New Magic Kingdom Welcome Show & Main Street Opening UPDATE: Page 15 - Post #281

[eeyoreandtink]

@Missyrose Still I don't see where I mention it was a guarantee. I have the right to be annoyed when I have to wake up early 180 in advance to secure a reservation that would allow us to walk up Main Street without being pushed by the crowd and take a few pictures and then things get changed under 60 days to go. People make PPO ADR mainly for 3 reasons
Get pictures with an empty park
Have an advantage on ride lines
Save touring time

All these are gone now.

So yeah for me this time the whole point was to get pictures of my DH god daughter first time seeing the castle and the MK without a crowd. I never said that Disney guarantee me that but when I have to make reservations that far in advance I would at least like for of a heads up. So yeah it is annoying.

I totally get where you are coming from and I think you have every right to be annoyed, but really you can still do all of these with BOG and CRT. The first one is still possible but abbreviated with CP.

 

[hiroMYhero]

The OP of this thread is off playing in the parks today but still managing to check-in and answer questions! I believe she deserves a thread-free day even though she celebrated a day early with that amazing doughnut sundae!

@yulilin3 and many, many thanks for all you do on DISboards!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Um, last I checked, a PPO ADR guaranteed you a way to eat breakfast without wasting park time. The emptyish Main Street and early access to rides was a lucky by-product, but not anything Disney was guaranteeing guests.

that has been said SEVERAL times throughout this thread at this point. I really think everyone gets that. It doesn't negate the fact that people are disappointed at losing some of those not guaranteed but nonetheless enjoyable benefits. I think they have the right to be annoyed that this happened so close to their trip and effected their plans, which were based on what has been SOP for a long time. For me, it isn't as huge a deal. We kept our PPO BOG because we will still get in just ahead of everyone else and reports are that PPO mine train rides are still happening. I DO understand that none of that is guaranteed to happen tomorrow or any day following, but I think I should be free to be disappointed if it goes away. DO I feel I am entitled to it, NO. Will I enjoy it if it happens, YES. Would reports that we no longer get early entry and/ or mine train access effect my decision about the value of future PPO reservations, YES.

 

[yulilin3]

The OP of this thread is off playing in the parks today but still managing to check-in and answer questions! I believe she deserves a thread-free day even though she celebrated a day early with that amazing doughnut sundae!

@yulilin3 and many, many thanks for all you do on DISboards!

Thank you!!!! Currently having a tusker beer at Nomad Lounge and enjoying the PPO debate
Watching my favorite show, fotlk, at 6pm and then enjoying the beauty of the tree of life awakening.
Guys and gals, as I sit here, and I've been coming for about 18 years ,way too often, I think it's important to remember the beauty of these parks and the magic they bring, just let it in, relax, take a moment. The rides and characters will still be there.
No birthday button and the cm continue to make each visit magical.
This might have been the beer talking and the relaxed atmosphere, I'm very zen right now

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

Thank you!!!! Currently having a tusker beer at Nomad Lounge and enjoying the PPO debate
Watching my favorite show, fotlk, at 6pm and then enjoying the beauty of the tree of life awakening.
Guys and gals, as I sit here, and I've been coming for about 18 years ,way too often, I think it's important to remember the beauty of these parks and the magic they bring, just let it in, relax, take a moment. The rides and characters will still be there.
No birthday button and the cm continue to make each visit magical.
This might have been the beer talking and the relaxed atmosphere, I'm very zen right now

Well said. And thank you for your excellent reports!

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

Thank you!!!! Currently having a tusker beer at Nomad Lounge and enjoying the PPO debate
Watching my favorite show, fotlk, at 6pm and then enjoying the beauty of the tree of life awakening.
Guys and gals, as I sit here, and I've been coming for about 18 years ,way too often, I think it's important to remember the beauty of these parks and the magic they bring, just let it in, relax, take a moment. The rides and characters will still be there.
No birthday button and the cm continue to make each visit magical.
This might have been the beer talking and the relaxed atmosphere, I'm very zen right now

I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the awesome information. I was worried about our trip at the end of this month with all the changes recently. But your info has me excited again, and I'm so appreciative. We are heading to Magic Kingdom on January 28th, park hours changed to 8am that day. So I'm assuming they will open up main street around 6:55 based on the last couple of days?

I too have enjoyed the PPO debate. We had one at CP for our MK day, but cancelled and did lunch at Skipper instead. We kept a BOG PPO ressie later in the week for the experience, and I'm not worried at all, because you are exactly right...you have to just enjoy the magic!!

 

[Shanny81]

Yes, thank you @yulilin3!! All your info has been really helpful. I'm waffling on our PPO ADR for BOG. Initially I got it because I figured if we were going to be waiting for the park to open I would rather be doing something like eating that standing around trying to entertain my daughter. (And with the small hope that we could get out early enough to knock out 7DMT and Peter Pan with low waits). But, now I'm not too sure. I'm not stuck on BOG. The idea of strolling around Main Street is fairly tempting actually and a great introduction to Magic Kingdom (plus just saving the $$ alone).

 

[Nancyg56]

Ugh this is annoying. The whole point of making PPO reservations was to have an empty Main Street all those shoots look way more crowded that my Nov stay.

I think that the "benefits" were never promised to anyone, and that is why so many folks were annoyed when park hours would change.

And to us this is a benefit/bonus of the change. While we are ok with the offerings at Casey's (not so much at The Plaza) we prefer being seated at a table vs. having to stand around and eat (seating at Casey's is very limited) so if it means we actually can get an ADR so we can actually go eat, then yay.

I agree. WE like breakfast in the park, so if we now have a better chance to book our PPO meal then good for us!

Yeah I saw the pictures this is a much busier Main Street I had in my past trips when I had PPO ADR. Main Street in nov trip MS had 3 people on it. The hub was completely empty.

I am sorry but I don't think people main reason to make PPO ADR is to eat the mediocre overprice food. Most thread about PPO ADR ask about pictures and getting to rides before the crowd. If those "advantages" wouldn't be there this wouldn't be hard to get ADR. We already saw PP that cancel their ADR because those "advantages" are gone. Also reading other threads people are finding PPO BOG ADR now because people are cancelling if it was mainly because they made the reservation to eat they will be keeping those ADRs which is not the case.

You would be wrong. If the folks who book PPO meal are trying to jump start the crowd, then they now are back to an even playing field.

I am glad the mornign routine changed. I liked the welcome show, but I detested that I was squeezed in with so many other folks, pressing in. This is a nice change with the opportunity to get inside teh park, have a little breakfast and coffee and see a new Morning show.

 

[cakebaker]

At emh this morning and the MK. They are allowing resort guests in early, stopping us at the castle and tomorrowland. Early breakfasts are entering with the rest of us.

 

[yulilin3]

I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the awesome information. I was worried about our trip at the end of this month with all the changes recently. But your info has me excited again, and I'm so appreciative. We are heading to Magic Kingdom on January 28th, park hours changed to 8am that day. So I'm assuming they will open up main street around 6:55 based on the last couple of days?

I too have enjoyed the PPO debate. We had one at CP for our MK day, but cancelled and did lunch at Skipper instead. We kept a BOG PPO ressie later in the week for the experience, and I'm not worried at all, because you are exactly right...you have to just enjoy the magic!!

Yes, it should open at 7am for everyone and the Welcome Show is at 7:55

 

[yulilin3]

At emh this morning and the MK. They are allowing resort guests in early, stopping us at the castle and tomorrowland. Early breakfasts are entering with the rest of us.

so are they scanning EMH resort guests only at the tomorrowland and fantasyland bridge?

 

[brockash]

Did you see the pictures? What crowd?
And no, those are not the 3 main reasons to make a PPO ADR. The main reason is to eat. Those are bonuses but not main reasons. And if they are, they are the wrong reason.


you can see the CM holding the sign to tell people with PPO to make a left

guests being checked for PPO before crossing the Liberty Square bridge
This pic was at 8:15am

That may be YOUR main reason for booking a PPO ADR, but for others it's not. While really nothing is ever guaranteed, especially at Disey, there are def. ppl (my group of 12 included) who mainly make PPO ADR's for the "extras." For us, the breakfast is the extra, as we would not book a PPO ADR if not for the opportunity to walk with room at a reasonable pace down Main Street, get as many pictures as we want with a relatively empty park and be at the front of the pack for rope drop. While you may not agree with our priorities or others, it doesn't mean their preferences/reasonings don't exist. Obviously, just as every change with Disney, this will work out to benefit some and work as a negative for others.

 

[bebec22]

@Missyrose Still I don't see where I mention it was a guarantee. I have the right to be annoyed when I have to wake up early 180 in advance to secure a reservation that would allow us to walk up Main Street without being pushed by the crowd and take a few pictures and then things get changed under 60 days to go. People make PPO ADR mainly for 3 reasons
Get pictures with an empty park
Have an advantage on ride lines
Save touring time

All these are gone now.

So yeah for me this time the whole point was to get pictures of my DH god daughter first time seeing the castle and the MK without a crowd. I never said that Disney guarantee me that but when I have to make reservations that far in advance I would at least like for of a heads up. So yeah it is annoying.

I agree with you. I am also annoyed. My main reason for wanting a PPO breakfast is so it won't cut into park time BUT having an empty Main St. to take pics is a major bonus. My ADR is for CP at 8:10 on 2/20 (which also happens to be President's Day). I plan to try and be one of the first in line to enter and head straight down Main St. to the photographer closest to the castle to get some pics. I am also a huge fan of having professional pictures taken. I have them done no less than 2 times a year and have almost considered bringing my photographer on a Disney trip with me lol. So yeah, it is a bummer that Main St. will be more crowded even though it was never a guarantee.

 

[Nancyg56]

That may be YOUR main reason for booking a PPO ADR, but for others it's not. While really nothing is ever guaranteed, especially at Disey, there are def. ppl (my group of 12 included) who mainly make PPO ADR's for the "extras." For us, the breakfast is the extra, as we would not book a PPO ADR if not for the opportunity to walk with room at a reasonable pace down Main Street, get as many pictures as we want with a relatively empty park and be at the front of the pack for rope drop. While you may not agree with our priorities or others, it doesn't mean their preferences/reasonings don't exist. Obviously, just as every change with Disney, this will work out to benefit some and work as a negative for others.

AS with everything in Disney, there are personal reasons why one plan works for one family and will not for others. I realize that there are a lot of people who book PPO for the bonus of "empty Main Street" or a leg up on the Mine Train, but Disney never offered those perks as part of a PPO meal. They offered breakfast before park opening. I don't have an issue with your priority, why would I? I liked the quiet Main Street years ago, and I like the quiet stroll through Epcot as well.
I take issue with those folks who feel they are now cheated out of something that was never what they were paying for. I think that Disney is trying to manage crowds at the entrance of MK. It was pretty tight in there, and with all of the concerns in regards to security and screening, I bet that this will alleviate some of the logjam of people all trying to beat feet in and down Main Street at park open.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree with you. I am also annoyed. My main reason for wanting a PPO breakfast is so it won't cut into park time BUT having an empty Main St. to take pics is a major bonus. My ADR is for CP at 8:10 on 2/20 (which also happens to be President's Day). I plan to try and be one of the first in line to enter and head straight down Main St. to the photographer closest to the castle to get some pics. I am also a huge fan of having professional pictures taken. I have them done no less than 2 times a year and have almost considered bringing my photographer on a Disney trip with me lol. So yeah, it is a bummer that Main St. will be more crowded even though it was never a guarantee.

Bet you a buck you would have had park hours change to 8 AM open on Presidents Day. All year long we see posts from people who are blindsided by MK opening an hour earlier and their photo plans are ruined.

 

[brockash]

AS with everything in Disney, there are personal reasons why one plan works for one family and will not for others. I realize that there are a lot of people who book PPO for the bonus of "empty Main Street" or a leg up on the Mine Train, but Disney never offered those perks as part of a PPO meal. They offered breakfast before park opening. I don't have an issue with your priority, why would I? I liked the quiet Main Street years ago, and I like the quiet stroll through Epcot as well.
I take issue with those folks who feel they are now cheated out of something that was never what they were paying for. I think that Disney is trying to manage crowds at the entrance of MK. It was pretty tight in there, and with all of the concerns in regards to security and screening, I bet that this will alleviate some of the logjam of people all trying to beat feet in and down Main Street at park open.

I guess I'm just not sure why someone would have an issue with another person's disappointment. Why is it not okay for them to be disappointed? Everyone has a right to feel disappointed. I'm sure there are things that you may feel disappointment over that others wouldn't or wouldn't understand, but there's still nothing wrong with you not liking some change etc. For example, if you go to Disney and your favorite ride is down and you don't get to ride it, I would assume the average person would feel pretty disappointed that they didn't get to ride their favorite ride, even though it's clearly not guaranteed by Disney, they still have the right to feel disappointed or annoyed.

 

[Nancyg56]

I guess I'm just not sure why someone would have an issue with another person's disappointment. Why is it not okay for them to be disappointed? Everyone has a right to feel disappointed. I'm sure there are things that you may feel disappointment over that others wouldn't or wouldn't understand, but there's still nothing wrong with you not liking some change etc. For example, if you go to Disney and your favorite ride is down and you don't get to ride it, I would assume the average person would feel pretty disappointed that they didn't get to ride their favorite ride, even though it's clearly not guaranteed by Disney, they still have the right to feel disappointed or annoyed.

I guess I did not articulate well. I wanted to be sure you knew I was not trying to disparage what you felt. It is always okay to be disappointed.

 

[bebec22]

Bet you a buck you would have had park hours change to 8 AM open on Presidents Day. All year long we see posts from people who are blindsided by MK opening an hour earlier and their photo plans are ruined.

I'm totally expecting park hours to change that day. Right now it's scheduled 9am-8pm with Wishes at 8pm. I'm so so so hoping they keep Wishes scheduled for 8pm. My kids are usually in bed by 7 (my little one even earlier) but I think I can push the night a little later for Wishes, my son would absolutely LOVE it! I will be way more bummed about that than opening an hour earlier.

 

[AngiTN]

I guess I'm just not sure why someone would have an issue with another person's disappointment. Why is it not okay for them to be disappointed? Everyone has a right to feel disappointed. I'm sure there are things that you may feel disappointment over that others wouldn't or wouldn't understand, but there's still nothing wrong with you not liking some change etc. For example, if you go to Disney and your favorite ride is down and you don't get to ride it, I would assume the average person would feel pretty disappointed that they didn't get to ride their favorite ride, even though it's clearly not guaranteed by Disney, they still have the right to feel disappointed or annoyed.

Yeah, I'm with Nancy56 here, there is not a thing wrong with being disappointed. It's those that are going a bit further in being angry and lodging complaints when they lost their low crowd photo or chance to ride something first. While you are well within your rights to be disappointed at loosing those it's going a bit too far to say you were due them. (Not directing this you at YOU, just the generic you that has done that) No one was promised anything by Disney, other than a meal. They do enough that is not in the guests best interest these days. This is one change that should not go in that category. That's all I'm saying really.

 

[yulilin3]

Prefacing this by saying you can feel whatever you want and this is just my opinion
The analogy of a favorite ride down is not the best one, in my opinion.
Yes going to Disney and finding a favorite ride is down is disappointing, cause when you bought the ticket Disney showed the ride would be open and operating from xx time to xx time.
With a dinning reservation if you made the reservation and for whatever reason the restaurant had to close then it would be the same situation. Not having an experience that is not talked about, promised, mentioned, although is disappointing shouldn't be the main reason to book something
Now the PPO tours that said you had a chance to grab pictures before the crowds, that I would reevaluate.