Extremely Pleased with After Hours

[focusondisney]

We did get the AP discount but we were already considering it at the full price and now after experiencing it I probably would still do it at full price

Thanks, I'd really love to do this. We would have been there this week except DH couldn't get away from work. I am really hoping they continue it & offer it in September, but realistically, I know they probably won't.

 

[jhaig]

What are the odds of this event being extended through the summer?

 

[AngiTN]

Us too and we didn't even pay extra for it. But then some of those praising this have few posts so maybe they're not as familiar with EMH.

Very familiar with EMH. Never saw a night during them that even remotely hit the low crowds we saw on Sunday night.

Wondering if those who said it was worth every cent paid full price ($149) got the AP or DVC discount ($79) or were comped their tickets. I'd love this to be available when we go in September & I'd probably actually pay full price. But since very few people seem to be actually paying full price, I don't expect it to be offered after the already announced dates.

We paid AP price but that was actually a refund as we'd already paid full price.

What are the odds of this event being extended through the summer?

My guess is slim to none. They can not possibly be making a much, if any money, on this event. Even if they sold them all at $149 I'd have to think it would be hard pressed to run MK and make a profit on $500,000 for the night (if there are 3000 tickets sold). Not when there is probably a ratio of 5 CM to every 1 guest in the park. If not more than that. That's not even including the food and drink given away (which I'm sure at their cost is actually quite minimal). But every item given away, even if it costs Disney just $1, is loosing the $3 or so more it would make if that item were sold.

But add in the fact that many tickets are sold at only $75 or given away for free just to put bodies in the park, take home for the night is even lower. I'd have to guess they are loosing money with all the staff and operating costs involved. But that's just my guess

 

[TxWriterMama]

Us too and we didn't even pay extra for it. But then some of those praising this have few posts so maybe they're not as familiar with EMH.

I have few posts but we go to WDW a lot. I just wasn't keen on joining Disboards because I have so many social media accounts as it is.

Anyway. We always use the late EMH and are very familiar with and like them. We also love the MNSSHP. We did 4 of those in October of 2015 when we were in FL for 21 days just because the low crowds are a big plus for our particular family and our kiddo's needs.

We paid full price for both nights After Hour nights we attended last week. I'd pay it all over again for that level of low crowd and the late night hours that work best for kiddo's night owl nature.

 

[Planogirl]

It sounds like it is super quiet if it's even better than EMH when it ran late. Wow!

I just wonder if the crowds are big enough for Disney. I guess that time will tell.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

That is amazing you got to do so many rides! I am glad you had such a great time. Sounded real fun! Plus a nice bonus to get the refund. As you were willing to pay full price.

I bet the atmosphere was electric.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I can understand why the people who stayed on site and use to get this for free are upset. If I had stayed on site all these years and this was taken away,I imagine I would be upset too.....but in almost 30 years of going to Disney I've never stayed on site. It wasn't because I was against it, or that I wanted to snub it, or that I "preferred" staying off site. It was because Disney doesn't offer the accommodations my group desires for lodging thats in a price range we can afford.

We like our space. We want separate bedrooms, not 2 hotels beds in one room. I'm on vacation and if I want a nap, I don't want to have to try and find peace and quiet in the same room as the kids watching tv or running in and out to the pool. We always stay 7 to 10 days at a time and have a few days as "rest days" to lounge around. Being cramped in a hotel room would be murder. People get stressed on vacation as it is. Being in such close quarters would likely result in arguing, etc. So we either have to rent multiple hotel rooms or go into Disney accommodations which are way beyond our family's budget (which we can't do).

With that said, when I go to the parks we spend the same money as anyone else. We eat, we buy souvenirs, purchase Memory Maker or ride photos - just like people who stay on site.

Off site stayers have been penalized for decades for not staying on site. One could argue that its not the off site people being penalized but rather the on site stayers being given benefits over what is "normal". I choose to view it as the former since many of these "benefits" are now being taken away.

As off site stayers, we never got EMH, have to pay to park, must wait 30 more days to make FP+ reservations, are not given 10+ days earlier to make ADR's, etc. That was our penalty for not staying in Disney accommodations....the same accommodations which we have never been able to find (in an affordable range) that worked for our family anyway.

Disney hotels don't really need to attract more people now. They are at or near capacity. There is no need to extend more benefits to resort guests at this point because many have been brainwashed enough over the years to think there is no other alternative. So the next best move to Disney is to start appealing to off site guests by offering some of these same features (normally given for free to on site guests) as a paid option. Now we have "paid EMH" or "DAH" as they like to call it.....and its working.

From a business standpoint its brilliant. Take "some" of what you've been giving to one group for free and start offering it to the "deprived" group for a fee. In Disney's case, it works and as long as it keeps working I would expect to see more "on site features" being offered to the "off site" people for a fee in the future. With hotels at or near capacity, there is no one left to appeal to except the off site guests. They have never really had the opportunity to experience "less crowded parks" like the EMH offered on site guests so its going to be a big appeal now that its offered (once word gets our more).

I have no regrets about being an off site stayer and all of my future plans include staying off site. With places like Windsor Hills so close to Disney property, where I can rent a 3000 sqft 6 bedroom house with its own pool and hot tub for less than I can rent 2 rooms at Pop, there is nothing that could attract me to Disney property at this point. The possibility of having the park to ourselves for the "paid EMH (DAH)" and with the money we save staying off site plus skipping out on a regular day ticket to MK, we could certainly pay for the DAH tickets and enjoy the park with less heat, less crowds, and at times of the day we are normally up anyway (night owls).

Thats exactly what Disney wants.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I just wonder how long it will be before Disney starts increasing the number of tickets sold? It may be a while, but you know they will.

Does anyone have any idea of a ballpark figure of how many are allowed in each night at the present moment?

 

[fbb]

It sounds like it is super quiet if it's even better than EMH when it ran late. Wow!

I just wonder if the crowds are big enough for Disney. I guess that time will tell.

They could enhance the hours from 3 to 2, like they did with EMH.

 

[Laz]

We just returned from a 4 day trip to WDW and we had tickets for MK After Hours. Originally we weren't planning on going to parks that day but after the new AP discount came in we decide to go. And let me tell you, it was WORTH EVERY PENNY.

I went with my mom and brother, this is my brothers 1st trip in almost 10 years and I he was a hard sell to get to go to begin with but he thoroughly enjoyed the AH event and I think he really got to experience all the magic and wonder of Disney without the stress of crowds (and heat).

We arrived to MK around 845 and this is everything we did:
1) Buzz Lightyear
2)PeopleMover
3) Dumbo
4)Under the Sea
5) Big Thunder (during Wishes, magical)
6) Haunted Mansion
7) Jungle Cruise
8) POTC
9) it's a small world
10) Peter Pan
11) Meet with Rapunzel/Cinderella
12) 7DMT
13) Winnie the Pooh
14) Buzz Lighytear (4 times through without getting off the ride, we were aiming for Galactic Hero)

We also ate 6 ice cream "novelties" and got 12 bottles of water/pop.

Overall the CMs were amazing, especially at Buzz, they kept asking how we did each ride.
At some points we literally enjoyed just sitting and wondering at the amazement of an empty Main Street.

At the end of the day, I highly encourage this event and hope they continue it!

Question to the OP: Were these the only rides open, or were these just the ones you rode? I noticed you did not list Space Mountain or Splash Mountain.

I am wondering if it would be worth the price if I would reduce the number of days I would spend in the MK in favor of going for one night, knowing that I could crank rides out by avoiding crowds. I would be paying the full price.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't think I'm brainwashed because I opt to stay on site but I get what you are saying. But I wouldn't expect to see these stay around. Not in their current form

I just wonder how long it will be before Disney starts increasing the number of tickets sold? It may be a while, but you know they will.

Does anyone have any idea of a ballpark figure of how many are allowed in each night at the present moment?

A guest services CM told me 1500 tickets.
No idea if he truly knew or not
But the are pushing the extremely low crowds as a main feature of the night. They aren't going to sell 10,000
The could double what is currently sold and it still would be empty

Question to the OP: Were these the only rides open, or were these just the ones you rode? I noticed you did not list Space Mountain or Splash Mountain.

I am wondering if it would be worth the price if I would reduce the number of days I would spend in the MK in favor of going for one night, knowing that I could crank rides out by avoiding crowds. I would be paying the full price.

Space and Splash are both open. Even Stitch and Tiki Room
I think the only things not open are Monster's Inc (can't get enough people to make a show entertaining) and Enchanted Tales (same).
The only M&G open were Mickey and the Princesses, the rest closed.
Liberty Boat isn't operating and Tom Sawyer Island is closed
Not sure if Ariel's ride was operating
Oh, and People Mover was closed, to my disappointment. That's one I love at night and would have done. I think they should open it vs. Stitch

 

[whiporee]

can understand why the people who stayed on site and use to get this for free are upset. If I had stayed on site all these years and this was taken away,I imagine I would be upset too

I just want to clarify this idea people keep saying -- there's been no talk whatsoever of this replacing EMHs. That's a key part of resort marketing that isn't going away anytime soon, because they've booked people under the impression of free EMH as one of the perks of staying on site. That's not going away for at least a year, and I doubt it ever goes away. DAH may replace those nights where the park stays open late as a part of basic admission, but it's not influencing EMH's availability.

So resort guests are not losing anything; it's just that everyone would have a chance to purchase other late nights.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I just want to clarify this idea people keep saying -- there's been no talk whatsoever of this replacing EMHs.

I should have used better wording in my original post as I see how it came across that I was saying EMH was being taken away. Thats not what I meant and I don't think anyone actually means its being taken away. What they mean is that something that was exclusive to them is being taken away - and it is. EMH was only offered to resort guests. That is no longer the case. Even though you pay for DAH, you are still getting access to EMH (because thats basically what DAH is).

Thats where I think a lot of the confusion comes from. We all know they aren't doing away with EMH. Its that they are doing away with an entitlement that was previously only able to be experienced by those who stayed on site.

 

[AngiTN]

I should have used better wording in my original post as I see how it came across that I was saying EMH was being taken away. Thats not what I meant and I don't think anyone actually means its being taken away. What they mean is that something that was exclusive to them is being taken away - and it is. EMH was only offered to resort guests. That is no longer the case. Even though you pay for DAH, you are still getting access to EMH (because thats basically what DAH is).

Thats where I think a lot of the confusion comes from. We all know they aren't doing away with EMH. Its that they are doing away with an entitlement that was previously only able to be experienced by those who stayed on site.

I agree with you and don't believe the DAH is a sign of anything. I know you weren't trying to suggest they are taking away EMH there are quite a few posters here who have. They have posted that they believe the addition of the paid events means that EMH is doomed and that Disney is going to start charging for lots of extra events. There were even some who went so far to suggest that RoL would only be offered to guests who paid. And some are saying that Disney will sell some sort of package to get access to the new Frozen area at Epcot, once it opens. I think the opposite and if anything the lack of sales for DAH shows it won't work financially

 

[nicko]

.....

So resort guests are not losing anything; it's just that everyone would have a chance to purchase other late nights.

I disagree. Almost everyone loses with DAH. Disney may keep EMH, but they will dial down the closing hours every other night to try and sell DAH.

In July, MK is traditionally opened until midnight. Disney won't be able to sell many DAH tickets if the hours are midnight to 3 AM. It's simply too late for most folks. Instead they will close MK early and then try and sell you back most of the hours you previously got with your base ticket for another $159. This is an arrogant move on the company's part and will further alienate their loyal customer base.

Ask yourself why MK hours for July are still posted at 10 PM closing every night whereas in previous years, MK was posted as closing at Midnight several months ahead of time?

For most folks, including on site and off site guests, it's a bad deal. However, I concede that for a few people, perhaps those not visiting WDW on any other day, it's an OK deal. However, that's a pretty narrow demographic. So far, the public rejects this offer. I hope that continues.

 

[Paigevon]

DAH and EMH had a completely different feel to me. Walk on to everything, space mountain 7 times, 5 in a row; 7DMT 5 times, everything was walk on except 7D and as we approached we would be the next load. EMH has maybe slightly lower crowds than day time as the night goes on but much more than DAH. DAH this past Thursday has just enough people to be fun and festive. I'd pay $75 to do it again even being an AP holder.

 

[whiporee]

I disagree. Almost everyone loses with DAH. Disney may keep EMH, but they will dial down the closing hours every other night to try and sell DAH.

In July, MK is traditionally opened until midnight. Disney won't be able to sell many DAH tickets if the hours are midnight to 3 AM. It's simply too late for most folks. Instead they will close MK early and then try and sell you back most of the hours you previously got with your base ticket for another $159. This is an arrogant move on the company's part and will further alienate their loyal customer base.

Ask yourself why MK hours for July are still posted at 10 PM closing every night whereas in previous years, MK was posted as closing at Midnight several months ahead of time?

For most folks, including on site and off site guests, it's a bad deal. However, I concede that for a few people, perhaps those not visiting WDW on any other day, it's an OK deal. However, that's a pretty narrow demographic. So far, the public rejects this offer. I hope that continues.

This debate has been ongoing since DAH was announced.

After months of thinking DAH was the end of late June nights, they were announced this week. The park's open about the usual times it's open. I think it's fair to say the same thing will happen in July. I'm not even sure they're doing it later, but because of the threat of DAH, people sure think they are announcing it later.

But the argument is a circular one. One of the reasons people like late nights is because the park isn't very crowded. But sparsely attended parks don't make a lot of sense from a WDW standpoint -- it's just added cost for the benefit of very few guests. DAH gives them the chance to get some revenue during those late hours.

If your supposition is true and this fails, I think Disney could decide that being open that late doesn't make any sense, period, except for EMH. If Disney is truly wanting to cut these late night costs, their decision isn't whether they should stay open late as part of daily admission or charge for late hours; it's whether they should charge for late hours or be open at all.

If Disney doesn't think there's value in late nights, they'll just close the park earlier. All this event failing shows Disney is that there's no real reason to be open past 10 or 11.

 

[nicko]

This debate has been ongoing since DAH was announced.

After months of thinking DAH was the end of late June nights, they were announced this week. The park's open about the usual times it's open. I think it's fair to say the same thing will happen in July. I'm not even sure they're doing it later, but because of the threat of DAH, people sure think they are announcing it later.

But the argument is a circular one. One of the reasons people like late nights is because the park isn't very crowded. But sparsely attended parks don't make a lot of sense from a WDW standpoint -- it's just added cost for the benefit of very few guests. DAH gives them the chance to get some revenue during those late hours.

If your supposition is true and this fails, I think Disney could decide that being open that late doesn't make any sense, period, except for EMH. If Disney is truly wanting to cut these late night costs, their decision isn't whether they should stay open late as part of daily admission or charge for late hours; it's whether they should charge for late hours or be open at all.

If Disney doesn't think there's value in late nights, they'll just close the park earlier. All this event failing shows Disney is that there's no real reason to be open past 10 or 11.

I have been to MK many times in late June, July and early August. I can assure the MK is quite crowded between 10 and midnight during the summer. Sure Dumbo will be walk on, but BTM or Space Mountain will still have a 30-40 minute wait. Many people stay right to closing. The slightly cooler summer temperatures probably have a lot to do with that.

I think it's precisely why they came up with DAH. Someone at corporate said: "Wow those parks are really busy later in the evening. What if we closed earlier and then made them pay extra to stay later?" If there wasn't demand between 10 PM and midnight when included with a regular ticket purchase, there certainly wouldn't be much demand for that time period for an extra $159.

 

[AngiTN]

I have been to MK many times in late June, July and early August. I can assure the MK is quite crowded between 10 and midnight during the summer. Sure Dumbo will be walk on, but BTM or Space Mountain will still have a 30-40 minute wait. Many people stay right to closing. The slightly cooler summer temperatures probably have a lot to do with that.

I think it's precisely why they came up with DAH. Someone at corporate said: "Wow those parks are really busy later in the evening. What if we closed earlier and then made them pay extra to stay later?" If there wasn't demand between 10 PM and midnight when included with a regular ticket purchase, there certainly wouldn't be much demand for that time period for an extra $159.

And there isn't much demand. Which is why they are having to give away tickets

The reason EMH were popular is exactly why there is hesitation to extend hours, both regular or more EMH. Sure there are still waits but there are way fewer guests in the parks. If there are not enough to be worth opening then they won't see the need.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

From all the reports it sounds awesome!
I'm hoping that they will offer an early morning event or late night event when we are there in early - mid December.
I'm not holing my breath though!