Disney After Hours

[AngiTN]

I don't think anyone could deny this particular event had a lot of negative feedback on these forums. it does seems that the morning program is more successful perhaps.

And I think it's a much worse deal. I would never do it but I did, and would again, go to DAH

 

[Accident]

And I think it's a much worse deal. I would never do it but I did, and would again, go to DAH

I think for families, early morning, priced similar to a character breakfast but with a couple attractions is a great idea. little ones going until 2am is a hard sell. being special and let into the park before most, a nice breakfast, and a mix of different thrill level rides and this is a great way to get that I'm special feeling in the morning in a new way.. this makes much more sense than a character breakfast to me.

 

[DVCcurious]

Except that's wrong. You also got in at 4:00 with DAH passes. Not even 8:00, like you suggest. But 4:00. Where the 3 hours come to play is that is the time it was DAH only.

I never said I was right. Read my signature.

 

[mom2rtk]

Except that's wrong. You also got in at 4:00 with DAH passes. Not even 8:00, like you suggest. But 4:00. Where the 3 hours come to play is that is the time it was DAH only.

But in many cases those were the only 3 hours that actually held value. Many people buying tickets also had APs they could have entered with. Or multi-day tickets where they could have added another day for $10-$15.

 

[Lesverts]

IBut in many cases those were the only 3 hours that actually held value. Many people buying tickets also had APs they could have entered with. Or multi-day tickets where they could have added another day for $10-$15.

Than there is no added value to a party ticket getting in at 4pm. So your point is?

 

[mom2rtk]

And I think it's a much worse deal. I would never do it but I did, and would again, go to DAH

That really depends on the customer. Many who visit do so with small children and the late night event is just a no go.

Or it could be that once the price of an event exceeds $100, it's just off the table for many families.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But in many cases those were the only 3 hours that actually held value. Many people buying tickets also had APs they could have entered with. Or multi-day tickets where they could have added another day for $10-$15.

Same with MNSSHP and MVMCP.

 

[mom2rtk]

Than there is no added value to a party ticket getting in at 4pm. So your point is?

We weren't discussing the value of MVMCP or MNSSHP. When I do that, I also consider just the party exclusive hours.

We've done lots of hard ticket parties. I almost always had park entrance already available to me on those days for little or no extra cost.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We weren't discussing the value of MVMCP or MNSSHP. When I do that, I also consider just the party exclusive hours.

But the comparison of a PP did compare them.

Agree -- issue is apples to apples -- either both with or both without the earlier entry option.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That really depends on the customer. Many who visit do so with small children and the late night event is just a no go.

Or it could be that once the price of an event exceeds $100, it's just off the table for many families.

I must admit... The morning event sounds a lot like the free one (for resort guests) that we did years ago -- Little Ones Extra Magic Hour in MK. They even had roaming characters... it was AWESOME, and to be honest, we totally would have paid for it.

 

[mom2rtk]

But the comparison of a PP did compare them.

Agree -- issue is apples to apples -- either both with or both without the earlier entry option.

Got it. I missed a couple posts.

I just find it amusing that everyone likes to sell the benefit of those earlier hours, and how "reasonable" the cost is for 7 or 8 hours compared to the price of a one day ticket. Yet when Disney tiered the one day tickets with a big increase this year, all anyone had to say was that nobody every buys a one day ticket.

Truth is that if they still offer this when we do our beach trip next summer, I would do it on our way out of the state (in lieu of a one day ticket). I just think the market segment for which this is a good buy is far too small to support it on an ongoing basis. So I'm quite sure it won't be an option for us next summer.

 

[mom2rtk]

I must admit... The morning event sounds a lot like the free one (for resort guests) that we did years ago -- Little Ones Extra Magic Hour in MK. They even had roaming characters... it was AWESOME, and to be honest, we totally would have paid for it.

My friend did that and I was always sad we never got to. I mean, what's not to like about playing Duck Duck Goose with Peter Pan an riding Dumbo with Mickey? In fact, the presence of the characters makes that old free one a lot more appealing to me.

Honestly, if Disney wanted to give either of these the best shot at success, they needed to throw in some characters.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Truth is that if they still offer this when we do our beach trip next summer, I would do it on our way out of the state (in lieu of a one day ticket). I just think the market segment for which this is a good buy is far too small to support it on an ongoing basis. So I'm quite sure it won't be an option for us next summer.

I hear what you're saying. THIS is the part I'm not sure about... I really think they did a HORRIBLE job marketing this one... Maybe it needs some tweaks and a "rebranding" with proper marketing! I'd go for it on a shorter trip or during a really busy period if offered.

 

[Accident]

I hear what you're saying. THIS is the part I'm not sure about... I really think they did a HORRIBLE job marketing this one... Maybe it needs some tweaks and a "rebranding" with proper marketing! I'd go for it on a shorter trip or during a really busy period if offered.

I completely agree with this statement. When I first read it it sounded like 5 rides, 3 hours and some ice cream. Then looking at their wording, I couldn't tell if they were talking crowds the size of a party (which wasn't worth $150 to me after doing a couple late sundays with minimal crowds on my AP that I didn't need to spend more with) or it was dead.. It was after the first event when I saw this was paying for no crowds and most things opened that it became of value to me...

I even had people ask me in the park what was the after hours thing I was wearing.. it came out fast, little to no marketting except the bloggers and a majority didn't even know it was an option to buy.. Even reading recent reports, there are people who are about to arrive and wish it was still there to do. It was just horribly handed, timed bad, etc.. people already paid for their vacation, had it planned and this just didn't make sense (and I agree with them)..

I think they were trying to figure out if people would pay $150 for the fall parties.. They found out and now it's 75 for a few dates and 105 for most dates for those.. let's see what attendance looks like once we're in the 105 range.

 

[mom2rtk]

I hear what you're saying. THIS is the part I'm not sure about... I really think they did a HORRIBLE job marketing this one... Maybe it needs some tweaks and a "rebranding" with proper marketing! I'd go for it on a shorter trip or during a really busy period if offered.

I think they let their hubris show on this one. They got caught thinking it would sell itself. Big mistake.

I know you said you would consider it during a busy period. But isn't that the very time they are supposed to be open later to offset crowds? Would you go from midnight to 3? 1-4?

 

[TiggerManiac]

Here's what we know:

1) These After Hours events did not sell well.
2) These events gave you 3 hours of rides + free ice cream and soda
3) There are no "event only" special additions (parades, fireworks, characters)
4) These events cost $150 per person

vs

1) MNSSHP and MVMCP sell extremely well.
2) These events get you in the park at 4PM and run until 11 or 12, so you get 7 or 8 hours
3) There are special fireworks/parades/characters offered that you can only see at these events
4) Ticket prices are $75 (I know they're not, but it's close enough for my point).

So what we've learned is they took the successful MNSSHP and MVMCP idea, cut the park-time in half, cut out any "unique experiences", and doubled the cost. And everybody's OK with this? Did I miss something!!!

Well, apparently everybody wasn't OK with it. The People have spoken: $75 for 7 hours + special characters/parades is a good value. $150 for 3 hours with no special characters/parades is a rip off.

The break point is clearly somewhere in between. What will Disney do next? Maybe come back with a 3 hour Disney After Hours event that allows entry to the parks at 8PM plus has a special parade during the 3 hour event and charge $100 and see what kind of reception they get.

The parties are offered at a time of year that, historically (maybe not anymore?) had lower total attendance numbers.

However, say that DAH is something they want to offer during the heaviest attendance periods. It's possible that some people would find the $75 price without added parades and unique experiences, and even for 3 hours only, to be a fabulous value so they weren't fighting peak crowds in the extreme heat of summer weather. What is perceived as good value at one time of year could be different than at another time of year, due to differences between those times.

This would be especially true for people staying off-site who don't have access to EMH. Some people staying on-site might want to pay the price if the day Disney is offering EMH doesn't work for their schedule.

If Disney finds a way to keep offering the event, I think they absolutely need to come up with a balance of free EMH for on-site guests and the paid event for off-site and on-site guests interested in paying the fee.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think they let their hubris show on this one. They got caught thinking it would sell itself. Big mistake.

I know you said you would consider it during a busy period. But isn't that the very time they are supposed to be open later to offset crowds? Would you go from midnight to 3? 1-4?

I take your point.

I would do midnight to 3 though! Or 11 to 2. On longer trips we can sleep in, and on shorter trips we hardly sleep! We pack it all in! LOL!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I gotta admit the whole idea totally irked me. We are spending a week in October to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival. We will be there 7 nights but can be in the MK only 2 of them because of MNSSHP unless, of course, we want to buy tickets for that.

If we were going in November or December, we'd be facing the same thing with the Christmas party. Then they come along with this After Hours thing and I'm thinking that we're already spending a fortune on park tickets, and now we can't see Wishes or MSEP without forking over another stack of cash? What the heck?

And no one else has said it, but I will. I wanna see Disney try to fill all their hotel rooms without EMH. It's a big reason that guests justify the price of Disney resorts. Without EMH, I think they would need to give away free deluxe dining to fill their rooms during slow periods.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

And no one else has said it, but I will. I wanna see Disney try to fill all their hotel rooms without EMH. It's a big reason that guests justify the price of Disney resorts. Without EMH, I think they would need to give away free deluxe dining to fill their rooms during slow periods.

We can only guess, but I doubt it. We love EMH but would stay onsite regardless because of proximity -- sheer convenience and not having to leave the magic for a whole X number of days.

I doubt EMH is the MAIN draw for the majority (or even a significant fraction) of the people who stay onsite. I've known people who stayed onsite and didn't even know about EMH!! Just a guess.

 

[Accident]

I think they let their hubris show on this one. They got caught thinking it would sell itself. Big mistake.

interesting thought. I wonder if they also discovered the opposite and the podcasts and news organizations have minimal marketing impact.