Evening Magic Hours for Deluxe Guests Only

[bluezy]

I still don't get it. Those prices are crazy! I didn't understand why anyone would stay on-site pre-pandemic - now with less perks, I can't fathom it.

We're staying off-site for 12 nights at a 6-bedroom, 3200 sq.ft. house. Even factoring in a rental car and gas - it's still going to cost about 25% less than even a moderate resort would at the same time of year. We will save at least $2K compared to a deluxe. For a MUCH bigger accommodation.

And we're missing out on potential evening EMH, 30-minute early entry, free transportation, and pretty much nothing else.

Some people stay onsite because it fits their idea of a "Disney vacation" better than staying off site. It's not about the money, it's about the experience.

For us, we have 5 kids. We could spend less money on a Disney trip by staying off site, but that's not the experience we want. We prefer to go to Disney every other year and stay onsite (usually in a suite at AoA) rather than go every year and stay offsite. We prefer to use Disney transportation when we're there. We drive over 1000 miles to get there so it's nice to not have to do any driving once we arrive (especially knowing we have a 15+ hour drive home after our vacation is over). Also along the lines of transportation -- we're a large family and we do not all operate on the same schedule. Some of us go to the parks early in the morning, some do not. Some of us stay until park closing, some do not. Some of us like a mid-day break, some do not. If we were offsite with one car, we'd all be forced to follow the same routine (or use Uber/Lyft...which adds to the cost of the vacation). If we're on site, the varied schedules aren't a problem as everyone can come and go as they wish using free transportation. I would never have allowed our teenage kids to use offsite bus transportation or Uber on their own but had no problem with them using Disney transportation. I clean, do laundry, and cook meals every day at home. I do not want to do those things on vacation so a house with a laundry room and full kitchen does nothing for me -- those rooms would never get used. I love coming back the room in the afternoon to made up beds and fresh towels (I know that's not happening at Disney right now, but it has for all of our previous trips). We don't do a lot of swimming while we're at Disney so a private pool has no appeal to us. We like being immersed in Disney 24/7 while we're there -- leaving the bubble every day would definitely make our vacation less enjoyable. The thought of getting in a 100+ degree car at the end of a long day at the parks and then having to deal with traffic on unfamiliar roads sounds miserable to me. In our last 10 trips, I don't think we've ever left the bubble during our vacation even though we always have a car.

So as crazy as you think it is that people stay on property for their vacations, some of us think it's crazy to stay off site. Personally, I don't care where people stay. I understand the benefits of staying in a house near Disney, but those benefits don't appeal to everyone. To us, there are more benefits to staying onsite rather than offsite even if they aren't tangible. Our family goes on vacation to enjoy ourselves, not to get the cheapest accommodations.

 

[disneyseniors]

Some people stay onsite because it fits their idea of a "Disney vacation" better than staying off site. It's not about the money, it's about the experience.

For us, we have 5 kids. We could spend less money on a Disney trip by staying off site, but that's not the experience we want. We prefer to go to Disney every other year and stay onsite (usually in a suite at AoA) rather than go every year and stay offsite. We prefer to use Disney transportation when we're there. We drive over 1000 miles to get there so it's nice to not have to do any driving once we arrive (especially knowing we have a 15+ hour drive home after our vacation is over). Also along the lines of transportation -- we're a large family and we do not all operate on the same schedule. Some of us go to the parks early in the morning, some do not. Some of us stay until park closing, some do not. Some of us like a mid-day break, some do not. If we were offsite with one car, we'd all be forced to follow the same routine (or use Uber/Lyft...which adds to the cost of the vacation). If we're on site, the varied schedules aren't a problem as everyone can come and go as they wish using free transportation. I would never have allowed our teenage kids to use offsite bus transportation or Uber on their own but had no problem with them using Disney transportation. I clean, do laundry, and cook meals every day at home. I do not want to do those things on vacation so a house with a laundry room and full kitchen does nothing for me -- those rooms would never get used. I love coming back the room in the afternoon to made up beds and fresh towels (I know that's not happening at Disney right now, but it has for all of our previous trips). We don't do a lot of swimming while we're at Disney so a private pool has no appeal to us. We like being immersed in Disney 24/7 while we're there -- leaving the bubble every day would definitely make our vacation less enjoyable. The thought of getting in a 100+ degree car at the end of a long day at the parks and then having to deal with traffic on unfamiliar roads sounds miserable to me. In our last 10 trips, I don't think we've ever left the bubble during our vacation even though we always have a car.

So as crazy as you think it is that people stay on property for their vacations, some of us think it's crazy to stay off site. Personally, I don't care where people stay. I understand the benefits of staying in a house near Disney, but those benefits don't appeal to everyone. To us, there are more benefits to staying onsite rather than offsite even if they aren't tangible. Our family goes on vacation to enjoy ourselves, not to get the cheapest accommodations.

I agree with this 100%. My husband hates to drive in Florida and I get a vacation from cooking. It's all good

 

[Launchpad_Mcquack]

And we're missing out on potential evening EMH, 30-minute early entry, free transportation, and pretty much nothing else.

Why do you say potential? I was under the impression that Swan and Dolphin were part of EMH. Is that not true?

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I would rather have seen the extra hour for Disney resort guests only and not any partner hotels offsite,

Is there some confirmation somewhere that the Swan and Dolphin are getting the extra evening hours?

 

[Marionnette]

Is there some confirmation somewhere that the Swan and Dolphin are getting the extra evening hours?

The S/D has announced it on their FB page. Both early and evening extra time for Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. Kind of sucks that guests at other Disney-owned hotels will be excluded but guests who stay at those hotels will get the benefit. I own DVC, so it really doesn't impact me but it just doesn't seem right.

 

[Launchpad_Mcquack]

The S/D has announced it on their FB page. Both early and evening extra time for Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. Kind of sucks that guests at other Disney-owned hotels will be excluded but guests who stay at those hotels will get the benefit. I own DVC, so it really doesn't impact me but it just doesn't seem right.

This is good and bad because now Swan and Dolphin prices are going to skyrocket. I would rather give up the extra magic hours to be able to get a room walking distance to epcot for a reasonable price. Currently the rooms are $300-$350 after taxes and fees depending on time. I can see this pushing it into the $400 range which would be to rich for my blood.

 

[Cynner]

I still don't get it. Those prices are crazy! I didn't understand why anyone would stay on-site pre-pandemic - now with less perks, I can't fathom it.

We're staying off-site for 12 nights at a 6-bedroom, 3200 sq.ft. house. Even factoring in a rental car and gas - it's still going to cost about 25% less than even a moderate resort would at the same time of year. We will save at least $2K compared to a deluxe. For a MUCH bigger accommodation.

And we're missing out on potential evening EMH, 30-minute early entry, free transportation, and pretty much nothing else.

I get it - and I'm absolutely all about the Disney Bubble, I like to ignore the real world totally when I'm at Disney. For a large group and a longer stay, even I'm looking off site now - but only for half my trip. If I'm doing two weeks, I'm planning one week at Disney resorts (and I save money buy renting someone else's DVC points) and then one at an AirBNB. I love deluxe resorts - the beds are the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in (even better than my Casper at home) and I really do love the perks of being able to WALK to my hotel. But they are generally too expensive for me to do a straight resort room reservation.
I'm part of the evil demographic that would absolutely pick Deluxe over Moderate for the EMH in the evenings though. If they're offering After Hours events - staying at an AirBNB and using the extra money to get tickets sounds great to me. But holidays and short trips - no way I'm staying off property.

 

[motherof5]

It's being offered to guests staying at Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas Resorts, so yes, it includes DVC and those renting DVC.

Perfect. Thanks

 

[ST1TCH]

The S/D has announced it on their FB page. Both early and evening extra time for Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. Kind of sucks that guests at other Disney-owned hotels will be excluded but guests who stay at those hotels will get the benefit. I own DVC, so it really doesn't impact me but it just doesn't seem right.

That's pretty ridiculous. Surprised people aren't more up in arms about that. I'd say the pricing of the S/D is on par with the moderates so why do those resorts not get the perk?

 

[Lilylogan]

Disney hasn't said how long the evening hours will be or when it will start, right?

 

[mercuryvenus]

Disney hasn't said how long the evening hours will be or when it will start, right?

I think they said it’ll start on October 1st, but they haven’t said which days they’ll be on.

 

[sandrews0608]

It is my understanding that renting DVC points you get the early and late extra hours as well. I am renting points to stay at Saratoga (due to the proximity of Disney Springs) at a rate of $282 per night. Granted that is during January, so it is probably low season. I always prefer to stay on site as I like having the Disney bus system so that I don't have to drive. It is normally just 2 of us traveling and it is nice to have an adult beverage or 2. I wish that they would announce the evenings the extra hours are going to be. I have the hopper already on my ticket, so it doesn't matter for me but I am sure it does for many others. We only got the hopper as we often like to end the night at Epcot if we aren't going to Disney Springs.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

It is my understanding that renting DVC points you get the early and late extra hours as well. I am renting points to stay at Saratoga (due to the proximity of Disney Springs) at a rate of $282 per night. Granted that is during January, so it is probably low season. I always prefer to stay on site as I like having the Disney bus system so that I don't have to drive. It is normally just 2 of us traveling and it is nice to have an adult beverage or 2. I wish that they would announce the evenings the extra hours are going to be. I have the hopper already on my ticket, so it doesn't matter for me but I am sure it does for many others. We only got the hopper as we often like to end the night at Epcot if we aren't going to Disney Springs.

That is correct.

 

[Cj2017]

Delete

 

[Nabas]

Disney hasn't said how long the evening hours will be or when it will start, right?

Disney has not yet announced how long the evening hours will be.

 

[Nabas]

Disney hasn't said how long the evening hours will be or when it will start, right?

Disney has not yet announced how long the evening hours will be.

They will start October 1.

 

[jenniferahardin87]

I’m going oct 7-10. 7th staying at all star music, 8-10 staying at old key west. Going to park 8th only. Would I get the extra evening magic hour?

 

[e_yerger]

I’m going oct 7-10. 7th staying at all star music, 8-10 staying at old key west. Going to park 8th only. Would I get the extra evening magic hour?

Since your reservation at OKW starts the 8th, I would assume yes.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’m going oct 7-10. 7th staying at all star music, 8-10 staying at old key west. Going to park 8th only. Would I get the extra evening magic hour?

Yes, if there is an extra evening magic hour offered on Oct. 8 at the park you have a reservation for (or if you have a hopper or AP). Disney said the evening hours would be on "select" nights at "select" parks, which is different from the morning 30 minutes that will be every morning at every park.

 

[jade1]

Evening Magic Hours for Deluxe Guests Only

Wait, are we Deluxe Guests, or Guests staying Deluxe?