e-ride nights

[chipnwendy]

I'd like to throw my two cents in regarding the E-ticket nights in May. The last time we were there in May, the longest lines we ever stood in at any park were at the E-ticket night at the MK. The lines at all the parks this time of year (maybe with the exception of Memorial Day weekend) are not long at all. In fact, the longest line we were in was for Test Track, and that was maybe 20-25 minutes. So, even if WDW brings them back, I don't think it's even worth the extra $12 a head, unless you just want to sleep in that day and stay out really late.

 

[westjones]

I just sent an email. We LOVE E-Nights! I hope they come back.
DJ

 

[ugadog99]

Email sent! I sure hope they listen to us and bring back e rides. I would love to see one during our trip in June.

 

[Cinderella37]

I sent my third email last week. Beware - you'll get a canned response detailing E-Ride night, including price, attractions, and policies. I even emailed a few times to clarify that I was not asking for information, but inquiring if the program was discontinued, but I kept getting the same response. I'm assuming Guest Relations either doesn't know what's going on or is not permitted to release information.

 

[jimmiej]

I e-mailed Disney. E-Ride nights were the highlight of our last trip. Touring the MK at night is awesome!

 

[Sammie]

As you can tell from the responses to this thread, some are for E-Ride, some are not.

If you want them back, Disney will have to hear from you.

I do know that many complained about them.

Very few probably told Disney they really liked them, until they no longer offered them. Then they complained.

You know squeeky wheel, It will depend on whose wheel squeeks the loudest.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by Tess
I'd rather see WDW open the MK for longer hours based upon the already purchased passes I possess.

E-nights are fine, but when they are maxed out, you still end up waiting in line for SM and paying extra to do so. I'd rather get more bang for the bucks I've already spent and see the parks holding longer hours as was the case in the days before the E-night cash cow was birthed. An extra hour or two through the week and several on the weekend during the late spring and summer months would be great!

I've experienced E-night, but when hours are shortened to accommodate them; I just don't think that's a consumer victory.

I agree!

 

[Virgo10]

Email sent. Last May when I was at WDW, I got to go to TWO of them. Neither one was crowded. E-Nights are always one of the highlights of my trips.

Hopefully our voices will be heard.

Roberta

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Tess
!

I've experienced E-night, but when hours are shortened to accommodate them; I just don't think that's a consumer victory.

I agree -- E-nights used to be so cool....before everyone caught on. But the last few I went to were the most crowded times I was ever in the MK!

I'd rather they just kept the whole parks open for longer. I hate it when the MK closes early!

 

[cinderkeli]

Just sent my email as well!!!!

 

[SCgoofy64]

I remember reading a post a while back that the reason there is no e-night is that WDW wants to show Wishes every night. This may also explain the increased hours compared to previous years.

 

[RescueRanger]

I am sorry, but I have to disagree with those of you who think
enights cause the park to close early. E-night in its true form allows for an ADDITIONAL 3 hrs of park time. It does not effect the time the park closes. For instance, the last E-night that we went to lasted from 7pm-10pm. The MK was closing every night at 7pm that week anyway so, it wasn't effecting anyone who chose not to participate. Disney isn't going to extend hours because there are no E-nights. Their park hours will still depend on resort occupancy regardless. Heck, some e-nights use to last until 1am. If I had to guess, one of the reasons WDW has not had them is probably people who do not truly understand them were complaining.

 

[Cinderella37]

I agree. The E-Ride nights in July were always until 1:00am. I highly doubt WDW will keep the MK open that late without E-Ride nights. The hours in the summer are extended already, so the E-Ride nights give you additional time in the park. If I had to guess, I'd assume that they've been discontinued because of costs, pure and simple.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Cinderella37
I agree. The E-Ride nights in July were always until 1:00am. I highly doubt WDW will keep the MK open that late without E-Ride nights. The hours in the summer are extended already, so the E-Ride nights give you additional time in the park. If I had to guess, I'd assume that they've been discontinued because of costs, pure and simple.

In July when E-Ride nights were offered the park closed at 10pm. Before E-nights the MK stayed open in July until midnight for everyone.

So yes, at certain times of the year, the park hours have changed. This is not to say that the hours might have been shortened regardless, but they have changed and the changes came about the same time as E-Ride nights were started.

 

[auntpolly]

I think that Sammie is right. And besides, I'd still just rather the MK was open later for everyone.

When I first became aware of E-ticket nights, very few people took advantage of them. I can remember feeling like I had the park to myself at midnight.

The last e-ticket night I went to was a mob scene that ended at 10:00 (it was June). There was absolutely no advantage to paying the extra $10.00 to stand in long lines for a few hand picked rides. Anyway, I hate it when the MK closes at 7:00, especially when it's not value season.

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by Sammie
In July when E-Ride nights were offered the park closed at 10pm. Before E-nights the MK stayed open in July until midnight for everyone.

So yes, at certain times of the year, the park hours have changed. This is not to say that the hours might have been shortened regardless, but they have changed and the changes came about the same time as E-Ride nights were started.

The hours being shortened did occur aorund when E-nights began but it is not because of the reason you give. When I spoke to executive offices the other day, this topic was hit upon. Basically, E-nights were a RESULT of WDW wanting to lessen the blow of the earlier closings for its resort guests. They were going to reduce the hours anyway but E-nights were created to allow resort guests to still allow an occasional late evening.

In response to auntpolly, maybe I have just been lucky but I have been to at least 8 E-nights and have never witnessed large crowds. WDW limits the tickets to about 4000 sold. Bottom line, E-nights were not hurting anyone but were giving those that wanted to take advantage of them a little extra "magic".

 

[Disney Debbie]

We went to a July e-night 3 years ago and loved it. Maybe the 1:00 a.m. ones are less crowded - we felt like we had the park to ourselves. I do think the hours should be longer in the summer and the busy times - with or without e-nights.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by RescueRanger
The hours being shortened did occur aorund when E-nights began but it is not because of the reason you give. When I spoke to executive offices the other day, this topic was hit upon. Basically, E-nights were a RESULT of WDW wanting to lessen the blow of the earlier closings for its resort guests. They were going to reduce the hours anyway but E-nights were created to allow resort guests to still allow an occasional late evening.

In response to auntpolly, maybe I have just been lucky but I have been to at least 8 E-nights and have never witnessed large crowds. WDW limits the tickets to about 4000 sold. Bottom line, E-nights were not hurting anyone but were giving those that wanted to take advantage of them a little extra "magic".

I believe you misread my response.

I did not give a reason, as I don't know the reason. I simply stated they did change. As I said the shortening of hours might have happened regardless of E-nights.

I too have been at times where it was so crowded waits were up to 30 minutes.

If Disney was going to shorten hours anyway, and adding E-Nights was a way to give Disney resort guests a few extra hours, they need to stick to the ticket sold limits and let the guest know why they changed the park hours.

 

[ms_flo]

DH (who second-guessed many of the "extras" I planned for our 1st family trip) said e-night was the best $10 we EVER spent! I'm looking at the pictures now... Goofy, Tigger, Minnie & Pluto pictures with just us in the photo--no crowds or lines surrounding us... CBJ with no booing from people who only wanted to get out of the heat (I've never experienced that, but I've heard stories--can you imagine??!!)... riding BLSRS over & over with no waiting... basically no waiting in line at all. The sense of calm during e-night was a striking contrast to the mood of the park during the day. It was magical. Oh how I wish they would surprise me with one during April...

 

[JKanownik]

we went to 2 e-ride nights last may and there were so few crowds that we were able to ride splash mountain and big thunder mountain rail road repeatedly without leaving out seats. we were there until 1:00 AM and it was so magical to see the magic kingdom in the dark with all the lights and the castle changing colors. we are going this year again in may and the park closes most nights at 8:30 with the weekends being open until 10. i say bring back the e-ride nights!