bean counters have won the battle. Let's forget the notion that we should expect more from the place that set the bar for theme park experiences". I want to see Disney return to those glory days, not give up and walk away.

Disney IMHO always charged crazy prices be it ice cream a hot dog a room or a hard ticket event..

 

[manning]

Good for you.

But i don't think Walt envisioned a retirement community when he thought of Disneyland.

true

 

[Planogirl]

Disney is the only major theme park that doesn't charge extra for FastPasses. You have to pay extra at Busch Gardens and Universal to get shortened queue times. Disney just rolled that cost into their full day tickets so that everyone can use it- shouldn't that make you happier?

Our idea of a vacation includes meals where we're not literally rubbing elbows with strangers. Call it "weeding riff-raff" if you want, but that's MY preferred vacation experience. We don't *like* the 50s cafe because we don't like people butting into our meal (we will never eat there). We like table service and avoid counter service whenever possible because fighting with "riff-raff" over dirty tables is not our idea of valuable vacation time. We like preferred fireworks/parade seating. We did the Wishes dessert party- and liked it.

We are willing and able to pay more for those things. If you are not, that's great- but don't get bent out of shape because some of us are.

That being said, I think it's ridiculous to pull from the general experience to up-sell for hard ticket items. Pulling Maleficent/Queen from M&G on MNSSHP was straight up shenanigans. This is from a family who is likely to go to the Soiree. They should have left the Villain/Princess M&G, at least from 7-10:30pm if they wanted to do the Soiree from 10:45. One of the major things I wanted to see/do was get photos with the princess/villain combos.

Aren't there strangers at even the nicest restaurants? Or are you saying that tables are too close together at less costly restaurants? I guess that I don't understand these comments.

I definitely agree with your last paragraph. Plus don't use bait to sell something and then remove it once people have bought your product.

 

[crostorfer]

I bring up the Villians Unleashed because it's an event just like the Halloween party. You can't simply exclude one over the other because one faltered and the other didn't (time will tell). This argument, as it has always been, is about Disney providing the value and a proper cost correlation to that value.

And I wouldn't call myself or others that share my sentiments angry. Frustrated is more of the correct term. And using the argument of 'just stop going' is sort of a cop out. I and others still like going to Disney, but unless things like this are kept in the forefront Disney will continue with their policy of packaging up the same items and charging an absurd price for them. To 'stop going' is to more or less abandon the concept of what Disney was, throw up the hands and say "oh well, the bean counters have won the battle. Let's forget the notion that we should expect more from the place that set the bar for theme park experiences". I want to see Disney return to those glory days, not give up and walk away.

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here...

Disney will never return to said "glory days". That is like hoping that a Main Street will come back thriving after a Wal-Mart moves into town. It's grown too big to sustain itself, let alone continue to build. They've adopted the same business model as Vegas. They don't need 25 average, middle class citizens to visit, all they need is one whale.

Disney representatives have expressed publicly that they have no interest or desire to compete with Universal' s accelerated pace of adding new, cool attractions. It isn't going to happen. They are instead focusing on building and selling time shares, while their deluxe resorts sit at 30-40% capacity. They could have built a mini Star Wars land, an Orlando Cars Land, or Pandora for the price of the Grand Floridian Villas. Orlando isn't dumping money into their parks like Anaheim is. The dream is still alive and well in the west.

I think it's ridiculous to continue to visit a place that frustrates and disappoints you. That is why I say don't go back. It's not a cop out. If you disagree with a company's business model, stop giving them your business.

And as for being angry, or snide, or rude to anyone here that is "part of the problem" , (this is in general here, not necessarily talking to you), the Soiree and many MNSSHPs would have sold out, regardless of if anyone here discussing it was going or not. There are many more parts of the "problem" out there, ready and willing to fork over large sums of money, than there are seekers of a solution.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I bring up the Villians Unleashed because it's an event just like the Halloween party. You can't simply exclude one over the other because one faltered and the other didn't (time will tell). This argument, as it has always been, is about Disney providing the value and a proper cost correlation to that value.

And I wouldn't call myself or others that share my sentiments angry. Frustrated is more of the correct term. And using the argument of 'just stop going' is sort of a cop out. I and others still like going to Disney, but unless things like this are kept in the forefront Disney will continue with their policy of packaging up the same items and charging an absurd price for them. To 'stop going' is to more or less abandon the concept of what Disney was, throw up the hands and say "oh well, the bean counters have won the battle. Let's forget the notion that we should expect more from the place that set the bar for theme park experiences". I want to see Disney return to those glory days, not give up and walk away.

This just flat out nailed it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If you think $170 for five hour is absurd, I'm going to bet you've never been to an NFL or NBA game, taking a chance your team will lose, or have seen a legendary performer, (like Madonna or Paul McCartney for example), in concert, only to have them show up an hour late or give a bad show. People pay much more than $170, for shorter amounts of time, and the possibility of either a great experience or a terrible disappointment. At least if you are in WDW, you are guaranteed to at least have a moderately good to great time.

The flaw being there is that access to the majority of the hard ticket event - the nuts and bolts magic kingdom - has been available every day with a couple exceptions since 1971.

Those other things are in far more limited supply...hence the price.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Disney is the only major theme park that doesn't charge extra for FastPasses. You have to pay extra at Busch Gardens and Universal to get shortened queue times. Disney just rolled that cost into their full day tickets so that everyone can use it- shouldn't that make you happier?

Our idea of a vacation includes meals where we're not literally rubbing elbows with strangers. Call it "weeding riff-raff" if you want, but that's MY preferred vacation experience. We don't *like* the 50s cafe because we don't like people butting into our meal (we will never eat there). We like table service and avoid counter service whenever possible because fighting with "riff-raff" over dirty tables is not our idea of valuable vacation time. We like preferred fireworks/parade seating. We did the Wishes dessert party- and liked it.

We are willing and able to pay more for those things. If you are not, that's great- but don't get bent out of shape because some of us are.

That being said, I think it's ridiculous to pull from the general experience to up-sell for hard ticket items. Pulling Maleficent/Queen from M&G on MNSSHP was straight up shenanigans. This is from a family who is likely to go to the Soiree. They should have left the Villain/Princess M&G, at least from 7-10:30pm if they wanted to do the Soiree from 10:45. One of the major things I wanted to see/do was get photos with the princess/villain combos.

Again... There is no "riff raff" in wdw...nor has there ever been to a statistical significance.

And bravo...this might be one of the most arrogant utter detest for general humanity posts I've ever seen.

Shocking even to me...and I've never been accused of being "pro-humanity"

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I've said it many times, but the old "E-Ride" nights at MK (basically a predecessor to evening EMH) was the best money I've ever spent at WDW.

$10 a person and for a few hours you rode headliners at MK (all 3 mountains, POTC, HM, Astro Orbiter) all multiple times without having to get off the ride.

Of course, if they brought that back, it would be $50 per person and they would increase the maximum number of tickets that can be sold by 10,000%.

In many ways...
The e ride nights were the genesis of what we're seeing now...

But as you pointed out...that was very close to a "thank you" from TWDC based on the nominal fee.

Now it's being done with a ski mask and finger under the sweater

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Disney IMHO always charged crazy prices be it ice cream a hot dog a room or a hard ticket event..

Not true...

Some of there prices have been pretty reasonable...and even the park tickets have gone through times of good value.

I think the last ten years have kicked the ball so far down the field that normal monetary systems may have no chance of ever catching up this time.

The have the consumer pinned down inside the one

 

[lockedoutlogic]

and likely, you're also getting paid more now than you did in 2008.

Relative to inflation...average US wages peaked in 1968...if you believe in math.

It's the elephant in the corner of the breakroom at the abandoned factory.

 

[Ero_FL]

Again... There is no "riff raff" in wdw...nor has there ever been to a statistical significance.

And bravo...this might be one of the most arrogant utter detest for general humanity posts I've ever seen.

Shocking even to me...and I've never been accused of being "pro-humanity"

"Riff-raff" is a subjective nonsense term, hence my quotes. You can't say there is none at WDW- or that there is some at WDW for that matter- in any sort actual statistic. We like personal space and comfort and not cleaning up after others. I do enough of that at home with 3 kids, 2 dogs, and 3 cats- I'm certainly not paying hundreds of dollars to do it while on vacation!

You certainly do think highly of yourself, though. Good for you! I think you're missing a word in your username though.

 

[mcd2745]

In many ways...
The e ride nights were the genesis of what we're seeing now...

But as you pointed out...that was very close to a "thank you" from TWDC based on the nominal fee.

Now it's being done with a ski mask and finger under the sweater

I can see where you try to make that connection with E-ride nights as one of the original, extra-fee, hard-ticket events...eventually leading to where we are now, with a new hard-ticket, "premium" event being announced practically weekly. However, since it did almost amount to a "thank you", as the tickets were so cheap and could only be purchased by on-site resort guests, I'd say it's hard to consider these new premium events a direct descendant of e-ride nights. They're more like some fertility lab experiment with e-ride night's DNA gone awry.

 

[Planogirl]

Again... There is no "riff raff" in wdw...nor has there ever been to a statistical significance.

And bravo...this might be one of the most arrogant utter detest for general humanity posts I've ever seen.

Shocking even to me...and I've never been accused of being "pro-humanity"

I agree. That was the type of post that another DISer was talking about before. I can't even imagine thinking of people as riff raff.

 

[crostorfer]

The flaw being there is that access to the majority of the hard ticket event - the nuts and bolts magic kingdom - has been available every day with a couple exceptions since 1971.

Those other things are in far more limited supply...hence the price.

True with concerts, but not so with sporting events. Professional sports game tickets are available over a longer duration than MNSSHP and now the VSS. If you throw MVMCP in there, I suppose you come closer. They all have seasons, professional sports seasons are longer, charge more per ticket, and will cost you more, or equal, what food and beverage cost once inside.

I live in Thunder country. You can't get a cheap seat at the Peak for less than $100. If you want a good seat you're paying $500. If you want court-side, you have to sell your kidney and your first born child. Then, if you want a beer it's $7.50. You may get lucky and go home with a free bobble head, or a foam finger though.

A night at MNSSHP and the VSS is an absolute bargain in comparison.

 

[ThurlFan]

I can see where you try to make that connection with E-ride nights as one of the original, extra-fee, hard-ticket events...eventually leading to where we are now, with a new hard-ticket, "premium" event being announced practically weekly. However, since it did almost amount to a "thank you", as the tickets were so cheap and could only be purchased by on-site resort guests, I'd say it's hard to consider these new premium events a direct descendant of e-ride nights. They're more like some fertility lab experiment with e-ride night's DNA gone awry.

Another difference is that the E-ride nights were held *after* normal operating hours, so that families that paid full admission for a day at MK were not ushered out 2-5 hours early. FWIW we are going in Mid-November for seven nights and there are four MVMCP nights while we are there. (All told, between Sept 1 and Dec 20 there are 44 nights when MK closes early for Halloween or Christmas parties) That really affects our planning, as MK is our favorite nighttime park so we are locked in to using those nights. But it also means the MK will be extra busy on the non-party nights as those are the only times you can see MK fireworks without the extra admission.

 

[Suger Mag]

Again... There is no "riff raff" in wdw...nor has there ever been to a statistical significance.

And bravo...this might be one of the most arrogant utter detest for general humanity posts I've ever seen.

Shocking even to me...and I've never been accused of being "pro-humanity"

How about calling people sheep for the slaughter? Methinks the 'logic' doth protest too much.

But in all seriousness... lets just have fun discussion. It is ok to be excited to go to WDW... and it is ok to have a discussion about questioning their business practices. But lets not call eachother names.

I respect not liking to be crowded while enjoying a meal... and I also respect not liking being price gouged.

Percieved 'value' is highly subjective... what is reasonable for one... is not reasonable for another. From a business perspective Disney is charging what the market will bear. Obviously because the events are good sellers. So charging less whould be a silly business decision. If the events are not worth the time or money, eventually then the majority of reviews will display that sentiment and the events will ultimately fail... or things will be added to bring up the value.

If you do not feel like it is a good value, then do not go. I personally do not find the concept of the hard ticket events attractive or a good value... that is my opinion because interacting with characters is not a big deal for me nor is trick or treating or fake snow (I live in Mass, we get enough real snow). For me the idea of spending chunky money for the basic event hard ticket event or more for the upgrade event is not a good value because it is something that I would not enjoy personally. But if someone else likes those all things (characters, trick or treating etc) ... who am I to say to them you are silly for wanting spend the money and attend MNSSHP or the castle desert party.

Be it right or wrong... exclusivity is very popular, and not just at WDW. Airport VIP rooms... VIP events or rooms at clubs... Concierge level at Disney where you are seperated from the rest of the huddled masses. Take DCL... concierge level for a family of four on some trips is almost my yearly salery are the 'free drinks and sunscreen REALLY worth the price tag? Or is it the exclusive access to concierge lounge and events? Is that why they spend the money... to feel more important by getting something that the average customer does not? Who knows, that could be the topic for a nice pscyh discussion.

At the end of the day... Disney will charge what folks will pay. It seems that right now thay are more interested in the 'newer' visitors who are much easier to wow, than trying to keep happy the long timers who have visited many many times over the years.

 

[manning]

Relative to inflation...average US wages peaked in 1968...if you believe in math.

It's the elephant in the corner of the breakroom at the abandoned factory.

But that dollar amount is more 2008 than 1968. You mean it's important that those 2008 dollars bought less than the 1968 dollars? Hmmm makes sense...not.

 

[manning]

Disney is the only major theme park that doesn't charge extra for FastPasses. You have to pay extra at Busch Gardens and Universal to get shortened queue times. Disney just rolled that cost into their full day tickets so that everyone can use it- shouldn't that make you happier?

Our idea of a vacation includes meals where we're not literally rubbing elbows with strangers. Call it "weeding riff-raff" if you want, but that's MY preferred vacation experience. We don't *like* the 50s cafe because we don't like people butting into our meal (we will never eat there). We like table service and avoid counter service whenever possible because fighting with "riff-raff" over dirty tables is not our idea of valuable vacation time. We like preferred fireworks/parade seating. We did the Wishes dessert party- and liked it.

We are willing and able to pay more for those things. If you are not, that's great- but don't get bent out of shape because some of us are.

That being said, I think it's ridiculous to pull from the general experience to up-sell for hard ticket items. Pulling Maleficent/Queen from M&G on MNSSHP was straight up shenanigans. This is from a family who is likely to go to the Soiree. They should have left the Villain/Princess M&G, at least from 7-10:30pm if they wanted to do the Soiree from 10:45. One of the major things I wanted to see/do was get photos with the princess/villain combos.

Gee, I've met some nice "riff-raff" people. They turned out to be more enjoyable than the snobbish ones.

 

[ThurlFan]

But that dollar amount is more 2008 than 1968. You mean it's important that those 2008 dollars bought less than the 1968 dollars? Hmmm makes sense...not.

Of course it's important. It means the number of hours worked at a job in order to pay for a park admission has gone up substantially. If ticket prices rose equally with wages, then the actual dollar amount would be irrelevant. It's not rocket science, it's basic economics.