New MK Paid Disney After Hours Event Announced

[HopperFan]

Disney never said the park would be cleared out. People on here assume that the admission would be limited so they can have smaller crowds.
Never once on the ad has that been mentioned. I believe that people want that so bad that they just "assume" that the admission will be limited.
Come on, people, have they every limited people and cut out their earnings? I've read that the special events are very crowded as it is.
I've never paid for one and never will. Universal is looking better and better. Disney better get their act together and stop the bad press/feelings they are causing with all these increases.

Yes they basically did -

• 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.
• Please note that the number of tickets available is limited.

You also have to check-in - which should be like a party night for a wristband or credential.

• Official check-in for the event will take place at the Main Entrance to the theme park beginning at 7:00 PM.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

People on here seem to be also just assuming that the park WON'T be cleared and the admission WON'T be limited.

There would be no reason whatsoever to purchase this without limited admission. Unfortunately I am sure that even if asked they probably won't say HOW limited. There was a rumor out that said 12K, which is very limited.

 

[serenitynow]

Hopperfan, please be careful. We'd hate to lose you into the Witness Protection Program!

 

[tlmadden73]

We will have to agree to disagree on that one - especially as someone who goes in the 'slow' season. I love the magical feeling of the park being emptier at night. <3

Understood ..

And this is exactly why they are now charging $149 for these extra night hours. They KNOW that a lot of people want that "magical" feeling of being in an empty park AT NIGHT.

 

[HopperFan]

Hopperfan, please be careful. We'd hate to lose you into the Witness Protection Program!

You know a lot of days that sounds like a sweet vacation! A place where no one knows my name.

 

[Pemeberly]

Understood ..

And this is exactly why they are now charging $149 for these extra night hours. They KNOW that a lot of people want that "magical" feeling of being in an empty park AT NIGHT.

Hey friend, I am in no way trying to argue you with you here. My last statement was purely the opinion that I would prefer evening EMH to a 4th FP+. Just like I completely understand why people would want to pay for the After Hours event. I probably would at a lower price point.

Now when After Hours looks like it might replace evening EMH, that's when I get irritated. And like you said, I, too, think it's going that way.

 

[scrapquitler]

Who but megafans would pay $600 for a family of 4 for 3 hours?

maybe the same people who pay $50 for a wishes desert party, $60 for their preschooler to get her hair done at BBB, $300 for a table/cabana at the water park, $600 or more for a one night stay in a Deluxe resort or $35 for a child to eat a breakfast buffet??? Lets be real....there are a ton of extras at Disney that many people don't seem to be at all concerned about paying thru the nose for, so why woudn't Disney try to add something different that might appeal more to the teens and childless adults to do late at night? Yes, it's expensive, but so are all those other things I mentioned.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'd say they would just slowly eliminate the NIGHT EMH hours at MK . .and just have AM ones (which are probably more preferable to "most" guests anyone (especially those with young children).

So who is going to gamble and give this a shot (on such short notice) without knowing a lot of the details? They don't really have much information out about it besides "some attractions" will be open (and they list like 6 of them) and that you'll get free ice cream and soda.

I am thinking about it. I really wish I knew what the 'and much, much, more" entailed, that would either make or break it for me. We happen to be at the world for the first night. DH and I have been discussing it and we are thinking that if it turns out to be something really great, we might regret not having done it later. We did a lot of Disney this year, but this year was unusual for us and it might be several years before we can go again (not because of money, but because of upcoming family stuff), so it might be worth it. Late night EMH are our very favorite time to be in the park, I know that we usually get a ton of rides in during the two hours of late EMH in MK, so this could be a really good opportunity for that, and if there were some great extras, I do think that the price might have a lot of value. But it's still unknown at this point. I'm so on the fence....

 

[HopperFan]

I am thinking about it. I really wish I knew what the 'and much, much, more" entailed, that would either make or break it for me. We happen to be at the world for the first night. DH and I have been discussing it and we are thinking that if it turns out to be something really great, we might regret not having done it later. We did a lot of Disney this year, but this year was unusual for us and it might be several years before we can go again (not because of money, but because of upcoming family stuff), so it might be worth it. Late night EMH are our very favorite time to be in the park, I know that we usually get a ton of rides in during the two hours of late EMH in MK, so this could be a really good opportunity for that, and if there were some great extras, I do think that the price might have a lot of value. But it's still unknown at this point. I'm so on the fence....

For me -

1) What is the "and much, much, more"?

2) Who are the special characters and how many will there be?

3) How many tickets are they selling?

Having been to a MNSSHP with only 9,000 vs what is being sold now .... something closer to 10,000 is wonderful!

 

[kittyab]

Not sure if this has been shared yet:

http://www.doctordisney.com/2016/03...ts-magic-kingdom-disney-officially-announces/

Details on the Disney after Dark

 

[tlmadden73]

Hey friend, I am in no way trying to argue you with you here. My last statement was purely the opinion that I would prefer evening EMH to a 4th FP+. Just like I completely understand why people would want to pay for the After Hours event. I probably would at a lower price point.

Now when After Hours looks like it might replace evening EMH, that's when I get irritated. And like you said, I, too, think it's going that way.

Yep .. not trying to argue with you. Sorry if it came across that way.

Just stating that people like you (heck, like a lot of us here) is what they are targeting this to it seems. When the parks are getting more crowded, people will be willing to pay for 3 hours in a park where they could feasibly get more rides in then they could ALL day long on a normal day.

WE created the demand .. they are simply taking advantage of that demand now.

They used EMH to draw people to the resorts and to WDW itself .. they no longer need to do that (as demand is high) .. so they can now start charging for things that used to be needed to draw people in.

I'd suspect we see Free Dining go away too (or have so many restrictions it just won't be worth it) for the same reason. It is just not needed to draw people to WDW . .they are coming anyway.

Heck .. i wouldn't be shocked if they had another 24 hour party .. but just made it a hard ticket event .. limited to only those who buy the ticket that day.

I wouldn't be shocked once the new lands come that they have special "preview" parties where you can pay a large amount to have limited capacity access to the new lands before (or after) they open. How many Star Wars fans would pay $200 or more to simply have "exclusive" access to DHS for an evening so they can experience the new land without worrying about getting a FP or waiting in 120 minute lines?

 

[scrapquitler]

Oh . .I am sure there are plenty of families that prefer night hours (I would .. IF I was just going with my wife .. but with a toddler? (or even kids under 10)) .. no way would I want to stay out that late after an already LONG day in the park with another potential long day tomorrow at another park.

Also like an above poster mentioned . the cost to keep the park open an extra two hours at night must be immense ..
I am sure it is hard to staff people until 1:00 - 2:00 AM.
How many people are really getting food/souvenirs that late?
Less time to clean the park, fix attractions before the next opening.

Morning EMH .. probably easier to staff (would YOU rather start work at 6:00 AM or stay up until 1:00 AM after a long day?) .. it is only an extra HOUR of staffing (compared to 2) .. and gets people in the park earlier . .meaning they may have breakfast or snacks in the park ..etc. etc.

I've always wondered how many resort guests (what percentage) took advantage of EMH anyway.

I say ditch EMH .. keep the hours of the park consistent and just give resort guests a 4th Fast Pass. I am sure MOST (not all) people wouldn't miss a perk they sometimes didn't use every day for a 4th fast pass EVERY day of their trip.

I would think a 4th Fast Pass would be more of a selling point to do a resort stay than EMH.

We always plan our park schedule around which park has the latest operating hours on a given day. We ALWAYS hit MK on the night time EMH and stay until the end of them, it is in our opinion, the single least crowded time to ride rides.

And we Never EVER ever ever go to morning EMH and hardly ever hit rope drop. The night time ones are far more appealing for us.

 

[Iowamomof4]

You know a lot of days that sounds like a sweet vacation! A place where no one knows my name.

The opposite of Cheers?

 

[hopemax]

I don't know ANY megafans that are even thinking about purchasing this.

As someone who remembers what E-Ride Nights were like... Once the reports start coming in, I'm sure there will be some that change their minds. What E-Ride Nights were like:

During the last hour, we'd get on Buzz Lighyear and ride as many times as we wanted WITHOUT GETTING OFF THE RIDE. We'd just wave at the unload CM's and they'd wave back, and you'd ride around to load, and through the ride again. We rode until our trigger fingers hurt.

We rode Splash Mountain when we were the only people in the log.

At $10 a night, it was a dream come true. At $150, some people will still think it is. *slumps head against keyboard*

 

[VillainFavs]

So I hear the number 50,000+ is the "average" park attendance for Magic Kingdom?

So couldn't "limited" mean just 45,000?

Or give us a real break and make it 40,000? Or 35,000?

Yep, that's a real empty park right there....

 

[tlmadden73]

I am thinking about it. I really wish I knew what the 'and much, much, more" entailed, that would either make or break it for me. We happen to be at the world for the first night. DH and I have been discussing it and we are thinking that if it turns out to be something really great, we might regret not having done it later. We did a lot of Disney this year, but this year was unusual for us and it might be several years before we can go again (not because of money, but because of upcoming family stuff), so it might be worth it. Late night EMH are our very favorite time to be in the park, I know that we usually get a ton of rides in during the two hours of late EMH in MK, so this could be a really good opportunity for that, and if there were some great extras, I do think that the price might have a lot of value. But it's still unknown at this point. I'm so on the fence....

That's my point .. with 4/14 only about 3 weeks away .. who is going to buy tickets to that FIRST night without knowing exactly what they are getting?

But . .that may be thing .. people may not CARE .. 3 hours of late night exclusive access to Magic Kingdom? Sign me up . .they may not care what rides are open, they may not care what food they may be getting and they may not care what characters are there or not.
They are just willing to pay for guaranteed SHORTER lines .. and I think that is what Disney is counting on.
So I am curious what the turnout will be on this first night. That first night may have VERY few people until the word starts getting out how "good" this is (or isn't).

I'd consider it as well .. maybe on your arrival day you do this and enjoy MK at night for 6-7 hours still!
Maybe cut out a "normal" day at MK from your vacation plan and do this party instead (and just rest at the resort pool the day of (and maybe the day after).

 

[scrapquitler]

I wouldn't be shocked once the new lands come that they have special "preview" parties where you can pay a large amount to have limited capacity access to the new lands before (or after) they open. How many Star Wars fans would pay $200 or more to simply have "exclusive" access to DHS for an evening so they can experience the new land without worrying about getting a FP or waiting in 120 minute lines?

I saw a post the other day, $50 for the preview party for ROL, extra time in AK to ride several rides, and see ROL I think it was April 17&18th. So yes, totally feasible that this WILL happen, it is happening.

 

[scrapquitler]

That's my point .. with 4/14 only about 3 weeks away .. who is going to buy tickets to that FIRST night without knowing exactly what they are getting?

But . .that may be thing .. people may not CARE .. 3 hours of late night exclusive access to Magic Kingdom? Sign me up . .they may not care what rides are open, they may not care what food they may be getting and they may not care what characters are there or not.
They are just willing to pay for guaranteed SHORTER lines .. and I think that is what Disney is counting on.
So I am curious what the turnout will be on this first night. That first night may have VERY few people until the word starts getting out how "good" this is (or isn't).

I'd consider it as well .. maybe on your arrival day you do this and enjoy MK at night for 6-7 hours still!
Maybe cut out a "normal" day at MK from your vacation plan and do this party instead (and just rest at the resort pool the day of (and maybe the day after).

My husband is definitely on the side of 'sign me up' and I'm the one who is hesitating. It is going to be last minute decision for sure. I'm really surprised that Disney is doing this in such a last minute way.

 

[HopperFan]

So I hear the number 50,000+ is the "average" park attendance for Magic Kingdom?

So couldn't "limited" mean just 45,000?

Or give us a real break and make it 40,000? Or 35,000?

Yep, that's a real empty park right there....

HAHA, empty to me means at least HALF what a Halloween Party sells since it's double the price. You are lukewarm.

 

[HopperFan]

My husband is definitely on the side of 'sign me up' and I'm the one who is hesitating. It is going to be last minute decision for sure. I'm really surprised that Disney is doing this in such a last minute way.

LUCKY GIRL!