Thought on Extra Magic Hours

[dd316]

When things start back up I think most everybody is in agreement that the parks won't be 100% operational. One of the things that might not happen right away (and I'm mainly thinking because of staffing) is Extra Magic Hours.

As it stands it's been for one park each day, limited to all guests staying on property. For a way to keep the Extra Magic Hours program going (because I do think it's a great perk) could they instead of limiting it to ALL Disney property guests per day, what if they limited it to a certain sub-category per day: Deluxe Moderate, or Value? This would cut down on the number of guests entering the parks early (or exiting late) to where they might be able to operate with a more limited staff for that extra hour? The worst thing about this is you're talking 1 group out of 3, and 1 out of 4 parks per day, it would be 12 days before the cycle starts over.

 

[EddieValiant]

That's a good idea if they can staff them. Even if it's just a few headliners open in each park that's something positive.

 

[tlmadden73]

I would think they will UP the Extra Magic hours .. but tweaking them like you say is interesting.

1) They will need to draw people back to the parks (like they did after 9/11). This is a cheap way to do that and encourage on-site staying (the value of staying on-site has declined severely in the past 5-10 years .. when you consider the reduction of EMH (being replaced by paid events) and how many off-site hotels have access to 60-day fast passes.
2) There will probably be low demand (due to low demand for the parks in general) for the paid events like Early Morning Magic or Villains after hours .. that it may not be worth running them.
3) Extra Magic hours "sort of" spreads out the crowds by increasing park hours.

As a way of limiting capacity they may have all day extra magic hours to limit guest attendance to just on-site people.

Disney will figure out ways to "trickle" in the crowds throughout the day - I can't imagine what they are going to curtail the mobs of people that show up an hour or so before park opening (especially at DHS for the Rise boarding groups).

 

[TDSAXX]

When things start back up I think most everybody is in agreement that the parks won't be 100% operational. One of the things that might not happen right away (and I'm mainly thinking because of staffing) is Extra Magic Hours.

As it stands it's been for one park each day, limited to all guests staying on property. For a way to keep the Extra Magic Hours program going (because I do think it's a great perk) could they instead of limiting it to ALL Disney property guests per day, what if they limited it to a certain sub-category per day: Deluxe Moderate, or Value? This would cut down on the number of guests entering the parks early (or exiting late) to where they might be able to operate with a more limited staff for that extra hour? The worst thing about this is you're talking 1 group out of 3, and 1 out of 4 parks per day, it would be 12 days before the cycle starts over.

Keep in mind EMH are not limited to guests staying on property. They are also open to people staying at the hotels near DS (and I believe a few others).
My guess is that these hotels have paid Disney for that benefit. Any change to that benefit would have to be worked out with them or already addressed in the current agreement.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Up the magic hours, but only certain resorts at a time. Less people in the parks to help spread people out.

 

[keishashadow]

Initially, they would be foolish to not limit the crowds, at least for 15 days

don’t see any form of EMH Early on. Would probably be months before the offer the paid varieties