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

[kittyab]

No. Not possible YET. Period.

For me it is a failure. It does not offer enough to justify the cost.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

For me it is a failure. It does not offer enough to justify the cost.

I think the idea is whether this is a financial failure for Disney. That we cannot tell yet.

 

[serenitynow]

I think the first Early Morning Magic event is this Tuesday. Don't worry, no matter what the actual attendees report their experiences to be, the comments on the Disboards will be just like these...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But yet those poly bungalows low occupancy...

Not 100% sure what your point is, but we're staying in one in Nov so we'll let you know how it is!

In truth, I don't think the Poly bungalows are the best deal when compared to strict metrics like how many closed off bedrooms you get for the point or dollar cost. The 3BR theme park view at BLT is SPECTACULAR, had 3 closed off bedrooms, two floors, it's amazing. It's also BOOKED for W&D half weekend, as are the 2BR at BLT. But the Poly bungalow (that only has 2 closed off bedrooms but is MORE expensive) was available, so we're benefitting in this weird way, I guess, from their lack of popularity given cost. Only doing it because 1) this is a short trip, 2) we have points that need to be used by X date anyway, and 3) it does look like a cool experience to have once.

If DAH ends up being the Poly bungalow of up charge events, I suspect Disney will tweak it as it would be easy to. I wonder if we won't see a reallocation of DVC points at Poly, decreasing the amount required for the bungalows. Disney obviously doesn't get it right every time. But they do typically adjust and correct, IMO.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the first Early Morning Magic event is this Tuesday. Don't worry, no matter what the actual attendees report their experiences to be, the comments on the Disboards will be just like these...

I actually think the morning event will be a success.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Nothing official implies exclusive. Very limited, with or without actual numbers, doesn't mean it's exclusive. Disney even states "the number of tickets available for each one is very limited" - not number sold, just number

The fact that it states VERY limited number, costs $149.00 pp, and offers (though weak) a few perks, would lead one to believe they are paying for something special. Perhaps the word exclusive was a bit unrealistic to expect. However, my point was that I would not pay for it. I can't presume to speak for anyone else.
Whether or not it is a flop remains to be seen. When (if) any numbers are released, that's the best way to judge. As far as value, what one person values is not necessarily what another values. If people see the value in paying above their daily admission for a mostly empty park, then that's what's important to THEM. However, my priorities are different, and though I would love to pay the extra money and enjoy what I would hope to be a nearly empty park, I would not because 1.) Disney refuses to release the number of tickets they plan to sell, should they keep up DAH, and 2.) the fact they give away to many what I would have paid for rankles me. It's the principal, nothing else.
Also, it's how one views their Disney experience. I choose to experience all the nuances and other cool features of the park, while others treat it as an amusement park: he who rides the most rides wins. I have no problem with how different people choose to experience Walt Disney World. I choose to do what works best for my family and adds to our magical experience.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Plenty of people pay to see a specific Broadway show multiple times. On a less expensive scale, many people pay to see the same movie time and time again.

Since the rest of my quote was cut off in your post, I guess you must not have seen where I said that there are people who will see a show more than once. I never said those people didn't exist at all.

Disney lovers may, sure - just as Broadway lovers may pay to see a show after having seen it for free - but the die hard fans/lovers are not enough of a population to sustain the event.

I had also said this on a previous post.

Yes, of course there are people who will see Broadway shows more than once. As I said, I'm one of them. That is not the majority of the Broadway-going audience, however.

relating to this thread, my point being that yes those people do exist - agsin, never said they didn't - but that I don't believe there is enough of a population who would pay for this DAH event *after* experiencing it for free to sustain the event as was contended by someone earlier in the thread. As is referenced on here many times a day, most wdw guests are once in a lifetime guests, so the likelihood they'd come back and experience the event again, and pay for it, is less likely simply because they aren't as likely to come back to wdw in the first place.

Now, could their word of mouth help increase ticket sales? Perhaps. But if they talk about how they got to go for free, and the people they talk the event up to find out they have to pay $149 for it, then that may or may not work as a marketing tool. Only time will tell at this point.

 

[whiporee]

I think both of them will turn out to be successes, and both of them will be expanded. The additional cost to Disney for both of them is low, so how Disney implements them will dictate the crowds more than anything else.

ETA: The cost to Disney. I realize the cost to the consumer is high,and the value is in the wallet of the consumer.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I actually think the morning event will be a success.

I considered it, though I have an 8 am ADR at BOG already. The only day it is offered during my stay is on a Saturday, a day of the week I wouldn't go near a park. I can see it being a big hit with the AP holders, who have already paid for their tickets so for them it's a slight upcharge.

 

[Love Tink]

Prior to this event starting, it seemed like a lot of people were hesitant about its value due to fears that it would crowded like other extra price events. So if the first nights of this new event was underselling, I think giving out free tickets was a smart move by WDW. First, assuming that they gave enough tickets away to make the event "full", then it helps give an accurate idea of what you would be paying for capacity-wise. Without filling it with free tickets, people may have felt deceived if they paid for a future night and it was more crowded.

Second, while not all attendees would say this, there are surely some of the free ticket recipients who would report back that they would have paid the full-price if they had known what they were going to get. That free advertising will likely pay for itself several times over. Giving the free tickets to DVC members was smart in my opinion, because those people are going to be return visitors to WDW. So there is likely to be some who come back thinking it was worth $149 and I will do it again.

The idea that someone else getting in free somehow devalues the $149 paid by someone else is ridiculous. The people who paid full price paid for a reserved spot at the event, and for the benefits that were advertised as being part of the event. They made an evaluation and decided that those promised benefits were worth $149, and paid to guarantee their ability to receive those benefits. If the event was significantly undersold, WDW was in a lose-lose position. If they canceled the event, the people who had paid and scheduled their trip plans around the event would have been upset. Clearly, by giving away free tickets, WDW knew they would still upset some people. But allowing people in for free doesn't mean that the people who paid got ripped off. They still got everything they expected and were promised.

Do you know what the word "devalue" means? It means to reduce the value of something. If 400 people pay $150 and 600 people pay $0, the value of the ticket has gone down.

What is ridiculous is thinking you can dictate to other people how they are allowed to feel about something. (Unless you are an adolescent. They do that a lot.)

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Also, it's how one views their Disney experience. I choose to experience all the nuances and other cool features of the park, while others treat it as an amusement park: he who rides the most rides wins. I have no problem with how different people choose to experience Walt Disney World. I choose to do what works best for my family and adds to our magical experience.

We do both...

... and an event like this would facilitate that further!! Get a ton of rides done in 3hrs, smell the roses the other days in MK!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I considered it, though I have an 8 am ADR at BOG already. The only day it is offered during my stay is on a Saturday, a day of the week I wouldn't go near a park. I can see it being a big hit with the AP holders, who have already paid for their tickets so for them it's a slight upcharge.

I think that the early morning will be a success for a variety of reasons, especially folks with little kids, and who may want to spread ther FP out for other attractions.

I have no idea what Disney was looking to gain by these events, but I think that that success cannot be measured just by attendance if DIsney was trying to provide alternatives to the long lines folks are end duing right now. My DH works for a seasonal construction company, and for the past ten years or so, the GM refused to allow deliveries during the Winter months. COmpanies would call and be refused. It seems the GM thought there would not be enough profit to justify having a few drivers come in. Well, every year the company experienced fewer jobs from companies that alwyas called them first. The GM left and a new guy stepped in, but continued to refuse those WInter delivery requests. FInally one company told them you either deliver or we will do what so many others do....call someone else and give them all our business. Turns out they were losing a lot of jobs because their customers did nto want to fund them the big bucks and then be left hanging when they needed them.

DIsney may be measuring success in more teams than overall profit. They may be attempting to determine if there is a market for hours that the park usually is closed, and if so, will this alleviate some of the crowds and complaints during busy times. Dissatisfied customers are contagious, and with all of the cuts that the parks have been making, perhaps if Disney can find a way to at least offer options that will cover the cost of production, they may consider them successful.

I will be honest, I have no interest in the morning magic in teh MK, but I woudl be all over Morming magic in Epcot. I would pay $70 a person to take the girls If they got the chance to go on the Frozen ride a few times, meet A&E, maybe soarin', and then have a breakfast as well. My crew would pass the hat and pay for it if they could Let IT GO!

 

[Nancyg56]

The fact that it states VERY limited number, costs $149.00 pp, and offers (though weak) a few perks, would lead one to believe they are paying for something special. Perhaps the word exclusive was a bit unrealistic to expect. However, my point was that I would not pay for it. I can't presume to speak for anyone else.
Whether or not it is a flop remains to be seen. When (if) any numbers are released, that's the best way to judge. As far as value, what one person values is not necessarily what another values. If people see the value in paying above their daily admission for a mostly empty park, then that's what's important to THEM. However, my priorities are different, and though I would love to pay the extra money and enjoy what I would hope to be a nearly empty park, I would not because 1.) Disney refuses to release the number of tickets they plan to sell, should they keep up DAH, and 2.) the fact they give away to many what I would have paid for rankles me. It's the principal, nothing else.
Also, it's how one views their Disney experience. I choose to experience all the nuances and other cool features of the park, while others treat it as an amusement park: he who rides the most rides wins. I have no problem with how different people choose to experience Walt Disney World. I choose to do what works best for my family and adds to our magical experience.

My family is much like yours. We do enjoy a lot of the features that are not attraction related, and to be honest, they probably would be considered wasteful by many. We don't care. My DH spent hours in the NFL in 2102 just looking at whatever construction details he could see. We were all over Le Fou's Brew, and he was peering at Cranes.

Value is so subjective. What I do not understand is the passion behind some posters who cannot understand another's perception of what is a value. I have stated before that I doubt I would be upset if others got something for fee that I paid big bucks for. If that factored into my purchasing decision, I would never go to concerts, plays etc. I admit I would probably be jealous.

TIme will tell what the number of tickets are, and if DIsney will continue to keep attendance at a level that ensures that most guests leave satisfied with their expenditure. I believe that because these event are so new, and because Disney has developed that unfortunate reputation of overselling events, it will take a bit of time to be able to have enough information to make a good decision in regards to what exactly one is buying.

 

[whiporee]

So, after 63 pages, let me ask this: Don't you think this would fly off the shelves in July and August? When the days are hot and the crowds are the biggest? I can see it being an easy exchange for families that time of year -- you hit the resort during the day, the park at night and you get small crowds and short lines. And it's cooler. You get families with kids 11 and up, and I can't imagine not doing it if it's offered.

last night I had an epiphany (which is sad that I had and epiphany about WDW instead of the real world) that the two first ones are about figuring the logistics -- how many CMs they need, how much ice cream they REALLY need, stuff like that. So as long as they are getting answers, I think they'd have to call it a success.

But the more interesting question to me is this: If you could exchange one day of your multi-day passes for this, and the crowds were capped at 8000, would you do it? Enter at 7, leave at 1, 10-1 are DAH guests only. I think it makes all the sense in the world, but I'm curious as to what others think.

 

[Slapshot1188]

So, after 63 pages, let me ask this: Don't you think this would fly off the shelves in July and August? When the days are hot and the crowds are the biggest? I can see it being an easy exchange for families that time of year -- you hit the resort during the day, the park at night and you get small crowds and short lines. And it's cooler. You get families with kids 11 and up, and I can't imagine not doing it if it's offered.

last night I had an epiphany (which is sad that I had and epiphany about WDW instead of the real world) that the two first ones are about figuring the logistics -- how many CMs they need, how much ice cream they REALLY need, stuff like that. So as long as they are getting answers, I think they'd have to call it a success.

But the more interesting question to me is this: If you could exchange one day of your multi-day passes for this, and the crowds were capped at 8000, would you do it? Enter at 7, leave at 1, 10-1 are DAH guests only. I think it makes all the sense in the world, but I'm curious as to what others think.

Well... IF they offered it in June... last June the parks were open until at least midnight every day (frequently 1 AM) so they would either have to cut down on hours for the regular paying guests (which would be sad) or start this event at midnight or 1 AM which would probably be a much tougher sell (as well as to staff).

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think there is a market for this. No doubt. I've always thought that since the first time I heard about it. And I do think there is some element of testing going on. They aren't this bad at marketing

But...I think they missed the right price point by a large percentage.

 

[Ambear]

But the more interesting question to me is this: If you could exchange one day of your multi-day passes for this, and the crowds were capped at 8000, would you do it? Enter at 7, leave at 1, 10-1 are DAH guests only. I think it makes all the sense in the world, but I'm curious as to what others think.

I might do it. As a person with no kids who goes with one other paying adult I could make it work. However I'd still be ticked if I found out others got in free. And I'd probably ask customer service about it.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I might do it. As a person with no kids who goes with one other paying adult I could make it work. However I'd still be ticked if I found out others got in free. And I'd probably ask customer service about it.

You just took the words out of my keyboard, however I have a small child and it would not work for us. If it was just me and DH we might consider it. Agree 100%

 

[Mikie]

So, after 63 pages, let me ask this: Don't you think this would fly off the shelves in July and August? When the days are hot and the crowds are the biggest? I can see it being an easy exchange for families that time of year -- you hit the resort during the day, the park at night and you get small crowds and short lines. And it's cooler. You get families with kids 11 and up, and I can't imagine not doing it if it's offered.

last night I had an epiphany (which is sad that I had and epiphany about WDW instead of the real world) that the two first ones are about figuring the logistics -- how many CMs they need, how much ice cream they REALLY need, stuff like that. So as long as they are getting answers, I think they'd have to call it a success.

But the more interesting question to me is this: If you could exchange one day of your multi-day passes for this, and the crowds were capped at 8000, would you do it? Enter at 7, leave at 1, 10-1 are DAH guests only. I think it makes all the sense in the world, but I'm curious as to what others think.

I think it was you who mentioned this in an earlier post and the conversation twisted and turned away before I could type my response. I think suggesting a use on a multi-day ticket for the night event is an intriguing idea. It would make your ticket more like a Water Parks entitlement, where you get "visits" instead of "days". You could choose to use one "visit" at MK or any other park during the day and another "visit" for the night hours. In summer, it sure seems like it would be snapped up because of the cooler temps and lower crowds, if you are night owls, it would be a real boon.

However, I think it would be a pretty drastic change in Disney's ticket structure. Probably the most common ticket question on here is "can I use one day of my base ticket instead of buying a hopper?" And the answer is no, because Disney structured their tickets with the descending per-day pricing as a way to entice people to choose extra WDW days over a full price day at another venue. Therefore, they won't (currently) allow you to use your $11 additional day on a multi-day ticket to achieve a park hop that they charge $60+ for. Doubtful they would let you use the $11 extra day to buy into an event they tried to establish as a $149 value. However, just because it would be a huge shift doesn't make it impossible and maybe the rather high $149 initial price is just a way of establishing a marketing claim of the value of the ticket. For just $xx (some lower amount) on a multi-day ticket, you can get into this $149 event!

I do think it would be more popular in summer months, but that is one of the exact reasons I personally had hoped this wouldn't take off. Summer hours in the past 3 years have all had regular park closings of 11 or later, with EMH even later on some days. If this event starts at 10, it would take away at least that 1, or 2 or 3 hours from regular once a week - more, of course, if Disney likes the event and runs it more than one night. Personally, I don't care if Disney adds millions of VIP events that don't change the regular guest experience, but would dislike it if they run this event that takes away from regular guests' ability to have late regular hours. I already travel in party season, where I have to work around earlier closures. At least in those months it's cooler, crowds are lower and the decorations are awesome. Summer travelers facing DAH days would have some days of reduced hours without those other benefits.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Also, back in 2009 on our honeymoon we participated in EMH and it was much like this DAH has been described. The parks are just so much more crowded now!