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

[anniemae]

So did anyone hear how it went?

 

[tstidm1]

Now I'm tempted to do this by Myself and give mom an evening off where she can just relax in her room. It's still really expensive at $149 for just me. Sounds like people had a blast at it. At 3,000 people and that many attractions, your still going to average about five minutes an attraction at most.

 

[Nancyg56]

No business will continue to sell a product that they lose money on every time someone buys it.

So are we to say the price for the event will go up?

No. The demand will increase and those unsold tickets will run into sold tickets. I believe a lot of people held off buying into this event until they could see if the park was truly not going to be crowded. I think the price will remain where it is, and that now that reports are pretty favorable, there will be more people committing that amount to the event.

 

[tinkerbella16]

That would defeat the whole point of this. The point is NOT to make this available to the masses.

Exactly. If it was the same cost as a party there would be more people and we are right back where we started from!

I'm not saying it should be the same cost of the party. They could have done better than $149.. especially when they are giving this to DVC members for free right now lol.

 

[jon18uk]

So did anyone hear how it went?

A few people have already answered

Just left. There was no wait for any ride. Often the castmates asked if you wanted to stay and go again vs walking back through the queue. You got to pick any "row" or seat you wanted. It seemed like no one was there! It was awesome. I would pay the fee for this experience again. The only thing I would do differently is take a break. I've been in the parks since 11:30 am and I'm tired......just not as young as I used to be....

I arrived around 8:30, and had dinner, then started riding shortly after 9. I can't imagine that those of us with the event tickets had a huge impact on the crowds, as even Space Mountain had a 10 minute wait at around 10:30, and all the other rides I rode before 11 were the same way. so it wasn't like the huge crowd was overwhelming the ride lines during the regular park hours.

7 dwarfs was walk on at 11:30 when I rode it. Everything else was all night, too. I had a whole rocket to myself on Space mountain and I was the only rider on Astroorbiter at 1:15. I rode BTMRR 4 times without getting off. I don't know how many tickets it was, but the park seemed really empty

 

[anniemae]

No. The demand will increase and those unsold tickets will run into sold tickets. I believe a lot of people held off buying into this event until they could see if the park was truly not going to be crowded. I think the price will remain where it is, and that now that reports are pretty favorable, there will be more people committing that amount to the event.

This is what I think too. I just hope they don't get greedy and it turns into a fiasco like some of the holiday parties did.

 

[tinkerbella16]

My guess is as word gets out about how empty the park was, more people will be willing to pay the price and Disney will sell more tickets. And the park will no longer be empty...

Isn't that what happened with the parties?

Depends on the party you go to. The past 3 years I've been to mid Nov parties and the park felt empty to us. We walked on everything. Last years party was the best MVMCP I've ever been to.

When it is sold out, it is different.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is what I think too. I just hope they don't get greedy and it turns into a fiasco like some of the holiday parties did.

Exactly.

 

[Nancyg56]

Depends on the party you go to. The past 3 years I've been to mid Nov parties and the park felt empty to us. We walked on everything. Last years party was the best MVMCP I've ever been to.

When it is sold out, it is different.

Yes, but you never really knew until you got there if you were in for a crowd or if it was a walk in the park. I have never been disappointed in my party experience, but my family always went for the "extras", not the attractions.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Yes, but you never really knew until you got there if you were in for a crowd or if it was a walk in the park. I have never been disappointed in my party experience, but my family always went for the "extras", not the attractions.

True. We like to go mainly for the attractions, and if we pass by a meet and greet, we get in line. We have it down to a science now lol We go to the first parade, and watch from Frontierland, since it starts there.. and then hit up the lands on that side of the park before we watch the fireworks. After the fireworks, hit up everything else. But it is SO nice to be able to walk on everything.

I agree though, you really don't know what you are going to get until you are there.

 

[Nancyg56]

True. We like to go mainly for the attractions, and if we pass by a meet and greet, we get in line. We have it down to a science now lol We go to the first parade, and watch from Frontierland, since it starts there.. and then hit up the lands on that side of the park before we watch the fireworks. After the fireworks, hit up everything else. But it is SO nice to be able to walk on everything.

I agree though, you really don't know what you are going to get until you are there.

Back when my DGD was young we loved the parties just for the M&G opportunities. She was a character junkie, so we had a blast taking her from one to the next. The last party we went to was a MVVMP 3 years ago, and while there were plenty of folks wandering around, we did not feel crowded at all. The attractions had minimal waits, and the parade and WIshes were easy to experience and enjoy.

 

[tinkerbella16]

Back when my DGD was young we loved the parties just for the M&G opportunities. She was a character junkie, so we had a blast taking her from one to the next. The last party we went to was a MVVMP 3 years ago, and while there were plenty of folks wandering around, we did not feel crowded at all. The attractions had minimal waits, and the parade and WIshes were easy to experience and enjoy.

It is still the same way. But I have only ever gone in mid November. Never been to mvmcp in December - more of those tend to sell out.

I have never been to MNSSHP.. and from what I read on here, it seems like that is more popular than MVMCP. I am going for the first time - to the 2nd party on Sept 8th. I really won't know what to expect as far as crowds, if it will be sold out or not. This is a first for me. Maybe since they are starting early this year, they won't be as bad as I've read last year.

 

[jknc]

Other than low crowds and no waits what else was there to build value for a family of 4 where this would cost them $600?

 

[jknc]

No. The demand will increase and those unsold tickets will run into sold tickets. I believe a lot of people held off buying into this event until they could see if the park was truly not going to be crowded. I think the price will remain where it is, and that now that reports are pretty favorable, there will be more people committing that amount to the event.

If there is one thing we all know is Almighty Disney knows the value of their product. Some magic bean counter placed a break even dollar amount on this event and if the customer feels there is good value in this event, Disney will adjust.

 

[ashleyrm]

The reviews I've read sound pretty much like my experience at the E ticket nights that cost $10 - $12 back in the 90s. I'd have to eat a lot of ice cream to make up the difference for that. We even got some cool character photos back in those days with the fab 5 in their Tomorrowland costumes.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

No business will continue to sell a product that they lose money on every time someone buys it.

So are we to say the price for the event will go up?

The price will stay the same and I think this is exactly what they wanted. Short notice and low information led to low sales. Those that did go will give glowing reviews and then the next time it is announced more people will buy in and they'll keep increasing the tickets sold. Keep in mind Disney now thinks anything under 30 minutes is a short wait so as long as things are under that they'll feel it's as advertised.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sounds cool but the price is still ouch for us

 

[jknc]

The price will stay the same and I think this is exactly what they wanted. Short notice and low information led to low sales. Those that did go will give glowing reviews and then the next time it is announced more people will buy in and they'll keep increasing the tickets sold. Keep in mind Disney now thinks anything under 30 minutes is a short wait so as long as things are under that they'll feel it's as advertised.

Even in a best case scenario for the customer like last night for a large segment of the customer base asking them to spend $150 for some short lines and basically nothing else is a tall task.

If people find value in this go now because I just don't see this being a highly profitable event for Iger.

 

[VillainFavs]

Other than low crowds and no waits what else was there to build value for a family of 4 where this would cost them $600?

A Mickey bar and a bottle of water.

 

[Nancyg56]

Other than low crowds and no waits what else was there to build value for a family of 4 where this would cost them $600?

This was never intended for families who have purchased multi day tickets and who are generally on a budget. This event is purely an extra, with I believe the target to be off site folks, a couple or a special additional for people. I would consider this if I wanted to have a special experience with my 14 YO DGD. We could go for 7, have dinner in the park, book our FP to take place before the event started, adn then she and I could enjoy attractions multiple times that we generally only experience one or twice a trip. And eat ice cream. A lot of ice cream.

Would I buy this for the entire family? Not a chance! But think about this. My DS and DDIL are going to spend over $250 apiece for that Africa Trak and they need a park ticket as well. The excursion includes food and is about 3 hours. SO what is the better value? I think it depends on the individuals.

I can tell you this. If after a few months I see that Disney does nto get greedy and add tons of extra guests, and if they offer an early entry into Epcot taht includes a M&G with A&E, the Frozen ride, and maybe a bonus Soarin', I will totally pony up and buy it and take my Nola and Rylee. The rest of the family would probably fund it if it meant they could skip being tortured, I mean skip the experience of that line and ride. LOL!