So I e-mailed about the cost of the Mnsshps...

[Huff]

The new experience is long ride lines. Several years ago we went and ride lines were mostly walk on or 5-10 minutes at most. Lately I'm hearing of lines 30-45 minutes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Considering the article posted in the other thread. Disney intended doesn't mind seeing decreased attendance as long as their revenue goes up. So I don't think they care they are pricing out some people.

There is conjecture about that on another thread, but I'm not convinced that's the case.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Continually add new experiences? Since when?

Well if you include the $100 add on dessert party in the castle....

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We were planning to attend but with the price increase it isn't worth it since we have been several times previously. I think we are going to try out Harry Potter land or whatever it is called one day on this trip instead.

 

[Dreamport]

When DSis and I went almost 3 years ago to our first MNSSHP, the Halloween night price was what the lowest party will now cost. We've talked about going back again since dressing up was so fun, but now I'm thinking I'd rather put that toward something I'll enjoy for more than 5 hours on a single night.

 

[HopperFan]

and was told in reply that the price was because of the "strong demand" for their "specially themed attractions and entertainment". And that they "continually add new experiences and enhance existing ones to ensure Guests are getting the full value of their tickets."

Just thought I would share.

Thank you for the chuckle ... and helping me "just say no." After a decade of 2 parties each year .... I'm leaning on maybe none. DS will be upset .... so might have to go down for a few days and do one, but I'll go early while prices are choke-able.

Thoughts:
- Last year's Hocus Pocus show was excellent.
- Candy was decent (have had some bad years) but lines long.
- Parade & Fireworks are great but been the same for a decade.
- Meet & Greets were reduced particularly the time characters were out. No excuses.
- Dance Parties ..... meh. Not much different from any regular day.
- "Added new experiences..." all I can figure out there is the added number of tickets sold.
- Crowds last year were noticeably bigger.

 

[cel_disney]

I always wonder if in past years (say 2006-2012?) we went it wasn't a sell out crowd - meaning, Disney would have sold more tickets if folks were buying them...but eventually word got out (the digital age certainly has improved access to this information for many) and the crowds went up to the allowed capacity more nights than they used too...

We have not gone to a party since 2012 I don't think...and I don't think we will be going back anytime soon..we do always watch the fireworks from BLT Lounge though! I still think they are the best!! (Although - the Star Wars ones we saw in April were really great too - looking for their next gen upgrade in the fall!

 

[Ser Arthur Dayne]

The new experience is long ride lines. Several years ago we went and ride lines were mostly walk on or 5-10 minutes at most. Lately I'm hearing of lines 30-45 minutes.

If that is true, it only further emboldens my decision to quit making annual trips to the parks. MNSSHP was always a little steep financially, but one of the things that helped justify it was the non-existent wait times. It was especially valuable after FP+ launched and wait times started to inflate at traditionally low-wait rides. If running attractions at a lower capacity is now cutting into one of the big perks of the parties, while simultaneously making drastic price increases, I do not see myself going back anytime soon.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm not sure why this is a surprise to anyone. The whole conversation around price tiering revolved around Disney attempting to maintain or increase revenue while decreasing crowds. So, yes, the whole idea is to price people out to keep crowd levels down. People may not like the prices, but they also don't like the crowds. The only other thing Disney could do would be to maintain prices (to keep people happy) and further cap the event (and therefore, decrease revenue) - and that's just not going to happen.

 

[Mikie]

If that is true, it only further emboldens my decision to quit making annual trips to the parks. MNSSHP was always a little steep financially, but one of the things that helped justify it was the non-existent wait times. It was especially valuable after FP+ launched and wait times started to inflate at traditionally low-wait rides. If running attractions at a lower capacity is now cutting into one of the big perks of the parties, while simultaneously making drastic price increases, I do not see myself going back anytime soon.

We don't know yet if lower capacity rides will be the norm st parties. Some folks are guessing (and hoping!!) that the cost-cutting austerity measures are temporary to help cover the cost overruns of the new Shanghai park, which is not yet open. Hopefully when it dies open and start pulling in its own revenue, some of these strict measures will be lifted from the US parks. . . However, none of that has much to do with the crowded parties already reported from the last couple of years.

 

[Huff]

If running attractions at a lower capacity is now cutting into one of the big perks of the parties, while simultaneously making drastic price increases, I do not see myself going back anytime soon.

I'm not sure the rumor of Disney reducing capacity despite long lines is more than just a rumor. Almost all of it is 2nd hand news spreading around the internet. In my own experience I have yet to see wide spread reduction in capacity with long lines such as closing down some ride tracks etc. Only time I've seen such closures is when lines are fairly short. So far reports on these forums have mostly been 2nd or 3rd hand news. My brothers co-worker uncles girlfriends neighbor is a CM who says......!!

 

[Mikie]

I'm not sure the rumor of Disney reducing capacity despite long lines is more than just a rumor. Almost all of it is 2nd hand news spreading around the internet. In my own experience I have yet to see wide spread reduction in capacity with long lines such as closing down some ride tracks etc. Only time I've seen such closures is when lines are fairly short. So far reports on these forums have mostly been 2nd or 3rd hand news. My brothers co-worker uncles girlfriends neighbor is a CM who says......!!

Well, we have had lots of first hand reports "*I* saw. . . " but they are still anecdotal and you can question whether it's widespread or not. . .

 

[bwang123]

And they will still sell out and people will still pay twice the ticket value for the Halloween day party on ebay.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

May I suggest a name change? MVSHP.

Mickey's Very Scary Halloween Party. The scary part is the price... I love this event but holy moly everybody has a price limit. The dessert party on top? Maybe pirates league and dinner at CRT...

That's my pocket money for the year

 

[GreatLakes]

I seem to remember one of the big complaints from last year was increased crowds. Increased crowds = increased demand. As with any business you have two choices when faced with increased demand. You can produce more supply or increase the price of the current supply. Baring any economy of scale the second option is usually the better option and that is what Disney is doing. I'm not sure I really see the problem with it.

As for tiered pricing, I'm surprised it took Disney so long to implement it for all of their offerings.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We just got 4 tickets for the Christmas party on nov 27 for $92 each. I assume that was more than last year but we only had a couple days to go and during this period we are staying at bay lake so it makes sense. Since we don't go to the parks that day until 4 or 5 when we can enter MK it still works out for us. I would never use a day ticket plus buy the party ticket.

 

[Ser Arthur Dayne]

I'm not sure the rumor of Disney reducing capacity despite long lines is more than just a rumor.

It is not a rumor.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ho...th-a-backlot-express-caprese-sandwich-review/

Of course, the attraction was operating at half capacity. This is an out-of-focus shot of the last room where you watch a few seconds of a lot of movies. Ordinarily, another set of ride vehicles would pull in next to us.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/li...ramisu-gelato-menus-lines-magic-kingdom-4616/

But the last time I ran through my morning touring plan, they were only running one of the two Dumbos at 10:30am and because of that, the line was backed up outside the building with a 30-minute posted wait. 30 to 40 minutes is too long to wait for Dumbo at 10:30 in the morning I think we can all agree. With so many people returning with FastPass+, basically no capacity would be given to standby with one carousel operating.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ma...ermath-with-liberty-tree-tavern-lunch-review/

It’s a lot easier at Dumbo, where Disney is just running one carousel with a 25-minute posted wait and the line backed up to the entrance.

The debate about whether or not the parks are still worth what they charge is subjective and will be debated for eternity with no "right" answer. There is no debate if Disney has lowered capacity; it is verified. Standby lines are longer, despite attendance being down (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-earnings-20160510-story.html).

 

[Huff]

It is not a rumor.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ho...th-a-backlot-express-caprese-sandwich-review/

There is no debate if Disney has lowered capacity; it is verified. Standby lines are longer, despite attendance being down (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-earnings-20160510-story.html).

Who has verified it? My own verification has shown no such evidence on a routine basis. Yes, there are times when a rides capacity is low due to tracks being closed etc. But I have yet to see it wide spread across the park(s) day after day. Your first link talks about long stand by lines and not about ride capacity being reduced unless I missed it somewhere. The 2nd link talks about a 1% lower attendance and does not mention wait times (Disney has NOT released attendance figures so the exact figures are unknown). Lines are long because of the use of FP+ which is estimated to take up 70% of a rides capacity and therefore increasing the standby line considerably.

 

[mort1331]

They've now tiered the pricing on the parties. Prices are different depending on the date of the party. Prices range from $72-$105 for adults ($105 being Halloween night)

MVMCP was tiered also, though I think pricing is slightly different.

They have had price difference for the last 6 years I have been going. Starts lower in Sept and peak price is the big day, with no discounts.
We use this as one of our days that we dont have a park pass for, so works for us.

 

[Angel Ariel]

They have had price difference for the last 6 years I have been going. Starts lower in Sept and peak price is the big day, with no discounts.
We use this as one of our days that we dont have a park pass for, so works for us.

Not to the extent they did this year. The way they've done the tiering and the difference in prices between tiers is much different this year than it's been in years past.