Not sure $149 Disney After Hrs event is doing well... (ETA: reviews in 1st post)

[georgina]

I don't understand. What part of how others spend their money and how they find value on those dollars spent upsets you? There is no way I would spend a dime at a ski resort going down that same mountain multiple times, (or in my case, falling down that mountain multiple times) but I would never disparage those who do.

I also would not consider upgrading to first class to fly anywhere, but I understand why there are people who find it a value.

There are a lot of expenditures I do not need to make in order to respect that others value.

Well said. I try not to be judgmental of how others spend their money (at least keep it to myself! Sometimes I fail.) There are so many ways people spend money that I wouldn't, and places I spend where others wouldn't - WDW resort hotels, cars, houses, college educations to name a few. Everyone values things differently.

 

[Robo]

Well, I'm not really HAPPY that the "event" costs 150 bucks.
I wish it was not so rare to actually be able to RIDE ATTRACTIONS so easily at MK.

But, if there are enough guests who can (and want to) pay the freight to make this work, it does exist, at least for awhile.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

4. Having lots of people around is part of the experience. An empty park is creepy. (Again, boy, are people digging)

It seems that in this summary several details have been lost. For some people, a park that feels empty isn't as much fun as sharing the park experience with other Disney-philes. The PP that originally gave voice to this perspective prefaced the entire post with "Okay, maybe I'm weird," acknowledging that this position may seem odd to the majority of people. No one was "digging deep" to find fault with the event. It was merely pointing out that others have unique perspectives on the level of attendance and how that adds to the fun.

 

[tlmadden73]

And I still think Disney is practicing for when this price point will have value for masses - when Avatarland and ToyStory/StarWars Lands open. Maybe even a Frozenland/Soarin combo. Those we haven't done before.

THIS THIS THIS.

They will totally do this (morning or evening) for the new lands. The demand to experience those attractions without the super long waits of Anna and Elsa and 7DMT will be high.

Some guests who are disappointed they couldn't get a FP for the new Millennium Falcon Ride (even at 60 days) will gladly fork out some extra cash to experience it with limited crowds in the morning or evening. EASILY. (I know I would consider it).

Sure it is costly, but time is money .. and if $150 saves you from waiting in a 90-120 minute (or longer line) .. then that is probably money WELL spent.

I'd be surprised if Disney DOESN'T do this for Epcot and the upcoming Frozen ride. I'm sure there are people who would JUST buy a package where you get character breakfast at Askerhaus .. the meet and greet with A&E . .and then get to ride the Frozen ride ... all before the park opens.

 

[asbyrneva]

Offsite I assume? That's very smart of them.

Yes it is. I think the sold tickets will go up (and hopefully not total number available) and this will be a way for folks to pay something similar to a 1day ticket price for low to no waits. Lots of convention goers, cruisers, other orlando vacationers that might do 1 day at Disney.

 

[Hikergirl]

Well said. I try not to be judgmental of how others spend their money (at least keep it to myself! Sometimes I fail.) There are so many ways people spend money that I wouldn't, and places I spend where others wouldn't - WDW resort hotels, cars, houses, college educations to name a few. Everyone values things differently.

I get the impression that on this board there are many people who feel that they are "experts" and that they know for a fact that something isn't a good value for ALL guests. They don't take into account that people vacation at WDW differently than them, or if they do realize it they just think the rest of us do it wrong.
Its really frustrating, I've seen people interested in this event being called sheep, or stupid, lacking sense etc.
Really, all because they would spend their money on something they value that you don't?

 

[MHSweb79]

I can't stay up that late, so this event is not for me- even if it were free. BUT if people want to pay for this instead of waiting in front of me in line during the day, then I'm all for it!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Sounds like an awesome time, but I still can't justify the price.

 

[lugnut33]

I can't stay up that late, so this event is not for me- even if it were free. BUT if people want to pay for this instead of waiting in front of me in line during the day, then I'm all for it!

While I totally agree with you, the problem becomes if it replaces the free EMH for resort guests. What you saw last night was essentially the old fashioned 3 hour EMH (less the free ice cream and soda) for a fee.

 

[scrapquitler]

@scrapquitler - did you go on your own or with friends/family? I'm definitely tempted, but I wouldn't be able to convince DH to do it too, so wondering what it was like solo!

I went solo. My DH and DS13 went to DHS to watch the Star Wars Fireworks, then hung out in the room afterwards. It was my first time ever solo in the parks, and it was definitely fun to go at my own pace and where I wanted to go without having to do what everyone else wants!

 

[scrapquitler]

Yes.

To those that were there last night; were the Photo Pass photographers still set up all over the place well into the night?

There were 3 of them on main st as I was exiting shortly after 2 am

 

[asbyrneva]

I agree! If I did choose to ever do the MK After Hours, it will most likely be for MYSELF.. I like to take solo trips, so even though I may not be happy with the price, it could be something I'd do solo and have a lot of fun.

I know a lot of people are worried that the MNSSHP and MVMCP's are going to go up drastically because of this event.. like to a $100 a ticket or more. I do not see that happening. Tickets for those go up each year, but only a few dollars. I do not see them increasing the price over $30 this year. I actually enjoy doing the parties solo too.

Unless they drastically cut the number of tickets available per night. Would you do the party if it was half (12-15K) as many people but the cost was 149? All those people that already ask "Is the party worth it?" and the answers are yes and then party goer veterans go through how you have to line up an hour ahead of the party to just meet a character. While the activities make me and others want to go, how much of it is waiting for an hour to get a parade spot or meet 7 dwarves, or do HM? Well if people were able to enjoy it more and do more because they aren't packed like sardines maybe it would be worth it? I don't know what the best balance between price increase and ticket decrease is but I have to think they have to do something given last year's criticisms about crowd levels (and the crowd criticism has been growing for years on this and other boards).

 

[scrapquitler]

I am one of the people that paid. I had a great time. Would I do it again? Yes, probably, in a few years. But we generally only do Disney every few years, it's not an all the time thing.

I'd certainly do this rather than many of the other extras offered (tours, character meals, BBB, desert party, fireworks cruise). If you think about it...a tour like TKTTK costs like $100, plus you need a park ticket and it sucks 5 hours of your day...depending on what you like, this could seem like a better value for some. And I guess I'm in that category.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

It seems that in this summary several details have been lost. For some people, a park that feels empty isn't as much fun as sharing the park experience with other Disney-philes. The PP that originally gave voice to this perspective prefaced the entire post with "Okay, maybe I'm weird," acknowledging that this position may seem odd to the majority of people. No one was "digging deep" to find fault with the event. It was merely pointing out that others have unique perspectives on the level of attendance and how that adds to the fun.

Do you know the definition of "summary." Of course details are lost.

At least 3, possibly 4, people indicated that having no lines and an empty park was a problem. That it was creepy or weird or whatever.

Posters also indicated that waiting 15 minutes for a ride was almost the same as walk on.

Those are points. If you want the details, read the entire thread.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I really want to know if anyone paid $149 and then went to do Stitch. That's where is draw the line in terms of sanity.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Unless they drastically cut the number of tickets available per night. Would you do the party if it was half (12-15K) as many people but the cost was 149? All those people that already ask "Is the party worth it?" and the answers are yes and then party goer veterans go through how you have to line up an hour ahead of the party to just meet a character. While the activities make me and others want to go, how much of it is waiting for an hour to get a parade spot or meet 7 dwarves, or do HM? Well if people were able to enjoy it more and do more because they aren't packed like sardines maybe it would be worth it? I don't know what the best balance between price increase and ticket decrease is but I have to think they have to do something given last year's criticisms about crowd levels (and the crowd criticism has been growing for years on this and other boards).

I am speaking from my own experiences here and I have never been to a party that was crowded - maybe I got lucky. I have been to many MVMCP's and never once felt it was too crowded at all... but I have read completely opposite experiences so it really goes by what night you go to. I go in mid November though, when the parties typically do not sell out yet. This past party I went to in November was the best I have ever gone to! There were no crowds, we got our spot for the first parade where we usually do in Frontierland, right before it started.. all of the rides we walked right on and rode over and over (Mine Train was only a 10 min wait - I'll take it!), and some areas we were the only people walking around. We kept saying to each other how great it was. It was wonderful. I honestly do not know the max number of tickets they sell for the parties now, but I have read a lot of complaints about crowds, but we have never experienced them.

If they increased the price to $149 and decreased the amount of tickets sold.. yes, I think I would pay it. For what you get at these parties - special parades, shows, treats, exclusive Meet & Greets, fireworks, no wait times for rides, etc.. That would make it worth the extra cost IMO.

 

[scrapquitler]

I really want to know if anyone paid $149 and then went to do Stitch. That's where is draw the line in terms of sanity.

Not stitch. But I did do Astro Orbiters. 2x, and I was the only person on the ride one of the times. I've only rarely ridden it in the past, and never at night, so it was fun to have a birds eye view at night.

 

[jknc]

I really want to know if anyone paid $149 and then went to do Stitch. That's where is draw the line in terms of sanity.

Not only did people do Stitch but when asked if they would like to do it again since nobody else was in line, they hi-fived each other and said "heck yeah".
Love it.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

But they didn't clear the park of non-credentialed guests, at least not at 11:45

I was able to freely roam the park as a regular guest - the only thing I couldn't do was enter the rides or Caseys

Ahh I do not go to Disney around this time, is it that unbusy to begin with? Still looks like everyone had a great time regardless which is cool

 

[BattyKoda]

If they increased the price to $149 and decreased the amount of tickets sold.. yes, I think I would pay it. For what you get at these parties - special parades, treats, exclusive Meet & Greets, fireworks, no wait times for rides, etc.. That would make it worth the extra cost IMO.

After the nightmare that was last year's first MNSSHP I know that I would pay extra for fewer people... but then again, the issue wasn't the number of tickets sold, it was the fact that Disney didn't clear the park properly.

I think that Disney would raise the ticket price and not reduce the number sold. You'd probably get less people per party than before but that would be because the price would hit a threshold that some don't want to, or can't, pay.

Disney would be ok if the same number of people bought at a higher price; they are in the business of making money.

Obviously just my opinion