Surprise announcement

[Cricket2]

Open 24 hours

 

[doconeill]

Open 24 hours

Hmm...if they go to RFID ticket verification at at least the major attractions, I could actually see this as being possible if not likely. It solves the "park day" problem...your admission becomes invalid after a certain time, so you are no longer admitted into the attractions - but feel free to stick around and eat some food and buy some stuff...it's the EMH/hard ticket party issue, taken to every day...

 

[DizCaptain]

Open 24 hours

Thats so crazily bold, I can see it happening, even if only for a little while. They certainly have no reserve about scheduling late hours for CP workers, I mean MK is pretty much open 24 hours anyway, with EMH hours stretching as late as 3, 4, or even 5 AM sometimes.

 

[katoot]

With the announcement possibly having something to do with the theme of a leap year...

Leap being a synonym of jump....as is hop.

Perhaps a discount or some sort of deal on park hoppers?

 

[Oglet]

For only $29 you get a small popcorn, drink and leap year 2012 limited edition pin.

 

[Azrael]

Even if they work the open 24 hours a day into baby steps, I could see that happening on the weekends.

 

[alex9179]

With the announcement possibly having something to do with the theme of a leap year...

Leap being a synonym of jump....as is hop.

Perhaps a discount or some sort of deal on park hoppers?

This is what I was thinking. Free hopper add-on with ticket purchase. Probably have to buy 3 or more days so they don't lose the front-loading aspect. The general public isn't familiar with the pricing so it would be perceived as a big discount. I wonder if they would allow this in combination with free dining or room discount. Probably not.

 

[Jason71]

Thats so crazily bold, I can see it happening, even if only for a little while. They certainly have no reserve about scheduling late hours for CP workers, I mean MK is pretty much open 24 hours anyway, with EMH hours stretching as late as 3, 4, or even 5 AM sometimes.

The rumor is it's a one day thing--open 24 hours on February 29. Strictly a PR grab, not a new operating model.

 

[Jason71]

I think the overall problem is that they are still operating under the assumption that it's 1994 and they have latitude to just do whatever they want and it'll sell...

I dont see that being the case moving forward, far more consumers will have to make tough choices on what they spend their travel dollars on...and I don't see it changing. It seems that there is no rebound out there economically.

The rebound will come eventually but its a good 5 years away I think. Places like Disney are hoping they can just bide there time until it comes.

The rebound has come all over the touristy sections of Orlando--just not at PI/HW (or Flamingo Crossing). At least ten new family-oriented restaurants have opened on west 192 in the last year and a half. On I-Drive, there's a new Alehouse, Tilted Kilt, Joe's Crab Shack, Brickhouse Grill, Dave & Buster's... Even largely full 535 has seen some new development over the past two years.

Blaming the economy gives the Disney suits a free pass they don't deserve. If Disney rents were reasonable, or if the areas were more marketable, there would not be empty buildings in PI or empty lots in FC.

 

[Eliza32]

Haven't you guys figured out yet that Disney doesn't actually know yet what the promotion is gonna be, but they're waiting to see what you all come up with?????

 

[umichigan10]

Having the park (or parks) open 24 hours on the 29 seems like an interesting idea as long as you're not going to be in the World the day after

I've heard a lot of complaints over the past months about increased attraction breakdowns. While some can be attributed to age (look at whats happening to Big Thunder) it all comes down to the EMH. Having a ride open until 2,3,4, 5 am and reopening it at 9 o'clock is insane. While it isn't likely to become a standard operating procedure (or lets hope not) it seems like a bad idea from a maintenance and operations standpoint. I think the above argument can be made for the monorail also.

 

[DizCaptain]

Haven't you guys figured out yet that Disney doesn't actually know yet what the promotion is gonna be, but they're waiting to see what you all come up with?????

February 28, 2012

Lackey: So, Mr. Iger, have you figured out what the big surprise is?
Bob: .............................................

 

[EAWildman]

From what I have heard, this will be the roll out of the XPass (NexGen) system they have spent millions on. Book a Deluxe vacation and pay a little extra for XPass...get access to Fast Passes from your home before you leave on vacation, reserved seating for parades, etc.

 

[kpmdjm]

we are going in Feb. and my husband told me he would get the xpass if it was available then. I told him he better wait to see the price before he decides!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The biochemistry department has stated that their experiments have had a successful outcome and they will be thawing Walt.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The biochemistry department has stated that their experiments have had a successful outcome and they will be thawing Walt.

He would have no knowledge of the dividend, credit default swaps, long term timeshare financing, or the reason why we put no tariffs on any products coming from countries whose only reasonable goal is to destroy our economy and take its place...

So he'd be useless and iger wouldn't even let him on a tour of team Disney...
...unless he'd sell more giftshop junk - in which case he can have what he wants.

 

[skiingfast]

Open 24 hours

The rumor is it's a one day thing--open 24 hours on February 29. Strictly a PR grab, not a new operating model.

This is what I've heard from CM's at DLR. On the 29th DL will be open 24hrs.

At DLR the 29th would be one of the slowest days of the year. A midweek day in the longest offseason. Why announce it on NYE? It's not going to be special to many people. Some fantical fans would go. People who want to ride SM for 24hrs strait. I doubt it would bring major traffic to the Disneyland Resort.

 

[Jason71]

This is what I've heard from CM's at DLR. On the 29th DL will be open 24hrs.

At DLR the 29th would be one of the slowest days of the year. A midweek day in the longest offseason. Why announce it on NYE? It's not going to be special to many people. Some fantical fans would go. People who want to ride SM for 24hrs strait. I doubt it would bring major traffic to the Disneyland Resort.

Because it will make the news. "Look at these people riding Space Mountain at 3:00 a.m. Disney Land and Disney World were open 24 hours today! Now check out this water-skiing squirrel..." Free PR. And probably a modest bump in attendance from fanbois looking to be a part of something different/special.

 

[nytimez]

Because it will make the news. "Look at these people riding Space Mountain at 3:00 a.m. Disney Land and Disney World were open 24 hours today! Now check out this water-skiing squirrel..." Free PR. And probably a modest bump in attendance from fanbois looking to be a part of something different/special.

It would be a moderately successful publicity stunt, I'm sure, and probably on the level of the type of "big" announcement you'd hear on the Dick Clark NYE show.

My guess is they will also offer up some kind of marketing promo that would be for the year or at least part of the year -- some sort of incentive that, once you do the real math, probably won't be much of an incentive at all. Like free dining. But for people who don't do the math, it might sound great and get them to book.

 

[akayek31]

That would be awesome if they were open 24 hrs on the 29th. I will actually be there during that time. We love going at night when the park is almost empty.

I hope it is not free park hoppers since this is the first year that I will be buying annual passes and won't need them.