Mice Chat Reporting Disneyland Hard Ticket Christmas Parties

[TikiTikiFan]

Okay this never occurred to me as something they might do.

It's what they do at WDW, their xmas parade and fireworks were always only for those that attended the xmas parties.

Fingers crossed this is all just rumor! This rumor circulates all the time.

 

[brentm77]

How it started: "Dear guests and shareholders, we understand that we were overcrowding the parks, selling the product at below-market rates. We are going to stop doing that and greatly improve the park experience so that we can cater to the high-paying customers and offer them a product worth the premium prices spent on full-price tickets, expensive hotel stays, etc. "

How it's going: "Let's go back to below-market rates and overcrowd the parks again! That cash infusion rocked! The full-paying guests will keep coming, trust me. And, we will sell even more $4,000 tours so people can ride a regular day's worth of rides due to the crowding we will cause. It's a win-win! And just wait until buying a per-ride fastpass becomes a necessity due to overcrowding! Ha ha, people will be paying $15 to stand in a short line instead of a monstrous one that never moves!"

"Hey, we could make even more money if we break up the day into two chunks, where you have to pay for the day AND pay for the night! We will call it a holiday party and have fireworks and a parade!" But sir, we always offered that as part of the regular admission in the past... "I know, what were we thinking!?! People will pay extra for it!" But sir, I thought we were going to improve the customer experience? "Let's throw in some free gingerbread cookies! People will go nuts for it. Trust me, these parties will sell out!" Should we upgrade our computer systems so it can handle expected traffic flow? "Why? People will wait in a virtual line for 10 hours and be thrilled when they get their holiday party ticket!"

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Okay this never occurred to me as something they might do. I assumed it would be new offerings.

It’s funny because I immediately assumed that’s what they’re going to do. Especially if it happens this year. They don’t have time to create new stuff, unless they already had something in development when things shut down that no one knew about…

 

[dieumeye]

How it started: "Dear guests and shareholders, we understand that we were overcrowding the parks, selling the product at below-market rates. We are going to stop doing that and greatly improve the park experience so that we can cater to the high-paying customers and offer them a product worth the premium prices spent on full-price tickets, expensive hotel stays, etc. "

How it's going: "Let's go back to below-market rates and overcrowd the parks again! That cash infusion rocked! The full-paying guests will keep coming, trust me. And, we will sell even more $4,000 tours so people can ride a regular day's worth of rides due to the crowding we will cause. It's a win-win! And just wait until buying a per-ride fastpass becomes a necessity due to overcrowding! Ha ha, people will be paying $15 to stand in a short line instead of a monstrous one that never moves!"

"Hey, we could make even more money if we break up the day into two chunks, where you have to pay for the day AND pay for the night! We will call it a holiday party and have fireworks and a parade!" But sir, we always offered that as part of the regular admission in the past... "I know, what were we thinking!?! People will pay extra for it!" But sir, I thought we were going to improve the customer experience? "Let's throw in some free gingerbread cookies! People will go nuts for it. Trust me, these parties will sell out!" Should we upgrade our computer systems so it can handle expected traffic flow? "Why? People will wait in a virtual line for 10 hours and be thrilled when they get their holiday party ticket!"

As someone who bought the OBB Dessert Parade Seating, I feel personally attacked.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

How it started: "Dear guests and shareholders, we understand that we were overcrowding the parks, selling the product at below-market rates. We are going to stop doing that and greatly improve the park experience so that we can cater to the high-paying customers and offer them a product worth the premium prices spent on full-price tickets, expensive hotel stays, etc. "

How it's going: "Let's go back to below-market rates and overcrowd the parks again! That cash infusion rocked! The full-paying guests will keep coming, trust me. And, we will sell even more $4,000 tours so people can ride a regular day's worth of rides due to the crowding we will cause. It's a win-win! And just wait until buying a per-ride fastpass becomes a necessity due to overcrowding! Ha ha, people will be paying $15 to stand in a short line instead of a monstrous one that never moves!"

"Hey, we could make even more money if we break up the day into two chunks, where you have to pay for the day AND pay for the night! We will call it a holiday party and have fireworks and a parade!" But sir, we always offered that as part of the regular admission in the past... "I know, what were we thinking!?! People will pay extra for it!" But sir, I thought we were going to improve the customer experience? "Let's throw in some free gingerbread cookies! People will go nuts for it. Trust me, these parties will sell out!" Should we upgrade our computer systems so it can handle expected traffic flow? "Why? People will wait in a virtual line for 10 hours and be thrilled when they get their holiday party ticket!"

And of course people will pay- you're not going to come for xmas and not see the actual entertainment they have for it. Whole thing would be such a slap in the face. But the fact that they're taking so long to release holiday info has me extra nervous now...

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I hope if there is a party it's at Disneyland because the Christmas stuff looks better there. I wouldn't mind paying for it if it meant less crowds and if they had some unique offerings.

 

[s0rt0ffairytale]

I hope they don't do it at DCA just because I want them to bring back the Festival of Holiday food booths but i DO hope they deck out the Redwood Creek Challenge Trails area into a winter wonderland because that's such a perfect location for something so magical

 

[StormyCA]

I'm not surprised, I think they've been waiting for an opportune time. I've been a bit puzzled that it hasn't happened before now since there's been a ticketed event at WDW for ages.

Never been to a Halloween Party, can't see myself going to an Xmas one. Too much money and too much crowd. The bummer is that these things mean short park days for people without party tickets. Nothing worse than getting shorted on your park days when you're an 'out of towner'.

 

[brentm77]

I hope if there is a party it's at Disneyland because the Christmas stuff looks better there. I wouldn't mind paying for it if it meant less crowds and if they had some unique offerings.

I agree with you if that were the case, but you are assuming it will mean less crowding. That was not our experience for the Halloween party. If anything, it was actually busier than the regular day hours that day. Disney has no shame and will sell more tickets than is comfortable. I hate to be so negative about this whole topic, but I am tiring of Disney offering less and less for more money. I am particular bothered that I keep going back, because nobody else offers the same base product we love. I am drawn back by nostalgia and memories of less-crowded times (this year has been better, but I am expecting pre-pandemic levels to return next year). I only have myself to blame. I just wish Disney would show a little class and keep the crowds to reasonable levels and not start charging for something that has been included for decades.

 

[brentm77]

As someone who bought the OBB Dessert Parade Seating, I feel personally attacked.

There is zero shame paying for a premium experience on vacation! I do it all the time. I was poking fun at myself for continuing to buy into this stuff, as much as anyone else. But it will be frustrating to see Disney offer the regular Christmas evening at an added cost, with little to no added value.

 

[Angel141925]

I’m a bit salty if it does happen. Just booked our trip with 4 day park hoppers which was already expensive enough for the first week of December. Had I known this was a consideration I would have only got a 3 day ticket and Christmas party. Waiting to see what it includes if it happens before I make a final decision. It would be nice but I just wish I would have known sooner so I could have planned accordingly.

 

[ttig34]

I would hate to see Disneyland closing early during the holidays due to the party. But I love watching the fireworks being shot off from behind the castle. For me, the fireworks would not be the same in DCA, and the fireworks are one of my favorite aspects of the holidays at Disneyland. And as I mentioned earlier if the fireworks are cancelled due to winds the night you go to the party, which they are a lot in December. then you won't see them the whole trip- at least not in the park

 

[bwvBound]

THANK YOU for this thread!! I'm now rethinking my initial thoughts re: Magic Key ... and will be watching, instead, for hard-ticket after-hours events.

Umm ... is it worth paying top dollar for Magic Keys if the day time hours will be shortened to accommodate an after-hours event? Would I rather simply purchase the after-hours event and skip the daytime passes?? Oh, boy.

 

[abent]

I would really enjoy this as an additional add on. I am hoping dates will be available during my stay In December.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Would I rather simply purchase the after-hours event and skip the daytime passes?? Oh, boy.

I remember thinking this very thing a couple years ago. The after hours events were so much more enjoyable to me. I had a Signature pass and was buying after hours event tickets.... I am getting the Dream Key this time, but if they continue to offer after hours events, I may just do that the following year.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

It’s funny because I immediately assumed that’s what they’re going to do. Especially if it happens this year. They don’t have time to create new stuff, unless they already had something in development when things shut down that no one knew about…

ok although I didn't expect it to happen, it makes sense...wdw has been doing it for years...DL needs to make up some money quick and more times than not, Christmas season is busier than summer....they just better do it good thats all Im saying

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Just saw the WDW party pricing - it’s way higher than their 2019 parties. Depending on the dates, it starts at $170 and goes up to $250 per person for a four-hour event!

Very curious to see if it actually happens at DL this year, and if so, what all the details will be…

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Just saw the WDW party pricing - it’s way higher than their 2019 parties. Depending on the dates, it starts at $170 and goes up to $250 per person for a four-hour event!

Very curious to see if it actually happens at DL this year, and if so, what all the details will be…

I saw that too- it's insane! I'm extra edgy now. Hope they announce something soon! Folks need to budget if they're gonna clean us out.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

If they're charging as much as WDW will be for theirs, I'm going to go ahead and vote no. It's more than a single day ticket.

 

[PirateBrigade]

It’s August 13 and we don’t even have official holiday season dates yet, DLR is +3 weeks past the historical announcement date (3rd week of July).

Coupled with the unknown COVID vaccine availability for my kid, this is just another Duffy boat in the flotilla of uncertainty around Disneyland.

Guhhhh.