Disney Cuts After Hours Event Price for Passholders

[ckelly14]

You can disagree, but I can show you the numbers. One's personal situation does not reflect the US or global economy.

https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/MEHOINUSA672N

Great website!

 

[Ambear]

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.

I looooove wdw, I stay onsite and always enjoy my trips. But I still find fault with some of the decisions disney's made lately. Like they really can't find anything to do with image works and wonders of life? Even a cheap interactive experience would be something for guests to enjoy. But nah the space just sits there. And I can't understand why people would be eager to spend more money. People have used "slippery slope" on this message board for forever but it totally applies to this dah event.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

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.

Several reason have been given why there are some that do worry about it. You implying that those people are crazy or wasting their time doesn't make those things so. And the fact that you have no sympathy for those folks speaks a lot. At the rate they rolled out both these evening and morning extra hours when MANY folks already had all their plans made and have thousands of dollars invested in their vacation, it has affected some of their vacations. My 2 MK rope drop days have had the morning extra hours added to them. Our family always tours FL first and the extra crowds will impact our morning. But now it is much too late to change my days around and even think about getting FP+s for Mine Train. So telling those of us in this boat that worrying over the money and time we have put in our vacations and the changes these things bring or may bring in the next month or 2 that we are "wasting our time" is pretty rude. You continue to imply that we all should feel like you. As much as I hope DAHs doesn't take off (and I refuse to rehash with you the reasons), I can fully see the benefit for some and would never insist that those people are "wasting their time" hoping the event continues.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

I wonder why the things Disney does is so black and white for some. It is like if you don't love EVERYTHING they do then why even bother going since you aren't going to love it all. There are very few things I love 100% of the time.

 

[Accident]

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

When I recovered from the recession and knowing how to do disney semi-low cost we just went overboard.. Now with the things that have changed and more things on the horizon and they have our attention.. It almost feels like anywhere else, while lower cost is giving up a lot of things to do while on vacation right now.. Frozen also didn't hurt and got people really excited in a way they haven't been since it first opened..

 

[lugnut33]

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.

Are you saying you didn't notice the price increases? Are you saying they aren't running only 1 side of Kilimanjaro Safaris in the morning thus causing the line to build quickly? Are you saying they haven't reduced the hours of monorail operation?

I'm not talking about dirty bathrooms here.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Several reason have been given why there are some that do worry about it. You implying that those people are crazy or wasting their time doesn't make those things so. And the fact that you have no sympathy for those folks speaks a lot. At the rate they rolled out both these evening and morning extra hours when MANY folks already had all their plans made and have thousands of dollars invested in their vacation, it has affected some of their vacations. My 2 MK rope drop days have had the morning extra hours added to them. Our family always tours FL first and the extra crowds will impact our morning. But now it is much too late to change my days around and even think about getting FP+s for Mine Train. So telling those of us in this boat that worrying over the money and time we have put in our vacations and the changes these things bring or may bring in the next month or 2 that we are "wasting our time" is pretty rude. You continue to imply that we all should feel like you. As much as I hope DAHs doesn't take off (and I refuse to rehash with you the reasons), I can fully see the benefit for some and would never insist that those people are "wasting their time" hoping the event continues.

I can understand that frustration. I do feel like you should still be able to get in line for 7DMT before any of the large crowds, so although understandably annoying, you will be able to go on the ride with less of a wait then you would have otherwise!

Are you saying you didn't notice the price increases? Are you saying they aren't running only 1 side of Kilimanjaro Safaris in the morning thus causing the line to build quickly? Are you saying they haven't reduced the hours of monorail operation?

I'm not talking about dirty bathrooms here.

I did notice price increase with WDW- I chose to still pay it because I want to go.
I did notice the price increase on DCL for 2017- I will not pay it and booked another line. So while I will be on DCL this year, there wasn't enough value for me to sail with them in 2017 as well.

Great website!

The US economy has nothing to do with one's personal situation, I completely agree. Some people have recovered, a few have not, but overall the country has been on the upswing.

 

[Accident]

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.

It went amazing!!! I should have done this a long time ago.. start a private convo with me, I'll go into more detail and I don't want to derail this discussion. I tried to do it with you but it said I couldn't.

 

[ashleyrm]

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.

I know. I cry when I go back and read my old trip reports. And not just from nostalgia.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Are you saying you didn't notice the price increases? Are you saying they aren't running only 1 side of Kilimanjaro Safaris in the morning thus causing the line to build quickly? Are you saying they haven't reduced the hours of monorail operation?

I'm not talking about dirty bathrooms here.

Also, I guess I just look at it as - I can't do anything about it. So I can be angry, (and trust me I wasn't thrilled in the least!) or I can decide if it is "still worth it" in my mind.
There are many things in life that I wish cost less. Unfortunately I don't have the power to adjust those prices. So I buy, or I pass.

 

[ashleyrm]

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


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.

Not sure I agree with that statement. EMH is alive but I wouldn't say it's too healthy. I really felt an effect on my touring plans when evening EMH went from 3 hours to 2 hours. There has also been a steady decline in the number of days/parks when both AM and PM EMH are offered.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I'll agree to disagree with you on this. Unemployment is lower now. Most families have bounced back from 2001 and even from '06-'07. Most importantly- Gen Y is now the largest segment of the population- and they have money to spend, and do.

As a PP pointed out, most people do not have more money now. Median salaries are down. And the recovery has been uneven. People in the upper income brackets people have seen the biggest increase to their income. And millennials have lots of student loan debt. I know plenty who still live with their parents.

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

There is a theory that there was a flood of vacations booked after the recession ended because people had not traveled in so long, but that after these "pent-up" vacations were taken, travel would plateau. I think Disney has relied on international visitors over the past few years, but they are now having their own economic issues.

 

[Jennasis]

Whether real or not, Justified or not there is a perception out that Disney is cutting service/staff while increasing prices. IF this is not what they are doing then they have a major PR problem and they are stupid if they continue to ignore it. Ignoring public perception didn't go over too well for SeaWorld.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

FYI, I've been going to WDW practically since it opened.

Disney used to roll out premium entertainment, now US has them beat by a mile.

Wave your wand, and water magically flows from a fountain! A dragon blows plumes of fire with a roar! Taste butter beer! Enjoy a delicious lunch in a highly themed restaurant for under $15 with no ADR!

That's what I call fun!

WDW gave us the VotLM. I love LM, but VotLM is just re-themed Winnie the Pooh. Disney's 10,000 Leagues actually went under water! That was exciting!

WDW gave us 7DMT. It is kind of cute, but c'mon, it simply isn't an e-ride. Disney also adds the fun of pre-booking FP on their flaky website/app. When did Disney release the original 7D movie? During the Depression!

I'm sure I'd find the prospect of paying $25 per hour much more interesting if the rides in the package were actually new and exciting.

Given recent rack records, I'd pay $25 for an hour of no-wait Kong soft opening access! THAT would be exiting! (Even if it is also based on a very old movie!)

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Whether real or not, Justified or not there is a perception out that Disney is cutting service/staff while increasing prices. IF this is not what they are doing then they have a major PR problem and they are stupid if they continue to ignore it.

The reality - the average guy on the street has no idea about any of this stuff. There aren't news reports about guests being killed by the attractions at Disney. The public still thinks very highly of Disney Parks. So, whatever they are doing is working just fine.

 

[Jennasis]

The reality - the average guy on the street has no idea about any of this stuff. There aren't news reports about guests being killed by the attractions at Disney. The public still thinks very highly of Disney Parks. So, whatever they are doing is working just fine.

As evidenced by the rousing success of the After Dark event.

 

[Kimberly9701]

As a PP pointed out, most people do not have more money now. Median salaries are down. And the recovery has been uneven. People in the upper income brackets people have seen the biggest increase to their income. And millennials have lots of student loan debt. I know plenty who still live with their parents.



There is a theory that there was a flood of vacations booked after the recession ended because people had not traveled in so long, but that after these "pent-up" vacations were taken, travel would plateau. I think Disney has relied on international visitors over the past few years, but they are now having their own economic issues.

I won't argue economics here. But I will point out facts. The facts are the housing market has seen a major upswing-even after the rate increase. The car business has seen a major upswing- 2015 was a record year. The travel industry has seen an upswing. And so on and so on. I mean seriously who would have thought that Lululemon would show such record profits, in staggering percentages, while charging $98 for yoga pants!!

People are spending money again. The proof is in the facts of all of these numbers.

 

[redsbe]

Disney Corp is under management focus on cost cutting across all of its division (ESPN, ABC, WDW Parks, etc...), in terms of WDW Parks until visitors respond with fewer trips and spending less -and that will take months or few years to determine - expect less staffing, services, price increases, including more special extra priced events. If you are unhappy your most effective action is stopping going and stop spending as that is the only action that will get the attention of Disney Corp. If people continue to visit, are generally happy, and sufficient numbers are willing to pay for extra hour access, expect WDW to keep on its current track. The bottom line here is corporate and shareholder profits, understand and accept that, or talk with your wallets and go elsewhere. I am not intending to be negative or critical to posters complaining about current situation and issues with WDW parks, just sending a dose of reality as depressing and unacceptable as it may be to many.

 

[redsbe]

As to US and global economy (WDW is increasingly a global tourist destination), middle and lower economic classes are continuing to suffer with stagnant wages, job growth, increased credit, lower savings, higher overall debit, but looking at vacation and other travel, numbers are increasing in terms of flights, hotels etc... even with higher costs, because the upper 25% of the economic profile is doing better and spending. In my town that trend (impacts to lower wage groups, yet spending by higher ones) is easily seen in car sales, new developments, hotels, housing, restaurants etc... Disney has access to a huge data set of users and spending, be sure their recent actions reflect data based decisions, including higher costs and extra fee special events, targeting a specific economic and demographic US and Global customer market.

 

[mom2rtk]

I won't argue economics here. But I will point out facts. The facts are the housing market has seen a major upswing-even after the rate increase. The car business has seen a major upswing- 2015 was a record year. The travel industry has seen an upswing. And so on and so on. I mean seriously who would have thought that Lululemon would show such record profits, in staggering percentages, while charging $98 for yoga pants!!

People are spending money again. The proof is in the facts of all of these numbers.

Yes, some people are spending money again. Probably the ones in the stock market. Because that segment of the population has done very well.

But when the median income is going down, you have a problem.

And the official "unemployment rate" might be down, but the workforce participation is down near where it was before women even entered the workforce. That seems quite noteworthy to me.