*Rumor* Extra Magic Hours going away

[rteetz]

According to a post on wdwmagic Travel agents were sent a copy of the January 2016 park calendar. What's missing that is normally there is EMH. Spirit chimes in later saying that he was told that EMH would be eventually going away just no sure timetable. This would of course take away a perk from WDW hotels. The DTD area Hilton recently said they would not be doing EMH after 2015, is it because EMH is going away?

 

[HopperFan]

If true, huge blow. It is for us the #1 perk of staying onsite. Disney is making it easier and easier for me to keep booking offsite.

 

[rteetz]

If true, huge blow. It is for us the #1 perk of staying onsite. Disney is making it easier and easier for me to keep booking offsite.

While I used them in July I found that we didn't use EMH at in January. I could live with out them but with one less perk that doesn't justify a raise in prices anytime soon.

 

[jcnewton]

Doesn't matter to me, I'll still book onsite...but seems like another classic move to take things away with one hand and raise prices with the other. Personally, I can't think of many times I used or benefitted from EMH but I know alot of others who have.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I use EMH on every single trip, this would be a huge deterrent for me staying onsite

 

[honeybunches]

I use EMH on every single trip, this would be a huge deterrent for me staying onsite

For us as well! We enjoy the morning hours.

 

[Tigerlulu]

I can't imagine them going away with the state of the parks currently. I would hate to think of them leaving at all, but surely they won't discontinue them until all the planned work is done. Especially think DHS. Sheesh.

 

[rteetz]

I can't imagine them going away with the state of the parks currently. I would hate to think of them leaving at all, but surely they won't discontinue them until all the planned work is done. Especially think DHS. Sheesh.

With todays disney I wouldn't be so sure. They are starting to be known for charging more for less.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Yep, due to guest feedback, charge more for less. If this goes down they will have to entice people to stay onsite somehow.

This is where the FP+ comes into play. Possibly more FP for resort guest. Or only FP for resort guest.

Next they'll be charging you to ride the busses and monorail.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Huge blow. We use them every time. Maybe parks' hours would be the same from day to day, but with "EMH" built in? I can't see them taking away a major perk for staying onsite. We've never stayed offsite because we don't want to look into renting a car, etc., but we might price out different scenarios in the future, if they keep chipping away at the experience. What next--no Magical Express?

 

[JohnDaleswife]

No, they will just allow you the privileged of paying for ME. Due to customer feedback of course.

 

[crazy4wdw]

This backfired on them several years ago. After the economic downturn that followed 9/11, Disney did away with what was then called "Magic Mornings" citing surveys that guests would prefer characters in the resorts over Magic Mornings. Each resort had several characters in the resort lobbies to greet guests as they headed out to the parks.

Disney was already having issues filling hotel rooms prior to discontinuing MM and this exacerbated the problem. I wasn't long before Magic Mornings was returned.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Next they'll be charging you to ride the busses and monorail.

Sorry--I didn't see you already addressed the ME here! Pre-coffee was clearly too early for me to be online!

 

[Lewisc]

Disney might think they can manipulate the FP+ system, favoring onsite guests even more, thus eliminating the necessity of EMH.

 

[rwdavis2]

Easywdw has an article today explicitly saying they are going away.

 

[nkosiek]

This blows. I know some of the posters are TAs, I'm hoping one or two will call Disney and confirm if they are done or if they are still working them out. Evening EMHs are the absolute best time to be in MK or DHS, at least in the summer when my schedule allows me to travel. Dealing with the day crowds is much more bearable when I know that nighttime hours will allow me to enjoy a few more rides (and by a few, I mean a frickin' ton).

 

[umichigan10]

I assuming something will be put in place as a perk to onsite guests via the magic band if this goes through. I realize TDO is all about cutting experiences and raising prices but I have to imagine adding experiences/perks via my magic plus wouldn't be very cost detrimental

 

[Andrew015]

Question: Are EMH extended to resorts like 4 Seasons? I'm guessing not, and if that is the case, this would help explain (partly) why EMH might be going by the wayside. Disney has clearly revealed their hand for long-term hotel plans, and none of them involve more Disney owned/operated resorts. Rather, the plan is more 3rd party operated (i.e. 4 Seasons, Flamingo Crossings, etc.) and DVC (they've already got your money, therefore no need to continue to offer such "perks"...).

 

[skier_pete]

Easywdw has an article today explicitly saying they are going away.

Did you actually READ the article on EasyWDW?

I haven’t been able to confirm whether the lack of EMH is an oversight or it’s finally the end.

Then they quoted an article from TWO YEARS AGO that said:

Obviously, labor is Disney’s largest expense, and “trimming the fat” will save the company money, resulting in higher profits. I’m expecting Disney to continue phasing out Extra Magic Hours.

So its the exact opposite of explicity saying they are going away. The author is theorizing that they might someday go away, and then states he has no idea if they were omitted on purpose or not.

In general, people are in a premature panic. It really doesn't make sense for Disney to get rid of EMH. It's one of the really big perks of staying on site. I could see them reducing them further - but eliminating them completely I don't think so.

 

[rwdavis2]

My mistake. No, I skimmed the article.