Disney Cuts After Hours Event Price for Passholders

[mickeyluv'r]

I can't see how they would possibly add this for $25 and maintain the staff to do so.

Except Disney did offer it for $12 as recent as 2004, minus the ice cream. E-ride access was three hours past closing. (June 2, 2004 e-ride hours were 9pm-midnight. June 7, 2004 e-ride was 11pm-2am. February 18, 2003; e-ride was 9pm-midnight.)

In 2004, we stayed at the Swan for $99/night. Now it is $152. (about 1.54)

In 2004, we paid $49.80/day for 5 day park hopper tickets that didn't expire. I'd now pay $87/day for 5 day hoppers that expire. (about 1.75)

The comparable price for the new e-ride night is $21, plus a few dollars for ice cream. Charging $128 or even $54 for ice cream is very inflated, IMO.

Another way to look analyze this deal is to realize that AP holders only pay $66 for a whole month of park access. This is asking them to pay $25 per hour of access.

 

[MariMama]

I'm equally surprised by the number of people who are so very negative about every decision Disney makes any more
Not directed at you, just in response to your comment. I am finding an overall increase in negativity.
Makes me wonder just why they continue to vacation there when it seems Disney can't do anything to please them.

Ask yourself why Disney has attracted so much negative attention the last year in particular.

 

[AngiTN]

Ask yourself why Disney has attracted so much negative attention the last year in particular.

I don't see it, sorry. Some yes but not the level expressed on this board of late.

 

[AngiTN]

Facts don't support that supposition at all, especially after the recession of 2008 that we are still dealing with as a country.

Something is bringing more people than ever in the parks. If it's not that they have more money to go, what is it?

 

[Kimberly9701]

Except Disney did offer it for $12 as recent as 2004, minus the ice cream. E-ride access was three hours past closing. (June 2, 2004 e-ride hours were 9pm-midnight. June 7, 2004 e-ride was 11pm-2am. February 18, 2003; e-ride was 9pm-midnight.)

In 2004, we stayed at the Swan for $99/night. Now it is $152. (about 1.54)

In 2004, we paid $49.80/day for 5 day park hopper tickets that didn't expire. I'd now pay $87/day for 5 day hoppers that expire. (about 1.75)

The comparable price for the new e-ride night is $21, plus a few dollars for ice cream. Charging $128 or even $54 for ice cream is very inflated, IMO.

Another way to look analyze this deal is to realize that AP holders only pay $66 for a whole month of park access. This is asking them to pay $25 per hour of access.

$25 per hour for walk on rides. That's the selling point.

I think I can sum this entire for/against DAH mindset with a relatable comparison-

I'm a total Apple person. Some people think Apple is the devil. I'll pay pretty much whatever Apple wants me to pay just so I can have their latest device- computers, phones, watch, etc...that's how much I love their products, even more so since 2007....back then I was a crackberry addict..I kept mine for work use..but added a line and paid full price after waited outside an apple store for 10 hours when the first iPhone was released. Eventually when my company switched to Apple as well..and I retired the Blackberry for good. Point being- some people would never pay full price for a phone. But if you wanted an iPhone that was your only choice, and plenty of people did.

Are Apple fans crazy for this? Maybe. There will always be people who want to pay for something/don't want to pay for something...see the value in something/don't see the value in something. In the end it's just a personal choice, and as long as one doesn't affect the other then they can all coexist. Spending more money on an apple device doesn't have an impact on someone else's electronic device, and we're all using basically similar things, and all are happy with their choice.

So far EMH is alive and well. So far this DAH event has not had a negative impact on other guests. So it's a complete waste to worry about it if you are not for the event.

 

[wilkeliza]

We JUST moved here.. We've had an AP long before moving here though depending on when it would save us money or not.. Sometimes only 1 person with it for the discounts and savings overall, other times we're in the parks enough for everyone to have one and save money.. I do have an emotional attachment to a couple past trips that were completely empty like this so we would have come down just for this event if we didn't move here..

Advertising before we moved (nyc), it's mainly some tv advertisements that are semi-vague that it's disney.. more "time to come back" type ads.. In the WDW property area it's more focuses on local things but never seen this event in an ad. The amount of local news coverage is interesting now they we live here.. It's also nice back in nyc is was more about how the world is ending.. down here it's about how to have fun..

OT but how did your move go? I've been dreaming of moving back down to Orlando from NYC myself. I can work remotely so wouldn't even have to switch jobs at first but alas the fiance is stuck on NYC still especially since this is where his job is and he can't easily swap jobs down to FL for at least a few more years.

 

[MariMama]

Something is bringing more people than ever in the parks. If it's not that they have more money to go, what is it?

Going on vacation doesn't necessarily mean you have money. Americans have over $700 billion in credit card debt.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm equally surprised by the number of people who are so very negative about every decision Disney makes any more
Not directed at you, just in response to your comment. I am finding an overall increase in negativity.
Makes me wonder just why they continue to vacation there when it seems Disney can't do anything to please them.

This is why I'm trying to post actual facts and numbers.
I absolutely loved e-ride nights! The posters who like this new program might even wish to thank me for repeatedly requesting their return on the DIS and numerous Disney surveys. I even typed my request into the comments section, because I never saw it mentioned in any of the multiple choice sections.

It is the price and sloppy roll out that I find problematic.

Touring in 2016 isn't the same as was in 2004. Back in 2004, pre-booking FP wasn't an option, and pre-booking ADR's wasn't necessary. At least not in the 2016 sense. Back in 2004, we chose where we wanted to eat dinner the same day, if that. We often just went directly to a podium!

In 2016, guests don't have the same level of freedom to make same-day choices. Guests are now financially restricted to the dining and entertainment choices they made months ago.

In 2004, if I woke up with a fever, I could stay in bed and use my ticket any other day FOREVER.

In 2016, I'd be out hundred of dollars.

 

[AngiTN]

Going on vacation doesn't necessarily mean you have money. Americans have over $700 billion in credit card debt.

No question some are using credit cards. We do because we don't carry that kind of cash. Doesn't mean we are in debt.
I do not believe the vast jumps in attendance are attributed to people in credit card debt
They'd have used credit cards before too, if that's all it is
More people have more spending money for whatever reason

 

[AngiTN]

It is the price and sloppy roll out that I find problematic.

Touring in 2016 isn't the same as was in 2004. Back in 2004, pre-booking FP wasn't an option, and pre-booking ADR's wasn't necessary. At least not in the 2016 sense. Back in 2004, we chose where we wanted to eat dinner the same day, if that. We often just went directly to a podium!

In 2016, guests don't have the same level of freedom to make same-day choices. Guests are now financially restricted to the dining and entertainment choices they made months ago

I happen to prefer the current method. Understand some don't. But having tried the on a whim method in CA last year, didn't like it as much. So you see it as a fault, I see it as an improvement. Both are right.

And I make tons of last minute changes to our plans. Do it every single trip. Without paying any financial penalty. Anyone can

Question still remains, if they make you so unhappy with their changes why continue to go?

 

[palmtreegirl]

"Just" 75.00, no chance. That's still crazy expensive to me.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm equally surprised by the number of people who are so very negative about every decision Disney makes any more
Not directed at you, just in response to your comment. I am finding an overall increase in negativity.
Makes me wonder just why they continue to vacation there when it seems Disney can't do anything to please them.

Do you think there would be negative comments if Disney announced they were extended EMH to 3 hours and expanding the parks operational hours? What if Disney came out and said they were going to re-imagineer Future World at Epcot? I think people are just fed up with the constant cuts and constant price increases (and I feel they have every reason to complain about that as nobody should be happy to spend more).

 

[AngiTN]

Do you think there would be negative comments if Disney announced they were extended EMH to 3 hours and expanding the parks operational hours? What if Disney came out and said they were going to re-imagineer Future World at Epcot? I think people are just fed up with the constant cuts and constant price increases (and I feel they have every reason to complain about that as nobody should be happy to spend more).

Yes, I do think some would still find fault with those choices. The hours would be too late for them, they can't stay up so late. And they'd still find fault with changing Future World. It wouldn't suit everyone. Some are just down on Disney and I wonder why go. That's all.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Going on vacation doesn't necessarily mean you have money. Americans have over $700 billion in credit card debt.

Yep. Most American's are in debt up to their eye balls. So not worth it to me, but that's just us.

 

[Kimberly9701]

This is why I'm trying to post actual facts and numbers.
I absolutely loved e-ride nights! The posters who like this new program might even wish to thank me for repeatedly requesting their return on the DIS and numerous Disney surveys. I even typed my request into the comments section, because I never saw it mentioned in any of the multiple choice sections.

It is the price and sloppy roll out that I find problematic.

Touring in 2016 isn't the same as was in 2004. Back in 2004, pre-booking FP wasn't an option, and pre-booking ADR's wasn't necessary. At least not in the 2016 sense. Back in 2004, we chose where we wanted to eat dinner the same day, if that. We often just went directly to a podium!

In 2016, guests don't have the same level of freedom to make same-day choices. Guests are now financially restricted to the dining and entertainment choices they made months ago.

In 2004, if I woke up with a fever, I could stay in bed and use my ticket any other day FOREVER.

In 2016, I'd be out hundred of dollars.

But the facts on the economy is this- It is improving. Due to several factors, one of which is Gen Y, but again, several others as well.
Why did interest rates go up last year? Because Americans can now afford it. Because banks do not need to offer lower interest rates for a car or home etc in order for someone to buy. And they will continue to rise. This IS a good thing for us. (Although yes, best thing is to buy before this happens again!)

 

[lugnut33]

Yes, I do think some would still find fault with those choices. The hours would be too late for them, they can't stay up so late. And they'd still find fault with changing Future World. It wouldn't suit everyone. Some are just down on Disney and I wonder why go. That's all.

Yes, there will always be outliers (look at those complaining about Avatarland), but overall the current negativity is clearly focused on the cuts in services and the price increases. Disney appears to be greedy to an awful lot of people lately.

 

[Kimberly9701]

No question some are using credit cards. We do because we don't carry that kind of cash. Doesn't mean we are in debt.
I do not believe the vast jumps in attendance are attributed to people in credit card debt
They'd have used credit cards before too, if that's all it is
More people have more spending money for whatever reason

To have a limit of that amount, and to be able to afford to pay it back, you would have to have some kind of money for the available space on said cards. Sure, some people abuse credit cards, I don't think the majority of wdw travelers are plastic use only with no other available funds.

ETA- OOPS quoted wrong post

 

[Kimberly9701]

Yes, there will always be outliers (look at those complaining about Avatarland), but overall the current negativity is clearly focused on the cuts in services and the price increases. Disney appears to be greedy to an awful lot of people lately.

But are these people looking for it? I didn't notice anything different on my last trip. If you are looking to fault something, then you can usually find a reason to.
If you are just looking for a good time, and have a positive attitude, then you don't find that same fault.

 

[mom2rtk]

They played the Welcome Show music while I was on hold booking a tour yesterday. I started balling right here at my desk at work.

As for negative/positive of course it's ok. I'm not positive about 100% of what they do but I will say it's the exception when I find something negative, not the norm. When I read all negative from someone (there are folks here that are all negative all the time) I am struck with the thought "why are you still going if it makes you so negative and you are so unhappy"

Many people know how to compartmentalize. They can be unhappy with certain things but still go to the parks and have a good time. You don't have to be "all in" or "all out".

Many are only so unhappy with things going on because they love the place so much.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

$25 per hour for walk on rides. That's the selling point.

I think I can sum this entire for/against DAH mindset with a relatable comparison.

Yesterday, I imagined what it would look like if McDonalds or some other fast food chain rolled out a similar idea....

McD's charges $50 for access to an after hours party that includes: one Big Mac wrapped in decorative paper, a WDW style refillable plastic mug (good for 3 hours of soda refills), and purple fries!

I suspect some folks would opt in, especially if they added in a cheap plastic trinket of some kind. Maybe one of those LED glow cubes....