New MK Paid Disney After Hours Event Announced

[JRennie]

Is this the beginning of doing away with EMH ?

It's a way to charge for EMH. Disgusting.

 

[Planogirl]

As far as the confusion about this being twice the price of the parties for half the time and half the activities,... I don't think those things are relevant if they sell less tickets to this. The parties are usually packed. I'm wondering if they will limit the ticket sales on this to make the park feel somewhat empty. If so, I think we would do it once at least (just 2 of us). We hate lines and to be able to do all the rides in order and get character pics with no waits would be amazing. It all depends on your priorities. We are always shocked at what people will spend on sit-down meals at Disney so we mostly bring our own food mixed with a bit of quick service. However we would way more likely spend $300 to have an an amazing 3 hour evening IF the park feels empty.

We found the lines at the rides to be pretty short during the Christmas party. It was crowded but most people were lining up for characters and special shows and such things.

 

[JoeATC]

Please put the children to bed...

Is it safe now? Ok.

C'mon people! The name tells you all you need to know. "Disney After Hours", they'll have strippers, both male and female. "Attention Ladies, please make your way over to the Jungle Cruise for a swinging good time". "Hey Gentlemen, come on over to Ariel's Grotto for the hottest show on land".

I understand you can use your Magic Band to tip the "entertainers".

 

[tinawv]

I haven't replied on this thread yet because, frankly, the involuntary eye rolls caused by all of Disney's recent announcements (or rumors of coming changes) may be causing permanent damage.

But if this thing does happen, we're going to see shorter normal park hours so Disney can maximize profits from these after hour tickets. That's what would really tick me off. They will no longer extend park hours, as has always been the norm until now. Don't assume that these are only going to be during times when the park would have been otherwise closed. We may be seeing the last of MK hours that extend past 10:00

Those are my feelings; the beginning of the end of EMH. Why give something for free when people are willing to pay for it.

 

[tinawv]

Interesting if this is true. The high price would make me think the number of tickets are very limited so the 3-hour time period would be a unique experience. It would likely be limited by the market demand at that price but Disney would need to make sure the number of guests is low.

We did the E-ride nights a few times. The 1st time we did it the ride waits were short and the crowds low; the last time we did it, we decided never again because it was crowded. I read posts stating the number of guests were limited to 5,000 but I don't know this to be a fact. Based on our experience, there were way more than 5,000 guests in the MK.

I can't see them limiting it to 3,000 as stated in another post. That would limit their revenue to approximately $450,000; which out of that they would have to pay cast members and maintenance to run the park. This is not including anything special such as free food or drinks.

 

[tinawv]

So this test is for April and May yet regular park hours have not been adjusted past 10 pm for June. Makes perfect sense now why they are months late on adjusting those hours. They are seeing how this goes and not extend my June hours except for the added cost way. Send me home at 10 and get others in there from 10 pm till 1 am at additional cost.

I was wondering why also as we will be there in June. It all makes sense now.

 

[Royal Consort]

In the UK budget airline Ryanair come around with a measuring box to ensure your cabin baggage is the correct size. Disney should employ a similar practice with the measuring of each guest's wallet at bag check. If it doesn't meet the required size -forget admission.

 

[Ellwood970]

I wonder how many pages we'd get of 'That's not what Walt would have wanted' and 'the drunks are ruining everything'

The local drunks did ruin pleasure island.

 

[HappyGrape]

In the UK budget airline Ryanair come around with a measuring box to ensure your cabin baggage is the correct size. Disney should employ a similar practice with the measuring of each guest's wallet at bag check. If it doesn't meet the required size -forget admission.

Just Ryanair followed the other path. From lets squeeze every penny and see if we can charge for toilet paper to lets be nice and upfront to our customers. 2 bags were over the weight last time and they didn't charge


Disney is from be nice to your customer, to lets see how much we can get away with

I guess a lot?

 

[tstidm1]

To put my views into perspective, let me explain what a group of UO Fans (Orlando Informer) are doing for a meet up in May. This event includes full Dinner, Unlimited Butterbeer and Ice Cream, A Private viewing area for Cinematic Spectacular and three hours in Diagon Alley for $124 plus sales tax. If I was on vacation then, I would pay for a chance to meet fellow theme park fans and the other benefits listed. To me, it's an experience that I can't do at home (no Mouse Meet in Baltimore/DC).

For $150 with WDW, this is basically an attempt to allow the public to have a corporate event experience. I won't spend the $150 for this event and I don't think the newbie fan or even 99% of us hardcore fans will spend this. Maybe there will be an extensive value where it includes food and drink, but I doubt it. This is going to fail in such a way they will have to either give tickets away to this or give a massive discount for it day of. Even Club Villain is at a similar price to the OI meet up and includes food.

 

[pmaurer74]

If it included three meals that day it would be worth it. It would have to be something amazing to make it worthwhile but I likely still would not go. I thought the villain parties were too expensive. Looking forward to more details before having an opinion.

 

[winterwhite]

I'd only go if there were NO strollers or small children. As in restricted to ages 21 and over. And even then $150 is too high. Maybe $100.



EMH is the only reason to stay on site, IMO. I agree all that so-called Disney magic is a crock. I live in the real world, not in Fantasyland.

I think Disney has not yet realized the untapped market for adult-only park time yet. I would pay a lot of money to be in a park with NO overtired kids and their beleaguered parents after hours. As I said above, I'm waiting for the official announcement so I can book this - I don't care about characters, I just care about getting to enjoy the park without constant screaming and getting my feet run over, which is a lot more likely given that this may be an 11p-2am thing.

 

[Crystal824]

I doubt this is something that my family and I would be interested in. We definitely wouldn't be interested in it if it is just 3 more hours at the MK. If it were just DH and me and it was a special event with special fireworks, food, etc, we would probably try it once. With two small kids, we won't be doing this. We did the Wishes dessert party once right after it started back when it was half the cost. I really enjoyed it. I would do it again if it were the same cost. I'm not paying the current price. I'm not cheap, but I have to find value in the price I pay.

 

[Boski]

I think Disney has not yet realized the untapped market for adult-only park time yet. I would pay a lot of money to be in a park with NO overtired kids and their beleaguered parents after hours. As I said above, I'm waiting for the official announcement so I can book this - I don't care about characters, I just care about getting to enjoy the park without constant screaming and getting my feet run over, which is a lot more likely given that this may be an 11p-2am thing.

I'm sure Disney has looked into it, but you're a very very small percentage of the people who go to Disney. Most either 1) Have kids with them or 2) Don't mind kids.

 

[Boski]

I believe there is about to be extensive training on Social Media 101 and keeping your mouth shut.

Well we've all been moaning about the fact that they have been cutting the CM's training, its finally came back to get them!

 

[winterwhite]

I'm sure Disney has looked into it, but you're a very very small percentage of the people who go to Disney. Most either 1) Have kids with them or 2) Don't mind kids.

I actually don't mind kids. Doesn't mean I wouldn't pay to be separated from other people's kids for some adult-only time.

Additionally, not minding kids doesn't mean that group #2 wouldn't pay for an event that was 21-up that offered special characters and no kid-type things like parades that clog up half the park. I think there's a fair number of people out there who would pay for access to the park with restricted attendance alone. Will see how it sells. But I agree with the above commenter that based on the increased numbers of places targeted at adults (trader sams, hangar bar, etc) that I think Disney is realizing there is untapped potential $$ in adults-only things at Disney.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I guess I'm in the minority not thinking this is a big deal. IF they don't change current park hours and this is truly held at night after hours, it has zero impact on anyone who doesn't want to attend. I highly doubt it will increase day crowds on the event days, as most people attending the party will probably not also purchase a day pass for the same day.

On the flip side, if they change the park hours on those days and close earlier, I do agree that would be totally unfair to people who have already booked ADRs and FP since it would be way too late to rearrange plans at this point. If they were going to do that, similar to the Halloween and Christmas parties, it should have been announced well in advance so people could plan their trips around it.

 

[mustlovecats]

Well, it's official: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/disney-after-hours/

If anyone calls today for tickets see if they have more details and report back, like what the "much, much more" entails.

 

[mustlovecats]

Details:

More Magic in Less Time
Treat yourself to a classic Magic Kingdom experience—complete with select attractions, ice cream novelties and more.


By purchasing a ticket to Disney After Hours, you can make the most of a truly magical occasion when Magic Kingdom park lets you in for the last few hours of the day… and then stays open for 3 extra hours at night, just for Guests of the event!

This is your chance to fit in even more theme park fun, all while enjoying many of the most popular attractions and Character Greetings around—such as:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Disney Princess Greetings at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• And much, much more!

Ice Cream Novelties & Select Beverages Included!
In the midst of the laughs and thrills, be sure to chill out with ice cream novelties and select bottled beverages—included with the cost of admission—available at carts stationed through the park. In addition, you can also purchase select menu items at Casey’s Corner and STARBUCKS® Coffee and specialty beverages from Main Street Bakery.

And remember: admission is limited to only a select number of Guests. Be sure to purchase your tickets today!

Show Less

Call Today to Purchase Your Tickets
Contact the Disney Reservation Center by phone to buy your tickets to this one-of-a-kind special event! Admission to Disney After Hours can be purchased for $149 per Guest (tax not included), and takes place on the following dates:

• April 28 and May 5, 2016 from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
• April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM

To purchase a ticket for one or more of the dates listed above, please call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 827-7185 for assistance. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Show Less

Important Details for Disney After Hours
Learn all you need to know about Disney After Hours—including when you can check-in and enter the park.

• Official check-in for the event will take place at the Main Entrance to the theme park beginning at 7:00 PM.
• Please note that Magic Kingdom park will officially close to Guests who haven’t purchased Disney After Hours tickets at 10:00 PM on April 28 and May 5, 2016; and at 11:00 PM on April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016.
• Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests—including those staying at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Hotel—may use Walt Disney World Transportation after the event for up to 2 hours.
• Please note that the number of tickets available is limited. In addition, all tickets are non-refundable, non-transferrable and are only valid for admission during the special event date and hours.
• All attractions, entertainment and experiences are subject to change without notice.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

• Official check-in for the event will take place at the Main Entrance to the theme park beginning at 7:00 PM.
• Please note that Magic Kingdom park will officially close to Guests who haven’t purchased Disney After Hours tickets at 10:00 PM on April 28 and May 5, 2016; and at 11:00 PM on April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016.
• Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests—including those staying at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Hotel—may use Walt Disney World Transportation after the event for up to 2 hours.
• Please note that the number of tickets available is limited. In addition, all tickets are non-refundable, non-transferrable and are only valid for admission during the special event date and hours.
• All attractions, entertainment and experiences are subject to change without notice.