News Round Up 2019

[wareagle57]

Ridiculous. I don't mind if Disney wants to cut hours and bombard us with way too many upsell events. (I don't LIKE it, but I don't mind.) But what I do mind is all the hours getting cut from the evening instead of spreading them around. Not having the MK open late for regular park guests at least a few times a week is shameful. Even if I was made of money and could afford it, I still would only pay for one of these during a trip.

 

[nkosiek]

That’s just it. The add on events keep selling really well so why should disney give “free” EMH.

Because when you tell people when they book out that those things are available, they believe you. And at some point, you need to take care of those people who stay on site, instead of keep taking away. I'd love to see what the breakdown is on people who do the paid add-ons for those on-site vs. off.

I honestly think that Disney is getting dangerously close to the skinning the sheep, not just shearing.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

All these decisions are pushing me to stay at universal and just do a day trip to Disney.

Cabana Bay is a much higher quality hotel than any disney value. No benefits to staying on site? Then I won't.

My last few trips the free buses to the parks were all hit or miss anyway. Free is nicen but when you wait 50 minutes for a mk bus in the glaring sun in my mnsshp costume... No thanks. That free isn't worth it.

I'll just let the Uber drop me off.

 

[erider]

EMH nights is still one of the main reasons we stay at WDW resorts. We are not early birds, so we won't do early EMH. And no way I'm paying for the after hours events. It will be interesting to see if taking away EMH will lead to more people staying offsite.

 

[sachilles]

I could see them doing something along the lines of a fastpass for one after hours party during your stay. Basically your package includes one access to after hours, and you pay for any others you want access to. That would reduce numbers in theory, and allow them to charge or extra access. Ultimately most would get the same access as always.

 

[NJlauren]

All the cuts are pushing me to offsite, I love onsite, it’s so nice to not have to drive and deal with car seats etc etc. but honestly I can get a better hotel for less money and use the savings for extras.

We have onsite booked in August not positive we will do onsite for future trips... there is even a small chance we move offsite for August...

 

[SaintsManiac]

So many changes and transition right now that it's making my head spin. It's exciting in a way, but it's also stressful. I actually think I'll be ready for a break after our APs expire. When things settle down it might make me feel better about booking in the future.

 

[Iowamomof4]

They JUST extended emh and fp+ benefits to DS hotels through 2020. Some speculated that meant emh weren't going anywhere for awhile. Guess not.

 

[ned911]

Used to love evening EMH at MK until our trip in Feb. The line at each attraction to get your MB scanned to prove you were onsite was ridiculous. Not worth it IMO.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’m hoping they will still have later park hours on some evenings even if they’re not labeled as EMH.

The challenge we faced last December’s trip and will face again this September is that there are so many evening events that it’s difficult to plan to watch Happily Ever After. During our 8 days in Sep, 4 nights the park is already closing at 6:00 for MNSSHP. IF they decide to add more paid events in the future it will further decrease the capacity for day guests to enjoy the parks in the evening including HEA.

I’m not completely surprised by what we heard today and do believe it’s going to happen, I’m just curious to see how it effects park hours to those unwilling/unable to pay for upcharge evening events.

 

[rteetz]

Because when you tell people when they book out that those things are available, they believe you. And at some point, you need to take care of those people who stay on site, instead of keep taking away. I'd love to see what the breakdown is on people who do the paid add-ons for those on-site vs. off.

I honestly think that Disney is getting dangerously close to the skinning the sheep, not just shearing.

Oh I agree. I also think though that Disney feels if people keep paying extra for things why should they offer “free” things.

 

[JETSDAD]

I may have misunderstood but according to KtP weren't the EMH just moved from PM to AM? So EMH is not being taken away, just changed?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I may have misunderstood but according to KtP weren't the EMH just moved from PM to AM? So EMH is not being taken away, just changed?

Not a fair trade IMO. You lost an hour

 

[Iowamomof4]

I may have misunderstood but according to KtP weren't the EMH just moved from PM to AM? So EMH is not being taken away, just changed?

Yes. Although if they keep morning emh at 1 hour, you're going from 3 hours down to 2 per week of emh at MK.

 

[mikebb]

Oh I agree. I also think though that Disney feels if people keep paying extra for things why should they offer “free” things.

Of course, but the "free" isn't just goodwill on Disney's part, but a well-known incentive to stay onsite - take away the incentive and some percentage of people will look to stay elsewhere. Now, if anyone has the predictive analytics on how this could drive hotel traffic, it would be Disney.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I’m hoping they will still have later park hours on some evenings even if they’re not labeled as EMH.

The challenge we faced last December’s trip and will face again this September is that there are so many evening events that it’s difficult to plan to watch Happily Ever After. During our 8 days in Sep, 4 nights the park is already closing at 6:00 for MNSSHP. IF they decide to add more paid events in the future it will further decrease the capacity for day guests to enjoy the parks in the evening including HEA.

I’m not completely surprised by what we heard today and do believe it’s going to happen, I’m just curious to see how it effects park hours to those unwilling/unable to pay for upcharge evening events.

I would hope they continue to stay open “late” on Saturdays, if for no other reason than goodwill gesture to locals (specifically local AP holders).

 

[jlundeen]

It was only once per week now... but the first hour was always more crowded than the 2nd, so now that 1 hour in the AM will be even a bigger madhouse with everyone trying to get to 7D right away....

ETA: The Saturday night that we will be there during our trip was open until midnight last year, but so far this year, it's only open until 9.

 

[rteetz]

Of course, but the "free" isn't just goodwill on Disney's part, but a well-known incentive to stay onsite - take away the incentive and some percentage of people will look to stay elsewhere. Now, if anyone has the predictive analytics on how this could drive hotel traffic, it would be Disney.

Yes and Disney if getting rid of EMH must feel it won’t impact resort occupancy much.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yes and Disney if getting rid of EMH must feel it won’t impact resort occupancy much.

Makes me wonder if SW:GE access will be tied to resort occupancy somehow. They need something good to continue to get on site bookings.

 

[JETSDAD]

We normally skip EMH anyways as we get more done during regular park hours than EMH...if the changes stopped there I'd be fine. I'm just waiting for the FP announcement to drop, if there is one (which I think there is).