Extra Magic Hours Still Exist

[Sevey13]

A lot of hyperbole going around this board the past few days, people claiming that Disney has done away with Extra Magic Hours or is going to.

So far, there has been zero (0) indication or announcement of Disney that EMH are going anywhere. Nada. Zip. People are getting genuinely confused when they read your speculation. For all of our sakes, when you speculate on something as major as that please clarify for others that you are merely speculating.

This is a planning forum, so posting these things as fact really takes away from the usefulness of this medium as a way for people to get up-to-date information on WDW for their upcoming trips.

 

[mom2rtk]

A lot of hyperbole going around this board the past few days, people claiming that Disney has done away with Extra Magic Hours or is going to.

So far, there has been zero (0) indication or announcement of Disney that EMH are going anywhere. Nada. Zip. People are getting genuinely confused when they read your speculation. For all of our sakes, when you speculate on something as major as that please clarify for others that you are merely speculating.

This is a planning forum, so posting these things as fact really takes away from the usefulness of this medium as a way for people to get up-to-date information on WDW for their upcoming trips.

Nobody claims Disney has done away with EMH. LOTS of people think they are laying the groundwork though.

And plenty of people are looking for and getting advice on how to adjust their long standing plans in light of the curve balls being lobbed at them on a seemingly daily basis right now.

 

[Delirium]

So far,

I disagree with the premise of your post. This is an excellent way for the Disney consumer to let the company know what we are thinking. The fact that you started your argument with 'So far' speaks volumes about where we all believe this is headed.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It might happen, it might not. Hasn't happened yet but it's being treated as if it is a done deal by some. Same with the resort fees.

I don't see any reason to totally CHANGE plans based on "Hey this looks like they are going to maybe get rid of EMH totally" but maybe think about an alternative. You can't tell the future.

 

[BrianL]

Hey, let's hope they don't get rid of EMH, but I can't blame anybody for thinking that's the way the wind is blowing. It certainly wouldn't be very surprising. If they keep EMH they can run over-priced special events all night as far as I'm concerned.

 

[HopperFan]

A lot of hyperbole going around this board the past few days, people claiming that Disney has done away with Extra Magic Hours or is going to.

So far, there has been zero (0) indication or announcement of Disney that EMH are going anywhere. Nada. Zip. People are getting genuinely confused when they read your speculation. For all of our sakes, when you speculate on something as major as that please clarify for others that you are merely speculating.

This is a planning forum, so posting these things as fact really takes away from the usefulness of this medium as a way for people to get up-to-date information on WDW for their upcoming trips.

I haven't seen anyone say they ARE going away. I think the discussion has been about all the possibilities that these new events have brought to the table. They are putting forth a strange combo of things that will make it hard for guests to coexist.

AND it certainly does help people plan .... if you have PPO BOG, you need to stay tuned because you might have just lost the whole reason you might have booked it for. OR if things keep changing and if things do away, how will that impact your trip so you can adjust to be prepared. I WANT to know all the what ifs so that I can have a Plan B and C.

This whole discussion board is pretty much OPINION. You can't even get the "old timers" to agree on basic Disney policy and rules as fact. DISCUSSION.

YES people should put out there "rumor" "looks like" "opinion" "what if" "thinking out loud" "might" etc ............ and I think most have.

Besides NOTHING at Disney is fact until it is up and operating, not even if Disney tells you it's coming.

 

[Love Tink]

So far, there has been zero (0) indication or announcement of Disney that EMH are going anywhere. Nada. Zip.

Uh....disagree completely. The fact that Disney is now introducing what amounts to paid-EMH is a very strong indication that free-to-resort-guests EMH will soon be a thing of the past. If you don't see that, you haven't been paying attention.

 

[Nancyg56]

Uh....disagree completely. The fact that Disney is now introducing what amounts to paid-EMH is a very strong indication that free-to-resort-guests EMH will soon be a thing of the past. If you don't see that, you haven't been paying attention.

I'm paying attention, and I am not convinced that EMH will disappear. I do think that Disney has no problems capitalizing on the folks who thought they were capitalizing on DIsney by planning on how to get in the park early but not ordering I'll meals at BOG. I don't blame the guests, Disney allowed it so why not? But that did prove that there is a group of folks who do want early access to certain attractions. By opening 3 to these folks Disney can contain guests to a very tight area. Now I do not use EMH either early or late, so I don't know which attractions are open to guests, but this seems to more restricted to me. It is in essence a breakfast that includes access to three attractions. Period. I think that Disney will not kill EMH, not if they want to keep their resorts filled with minimal discounts.

 

[Sevey13]

Uh....disagree completely. The fact that Disney is now introducing what amounts to paid-EMH is a very strong indication that free-to-resort-guests EMH will soon be a thing of the past. If you don't see that, you haven't been paying attention.

Remember a few things: there are four parks, not just one. The difference between attendance at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (the second most attended park) is almost in the tens of millions per year. That is a LOT of people. There may be demand for this at MK, but considering the gulf of visitors to the other three parks are you sure there is even demand for weekly paid entries? I don't mean for people like us who eat the parks up and would love to take that snapshot of the Tree of Life at dawn, but for the average joe.

Second, this is a planning forum, not a speculation forum. As ROL have taught us, it is fruitless to try to plan for what might be. So why cloud the issue? The first time I came to this forum was to seek out information on splitting a Wishes cruise for an upcoming trip. I represent many people who come here for a specific thing or to ask for advice about something for a trip they are planning.

The point I am trying to make is that I have seen two separate posts on here, including a full thread, that was started predicated with the notion that EMH is confirmed to go away. I'm saying no they are not.

 

[Delirium]

If there are FREE evening Extra Magic Hours at MK next year at this time, it's because this experiment failed. Disney will not continue to offer the free option if they have enough demand for the pay version.

Unfortunately, there may be some demand for the pay version, but that does not mean the average Disney consumer can afford it. Whether that matters to Disney or not, I can't answer.

 

[mesaboy2]

Remember a few things: there are four parks, not just one. The difference between attendance at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (the second most attended park) is almost in the tens of millions per year. That is a LOT of people. There may be demand for this at MK, but considering the gulf of visitors to the other three parks are you sure there is even demand for weekly paid entries? I don't mean for people like us who eat the parks up and would love to take that snapshot of the Tree of Life at dawn, but for the average joe.

Second, this is a planning forum, not a speculation forum. As ROL have taught us, it is fruitless to try to plan for what might be. So why cloud the issue? The first time I came to this forum was to seek out information on splitting a Wishes cruise for an upcoming trip. I represent many people who come here for a specific thing or to ask for advice about something for a trip they are planning.

The point I am trying to make is that I have seen two separate posts on here, including a full thread, that was started predicated with the notion that EMH is confirmed to go away. I'm saying no they are not.

It is a discussion forum. Good luck separating fact from rumor and speculation.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Lots of trials end in failure at WDW. Take the "after hours" shindig at Epcot a couple of years ago. Total bust. Cost us 150 bucks for the two of us to sit at Tutto and drink the equivalent of one glass of wine. Meh.

 

[Delirium]

Disney could squash the rumor very easily if it was not true. Simply post a statement such as this.....

"The new after hours option at MK will not impact our commitment to providing free extra magic hours to guests that stay at Disney Resorts. After Hours will provide another option to our Disney Resort guests as well as providing an exciting new opportunity to Disney guests that are not EMH eligible."

See how easy that would be?

Do you think we'll see an announcement like that? I don't.

And, yes, having free EMH has a significant impact in my Disney planning, so I see nothing wrong with it being on this forum.

 

[Sevey13]

Disney could squash the rumor very easily if it was not true. Simply post a statement such as this.....

"The new after hours option at MK will not impact our commitment to providing free extra magic hours to guests that stay at Disney Resorts. After Hours will provide another option to our Disney Resort guests as well as providing an exciting new opportunity to Disney guests that are not EMH eligible."

See how easy that would be?

Do you think we'll see an announcement like that? I don't.

And, yes, having free EMH has a significant impact in my Disney planning, so I see nothing wrong with it being on this forum.

From the Disney Parks Blog:

[NOTE: Disney Resort Guests will continue to be able to enjoy Extra Magic Hours, while this new event takes place on different dates and is another option for enjoying Magic Kingdom.]

 

[Delirium]

From the Disney Parks Blog:

[NOTE: Disney Resort Guests will continue to be able to enjoy Extra Magic Hours, while this new event takes place on different dates and is another option for enjoying Magic Kingdom.]

I fully understand they are not eliminating EMH for April or May of 2016, but that statement is hardly a commitment to offer free emh in 2017 and beyond.

 

[kittyab]

why would they continue to give free extra magic hours when they can sell them?

 

[momto28weeker+1]

I fully understand they are not eliminating EMH for April or May of 2016, but that statement is hardly a commitment to offer free emh in 2017 and beyond.

I am booked for August. I hope EMH are still there. We haven't been to Disney in 5 years. We stay on property because of the perks.

 

[Delirium]

I am booked for August. I hope EMH are still there. We haven't been to Disney in 5 years. We stay on property because of the perks.

Since they are already on the official calendar, I can't imagine they would be removed. I have the same question for our October trip. My guess is that if they are on the schedule, they will stay. But, don't be surprised if they stop appearing on future schedules, possibly as early as January 2017.

 

[Sevey13]

why would they continue to give free extra magic hours when they can sell them?

Because they really can't be making all that much money off this compared to EMH.

Here's what I wrote in another thread:

Not at all. If for no other reason, there is a fixed amount of money they can make off this. No stores and other restaurants are open, so the only $ Disney can make off this is the $69 or whatever they charge for the event. That's $69 per guest income. Consider a guest arriving for EMH. They walk down main street and get pulled in for a Starbucks coffee and a croissant ($11). Its their first day in the parks...time to buy those Mickey Ears ($15). Son sees a new pin he's gotta have ($11.95). A Photopass Photog takes a great family photo in front of the castle in the early morning light ($15). Time to ride Splash Mountain before the lines. Look at that on-ride photo! So adorable. Gotta pick that one up! ($15). See what I mean? In 30 minutes of EMH, Disney has already made almost as much income off a person ($67.95) as they will in a whole two-hour time frame, with the potential for more. Any way you crunch it, EMH means more money for Disney than this event so EMH aren't going anywhere

 

[lesliekatya]

I'm trying to stay hopeful. (It's getting harder by the day, believe me) Disney started certain perks because they wanted people to stay onsite - ME, EMH. They did this because it will give them more money in their pockets if people stay onsite, not out of the kindness of their hearts. I'm okay with that, because I like taking advantage of them. I have to believe they will not take the chance of reducing the appeal of their resorts.

That said, I do think they will see how far they can push it before they start getting pushed back. God knows the exorbitant prices haven't put people off staying onsite yet. I'm nervous about the speculation, but I'm willing to wait and see what actually happens before I freak out.