New After Hours Event - a Must or a Bust

[im4pacers1]

I would love to go, too. If they extend and it's going on around my birthday, I will likely fly down for a quick trip.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Not paying $149 per person for ice cream and water. Extra Magic Hours was free, until they removed the "magic".

For me...it's a bust.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

We are visiting during Food & Wine. MK closes at 7:00 to 8:00 every night, except one (9:00)...all week. I believe, this will definitely affect regular day guests. I can't believe the park is closing so early.

 

[Ellwood970]

I have been in the MK many times from 12 am to 3am for EMH in an almost empty park everything walk on it was wonderful and not 149 dollars. BUT no ice cream. For 149 dollars I could buy plenty of ice cream. However I know many of us on this board are fanatics and know how to work it. Once in a while visitors? I am happy for them that they get to enjoy it.

 

[Daddio]

What attractions were actually open during the event?

Here is a list:

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!

Photopass was available throughout the park
It felt different but good.

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

Me too. Thanks.

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

Yes this was part of the event and the only reason I went in. I am glad I did.

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

We used to do the E-Ride nights. As a matter of fact, they started at $10.00. The crowds were very low but so was park attendance as they were just post 9/11.


~ David

 

[Lori74]

thank you so much for the review! expensive it seems, however, the busier our lives get, I'm finding I would rather spend more money to get more done with less waiting. I understand and agree, it certainly would be more beneficial for those who stay off property.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not sure if already posted, but how were the 'regular' people shuffled out at 11?

Great picture, Dave!!

 

[Whilykit]

I posted on the DVC board earlier. We were one of the lucky DVC families that were invited to attend for free. We were a group of 10 and had a magnificent time. We rode Splash mtn over and over again without getting off. Same with space! Walked on 7D several times. There were no lines. There were times we saw no other people , literally, it was us, and some really goofy cast members offering us more ice cream than we could ever possibly consume! Photopass photographers were in great moods and we got some AWESOME, creative shots... it was reminiscent of nights I remember from my teenage years (1994-1996) when the park was always empty from 12-3 am. We were lucky, we got to partake for free. We will never forget this night.. it was one for the books! That being said, we would never have paid to do it

 

[Xennia]

Some will pay other won't

Opinions everywhere.

Depends on your preference and what you want.

 

[CAS239]

We are visiting during Food & Wine. MK closes at 7:00 to 8:00 every night, except one (9:00)...all week. I believe, this will definitely affect regular day guests. I can't believe the park is closing so early.

This is every year..it's not due to any extra after hour events like this one. Around the food and wine time MK usually closes around 7-9pm, sometimes 10 and 11.

Keep an eye on the park hours though as those dates come a lot closer because they can change

 

[agavegirl1]

Thank you very much for the review. I have been wondering about actual attendance. I think that because it was the first night and the event was not widely publicized in advance, attendance was sparser than it may be better attended in the future. I look forward to additional reports. I can see the value for the "day guest" but since I usually come with 6-9 day hoppers and stay on site, the value isn't there for me.

 

[Bullseye]

Nice to see the parks that empty. It would definitely be something I would love to do. For free like OP. Or even $150. For my family of four. But $600 for the four of us is highway robbery.

Same here, $600 is too much for one night. I admit I'm optimistic by OPs report. But I thought the rest of guests were allowed to stay in park and not ride so I thought it would still be crowded. It looked pretty empty from the pics.

 

[PetePanMan]

Disney says it "sold out" first after hours event (with free entry for DVC) but I can't help but think they sell tickets to any and all who are willing to buy

 

[Mikie]

This is every year..it's not due to any extra after hour events like this one. Around the food and wine time MK usually closes around 7-9pm, sometimes 10 and 11.

Keep an eye on the park hours though as those dates come a lot closer because they can change

Not sure whether you mean a particular part of food and wine and whether you are counting EMH or not, but in October of 2013, 2014, 2015 Magic Kingdom closed at 7 many times - always due to the Halloween party after hours event.
In those 3 years, if never had an 8:00 closing time (unless you count 1 occurrence of 8-10 EMH)
In that time it closed at 9:00 pm 3 times and 3 more 9-11 EMH
Closed at 10 pm 3 times plus the one 8-10 EMH and 4 10-12 EMH
Closed at 11 pm 10 times plus the 3 9-11 EMH and 3 11-1 EMH
Closed at 12 7 times plus 4 10-12 EMH
Closed at 1 pm (non EMH) 3 times plus 3 11-1 EMH

I think at least for the October portion of F&W, we can say that all closings prior to 9pm have been exclusively due to special events. And that on days without special events, it "usually" closes 10 -12 and occasionally at 9.

I did not look at the Sept and Nov pieces, but if Oct hours in 2016 show 7-8 closings on non-party nights, it will be a major departure and not the norm.

Edit: I did not count the Sept and Nov hours, but I did scroll through - all closings prior to 9 pm were party nights.Most closings were 10+
Perhaps you only meant that these hours are placeholders and that they are likely to change as we get closer, in which case I'm sorry if I seemed to "call you out" by quoting you. Talk of "usual" hours vs 2016 hours just made me curious enough to check.

 

[dfb]

It looked pretty empty from the pics.

I wonder if the main street pictures were taken closer to 11PM or 2 AM?

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Interesting perspective. I am much more a night owl, so this coupled with a park not nearly as crowded as it is during the day holds interest. However, I'm still wary about the entire concept and the reason behind its inception. So long as EMH hours aren't cut though, I guess I don't have any major issues with this event.

 

[Mikie]

Not sure if already posted, but how were the 'regular' people shuffled out at 11?

Great picture, Dave!!

In another thread, a poster without an event ticket posted that she was not shuffled out at all. Said they couldn't ride (not sure if she tried or simply assumed lack of lnanyard would prevent it) and she saw a non-ticketed group get turned away from purchasing food at Caseys.

 

[Planogirl]

Daddio, I LOVE your pictures and also your insight.

To me it's not worth it and I won't be participating. I can't get over that what we once paid less than $20 for is almost $150 and the only difference is an ice cream bar and water. I guess that I just can't get past that.

 

[webcreatrix]

I would probably never consider this due to the cost, BUT, we prefer to stay off site which means FP+ 30 days out, and are going on June when it's hot and crowded. Add to that, my 13 year old daughter will be coming out of a boot and physical therapy post ankle surgery. I am thinking it could be worth the $600 (on top of 7 day tickets?) for us to have a night where we know we will get to ride so many rides without backtracking or lines.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is every year..it's not due to any extra after hour events like this one. Around the food and wine time MK usually closes around 7-9pm, sometimes 10 and 11.

Keep an eye on the park hours though as those dates come a lot closer because they can change

Yes. They often add extra hours on evenings when a party is not scheduled. Especially on Saturday nights