Disney Cuts After Hours Event Price for Passholders

[nicko]

I just don't understand why sooooo many people want this to fail. Honestly, I don't get it.

I'm in the minority, I realize that, but I'm hoping it gets offered next year as well. Or sometime when I can be there anyway..

Let me try....If this succeeds, I fear that Disney will continue to trim regular theme park hours (on already crowded days) in hopes of getting people to essentially buy two admission tickets to get a whole day of touring.

Last year, in July the MK was opened until midnight. This year, every day in July is currently sitting at 10PM. Will they extend those hours to midnight for July 1st? Maybe, but in the past, that happened well before we approached the 60 day FP+ booking window that is coming up quickly. So far that hasn't happened. I speculate that they are hoping to extend DAH into June and July so they are keeping the 10 PM closing times just in case.

In summary, they trim 2 hours off my day and then try to add back 3 hours for an extra $149. To me, that's a bad deal. For others, maybe not, but it's the main reason so many people want this to fail. It feels like a money grab to me.

Could they extend the regular hours to midnight and still add DAH from midnight to 3 AM? Maybe. If they did that, I wouldn't mind DAH at all since it isn't taking anything away from my regular day. I doubt that will happen because midnight to 3 AM is pretty late and DAH is a hard sell already when it starts at 10 or 11 PM.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Let me try....If this succeeds, I fear that Disney will continue to trim regular theme park hours (on already crowded days) in hopes of getting people to essentially buy two admission tickets to get a whole day of touring.

Last year, in July the MK was opened until midnight. This year, every day in July is currently sitting at 10PM. Will they extend those hours to midnight for July 1st? Maybe, but in the past, that happened well before we approached the 60 day FP+ booking window that is coming up quickly. So far that hasn't happened. I speculate that they are hoping to extend DAH into June and July so they are keeping the 10 PM closing times just in case.

In summary, they trim 2 hours off my day and then try to add back 3 hours for an extra $149. To me, that's a bad deal. For others, maybe not, but it's the main reason so many people want this to fail. It feels like a money grab to me.

Could they extend the regular hours to midnight and still add DAH from midnight to 3 AM? Maybe. If they did that, I wouldn't mind DAH at all since it isn't taking anything away from my regular day. I doubt that will happen because midnight to 3 AM is pretty late and DAH is a hard sell already when it starts at 10 or 11 PM.

This has already be mentioned but it was suggested that since the closing time was already set when we purchased tickets, we had no right to worry over this.

I say, my off site family will just rent a room for the night (but don't use it), experience evening EMHs for MK and EMHs for the park that will be either our check-in or check out day and get free parking for 2 days for MUCH cheaper than it would cost our family to purchase DAH tickets.

 

[whiporee]

I think that's exactly what's happening. I think the direness of it less than you do, but I think it's what is gong to happen.

I don't think those late hours make a lot of sense to Disney from a business standpoint. EMH does, because it's a marketable perk for the Resorts, but just staying open late just costs them more money. From the anecdotes I've read, the reason people like it is because it's sparsely attended, but sparsely attended for free doesn't make a lot of sense from a WDW point of view. So I think you're right that this is where Disney is going. I just don't happen to fault them for it. Even with a 10 pm closing, WDW is open as long as its major competition.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that's exactly what's happening. I think the direness of it less than you do, but I think it's what is gong to happen.

I don't think those late hours make a lot of sense to Disney from a business standpoint. EMH does, because it's a marketable perk for the Resorts, but just staying open late just costs them more money. From the anecdotes I've read, the reason people like it is because it's sparsely attended, but sparsely attended for free doesn't make a lot of sense from a WDW point of view. So I think you're right that this is where Disney is going. I just don't happen to fault them for it. Even with a 10 pm closing, WDW is open as long as its major competition.

Disney should never try to be like its major competition at least not if they want to be different. I assume that they still want to be different.

They need a reason to stay onsite beyond huge icons and proximity. Being close to a park is a decent reason but I think that it won't necessarily be enough for some people.

 

[whiporee]

Disney should never try to be like its major competition at least not if they want to be different. I assume that they still want to be different.

They need a reason to stay onsite beyond huge icons and proximity. Being close to a park is a decent reason but I think that it won't necessarily be enough for some people.

I see your point, but the only way I can respond is to try and put myself in Disney's position. I think this makes sense from a business standpoint. I even think it makes sense from a customer service standpoint on a go-forward. And I understand why people on a look-backward standpoint think it sucks.

I dont' see Disney as a massive collection of virtue, but I also don't see them as money-grubbing or evil. I think they're trying to find ways to increase their revenue while maintaining a high level of service and satisfaction to their guests, and I think this is an example of it.

 

[Planogirl]

I see your point, but the only way I can respond is to try and put myself in Disney's position. I think this makes sense from a business standpoint. I even think it makes sense from a customer service standpoint on a go-forward. And I understand why people on a look-backward standpoint think it sucks.

I dont' see Disney as a massive collection of virtue, but I also don't see them as money-grubbing or evil. I think they're trying to find ways to increase their revenue while maintaining a high level of service and satisfaction to their guests, and I think this is an example of it.

There's a fine line between being money-grubbing and just maximizing profit while keeping customers happy. I think that they're pushing beyond that line way too often nowadays. But I do understand that not everyone agrees. The question is how many will feel like I do in the long run? Time will tell.

 

[DisneyPanthersFan]

We attended last week's event and LOVED it. Well worth the money. We already wanted to do it again, so being able to use the AP discount next time would make it even sweeter.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Our vacation starts on Sunday so I just went ahead and got tickets at the DVC discount.....huge splurge yes but we have not been to WDW for over 4 years and it may be a while until we return so its a splurge for sure. But on a good note, I had us scheduled to do early entry at MK on the day after and now we can do something else during that morning since we will be there until late the night before! I was actually hoping that they would offer free passes during our time but when this opened up for a DVC discount at half off I figure it was unlikely that they would extend a freeby on the night we wanted to go since its next week.

That is a good conclusion. It is unlikely they will offer the tickets for free. Maybe that was a one off. Half price is a good comprise and it's gifted you a free morning you would have been chasing your tail at MK. Well I can't put a price on that for your family time is precious. I hope you have a super time.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just like I never expect to get pixie dust at a hotel and book what I want to stay in, I bought the tickets because I want to go not to hold out and get them free. I'm not sure they're have been additional reports of them giving tickets to DVC members

I think you are right. It was a really nice one off treat! Half price is a good discount. The reports were good for access to rides and although the morning FantasyLand edition including breakfast and appeared at first cheaper. It is just Fantasyland. This looks like most of the rides and I love the rides at night! I hope you have a great time.

 

[jknc]

Let me try....If this succeeds, I fear that Disney will continue to trim regular theme park hours (on already crowded days) in hopes of getting people to essentially buy two admission tickets to get a whole day of touring.

Last year, in July the MK was opened until midnight. This year, every day in July is currently sitting at 10PM. Will they extend those hours to midnight for July 1st? Maybe, but in the past, that happened well before we approached the 60 day FP+ booking window that is coming up quickly. So far that hasn't happened. I speculate that they are hoping to extend DAH into June and July so they are keeping the 10 PM closing times just in case.

In summary, they trim 2 hours off my day and then try to add back 3 hours for an extra $149. To me, that's a bad deal. For others, maybe not, but it's the main reason so many people want this to fail. It feels like a money grab to me.

Could they extend the regular hours to midnight and still add DAH from midnight to 3 AM? Maybe. If they did that, I wouldn't mind DAH at all since it isn't taking anything away from my regular day. I doubt that will happen because midnight to 3 AM is pretty late and DAH is a hard sell already when it starts at 10 or 11 PM.

Yep.

Advice for those having a hard time trying to understand why some people want this event to fail, just stop. Your worry, anger, angst is not going to change what Disney decides to do about this event.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Disney tour guides charge like $250 an hour to get walk on rides least this is cheaper!

 

[Spork24]

in response to the money grab comments. To me it's not a money grab if the product you are selling is worth the money. We did the morning magic and when you look at how much fun it was for my family (and it increased the cost of my vacation by 5% at the most.) It was one of the best purchases of the year for me. We will be doing the nightime event tonight. (Just me and my brother, no kiddos) and I'm really excited about it. We had booked it at 150, and were pumped they refunded our money and let us rebook at 75. If it's anything like the experience from earlier this week, then I definitely won't consider it a money grab.

 

[Spork24]

Disney tour guides charge like $250 an hour to get walk on rides least this is cheaper!

I beleive its over $400 per hour for private tours. Which is what provides expedited ride access. And you still have to wait on FP lines.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I beleive its over $400 per hour for private tours. Which is what provides expedited ride access. And you still have to wait on FP lines.

Holy moly seriously? There I was in blissful ignorance lol.. Thank you for the info. Most interesting!

Now these after hour tickets look really good value!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Pretty sure those 5 nights are all there are at this time.

Ok, so going next week and Disney hasn't thrown any new am or pm dates into the mix have they? (Worrying about all my hard made plans going down the tubes - I check my ADRs and fps daily to make sure they haven't "disappeared")

 

[NicholeC]

Aside from all the business of whether or not it's a good deal.. I have a more logistics questions

I am planning on buying an AP but wasn't going to activate it until July. We already have tickets for our trip in 2 weeks. If I buy my AP now, could I get the discount for me and the fas but still not activate it?

Just wondering if it's worth moving up when I buy it to take advantage of the discounted rate?

 

[Hikergirl]

Disney should never try to be like its major competition at least not if they want to be different. I assume that they still want to be different.

They need a reason to stay onsite beyond huge icons and proximity. Being close to a park is a decent reason but I think that it won't necessarily be enough for some people.

Maybe you are right that they should never be like their major competition but they certainly need to do things to compete with them or they will no longer have to worry about having major competition.

 

[AngiTN]

Aside from all the business of whether or not it's a good deal.. I have a more logistics questions

I am planning on buying an AP but wasn't going to activate it until July. We already have tickets for our trip in 2 weeks. If I buy my AP now, could I get the discount for me and the fas but still not activate it?

Just wondering if it's worth moving up when I buy it to take advantage of the discounted rate?

Are you planning to still wait to activate in July? If so, maybe not. The instructions say you need to show the AP to get the tickets. If they enforce that is a question.
I know when I bought mine, before I activated it, I was able to book Resort reservations at a discount. It said I would have to show the AP at check in. I was planning to redeem mine at that time so that wasn't an issue. But, they've never asked for my AP when checking in even with a booking using the AP discount.

It's a pretty big discount so it may well be worth it

 

[NicholeC]

Are you planning to still wait to activate in July? If so, maybe not. The instructions say you need to show the AP to get the tickets. If they enforce that is a question.
I know when I bought mine, before I activated it, I was able to book Resort reservations at a discount. It said I would have to show the AP at check in. I was planning to redeem mine at that time so that wasn't an issue. But, they've never asked for my AP when checking in even with a booking using the AP discount.

It's a pretty big discount so it may well be worth it

Yeah thats what I'm concerned about. My other thought process is that would I be able to activate my AP next week and save my 3 days tickets for a later date?

 

[AngiTN]

Yeah thats what I'm concerned about. My other thought process is that would I be able to activate my AP next week and save my 3 days tickets for a later date?

Yes, you can do this. When you activate your AP tell them to make sure it's prioritized so the system doesn't take a park ticket instead of the AP.
Or you can assign the ticket to a dummy person on your MDE account until you are ready to use it, then move it back to you.