EMM now being offered at DHS! Epcot to follow?

[KittyKitty]

As far as I am concerned these are pre-park hours with minimal people and it shouldn't impact anyone else's day.

Only change it could make, We won't be getting a FP+ for TSM nor Star Tours that day.

 

[HopperFan]

They have the facilities to do 3 of these in EP.

I'm going with:

#1 - FEA, A&E meet, Gran Fiesta plus breakfast

#2 - TT, Mission Space, a few characters (Stitch?!) and breakfast

#3 - Soarin', Character Spot, Nemo, breakfast

I would totally do it. It would allow us to EMM one of the Tier 1's, RD one and FP+ the other.

I see FEA in the mix. It's new, slow loading and appeals to all ages. Of your choices I would say #1 plus maybe throw in Caballero Donald.

But to throw something else in there ........... to open Gran Fiesta you would have to open the market because all the goods are sitting out there. Would it be possible to open FEA, A&E Meet, TT and breakfast. That surely would have a big draw and keep everyone on one side of the park. Breakfast could be in the Electric Umbrella.

 

[HopperFan]

Only change it could make, We won't be getting a FP+ for TSM nor Star Tours that day.

What I meant is I don't think it impacts the guests who are not participating but arrive at rope drop. But, yes, if you are not booking FP+ for those rides that opens them up for others during the day so a plus for them.

They really want people to pay EXTRA to spend more time in a park that's got a ton of closed attractions? And sadly people will!

Bizarre!

There's a reason I don't have an AP this year LOL!

Call me BIZARRE, I just booked it.

I have APs and that is how I justify paying for any extra hard ticket events. There are different kind of AP holders. I assume from your name you are a local. I have APs but we drive 8 hours to get there, pay for hotels, so while I know I'll get back it may not be for some time. When they offer up some of my DS favorites without crowds and lines plus breakfast, it is worth the price.

DHS closed:
- LMA, same old same old I was fine with not going to see it anymore
- Backlot Tour, same old same old, Catastrophe only saving part
- Animation, Launch Bay is an improvement as long as characters elsewhere
- Pizza Planet, good riddance
- Playground, long past going in there
- Studio Grill, I think I ate there twice, ever
- Jack Sparrow, once and done
- SOA, sad, very sad, but I get it had only one purpose. Hoping for some reprieve.

Everything we enjoy there is still open and they added the fireworks. If it keeps the park less crowded, hey that's good for us. We also enjoy the TS in that park. In the end hoppers are becoming more important to any multi day ticket so you can enjoy the best of each park, spend partial days where you don't feel the love and be able to hop for nighttime experiences.

 

[Hikergirl]

They really want people to pay EXTRA to spend more time in a park that's got a ton of closed attractions? And sadly people will!

Bizarre!

There's a reason I don't have an AP this year LOL!

Not bizarre at all, paying extra for an almost empty park, even to ride a few rides is priceless to me. Its okay that you don't want to spend your money on that, but its not bizarre that some people do. I don't buy APs because I don't go multiple times a year, my time is valuable when I'm there and if I can spend money to save time waiting in line for some rides then I'm all for it.

I'm hoping for an EP one with more multiple Tier 1 attractions open.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Not bizarre at all, paying extra for an almost empty park, even to ride a few rides is priceless to me. Its okay that you don't want to spend your money on that, but its not bizarre that some people do. I don't buy APs because I don't go multiple times a year, my time is valuable when I'm there and if I can spend money to save time waiting in line for some rides then I'm all for it.

I'm hoping for an EP one with more multiple Tier 1 attractions open.

I agree.

I wasn't sold on it at first, but now that reports have come out on EMM I definitely think it's worth it for us. We would rather do one of these events than the others. We go every other year and we seem to always pick times when there are parties at night. Extra time in the morning would be awesome.

 

[Liljo22]

Epcot EMM please, Disney. That would be worth the price of extra admission to us

I think Disney would get the FEA working right before offering an EMM. It would not go over well if people were buying this and FEA is down during it.

 

[HopperFan]

I think Disney would get the FEA working right before offering an EMM. It would not go over well if people were buying this and FEA is down during it.

Very true and could be why it seems like the logical next choice, they had to skip it until then. Good point.

 

[wilkeliza]

I don't see any problem with the EMMs. They take 0 away from regular ticket holders. The hours are still the same as they were before. The only people who lose out are those that thought a prepark ADR meant they should get first access to rides and a meal. They are who created these events. They showed Disney the demand was there and now Disney is going to profit off of it. That is what businesses do. Sorry but a prepark ADR was only ever about eating in the park before it opened and not missing park time for food. It was never about jumping long lines. Now that it is about jumping long lines Disney profits from it because it is of value to some.

We won't do the DHS one but have considered the MK one. The ability to ride 7DMT several times is worth it but the early morning not so much haha.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

MK EMM... definitely. I want to do it when we go. We love those three rides, so to be able to do them multiple times - awesome, and it basically gives us 3 free FP+ because we won't have to use our FP+ on those rides. Plus, it really adds to the rope drop touring. Since we tour in the heat of summer - this is a huge value for us, because we can really maximize our time. And we get a meal. So, to me, great value.

This one at HS, however, I'm unsure of. I mean, on one hand yes, the kids would love all those M&G, it would be great to do them without a wait (not that there's really a huge one), and they would LOVE riding TSMM over and over. But I really don't see this one holding as much value as MK. It really wouldn't change our touring in any way, other than we'd get more rides on TSMM. And, it would definitely turn HS into a half day park for us, we'd be out the door by noon, easily. I suppose if you had park hoppers, the value might come in that you could do the park in half a day, then hop to another park and use your FP+ there.

I feel the same as you do. We have Magic Kingdom EMM tickets for mid- August- can't wait! We only go once a year, so I'm ok with paying extra $ to have the extra time in the park. I am not going to do DHS EMM, but only because my DD's are ok with just one ride on Star Tours and TSM, so I don't see the value there for my family. We do a ton of character meals, so the character meet and greets don't give us extra value; however, for some families, this would be worth it to them. Ten years ago, when my children were little, I might have done this event.
What do you think about the crowds of DHS in the afternoon? We have DHS planned for an afternoon in August (on a Wednesday, so now a EMM day at DHS)? You mentioned how you'd probably be done the park by noon if you used EMM there. That's how I feel. So, I'm thinking that if we visit from 3-9 and use FP+, it won't be any busier than a regular day because many people with the EMM ticket would already be gone. What do you think?

 

[Praying Colonel]

I don't see any problem with the EMMs. They take 0 away from regular ticket holders. The hours are still the same as they were before. The only people who lose out are those that thought a prepark ADR meant they should get first access to rides and a meal. They are who created these events. They showed Disney the demand was there and now Disney is going to profit off of it. That is what businesses do. Sorry but a prepark ADR was only ever about eating in the park before it opened and not missing park time for food. It was never about jumping long lines. Now that it is about jumping long lines Disney profits from it because it is of value to some.

We won't do the DHS one but have considered the MK one. The ability to ride 7DMT several times is worth it but the early morning not so much haha.

I'm just going to leave this here:

http://disboards.com/threads/are-af...ng-into-regular-hours-analytics-long.3511211/

 

[Lesverts]

I did the EMM at MK. I thought it was reasonable. My only complaint is that it would have been nice to have a character or two or three out. Have Winnie-the-Pooh, Peter Pan and Dopey out and it would have been perfect. So having characters to meet for DHS EMM is a good change. But I would have rather have a ToT and RnRC but oh well. I think this would be very attractive to a Star Wars fan that wants to see as many different Star Tour videos as possible.

Just going to add something a little off topic.

Crowds are down, hotel occupancy is down, ticket sales are down. I think this is the reason you are not seeing really extended hours over the summer and why it is taking so long to update hours. I wouldn't be surprised if operating MK is a quarter of a million dollars or more an hour. If Disney is not going to have the ADRs, store sales and ticket sales to cover those costs, why be open to midnight or later?

Disney is a business, they need to hit labour targets, sales targets. Their P&L needs to balance, just on the operations side of the coin. It sucks that we seem to be getting less hours. But if there isn't demand, there isn't demand. It looks to be why Disney is trying these special events. And remember, we may be sitting here and lamenting the seeming lack of hours. But the cast members that are getting fewer hours because of it are the ones that we should be thinking about. They are losing income to pay their bills and put food on the table.

I would no doubt believe that if Disney's attendance metrics and hotel occupancy were at the same levels of last year that you would be seeing some more hours. But the demand isn't there. So neither is the extras that go along with higher demand. You aren't going to staff for 75,000 when you are only going to get 54,000.

 

[Regan117]

What I meant is I don't think it impacts the guests who are not participating but arrive at rope drop. But, yes, if you are not booking FP+ for those rides that opens them up for others during the day so a plus for them.



Call me BIZARRE, I just booked it.

I have APs and that is how I justify paying for any extra hard ticket events. There are different kind of AP holders. I assume from your name you are a local. I have APs but we drive 8 hours to get there, pay for hotels, so while I know I'll get back it may not be for some time. When they offer up some of my DS favorites without crowds and lines plus breakfast, it is worth the price.

DHS closed:
- LMA, same old same old I was fine with not going to see it anymore
- Backlot Tour, same old same old, Catastrophe only saving part
- Animation, Launch Bay is an improvement as long as characters elsewhere
- Pizza Planet, good riddance
- Playground, long past going in there
- Studio Grill, I think I ate there twice, ever
- Jack Sparrow, once and done
- SOA, sad, very sad, but I get it had only one purpose. Hoping for some reprieve.

Everything we enjoy there is still open and they added the fireworks. If it keeps the park less crowded, hey that's good for us. We also enjoy the TS in that park. In the end hoppers are becoming more important to any multi day ticket so you can enjoy the best of each park, spend partial days where you don't feel the love and be able to hop for nighttime experiences.

I agree. We have APs and we booked it too

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm just going to leave this here:

http://disboards.com/threads/are-af...ng-into-regular-hours-analytics-long.3511211/

Yeah I've read that breakdown but we have no way of knowing 100% what hours would have or have not been with out the events. You can blame EMM but on the same line of thinking those very small hour losses (averaged to about 2 - 3 a week). Are we also going to blame these hard ticket events for the loss of the 24 hour event? You know that went away this year with no explanation as to why. So lets just blame hard ticket events and Shanghai for that as well. Seems to be what we do around here instead of realizing we don't have the answers.

What I meant by it doesn't affect regular paying at all is that the posted hours for DHS for the days this is offered did not change once it became available. Those who planed at 180 and 60 days out are still getting the same exact offering as before. Same park opening. The only change is that if you had a prepark opening ADR it is just for food now and not ride access which is what it really had been before. Any rides you got on before actual opening were pixie dust and magic and not something that was guaranteed so I don't consider that a loss as I don't work in pixie dust and magic when planning.

 

[lpereira]

The MK one meh for us. But HS? TSMM unlimited? Plus Woody Buzz Olaf.. we might go ride Star Tours if we got sick of riding TSMM.

 

[tlmadden73]

CALLED IT!
(As did many on here).

They will have these at every park and potentially MULTIPLES of them at every park.

I am sure the Epcot one (with FEA, A&E M&G and/or Test Track) would be super popular.

I don't see these as an upcharge. I see this as Disney taking advantage of consumer demand. With as many people trying to get PPO ADRs and just trying to be there at Rope Drop, obviously the demand is high for people to get in the parks early AND to ride rides with super short waits. Plus . I just like the concept of having breakfast IN the park without wasting valuable park time and getting unlimited access to some of the best rides in the parks.

Great add that I will consider on my next trip at one of the parks.

Plus two of the best "re-ridable in the same day" rides in all of WDW in the same ticket?
Between trying to beat your high score in TSMM and trying to see as many different scenes in Star Tours, this is a GREAT concept and a great selection of attractions.

 

[DougEMG]

We have annual passes and sleep in late every day (we're from the west coast) and I can't remember the last time we made rope drop, so I'm not really interested in anything like this. Right now I have a hard enough time even bothering to go to DHS. About the one ride that I would love to do multiple times in a row is the Safari ride in AK.

 

[mshanson3121]

I feel the same as you do. We have Magic Kingdom EMM tickets for mid- August- can't wait! We only go once a year, so I'm ok with paying extra $ to have the extra time in the park. I am not going to do DHS EMM, but only because my DD's are ok with just one ride on Star Tours and TSM, so I don't see the value there for my family. We do a ton of character meals, so the character meet and greets don't give us extra value; however, for some families, this would be worth it to them. Ten years ago, when my children were little, I might have done this event.
What do you think about the crowds of DHS in the afternoon? We have DHS planned for an afternoon in August (on a Wednesday, so now a EMM day at DHS)? You mentioned how you'd probably be done the park by noon if you used EMM there. That's how I feel. So, I'm thinking that if we visit from 3-9 and use FP+, it won't be any busier than a regular day because many people with the EMM ticket would already be gone. What do you think?

I agree, I think this is probably what will happen - afternoon crowds will probably lighten up a bit. That said - that's assuming it goes over as well as the one at MK does, and I'm thinking it probably won't.

 

[nilla]

I'm just concerned this will mess up our plans since we are supposed to be at DHS on a Monday in August. Will this affect the crowd level in any way? What about signups for JTA?

We were in MK on an EMM day (we arrived at the regular rope drop time), and it didn't seem to affect the crowd level in any noticeable way at all. Remember, these events are very limited.

 

[HopperFan]

CALLED IT!
(As did many on here).

They will have these at every park and potentially MULTIPLES of them at every park.

I am sure the Epcot one (with FEA, A&E M&G and/or Test Track) would be super popular.

I don't see these as an upcharge. I see this as Disney taking advantage of consumer demand. With as many people trying to get PPO ADRs and just trying to be there at Rope Drop, obviously the demand is high for people to get in the parks early AND to ride rides with super short waits. Plus . I just like the concept of having breakfast IN the park without wasting valuable park time and getting unlimited access to some of the best rides in the parks.

Great add that I will consider on my next trip at one of the parks.

Plus two of the best "re-ridable in the same day" rides in all of WDW in the same ticket?
Between trying to beat your high score in TSMM and trying to see as many different scenes in Star Tours, this is a GREAT concept and a great selection of attractions.

Yup we knew it was coming, I think DHS being next was the surprise. I honestly think we could have predicted these YEARS ago. Disney promised that FP/FP+ was free and I don't think they will ever back off from that. What they have been doing is offering FP+ via a back door in the way of VIP Tours, Dessert Parties, Morning Magic Events, Tony's Package, Fantasmic Package, Jungle Book Package ..... and expect it all to continue. It's not an upcharge, it's a creative way to charge for FP+.

 

[maxiesmom]

If the had R&R I would have been all over it!