New After Hours Event - a Must or a Bust

[Daddio]

We had a nice time at the very first Magic Kingdom After Hours Event on April 14, 2016 and enjoyed the evening with good friends. Through our association with discount ticket seller, The Official Ticket Centre, we were invited to join along on the debut night.

We entered the park at 7:00 pm and enjoyed some of the quieter attractions. Shortly after the official event start at 11:00 pm, we walked on every ride and attraction as there were no lines. This enabled me to see the Enchanted Tales with Belle for the very first time. Other firsts included walking the regular queues at Peter Pan, Little Mermaid and 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride, seeing theming I have never before experienced. I also had the opportunity to meet Anna and Elsa for a photo shoot and ride my own train on Space Mountain.

There is no doubt that if this is the maximum crowd levels one can expect at these after hours events (other reports indicated that some people who want to go were told it was sold out), then a feeling of "private" party prevails. Although the rumour is that this new event was a bust for Disney due to the high cost, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel for them.

After giving this some thought, I think there is going to be a strong demand from people who are in the area and not planning to purchase multi day tickets to Disney, especially during hot summer holiday months. They may be visitors to Orlando, people who planned to only do Universal or Sea World etc. This gives them an opportunity, for only a few dollars more than a single day ticket, to visit MK at 7pm and enjoy walk on rides after the event officially starts.

Ice cream/refreshment carts were plentiful and there were never more than a few people waiting to be served. It started to rain close to midnight and seeing as we had been travelling since 6am, we decided to call it a night.

For me, considering I didn't pay to attend, it was a Must.
For others visiting the area on hot summer days, looking to do a single day visit to the Magic Kingdom, I'd call it a Must.
For those staying on Disney property, utilizing multi day tickets, or annual passes, I'd call it a Bust.

These are my opinions only and others reserve the right to see things differently.

~ David

 

[KittyKitty]

Love the Space Mtn. picture, Dave!

I can't wait till they do this to include TSM at Studios. Will be there in a heartbeat.

 

[Accident]

I would have paid for this if I knew it wasn't going to be party crowded..

 

[jvattes]

For me, considering I didn't pay to attend, it was a Must.
For others visiting the area on hot summer days, looking to do a single day visit to the Magic Kingdom, I'd call it a Must.
For those staying on Disney property, utilizing multi day tickets, or annual passes, I'd call it a Bust.

These are my opinions only and others reserve the right to see things differently.

~ David

I think this is a fair assessment. I have said it is not worth $149, but since it appears to be so exclusive - and so long as it stays that way - that amount of money for 7 hours in the park seems reasonable now. So long as it's a one-off, like you say vs someone with multi-day tix. You're review has me reconsidering my initial opinion. Thanks!

 

[bbjunkie]

Fantastic! I am now anxiously awaiting to hear of expanded dates through the summer. Fingers crossed!

 

[Nancyg56]

Nice !

 

[BethR9]

Appreciate the insight!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

For someone who hasn't had a low crowd day at MK in years - it is a must

 

[Princess_Kirky]

Oh, I had no idea that it would equate to 7 hours in the park! Also, I was thinking you'd have to purchase a full day ticket in addition to the After Hours ticket (wasn't thinking of it as a party-type event). I'd gladly have my time spent in the MK like this vs. going during the day and fighting the crowds. It does make more sense if you're staying off property, only planning one day at MK park. For only a little more than a 1 day, one park ticket you get walk-on rides, I must agree that makes it a MUST. I still wish there was some sort of special entertainment but I suppose you can catch the MSEP, Wishes if you arrive early enough. What attractions were actually open during the event?

 

[KSL]

Thanks for the review!
Two questions for OP (or anyone else who was there!):
1) Were there any Photopass photographers during the event?
2) Did it feel strange to have the park so empty? I know this is subjective, I'm just interested in personal opinions of those who were there.
Thanks!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

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.

 

[Delphinus317]

This made me literally laugh out loud!! Great picture!!!

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[jvattes]

Thanks for the review!
Two questions for OP (or anyone else who was there!):
1) Were there any Photopass photographers during the event?
2) Did it feel strange to have the park so empty? I know this is subjective, I'm just interested in personal opinions of those who were there.
Thanks!

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?

 

[jvattes]

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.

Except that you can get in at 7p without a regular park ticket, so it really is 7 hours. If you're not fighting crowds you can certainly accomplish more than you could by paying a regular ticket and spending a regular day. Wouldn't you agree?

I too thought it was over the top until I realized you don't need a park ticket AND you can get in early. It's an overpriced party ticket, sure --- but it seems to be a MUCH smaller crowd. Some will see value in that.

 

[JeninTexas]

Wow! It is surprising to me that the crowds are so low. When I first heard about this event I immediately dismissed it because we are staying on site and are planning to go to MK several days. However, now I'm starting to think twice. We could accomplish as much in one day as we would in 3 or 4 regular park days. This would free up extra time to spend at Epcot, allow us to go to Disney Springs, or do many other things that we usually don't because there is never enough time and we don't get to the park often. Of course, as of now it looks like I wouldn't even have the option because this event is only running through the middle of May, is that right?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Except that you can get in at 7p without a regular park ticket, so it really is 7 hours. If you're not fighting crowds you can certainly accomplish more than you could by paying a regular ticket and spending a regular day. Wouldn't you agree?

I too thought it was over the top until I realized you don't need a park ticket AND you can get in early. It's an overpriced party ticket, sure --- but it seems to be a MUCH smaller crowd. Some will see value in that.

Even so...they are NOT going to sell it like that. They will sel it as "exclusive from 9-12...or whatever.

Magical...premium...blah blah blah...

The Disney design is have you buy $135 for the day...$149 for the night...and then hurry to the new Disney springs till 2:30 to drop $1000 at WOD.

So the point is valid...but nobody will legally breathe it wearing a nametag

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Wow! It is surprising to me that the crowds are so low. When I first heard about this event I immediately dismissed it because we are staying on site and are planning to go to MK several days. However, now I'm starting to think twice. We could accomplish as much in one day as we would in 3 or 4 regular park days. This would free up extra time to spend at Epcot, allow us to go to Disney Springs, or do many other things that we usually don't because there is never enough time and we don't get to the park often. Of course, as of now it looks like I wouldn't even have the option because this event is only running through the middle of May, is that right?

Is this your first trip to WDW? If no...how many?

If the answer is anything more than 3...then what can you "accomplish" there?

I don't want to be argumentative...but the mindset leads the WDW management towards an exploitative approach. And that is kinda where it's been going.

Reasonable limits...because they always push you toward what they deem as "reasonable" prices.

 

[seashell7290]

Tons of photopass photographers! I went at 7 and did catch wishes. You can get 3 fastpasses too like the parties. So if you arrive at 7 you can get three rides in too. I also ate every kind of ice cream they offer. I just hope they don't push the crowds to the limit if it becomes popular.

 

[JeninTexas]

lockedoutlogic, no it is not my first trip. However, this will probably be our last trip for many years. As to what we can "accomplish" that would be to ride basically everything that we want to ride at MK. We are not interested in meets and greets and shows.

I agree that the exploitative approach at any business is not a good one. However, if this event causes basically no harm to the regular day guests, and there are people that are willing to pay for the experience, then why shouldn't it be offered? After all, Disney is a business. It does not have to be fair to everyone. Nothing in life is.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think it's great that it was not crowded at all during the time you went that's pretty darn awesome really and I'm glad you had a good time experiencing things you hadn't before I've been in MK before (last time in Sep 2011) with virtually no crowds around since it was after offical park closing time and we were taking our time to get to the shops up front and I must say it was quite a different feeling to really be able to look around (even in the dark) without too many others around.

For others: my thought is how long will the OPs experience ring true........and the early morning hours event disney has going on does require park admission. I have not been to MNSSHP so I can't speak for it but my thought is it was likely a lot less busy in the early days and I know from this board, blogs and review sites it's usually jammed packed nowadays and they've added I think 4 or 5 more days to 2016's time vs 2015s time. The early years of this after hours event may be the golden time to experience it though I do hope disney doesn't end up making the majority of the year filled with after hours events; one thing I don't like about Universal is when I go in Sep their parks close at 6 or 7 and I'm just not ready to be done for the day at that time I don't want it to become the case at disney due to too many exclusive parties cutting the evening short.

Please don't take my comment at knocking the OP cuz I really enjoy hearing (and seeing pictures) of others experience.