New After Hours Event - a Must or a Bust

[redsbe]

First night? Press event? Invited guests? Humm, I think I'll reserve judgement until we hear a bit more about what the crowds are like on subsequent nights.

Agreed, and when they run it during period when WDW visitors are higher, thus more in the park up to when this event starts and larger pool of visitors who would buy it. Guessing at the levels seen in those pictures that it is not economically viable, so either WDW drops it or expands tickets and runs during higher crowd periods.

 

[seashell7290]

Strange that people said the rain cleared the park last night. Never did it become pouring rain. No attractions shut down because of rain during the party and all character greetings available were inside. To be honest most of the day at mk was lighter crowds compared to the heavy spring break crowds a few weeks ago. I am interested in how they will sweep the park on a more crowded night. Another point to add, since this is a late evening event, the crowd was mostly in the non-stroller category. It was glorious not having to weave through them. Besides the price, this event would be very appealing to people who don't do crowds well or blazing sun. Just a thought.

 

[AshleeH]

Wait for it. This may have been mentioned, but Disney knows marketing better than anyone else in the business. Reviews like this one will get around, people will reconsider their initial opinion, decide it's worth the price... Demand goes up, Disney decides they can squeeze in another 2,000 people - a few weeks later, what's another 500? Until you're dealing with what is currently happening on party nights now.

 

[revdon64]

Wait for it. This may have been mentioned, but Disney knows marketing better than anyone else in the business. Reviews like this one will get around, people will reconsider their initial opinion, decide it's worth the price... Demand goes up, Disney decides they can squeeze in another 2,000 people - a few weeks later, what's another 500? Until you're dealing with what is currently happening on party nights now.

Exactly what I was thinking... exactly.

 

[dkrauss]

Very interesting thread. I agree that this was press night and the event is still getting word of mouth. I'd be curious how many families were in attendance.......I may have to wait to have this one answered. This doesn't seem like a family orientated event............little kids up at 1am.............I don't think so. The fact that almost all rides were open..........thats good. I don't ever see this as a viable option for me and my wife. First we aren't locals..........second we like RD more then late nights. As long as it doesn't impact the way EMH run today I don't see the harm.........although does anyone think this could have an adverse impact on evening crowds...........? Curious what others think?

Doug

 

[BethR9]

Disney is not stupid when it comes to making money and how best to do it...

 

[Mikie]

Very interesting thread. I agree that this was press night and the event is still getting word of mouth. I'd be curious how many families were in attendance.......I may have to wait to have this one answered. This doesn't seem like a family orientated event............little kids up at 1am.............I don't think so. The fact that almost all rides were open..........thats good. I don't ever see this as a viable option for me and my wife. First we aren't locals..........second we like RD more then late nights. As long as it doesn't impact the way EMH run today I don't see the harm.........although does anyone think this could have an adverse impact on evening crowds...........? Curious what others think?

Doug

Conceding that these are big IFs:
- if the event is continued past the original dates
- if the numbers get pushed upward the way party numbers have crept upward over time
Then, yes, I think on crowded nights the evening folks coming in would noticeably crowd the park in the 7-10 pm overlap hours AND day guests not yet out of ride lines could crowd the first hour of the event
Last night's event in no way points to this, but I believe that the longer data of party season (a somewhat similar paid after hours option) does show that those "worst case" impacts are possible.

I am also suspicious this could be testing toward some kind of change or elimination of free EMH, but can easily talk myself out of that, thinking that perk is needed to continue to lure onsite guests.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It's embarassing...it's a cheap cash grab for Disney...there's nothing customer friendly about charging $150 for 3 hours of what should be normal park hours.

Consumers have to be smarter...this time they were. You have to set limits/draw the lines or conglomerate corporations will suck you dry...

The public won this round. Stop letting Disney name their price.

Even though it's not quite the same thing I would like to mention something here:

Yesterday AMC's CEO announced he would be open to consider letting people use their phones in certain text-friendly auditoriums, separate from everyone else because of the supposed need he thought millienals wanted when going to see a movie since it would be like "cutting their arm off below the elbow".....yeah the public didn't take to well to that because 1) they initially thought he meant texting would be allowed in every theater 2) when he corrected and said it would only be in select separate theaters people still said heck no with a large part of the voices booming across social media like twitter and facebook.

Today his press release was: "We have heard loud and clear that this a concept our audience does not want....With your advice in hand, there will be NO TEXTING ALLOWED in any of the auditoriums at AMC Theaters. Not today, not tomorrow and not in the foreseeable future" He went on to further say the company will devote $1billion to continuously enhance their theatres and systems over the next few years.

AMC is now the largest cinema company in the world after buying Carmike Cinemas and for once a company resoundingly and quickly listened to their customers whose voice was actually heard-the public can indeed win in certain cases though with WDW I'm not so sure they would respond the way AMC did if they did something that caused such a big outcry on social media and the public in general.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Even though it's not quite the same thing I would like to mention something here:

Yesterday AMC's CEO announced he would be open to consider letting people use their phones in certain text-friendly auditoriums, separate from everyone else because of the supposed need he thought millienals wanted when going to see a movie since it would be like "cutting their arm off below the elbow".....yeah the public didn't take to well to that because 1) they initially thought he meant texting would be allowed in every theater 2) when he corrected and said it would only be in select separate theaters people still said heck no with a large part of the voices booming across social media like twitter and facebook.

Today his press release was: "We have heard loud and clear that this a concept our audience does not want....With your advice in hand, there will be NO TEXTING ALLOWED in any of the auditoriums at AMC Theaters. Not today, not tomorrow and not in the foreseeable future" He went on to further say the company will devote $1billion to continuously enhance their theatres and systems over the next few years.

AMC is now the largest cinema company in the world after buying Carmike Cinemas and for once a company resoundingly and quickly listened to their customers whose voice was actually heard-the public can indeed win in certain cases though with WDW I'm not so sure they would respond the way AMC did if they did something that caused such a big outcry on social media and the public in general.

Right...Disney has only eliminated 50% of the emh and blocked the schedule out through June for morning/evening "ripoff magic"

They're "listening"

Wait...that's not it. It was their confidence that "we can sell ANYTHING and these fools will pay."

Am I exaggerating? Not as much as you think.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Right...Disney has only eliminated 50% of the emh and blocked the schedule out through June for morning/evening "ripoff magic"

They're "listening"

Wait...that's not it. It was their confidence that "we can sell ANYTHING and these fools will pay."

Am I exaggerating? Not as much as you think.

Yeah I mean I'm agreeing with you in this case. I was pointing out how quickly AMC responded and listened but how it is doubtful disney would do the same. The after hours and early morning magic are pinpointing a very small market of people while affecting a much larger amount of people and I'm not really just talking about people who use emh I'm talking about early closures of MK (and lets be real they could expand it to other parks if they wanted to) to accommodate the after hours. It's great for those who had a good experience with the opening night but at the same time we don't know the future impact it would have.

I mentioned in other threads that the more dates for these types of things the less opportunity there is for emh which is why people are worried they will get rid of emh, make it paid, or morph it into what these after hours and early morning hours are and I find it quite ironic that they sent out a survey to guests who were staying at WDW resorts asking if they would be willing to pay a resort fee which listed covering costs for emh and yet with these events they are taking away dates available to emh..if the events (early morning/after hrs) proves successful by disney's terms we would likely seem more of them. People have said in no way does this mean disney will get rid of emh but disney hasn't said anything about the impact the events would have which means the removal of emh or included emh is always out there.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yeah I mean I'm agreeing with you in this case. I was pointing out how quickly AMC responded and listened but how it is doubtful disney would do the same. The after hours and early morning magic are pinpointing a very small market of people while affecting a much larger amount of people and I'm not really just talking about people who use emh I'm talking about early closures of MK (and lets be real they could expand it to other parks if they wanted to) to accommodate the after hours. It's great for those who had a good experience with the opening night but at the same time we don't know the future impact it would have.

I mentioned in other threads that the more dates for these types of things the less opportunity there is for emh which is why people are worried they will get rid of emh, make it paid, or morph it into what these after hours and early morning hours are and I find it quite ironic that they sent out a survey to guests who were staying at WDW resorts asking if they would be willing to pay a resort fee which listed covering costs for emh and yet with these events they are taking away dates available to emh..if the events (early morning/after hrs) proves successful by disney's terms we would likely seem more of them. People have said in no way does this mean disney will get rid of emh but disney hasn't said anything about the impact the events would have which means the removal of emh or included emh is always out there.

Oh I hear ya

 

[SureAsLiz]

Did you go to Enchanted Tales with Belle during the event? I know it wasn't on the open attraction list posted internally, and it was closed when I walked by at 10:45

 

[Sevey13]

Thus the price has to be much cheaper, or the "special perks" for a guest to be able to take the risk Disney won't, need to be much greater. The parties give you special parades, special fireworks, special characters, trick or treating (aka free candy), in addition to "advertised" lower waits (which they aren't) and extra hours...this gives you pretty much ice cream and soda (and advertised low waits - again we'll see if these last since rain did clear the park pre-party last night) for $30-$50 MORE than a 1 day. It's a Must miss for pretty much everyone with that kind of risk without reward unless you're a true die hard or ride lover.

By your own statement, then, the parties are also must-miss because they are non-refundable. We weren't really talking about the value of the experience, but the statement you made I responded to specifically said it is must miss because it non refundable, not because it isn't a good value. I agree that it isn't worth the money to me, but that's not what I was responding to.

 

[TwoMisfits]

By your own statement, then, the parties are also must-miss because they are non-refundable. We weren't really talking about the value of the experience, but the statement you made I responded to specifically said it is must miss because it non refundable, not because it isn't a good value. I agree that it isn't worth the money to me, but that's not what I was responding to.

The parties mentioned are BELOW a one day ticket price AND offer significant extra perks. So, they are a better deal for the consumer. However, the consumer is still bearing the risk and that should probably be kept in mind if the parties are greater than the 1 day ticket price this year. At that cost, even with the extra perks, it's probably not worth it to most consumers (exceptions being those who love holiday experiences and those who love special characters).

 

[AnnaKat]

By your own statement, then, the parties are also must-miss because they are non-refundable. We weren't really talking about the value of the experience, but the statement you made I responded to specifically said it is must miss because it non refundable, not because it isn't a good value. I agree that it isn't worth the money to me, but that's not what I was responding to.

The Parties allow you to buy Tix the Same Day of, if not sold out. The $149 After Hours Event apparently does NOT allow you to buy tix the day of @ guest relations. We did not buy MVMCP Tix during our Nov./Dec. 2015 trip. For a few $ more, we liked the option of Same Day Tix, tho' Parties are apt to sell out in early Dec.
We avoided non-refundable tix.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

Thanks for the explanation. I guess I wouldn't pay for the event... I don't really get it? If you can do emh why do this?

Exactly.

Because off site guests can't do EMH. I'm guessing they're trying to get their $$$.

They're trying to get anyone's money. They're proving they're not that picky.

I would fully expect Disney to play with the numbers to see how many they sell, and how many they CAN sell before the quality degrades.

And then keep selling... happy Halloween and Merry Christmas!

If 6000 people buy a ticket, and they have food and staff for 6000 people, and at the last minute 3000 of them go for a refund because they see bad weather, that devastates the company.

Umm... Pretty sure they won't be devastated. But it will cut into their profits, if we're lucky and then we can look forward to some other money printing schemes they will give us the opportunity of participating in.

Wait for it. This may have been mentioned, but Disney knows marketing better than anyone else in the business. Reviews like this one will get around, people will reconsider their initial opinion, decide it's worth the price... Demand goes up, Disney decides they can squeeze in another 2,000 people - a few weeks later, what's another 500? Until you're dealing with what is currently happening on party nights now.

Absolutely. Right after they get rid of EMH... Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

Disney is not stupid when it comes to making money and how best to do it...

That they are not. Anything to make the guest experience better. Jeez, I wish they would stop helping so much...

By your own statement, then, the parties are also must-miss because they are non-refundable. We weren't really talking about the value of the experience, but the statement you made I responded to specifically said it is must miss because it non refundable, not because it isn't a good value. I agree that it isn't worth the money to me, but that's not what I was responding to.

Yes and no. Judging by the lineups at City Hall on a night when the parade or fireworks are rained out, yes. People are not going to cover Disney's cost when the weather does not cooperate and I'm not sure they should. And for us the parties are a bust not because of weather, but because we find ourselves more and more disappointed every year, getting less and less value. Disney doesn't think people are noticing. But they are. And they're keeping score.

 

[DisneyDad2015]

This was scoffed at by so many when it was first announced, however I see some quickly changing their tunes. I think this could be something that catches on, despite it's price. I can't spend the extra money on it, but it sounds like those who do will have some great access to the park. I can't imagine having every ride be walk on for several hours. Would be pretty awesome IMO.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Anyone remember E-Ride nights? Those were what this is, minus the snacks. Those were great and like this, the park was empty. I remember dancing with Mickey all by myself in front of the Castle, riding Big Thunder over and over without getting off, it was amazing. The big difference? Tickets then were $12.00 for resort staying guests. I remember actually giving away tickets to this because DH and my youngest son were too tired to go. These stopped with the introduction of Evening EMH, if they could do it for $12.00 in 2004, why are they charging so much now? Disney is making money, caring less about the customer IMO. See link below for the good ol' days....

http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_Disney_World_Planning/Magic_Kingdom_E-Ride_Night.shtml

 

[LadyLion4life]

I wonder this too. As much as we all dislike very high crowds, I think some level of a crowd is part of the amusement park feel. I wonder if it would feel "less fun" without more people?

I would love to attend with a small crowd. I'd definitely purchase this if it were available and fit into our plans. That doesn't seem likely at this point for us.

 

[LadyLion4life]

This was scoffed at by so many when it was first announced, however I see some quickly changing their tunes. I think this could be something that catches on, despite it's price. I can't spend the extra money on it, but it sounds like those who do will have some great access to the park. I can't imagine having every ride be walk on for several hours. Would be pretty awesome IMO.

This is what I'm thinking, too. We haven't been to Disney as a family since 2007. We're going in July for a wedding and planning a vacation around that. I would love to have MK with low crowds so if this were available, I'd definitely consider it.