Evening Magic Hours for Deluxe Guests Only

[wolfawk]

One of my fondest memories is when my daughter and I left my wife at the All Star Movies and when to Magic Kingdom for evening EMH. We rode every ride twice in the three hours. We had a blast, and it was for sure one of those magical moments Disney always talks about in their commercials, the ones that will last a lifetime. So I hope that this is only just a start of what will eventually be a return of EMH for all, and not just those ate a Deluxe.

 

[kc51570]

Disney had gotten rid of a lot of the Evening EMH well before Covid and instead started offering paid After Hours and Early Morning Magic events. There was a drastic reduction in EMH at all the parks starting at least 2-3 years ago. Yes, it was included at one point in time, but was already well on its way out.

 

[Aprilshack]

Astonishing that some people think Value guests don't pinch and save just as much as Deluxe guests (and often more) so their kids can go to Disney World.

As a former TA, my clients staying at the All-Star resorts were typically my favorites because they scrimped and saved to give their kids this one shot at a "magical" vacation. They knew they weren't going back. So they wanted it to be perfect. Now it seems a little less so. And I think it stinks.

So "work more, save more" sounds easy and all, and again—I'm not saying this is the end of the world!—but it *is* about who has money, and who can buy more time in the parks with this VIP "perk."

I agree. It's also more complicated than, well get a better job. Getting a better job depends on a whole raft of things. Where you live, education are two examples. Not everyone pursues a high paid job for the money. Some people its job satisfaction. I work a minimum wage job with the disabled. The care industry is notoriously low paid. I'd rather have this job where I go home rarely stressed than a high paid, high stress job. Do i need to be paid more as a front line care worker with what I do? Hell yes. Not everyone can get a better high paid job for a multitude of reasons. There isn't enough high paid jobs for everyone and if us low paid workers all went for higher paid jobs, there would be no one to pick your food, stack your food shelves, collect your garbage, wipe your bum when you end up being in a care home. So yes it's a lot more complicated and easy for people to basically say its your own fault if you can't stay in a deluxe resort.

After giving extra evening hours to those in deluxe resorts, what is next? Fastpasses probably. And what after that?

 

[Br'er Rabbit is the Best]

I have a few thoughts on this. First, I’ve always been someone to stay value. I felt it was easily the best bang for your buck. You got the same 2 beds, mini fridge, toilet, shower, sinks, and mini fridge as a deluxe. You still got DME, FP+ and ADR windows, multiple pools, transportation to the parks, magic bands, and a food court. The only real difference between a deluxe and value were alternative modes of transportation, table service restaurants being at the resort, and extra amenities (like a spa) that you have to pay extra for. I never saw any reason to upgrade to deluxe so even if I could have pushed my budget, I chose not to. Now, if Disney ends up doing these EMH on 1 park each night during the week like they did with the old EMH that’s finally a reason for me to really consider deluxe.

Second, I continue to be disappointed in the direction of the company under Iger and Chapek. In just the last 5 years we’ve seen the loss of free parking, DME, cut park hours, increased number of nights of paid events like holiday parties, magic bands, EMH, and probably free fast passes. I’m sure there are more things but you get the point. All while Disney raises prices. But hey, if I’m going to continue to pay to go then I guess that’s on me. If I don’t like it, I should stop going.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I have a few thoughts on this. First, I’ve always been someone to stay value. I felt it was easily the best bang for your buck. You got the same 2 beds, mini fridge, toilet, shower, sinks, and mini fridge as a deluxe. You still got DME, FP+ and ADR windows, multiple pools, transportation to the parks, magic bands, and a food court. The only real difference between a deluxe and value were alternative modes of transportation, table service restaurants being at the resort, and extra amenities (like a spa) that you have to pay extra for. I never saw any reason to upgrade to deluxe so even if I could have pushed my budget, I chose not to. Now, if Disney ends up doing these EMH on 1 park each night during the week like they did with the old EMH that’s finally a reason for me to really consider deluxe.

Second, I continue to be disappointed in the direction of the company under Iger and Chapek. In just the last 5 years we’ve seen the loss of free parking, DME, cut park hours, increased number of nights of paid events like holiday parties, magic bands, EMH, and probably free fast passes. I’m sure there are more things but you get the point. All while Disney raises prices. But hey, if I’m going to continue to pay to go then I guess that’s on me. If I don’t like it, I should stop going.

small thing here...but Value's had mini fridges in them? i know the last few times i've been there hasnt been one.

 

[Aprilshack]

small thing here...but Value's had mini fridges in them? i know the last few times i've been there hasnt been one.

There had better be one when I go I December!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

It's not even about poor vs rich. The rich don't only stay deluxe and the "poor" don't only stay value. Let's be real....if you are staying onsite at Disney, at any level of resort, and going for a multi day vacation, you are not poor by any means.

I've stayed deluxe a few times and I am FAR from rich. We did it because we got great deals and rented DVC once. I could technically stay deluxe for my next trip but I'm not paying $600 a night for a "deluxe" room at Disney. It's just not going to happen. I value my money and the value of a Disney deluxe isn't worth that price to ME. Even with a few hours of PM EMH thrown in however many days a week they decide to give out. Remember it says select nights. It may just be 2 nights a week. We don't know yet.

I'm not happy that they've decided to cut this from guests who used to get it and are giving it only to some. Maybe if I was just starting to come to Disney now I wouldn't mind but I know what I used to get for my stays.

 

[KittyKitty]

30 minutes is not exactly EMH....its not much of anything really

My old eyes must have missed it. Where does it say 30 minutes?

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Two extra hours with far shorter lines? People pay for that already with VIP tours and seasonal celebrations. There’s no doubt it will sway people.

I just disagree you're going to get far shorter lines, and all reports so far indicate it's one hour, not two. Headliners already have long lines going into close because people can jump on line one minute before closing. Evening extra magic hours were already known for making the parks **more** crowded, not less. One hour isn't enough time for the ride to even cycle through the people who jumped into line before close for most of the headliners these days.

 

[mom2rtk]

small thing here...but Value's had mini fridges in them? i know the last few times i've been there hasnt been one.

I can't remember a single time I haven't had a fridge in the room.

 

[Moliphino]

Disney had gotten rid of a lot of the Evening EMH well before Covid and instead started offering paid After Hours and Early Morning Magic events. There was a drastic reduction in EMH at all the parks starting at least 2-3 years ago. Yes, it was included at one point in time, but was already well on its way out.

They cut back a bit, but they still had evening EMHs regularly. My March 2020 trip (that never was) excel sheet had evening EMHs noted for DHS, MK, and Epcot - 2 hours, one day a week for each park. We always made sure to go to the evening EMH park.

 

[Br'er Rabbit is the Best]

small thing here...but Value's had mini fridges in them? i know the last few times i've been there hasnt been one.

Yup, they’ve had mini fridges in them all of my last 5 stays from 2014-2019.

 

[igrsod]

I just disagree you're going to get far shorter lines, and all reports so far indicate it's one hour, not two. Headliners already have long lines going into close because people can jump on line one minute before closing. Evening extra magic hours were already known for making the parks **more** crowded, not less. One hour isn't enough time for the ride to even cycle through the people who jumped into line before close for most of the headliners these days.

There is never any guarantee of shorter lines. EMH especially right after closing were just as busy as regular hours.
BUT, on the official announcement, it says hours plural for the evening hours. If that is the case, then for the first hour your waits will be closer to regular waits, but the second hour will for sure be reduced.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

There can’t be that many guests staying in Deluxe resorts, can there?

Yeah but you're forgetting that in the evening, the headliners all already have long lines at close time. It takes a while for those to cycle down. This isn't like an after-hours event where there's an hour in between where they are kicking everyone else out of the parks. Edit: Nevermind, I didn't read your second paragraph before I posted this... Oops.

 

[unrequited23]

1. People who stay deluxe will now get more than they get today.
2. People who stay value and moderate will now get more than they get today.

Well, DME is leaving in 2022...so people who stay onsite will get more for three months than they do today.

Honestly, in the past 7 years a lot of perks for staying onsite have been cut. Resort parking is no longer free, rooms are no longer cleaned everyday, luggage delivery has stopped, EMH has been drastically shortened, standard park hours have been shortened, DME is leaving,etc. I'm sure there are even more things that have changed, but with the ages of my kids Disney wasn't on my vacation radar before that.

 

[ChipnDale79]

There had better be one when I go I December!

well our room at pop last week didnt have one, and i cant tell you the last time i stayed in a value that had one.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

I'm not happy that they've decided to cut this from guests who used to get it and are giving it only to some. Maybe if I was just starting to come to Disney now I wouldn't mind but I know what I used to get for my stays.

I understand your frustration and get your point. However, the Disney experience and value for what you're paying has been slowly eroding for years. Anyone who has been going to Disney for years (even recent years) can site a plethora of items that were once given for "free" as part of their vacation stays that are no longer offered. This is just another one of those items. And I'm sure there will be more. Happy or unhappy, each guest will have to decide if they find value in a Disney vacation. IMO, Disney will be busier than ever.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

I can't remember a single time I haven't had a fridge in the room.

I think back in 2010, we didn't have a mini fridge at ASM. WiFi was also an additional upcharge ($9.99 or $12.99 a night). But parking was free and I was at EMH riding Pirates of the Caribbean around 2 am, so life was good

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

You can rent DVC for about $300 per night.

Renting DVC with children is a terrifying proposition. If they get sick and you have to cancel you are SOL and I have yet to see any reports that anyone has ever successfully used trip insurance to file a claim for loss of money on DVC points due to illness cancellation.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

We're staying dvc for our next trip, so it looks like we'll have access to the extra evening hours. I still don't know how I feel about this though. On some level, EMH was super crowded before and I always felt that the good neighbor hotels shouldn't have had access anyway. I also think that the prices for what Disney considers deluxe resorts is exorbitant for what you are actually getting - I've stayed at a nicer hotel in the heart of Manhattan for less than a deluxe Disney Resort. With this in mind, it makes sense that deluxe guests get some kind of perk for shelling out that kind of money. What I don't like is first *taking it away* for moderate and value guests only to give it back to deluxe guests exclusively. This will likely benefit my family but it still just doesn't set right with me.