Extra Magic Hours Still Exist

[Delirium]

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

For starters, the 'Evening Event' is $149 PER PERSON, not a flat $69 charge. For my family of 4, that would be $600. And, all of the other things you listed are costs the guest will likely incur whether it's extra magic hour, or standard hours. I've never heard of someone that will buy Mouse Ears at 8:59 a.m. that won't buy them at 9:01 a.m. Plus, they are SINGULAR costs, not the multiple of 4 cost for the family.

 

[Allison]

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

I would call this speculation. And guess what-that is fine. It is a discussion board. People are posting their thoughts and opinions. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[JimmyV]

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

And it was pointed out (and you acknowledged) that other than the $11 Starbucks cost, all the other expenses would likely be incurred irrespective of EMH/DAH/Regular Admission. No cost other than Starbucks is unique to EMH. Stated differently, for your premise to be true, if Disney does away with EMH, it will sell fewer Mickey ears and pins. And there Is no support for that assumption.

 

[HopperFan]

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.

Maybe not now ..... but I guarantee you that once Frozenland, Avatarland, Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land opens they can sell out these paid EMH, maybe daily.

MK is peanuts compared to what they can make at the other parks.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree, I hate everyone getting themselves upset over "what if". Or some phone cm or a bus driver has "secret information". It happens all the time on the DVC board. About a year and a half ago, there was a big rumor that they were going to eliminate the DVC member AP discount at the end of 2014. Everyone was fretting. I ended up buying an AP voucher even though I didn't have another WDW trip for a year. Never happened (although it did save me 2 price increases). Then the rumors that they were going to change resales to only be able to book your home resort. Never happened. Or they are going to end renting even though it's allowed in the DVC contract. Hasn't happened.

 

[JimmyV]

Maybe not now ..... but I guarantee you that once Frozenland, Avatarland, Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land opens they can sell out these paid EMH. MK is peanuts compared to what they can make at the other parks.

Exactly what I was thinking. Pay-to-play early/late admission is intriguing at the MK. But it's real value will come when it is applied to Star Wars Land. That has a built in demographic that will be older and more likely to attract people who are willing to stay up late.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I don't understand why so many are convinced it has to be either/or. Why can't they continue to offer EMH to resort guests as a perk to get people to book the relatively expensive onsite resorts, while ALSO offering paid EMH to offsite guests? Aren't there offsite guests eager to pay for some of the onsite perks without wanting the expense of an onsite room?

Also - I've heard over and over again how "free" dining isn't free. By the same logic, "free" EMH was never free.

 

[HopperFan]

Exactly what I was thinking. Pay-to-play early/late admission is intriguing at the MK. But it's real value will come when it is applied to Star Wars Land. That has a built in demographic that will be older and more likely to attract people who are willing to stay up late.

Maybe the MK is just to work all the kinks out before they implement where they really can "save Shanghai". I believe a paid EMH/meal to those lands would be the Golden Goose .... and I'll pay it.

 

[JimmyV]

I believe a paid EMH/meal to those lands would be the Golden Goose .... and I'll pay it.

Just look at what early admission to HP has done to Universal's hotel bookings (and room rates at the Deluxe resorts). That is their version of pay-to-play. Tip of the iceberg compared to SW at WDW.

 

[alh2011]

I wonder how "limited" the tickets will be for the early morning events? With only 3 rides operational I don't see how it would be beneficial if 100's of people in line. I think it would defeat the purpose if still had to wait 45 mins to ride.

 

[DebbieB]

I wonder how "limited" the tickets will be for the early morning events? With only 3 rides operational I don't see how it would be beneficial if 100's of people in line. I think it would defeat the purpose if still had to wait 45 mins to ride.

That is the fine line that is going to be interesting. Disney will want to sell as many tickets as possible but they have limited space for the breakfast and if lines are long people are going to complain. Same with the evening, people are expecting walk ons for their $169 but Disney will have the temptation to push the ticket limit.

 

[pens4821]

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.

Thank you!! It's getting on my nerves reading about EMH ending. No one has any inclination what so ever of this happening. Just message board speculation from no where.

Extra hours seem to be the norm at any theme park anymore for resort guests/season pass holders (maybe not quite as generous as Disney). I doubt Disney gets rid of them.

 

[Shanti]

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.

Agreed. There has been too much negativity on Disboards lately. You'd think Disney World was being torn down.

 

[Planogirl]

When I plan I prefer to find out what might happen so I can plan accordingly. If we only relied on the way things are today then I think that future planning would be subpar.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

But on this board they have anticipated everything from paid extra hours events and the current EMH coexisting, to elimination of current EMH entirely and paid extra hours events every single day at all parks. How do you determine which to go with? Many will just pick the worst case scenario.

 

[DoingDisney]

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.

In April 2014 there were 14 MK morning EMHs, in 2015 there were 13 Morning MK EMHs, in April 2016 ... there are 5 .... 5.

BUT ... there is a new premium paid access to the park which "wont affect MK morning EMH's" ... right ?

How are there no indications that EMH's are going away again ?

 

[Planogirl]

If I had a trip coming up, I would plan for EMH going away. Then it's a bonus if it doesn't but I'm prepared if it does.

 

[HopperFan]

If I had a trip coming up, I would plan for EMH going away. Then it's a bonus if it doesn't but I'm prepared if it does.

That would be a good plan so that you could get what you wanted to get done in traditional times. If you can do EMH, great, let it be total fun and not because it's the end all to get things done.

Not everyone even gets to use them because they may not be staying the right days, or arrival/departures are a conflict, or kids too young for PM ... it's great for some, and something that MANY guests do not even use.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

Given the direction we have seen Disney going, I would say the potential loss of free EMH is far from 'hyperbole'... rather, it's very likely.

To your own point, OP, why forego extra income they could earn from EMH? Because they are betting on bigger profits. Opening one small section and three rides costs far less than the whole park. And, it is unlikely many guests would spend the $69 in their first few minutes in the park - a bird in the hand...

This is not the first or last time Disney will choose the quick buck. Shanghai is bleeding and they are clearly sweeping out every crevice and shaking out every sofa cushion looking for loose change. What I don't understand is why marginalize the loyal regulars who willingly fork out 10s of thousands per family to visit, year after year. They have a cast of thousands on these boards alone yet instead choose to focus their efforts on first time guests, many of which will never return again based on the experience and perceived value for money.

Oh, I know... They're a business, and if they build it, people will come. But the decisions they've been making seem awfully shortsighted to me. And I am sure there are plenty more from where they came from, so buckle up. We could be in for a wild ride.

 

[Minniekins]

Maybe not now ..... but I guarantee you that once Frozenland, Avatarland, Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land opens they can sell out these paid EMH, maybe daily.
MK is peanuts compared to what they can make at the other parks.

Sorry, a bit off topic, but what is Frozenland? Did I something? Or are you referring to the new ride and M&G in Epcot?