Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[jade1]

I can only compare to the nights we have attended but most recently in June we attended 2 EEMH at MK from 12-3am. All rides were walk on or under 5min, several had 20min waits posted but were walk ons in reality. The longest waits we had were for the characters (which seems to imply that there is some demand for those) in Fantasyland and that was under 10min. There was no one in the theatre for Mickey and the Princesses.

At 3am we rode the monrail back to GF basically alone as we saw no other people. This was on both nights we attended, although the Fri seemed slightly more crowded than the Sun. My kids rode Dumbo with Chip and Dale on Sunday right at 3am.

I compare this with our packed MNSSHP's. We have attended most years and it is more crowded every year. The parks were far more crowded for these parties than all the EEMH we have attended. I certainly agree that YMMV from night to night but I truly believe they are attempting to back out of EEMH and replace it with something else (based on a Disney survey I received a few months ago).

So are you in the camp that if MNSSHP is so packed, and MK closed at 7PM-that they for sure need to keep the resort line monorail runing and stopping at MK during it?

By the way we have never seen Space Mountain at a 5 minute or walk on wait at midnight of EMH from midnight to 3PM-even P Pan is about 50 minutes then, maybe closer to 2 or 2:30, but have only gone once in June.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does anyone remember or know why the E-ticket nights went away in the first place?

Those of you who have done surveys, did they offer any alternatives to EMH for you to rate?

I always did E-nights, they were great. I never do emh, AM or PM. I prefer low crowds.

I would think they eliminated E-nights since they were low crowds, and they needed to keep most of the park open, staff, etc, poor return on their investment, even though they charged 10 bucks a head.

As I said about 900 posts ago, I do hope emh stays, because it is a big draw and helps keep the low crowd parks low crowd.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I always did E-nights, they were great. I never do emh, AM or PM. I prefer low crowds.

I would think they eliminated E-nights since they were low crowds, and they needed to keep most of the park open, staff, etc, poor return on their investment, even though they charged 10 bucks a head.

As I said about 900 posts ago, I do hope emh stays, because it is a big draw and helps keep the low crowd parks low crowd.

But wouldn't 5,000 guests at $10 a head be more revenue to them than 15,000 at $0 per head as their operating costs would be similar for evening EMH vs E-Ticket nights?

Perhaps they make it up with food & merchandise sales?

 

[baler31]

Does anyone remember or know why the E-ticket nights went away in the first place?

Those of you who have done surveys, did they offer any alternatives to EMH for you to rate?

The alternatives I was given were more discounts for the resort or other add ons. Choices were a free character breakfast, a free tour, etc. They was no mention of special hours or anything like E-nights. It basically gave different scenarios like: If we did not have DME but offered xdiscount would you stay ? If we did not offer extra hours for resort guests would you stay for this package or that package ? There were lots of different options, many of which did not contain emh but dealt with other on site perks that they were perhaps considering opting out of in favor of a discount.

 

[Kona65]

I wonder how any Bay Lake Tower owners feel about this, surely the Monorail providing transportation would have been some factor in Disney's selling pitch, right?

This is probably true. It won't do much for future sales at the GFV's.

 

[mom2rtk]

Did you have to be an on-site guest to be able to buy an e-night ticket?

Interesting that they were looking at DME on the survey as well.

I'm sure a lot of off-site hotels would love for Disney to ditch BOTH offerings.

 

[baler31]

So are you in the camp that if MNSSHP is so packed, and MK closed at 7PM-that they for sure need to keep the resort line monorail runing and stopping at MK during it?

By the way we have never seen Space Mountain at a 5 minute or walk on wait at midnight of EMH from midnight to 3PM-even P Pan is about 50 minutes then, maybe closer to 2 or 2:30, but have only gone once in June.

I am in the camp that believes I should have ease of transportation back to my resort hotel. If that means Disney pays for a cab that is fine. We don't stay at the GF to ride crowded buses back to our resort. As long as I am not waiting any longer than normal I am okay with it. However, we have ventured out to the Ritz and Waldof and with the diminishing services at the resort hotel off site looks quite nice.

 

[Kona65]

I have an idea! Let's cut back on service, and raise prices......Who would notice?

 

[JimmyV]

Did you have to be an on-site guest to be able to buy an e-night ticket?

From the allears archives:

Can anyone purchase a ticket to Magic Kingdom E-Ride Nights ?

Disney Resort Guests, Hotel Plaza Blvd. Guests, Swan, Dolphin and Shades of Green Guests with multi-day passes can purchase a ticket for an after-hours party in the Magic Kingdom Park.


Offer good only for Disney Resort Guests with the following multi-day tickets: Ultimate Park Hopper, Park Hopper Plus, Park Hopper, Seasonal Pass, Annual Pass, Premium Annual Pass. You must have used your pass on the day of the event in order to gain entry.

 

[baler31]

Did you have to be an on-site guest to be able to buy an e-night ticket?

Interesting that they were looking at DME on the survey as well.

I'm sure a lot of off-site hotels would love for Disney to ditch BOTH offerings.

I was surprised by the DME mention, even though we don't use it as we always rent a car, I thought it was quite popular.

I also got a survey about would you let us pick your resort in order to receive a discount. Just select your resort category we pick. Umm, no thanks.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The alternatives I was given were more discounts for the resort or other add ons. Choices were a free character breakfast, a free tour, etc. They was no mention of special hours or anything like E-nights. It basically gave different scenarios like: If we did not have DME but offered xdiscount would you stay ? If we did not offer extra hours for resort guests would you stay for this package or that package ? There were lots of different options, many of which did not contain emh but dealt with other on site perks that they were perhaps considering opting out of in favor of a discount.

Wow, if they're taking surveys like this, then they're looking for ways to cut things or switch things around.

I was surprised by the DME mention, even though we don't use it as we always rent a car, I thought it was quite popular.

I also got a survey about would you let us pick your resort in order to receive a discount. Just select your resort category we pick. Umm, no thanks.

The DME? That is surprising. I know my in-laws absolutely loved the ease of that particular service, that was the main reason they didn't rent a car.

Ya, "let us pick your resort" pin is crazy IMO. Sure sounds like they're testing the waters based on those surveys then.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I have an idea! Let's cut back on service, and raise prices......Who would notice?

Or, let's give guests a free three-extra hours in the park at night instead of charging them $10 to $12 for E-ticket night OR charging them $50 for the hard-ticket PPP.

Or, let's give guests free transportation from the airport instead of charging them bus transfer fees.

Or, let's give guests free dining at less busy times of year (or room discounts, bounce-back offers, 4/3 offers, children play/stay free, etc.).

Or, let's rehab attractions and make them better or let's build new world class attractions and keep park ticket price increases in line with previous years.

Or, let's add a new high-tech light show on the Castle for our MK guests and not charge them any extra.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Why is it that on threads like this, we only focus on the take-aways and not the additions?

 

[asta]

Did you have to be an on-site guest to be able to buy an e-night ticket?

Interesting that they were looking at DME on the survey as well.

I'm sure a lot of off-site hotels would love for Disney to ditch BOTH offerings.

You had to be an on-site guest or e-ticket nights. You actually bought the tickets through your resort. There was someone with a list at the front left of the MK (spot normally used for character signing) who checked your name and put a colored band on your wrist.

When they first made this free for all resort guests, they still had lines that put wrist bands on when you showed them your resort key. This introduced lots of people cheating their way in. As we stood in line, we always saw people passing resort keys to others in line so that they could be banded. As it is right now, it is so crowded that I don't believe that anyone is checked closely. It would probably not be hard for anyone to scam their way onto a ride with an old card or even going withour one.

I will probably be flamed for this but I wouldn't give a flip if they got rid of DME. It is a worthless benefit to my family. I would much rather be offered something we would use.

 

[JimmyV]

The DME? That is surprising. I know my in-laws absolutely loved the ease of that particular service, that was the main reason they didn't rent a car.

My guess is that the free DME is the next thing to go. I mean, quite honestly, they are leaving a lot of money on the table with that one. All they have to do is price it 10-20% less than a Mears bus round trip, (and less than a taxi roundtrip, and less than a weekly rental car fare (plus parking)) and people will still take it. Mears charges $34 per adult and $27 per child for a round trip. For a family of 4, that is $122 before tax and tip. A taxi will cost around $110 round trip before tip. And a rental car plus parking will be a lot more than that. Realistically, Disney can start charging a $75 add-on per reservation for DME services and not lose many customers. Why they provide this service for free is a real mystery.

 

[baler31]

You had to be an on-site guest or e-ticket nights. You actually bought the tickets through your resort. There was someone with a list at the front left of the MK (spot normally used for character signing) who checked your name and put a colored band on your wrist.

When they first made this free for all resort guests, they still had lines that put wrist bands on when you showed them your resort key. This introduced lots of people cheating their way in. As we stood in line, we always saw people passing resort keys to others in line so that they could be banded. As it is right now, it is so crowded that I don't believe that anyone is checked closely. It would probably not be hard for anyone to scam their way onto a ride with an old card or even going withour one.

I will probably be flamed for this but I wouldn't give a flip if they got rid of DME. It is a worthless benefit to my family. I would much rather be offered something we would use.

Well, I must say we would not miss DME or Free Dining if they went away. Also, the parties are ripe for people trying to linger and watch the parade, see the villian show etc.

I miss e-nights and would gladly pay to have those back. I don't mind the prices for the parties, I would support raising the prices if they would sell fewer tickets.

 

[baler31]

Or, let's give guests a free three-extra hours in the park at night instead of charging them $10 to $12 for E-ticket night OR charging them $50 for the hard-ticket PPP.

Or, let's give guests free transportation from the airport instead of charging them bus transfer fees.

Or, let's give guests free dining at less busy times of year (or room discounts, bounce-back offers, 4/3 offers, children play/stay free, etc.).

Or, let's rehab attractions and make them better or let's build new world class attractions and keep park ticket price increases in line with previous years.

Or, let's add a new high-tech light show on the Castle for our MK guests and not charge them any extra.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Why is it that on threads like this, we only focus on the take-aways and not the additions?

Well my novel idea is to raise services and prices.

I would pay more for e-nights if they were truly limited, a LOT more.

Do away with DME and free dining. Do away with customized tickets and raise park prices to support rehabs and new rides. I am sure this thread is on its way out as we all (myself included) have strayed from the monorail hours topic.

 

[asta]

Or, let's give guests a free three-extra hours in the park at night instead of charging them $10 to $12 for E-ticket night OR charging them $50 for the hard-ticket PPP.

I think that you are missing the point on this one. I don't think that I have ever talked with anyone who thinks the present evening EMH is anywhere close to the magic of the old E-ticket nights. EMH is a crowded mass of people waiting in still long lines for the popular rides. I would beg to pay for the controlled low crowds of an E-ticket night. My family and I have discussed many times if the difference is that people would not pay even a nominal $10-$12 or if people did not know about E-ticket. Maybe WDW really capped the number sold. Or maybe people don't plan ahead (you could not pay at the MK). Of course, there is always the theory that a good number of people will just stay until told that they can't ride.

 

[Kona65]

Or, let's give guests a free three-extra hours in the park at night instead of charging them $10 to $12 for E-ticket night OR charging them $50 for the hard-ticket PPP. But let's give it only to people who stay at Disney Resorts. Who cares about the other people staying off property, but still spending money.

Or, let's give guests free transportation from the airport instead of charging them bus transfer fees.Read above.

Or, let's give guests free dining at less busy times of year (or room discounts, bounce-back offers, 4/3 offers, children play/stay free, etc.). But let's make sure we charge them rack rate for the rooms, and make them purchase park tickets they may not need.

Or, let's add a new high-tech light show on the Castle for our MK guests and not charge them any extra.But let's take the lights and decorations away from the other parks.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Why is it that on threads like this, we only focus on the take-aways and not the additions?

Seems to work both ways.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Or, let's give guests a free three-extra hours in the park at night instead of charging them $10 to $12 for E-ticket night OR charging them $50 for the hard-ticket PPP.

Or, let's give guests free transportation from the airport instead of charging them bus transfer fees.

Or, let's give guests free dining at less busy times of year (or room discounts, bounce-back offers, 4/3 offers, children play/stay free, etc.).

Or, let's rehab attractions and make them better or let's build new world class attractions and keep park ticket price increases in line with previous years.

Or, let's add a new high-tech light show on the Castle for our MK guests and not charge them any extra.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Why is it that on threads like this, we only focus on the take-aways and not the additions?

I respectfully disagree. All of the things mentioned above cost money and are most certainly passed on to the customer. Whether it be increased ticket prices, increased food prices, increased room prices or even increased merchandise prices. No way do I for a moment believe that Disney is "giving" these things away. They are a business and their bottom line (and shareholder dividend payments) are the motivating factor. That's their prerogative. But if they start removing these things, will prices go down? Of course not. Yet the customer will be losing services/perks or whatever you want to call them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

DNE, like FP, does have an ulterior motive. FP idea is to free up a guest from wastefully standing in line, and rather be a productive guest, able to spend money on dining and souvenirs. DME quite effectively creates a cradle to grave guest, pick up at MCO, drop off at MCO, little ability to wander elsewhere in Orlando area, such as USF/IoA, SW, etc. A free ride to and from captures most guests for the duration, 100% or vacation dollars spent at Disney.