DVC Merry Mixer Party No More

[disneynutz]

Looks like DVC has decided to cancel the annual Merry Mixer Christmas parities. They state that they are offering a couple of Epcot late night private events instead.

Don't know what to think about this one other than it reminds me that Disney can change the DVC perks at will.

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

Just one more "perk" that they're cancelling, but creating a new "Membership Magic" equivalent.

 

[DenLo]

At least with the Moonlight Magic events you do not pay for a park ticket. Bad news it is really late for families with young children and old people like me that have problems staying up after 10 PM.

I can see why DVC is going this route as the number of members is much higher now than when they started the mixers and even more since they moved the event to be in the facility in Epcot. With guests and family members that probably quadruples the numbers of people trying to attend each Merry Mixer. With these new events DVC can limit the numbers by advanced reservations, but since they are in a park many more guests will be able to attend and know in advance they can get in without standing in a long line.

 

[jo-jo]

But the late night event is maybe two nights, not the 4 or 5 times of the merry mixers.

 

[jo-jo]

At least with the Moonlight Magic events you do not pay for a park ticket. Bad news it is really late for families with young children and old people like me that have problems staying up after 10 PM.

I can see why DVC is going this route as the number of members is much higher now than when they started the mixers and even more since they moved the event to be in the facility in Epcot. With guests and family members that probably quadrles the numbers of people trying to attend each Merry Mixer. With these new events DVC can limit the numbers by advanced reservations, but since they are in a park many more guests will be able to attend and know in advance they can get in without standing in a long line.

But hasn't the one at MK "sold out" in a really short time.

 

[erionm]

But hasn't the one at MK "sold out" in a really short time.

It took a little over a month for the MK events to book out.

 

[disneynutz]

Knowing that Disney is smarter than we are and that they have reasons for everything they do, I'm wondering why the change. I learned during our last WDW stay that Disney uses fast passes to move guests around the park and that the MK opening ceremony was moving to the hub to get guests into the park sooner, also that the parade pauses are timed to move guests along. I wonder if the moonlight magic events are being used to balance park attendance somehow.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

I really think the size of DVC is a factor in this decision. The TL events are really crowded, at least the one we attended last year was! The Merry Mixer was not really fun for us. Stand in line to get in, stand in line for a drink, an even longer line for s Rice Krispie treat. Look, no seats, so let's leave and get a cute ornament.

As crowded as the TL event was, the venue was so large, there were many places to get treats, the pools, slides, river were opened.

People here did complain about needing Epcot admission. When the Merry Mixer was help at the Contemporary it also was crazy crowded IMO. DVC has a huge number of members!

 

[RachaelA]

I thought the Merry Mixer was way too insane. Even 30 minutes after it started the line was all the way back to the World Showcase entrance to get in and it wasn't a walk in until near the very end (in 2015 when we went). Huge lines for everything. The cookie they gave you was great though!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We only ever made it to two of them and we usually go in December. This year we just entered approx 45 minutes prior to the end and had no lines for anything. Last year we waited until 30 minutes or so after the start and there still was a ridiculous line - the backup was verifying membership. I liked them more than the Welcome Home Wednesdays and we'd have gone again and enjoyed if we were there but for the most part the ornament was really why I went. I'm just going to cross my fingers that DVC has some other plan to continue with those (although if being honest about it I'm doubtful they do).