Just got off the phone with Disney CS EMH and other changes

[Fel]

I used the contact us screen and e-mailed disney regarding the proposed resort fee, the fee for the EMH both day and night and the "additional fee" for parking as a resort guest. Disney Guest Services called me back this morning. As of now, Disney is not taking away EMH from resort guests. The Nighttime and Early Morning Magic Kingdom event is aimed to give non-resort guest the options to go during these times. Currently resort guest are the only guests allowed to go either early or late depending on the EMH park and time AND it only effects the Magic Kingdom. "Jenny" also said that the addition of a resort fee or the parking fee is only a survey and will depend on the outcome of the survey. I understand that everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. "Jenny" seemed genuinely concerned about being upset and did her best to assure me. She said that every Friday in April and I think she said May too is a EMH for MK.

If you are upset with these or have concerns regarding the possibility please take a moment of your time all us the "contact us" screen on the WDW website an let them know. Maybe if enough people she their concern it may change the course of events. Remember Disney is dependent on us....not the other way around.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

"Jenny" also said that the addition of a resort fee or the parking fee is only a survey and will depend on the outcome of the survey.

What are the chances that the results of the survey won't show that guests are simply begging, clamoring, and demanding resort fees, parking fees, etc.?

I do commend you for contacting them.

 

[Fel]

I imagine it will depend on how Disney words the survey. I did not receive one so I cannot comment to it. With any luck those who did may have an space to type freely, if so I pray that those individuals will express their dissatisfaction over the possibility. I also pray that Disney will listen to their patrons and take heed. Lastly, if this does go into effect I pray that those who already have reservation will be grandfathered in.

 

[Fel]

I also hope that others will get on the band wagon and e-mail.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I also hope that others will get on the band wagon and e-mail.

#agreed.

I emailed them to let them know the reasons why, for the first time in over fifteen years, I do not have a Disney trip planned.

 

[Kimberly9701]

#agreed.

I emailed them to let them know the reasons why, for the first time in over fifteen years, I do not have a Disney trip planned.

I used the contact us screen and e-mailed disney regarding the proposed resort fee, the fee for the EMH both day and night and the "additional fee" for parking as a resort guest. Disney Guest Services called me back this morning. As of now, Disney is not taking away EMH from resort guests. The Nighttime and Early Morning Magic Kingdom event is aimed to give non-resort guest the options to go during these times. Currently resort guest are the only guests allowed to go either early or late depending on the EMH park and time AND it only effects the Magic Kingdom. "Jenny" also said that the addition of a resort fee or the parking fee is only a survey and will depend on the outcome of the survey. I understand that everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. "Jenny" seemed genuinely concerned about being upset and did her best to assure me. She said that every Friday in April and I think she said May too is a EMH for MK.

If you are upset with these or have concerns regarding the possibility please take a moment of your time all us the "contact us" screen on the WDW website an let them know. Maybe if enough people she their concern it may change the course of events. Remember Disney is dependent on us....not the other way around.

Sorry..but why complain? It's not affecting resort guests. As an ex SoFla resident who went to Disney 1 or 2 times per year- 1 F&W, 1 islands of adventure/Disney combo- both of which were weekend trips- these add on would have been great for myself and my friends- especially the night time hours. For me- even staying on site would have been worth the lower crowds/less kids at night.
Now I have a 5 year old and am in a different place in my life- hence why I'm on disboards asking a million questions about our upcoming cruise/park trip..which isn't even until Novemeber and I have NEVER planned a trip this far out!lol.
Even with us staying at CR and the convenience of being at MK at rope drop, the morning hours still are kind of attractive to me to save fast passes and ride 7DWT several times.
I definitely don't think this is geared towards resort guests though.. There are thousands of people that don't stay on site..and this is a great opportunity for them..or the 3/4 night Disney world resort guest who wants to maximize park time.
I'll also add this, my son will be 6 next month..so I don't see Disney World being the main focus of our trips for years to come..definitely not 8 nights again.. But 3/4 nights in combo with Universal (my son LOVES roller coasters so I think Universal will be more appealing to him in the coming years.. Next year we are (planning on) doing a Med Disney Cruise or Aulani..so if we do do DW would be max 2 days..prob while we are visiting SoFla... I am not the only person like this- if something is beneficial to others, and does not negatively affect you- then why try to orevent their benefits? Not trying to be rude.. Just asking everyone to look at the bigger picture.

 

[preemiemama]

I emailed yesterday as well. I am hoping more people will do the same. I DO have a trip planned- we are going in July to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I let them know this, and that we were considering changing if things continued to go the way of nickel and dime-ing their loyal "fan base". At some point, they will need their return visitors to sustain them- not just luring people in for a one-and-done. There needs to be a balance, and I let them know that coming out with AM and PM paid events, parking fees, tiered tickets, along with cutbacks and rumored resort fees for things they have long leveraged as perks for onsite visitors is NOT the way to do it. A decline in service along with all sorts of additional fees/ add-ons does not make their customers happy!

 

[Bete]

Could you explain the EMH morning event at MK? What's it called? What's the cost? Is it happening right now? Are there certain dates?

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Sorry..but why complain?

Because I miss my "old" Disney, and I think it's fair to let them know why they are losing a loyal guest. And if enough people share their concerns (or "complain", as you put it) then maybe things will change. And because they won't know how I feel if I don't tell them.

And because it's the only thing I can do to feel as if I am doing *something* to protest the un-Disnification of Disney.

 

[aaarcher86]

Could you explain the EMH morning event at MK? What's it called? What's the cost? Is it happening right now? Are there certain dates?

There's a thread here on it. I can't remember what it's called exactly, but it is certain dates in April (maybe May) where you can pay $150 for a crappy grab and go breakfast and have access to ride 3 rides before everyone else for a few hours.

I could be slightly off on the price - lots of added paid benefits to keep up with at the moment.

 

[UncleMike101]

IMHO.
The surveys are nothing more than an excuse to implement plans that have been through the chain of command and already approved.

 

[Fel]

Could you explain the EMH morning event at MK? What's it called? What's the cost? Is it happening right now? Are there certain dates?

I'm not sure of the exact name, it's on the boards here, but the Magical Mornings as I will call it, you pay $70 to get in an hour early and ride three fantasy land rides. You do get breakfast with this option.

The second (actually the first to be announced) is the Magica Nights as I call it. You pay $150 and stay in MK three extra hours, with limited number of guests (far less then and of the party nights "Jenny" told me) and limited rides and your get some sort of refreshments and ice cream treat.

Dates have been released to the best of my knowledge.

I uunderstand the opportunity for off site guests, I just do not want "included" items to be taken away from the resort guests.

 

[snayak]

There's a thread here on it. I can't remember what it's called exactly, but it is certain dates in April (maybe May) where you can pay $150 for a crappy grab and go breakfast and have access to ride 3 rides before everyone else for a few hours.

I could be slightly off on the price - lots of added paid benefits to keep up with at the moment.

Its $70/$50 adults/kids for the Morning Magic - which give you over an hour for PP, 7DMT, and Pooh + continental breakfast. I don't think that's a terrible deal considering.

It currently does not occur on MK mornings with EMH - so RD on-site guests at EMH are safe, except for the PPO ADR method which throws a wrench in everything anyway.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Ok, here is what I wonder. If these paid extra hours plans are geared towards off-site guest, how are enough off-site guest going to know about it to budget it in for Disney to make a profit off of having the park open for them? I'm sure a high number of these off-site guest don't have much contact with Disney until they reach Orlando even with the new FP+.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Because I miss my "old" Disney, and I think it's fair to let them know why they are losing a loyal guest. And if enough people share their concerns (or "complain", as you put it) then maybe things will change. And because they won't know how I feel if I don't tell them.

And because it's the only thing I can do to feel as if I am doing *something* to protest the un-Disnification of Disney.

I'm not sure of the exact name, it's on the boards here, but the Magical Mornings as I will call it, you pay $70 to get in an hour early and ride three fantasy land rides. You do get breakfast with this option.

The second (actually the first to be announced) is the Magica Nights as I call it. You pay $150 and stay in MK three extra hours, with limited number of guests (far less then and of the party nights "Jenny" told me) and limited rides and your get some sort of refreshments and ice cream treat.

Dates have been released to the best of my knowledge.

I uunderstand the opportunity for off site guests, I just do not want "included" items to be taken away from the resort guests.

I can understand that. All I'm saying is think of how many people (who don't stay on property, or adults, or families with older children) could potentially benefit from this. I took my niece and nephew in June 2006 (will never go back in June again!!) and would DEFINITELY have paid to go to the park with lower crowds!! And again, for offsite guests who rent condos, and do sea world, Universal, and other Orlando attractions, this opportunity is great for them..in my opinion. We get our 'free' EMH, why not let those staying offsite pay for extra time as well- "pay" being the operative word here. It's a win win for Disney.
Even though my last trip was 8 nights at Poly..I don't ever see doing that length of stay again. With just myself and a 5 year old it was too much..and we had 7 nights (with fully scheduled activities daily) in Key West after.. I actually cut out our planned Lego Land day on way to SoFla bc I don't think either one of us could handle another park day...on our way back to MCO we stayed one more night in Orlando and went to Old Town..the Slingshot ride was one of my son's favorite parts of the entire trip! I realize people stay longer than that, but I have never and will never go to Fla with Disney World being my only destination.. That doesn't mean I love Disney any less than the 10-14 night people.. Disney lovers come in all different shapes, sizes, ages, and itineraries

 

[3smithboys]

The other thing these paid events will do will be to make RD a thing of the past.... between the free EMH and the paid for EMH showing up for "RD" won't matter anymore... the park will already have loads of people there!

 

[Kimberly9701]

Ok, here is what I wonder. If these paid extra hours plans are geared towards off-site guest, how are enough off-site guest going to know about it to budget it in for Disney to make a profit off of having the park open for them? I'm sure a high number of these off-site guest don't have much contact with Disney until they reach Orlando even with the new FP+.

Im sure it will be advertised..and probably advertised heavily in Florida..and of course it's on their website.

 

[DoingDisney]

Sorry..but why complain? It's not affecting resort guests. As an ex SoFla resident who went to Disney 1 or 2 times per year- 1 F&W, 1 islands of adventure/Disney combo- both of which were weekend trips- these add on would have been great for myself and my friends- especially the night time hours. For me- even staying on site would have been worth the lower crowds/less kids at night.
Now I have a 5 year old and am in a different place in my life- hence why I'm on disboards asking a million questions about our upcoming cruise/park trip..which isn't even until Novemeber and I have NEVER planned a trip this far out!lol.
Even with us staying at CR and the convenience of being at MK at rope drop, the morning hours still are kind of attractive to me to save fast passes and ride 7DWT several times.
I definitely don't think this is geared towards resort guests though.. There are thousands of people that don't stay on site..and this is a great opportunity for them..or the 3/4 night Disney world resort guest who wants to maximize park time.
I'll also add this, my son will be 6 next month..so I don't see Disney World being the main focus of our trips for years to come..definitely not 8 nights again.. But 3/4 nights in combo with Universal (my son LOVES roller coasters so I think Universal will be more appealing to him in the coming years.. Next year we are (planning on) doing a Med Disney Cruise or Aulani..so if we do do DW would be max 2 days..prob while we are visiting SoFla... I am not the only person like this- if something is beneficial to others, and does not negatively affect you- then why try to orevent their benefits? Not trying to be rude.. Just asking everyone to look at the bigger picture.

They have already reduced the offerings of EMH's in MK in the peak spring break times and have also reduced night time EMH's at MK ... so why isn't it effecting resort guests exactly ?

Sure sounds like a negative impact to me.

 

[preemiemama]

The drawback (as I see it) on the paid events is that they cut back the regular hours (closing at 10 on a night in July to allow the paid people in for 3 extra hours), plus having the 3 hours leading up to the "event" being PACKED with people as the $150 covers admission from 4 pm on like the paid parties for Christmas and Halloween. They may also lead to the demise of EMH for onsite guests if they do well. The AM event has been pulled from the website, and no dates were ever announced. It remains to be seen if it will return, but I'm betting it will. $70 for 3 rides for 45 minutes prior to everyone else arriving for rope drop is not great IMHO.

The other drawback is that people who have planned FP+ and ADRs around specific days (to rope drop and avoid EMHs) have their plans thrown into chaos 2-3 weeks (or less) away from their trip, after being told we have to plan everything ahead, is that fair? They are stripping the onsite "perks" that they have stood by for years little by little- rumored resort fees, "premium" parking fees, resort parking fees, pay to play fees for these AM/PM events. All the while cutting back CM hours, entertainment, attractions. To me, that is cutting into the "magic" they have been selling us for years and making them no better than a local amusement park.

 

[mernin]

Ok, here is what I wonder. If these paid extra hours plans are geared towards off-site guest, how are enough off-site guest going to know about it to budget it in for Disney to make a profit off of having the park open for them? I'm sure a high number of these off-site guest don't have much contact with Disney until they reach Orlando even with the new FP+.

I don't know. I've stayed offsite twice in the past 4 years and both times knew about events, etc. I think just because people choose to stay offsite doesn't make them disconnected to what is happening at the parks. Some Maybe, but I wouldn't think it wouldn't be a high number.

But I could be wrong.