Villains after hours affect MK crowds for that evening b4 close?

[Christinecinti]

Hey! We are going in July, had planned to do both Thur evenings that we are that at MK. (Not doing morning cause it'll be our only 2 'sleep in' days on the trip due to being out late Wed night at MK EMH) . I see that the Villains after hours is occurring BOTH those Thursdays. Do you think it will make crowds noticeably larger from 7:00-10:00 since folks going to Villains events come in at 7? Wondering if I should switch parks, but I already booked our FP's

 

[reisdawg]

I know that I will be at one of the Villains events and will be arriving with my family around 7 to get in a few rides. Because there is a limited number of people I don’t think we will have as much impact and I would think that the MK EMH will have more people at that time...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

DAH crowds have to date not created some massive crowd dynamic shift on evenings where it is offered. Yes, there are more guests in the park on account of the event, but with everyone on different agendas and arrival times, they just tend to absorb into the park and don’t change things in a meaningful way.

Now, these Villains things are new and the guest count/popularity are TBD. It would seem reasonable that historical DAH crowd behavior will still apply, but we don’t really know. So, something to watch when they start up here soon.

 

[Captainkidd76]

How are the wait times? I also can't find a complete list of attractions open for the Villains event. Also, are the snacks unlimited?

 

[HopperFan]

I'll go against grain here and say I think the Villains may change what has been happening. I went to both Villains events years ago (and this is different) and Villains are VERY POPULAR. I just got back with two EX- Disney AP holders (crowds and costs caused them to drop) and I think there are likely plenty of folks in Orlando who no longer have APs. Add Villains theme and the DAH is real draw for many. They were in Orlando for other business, but DAH allowed them to do the park and get lots done. With the ticket they can book 3 FP+ for those early three hours (we did) so I think they will be waiting to get through the gate as soon as they can.

I would compare it to a Halloween or Christmas Party more than a normal DAH. It will ultimately depend on how many tickets they sell. As with Disney an event is only sold out when they decide it is so who knows. And yes we are booked for one of the Villain DAH, bought our tickets within hours of them going on sale. Had it been a normal DAH we wouldn't have booked.

 

[Captainkidd76]

I haven't been to these after hours events (with the exception of EMH or Christmas Party) but my guess is, for the price, capacity better be EXTREMELY limited. The Villain aspect, for us, doesn't mean anything. No meet and greets or pictures from what I read.

 

[Wendy May Hall]

Just purchased my Villains AH tickets for 8/1!!! I have been to DAD events in the past and all rides and character greets were open along with free ice cream, popcorn and drinks. I have been chatting with a CM for a few mins now and was told that there will be NO Character greets, at all. And, not all rides will be open (they don't know which ones but they think the smaller rides like people mover, small world, COP, etc. Not sure how I feel about this.

 

[Captainkidd76]

Just purchased my Villains AH tickets for 8/1!!! I have been to DAD events in the past and all rides and character greets were open along with free ice cream, popcorn and drinks. I have been chatting with a CM for a few mins now and was told that there will be NO Character greets, at all. And, not all rides will be open (they don't know which ones but they think the smaller rides like people mover, small world, COP, etc. Not sure how I feel about this.

Wow. $139 and they can't even tell you which rides will be open? That's odd.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

On the MK DAH thread, there has been much discussion of the fact that Disney uses the phrase “more than 25 attractions” in regular DAH marketing verbiage, and for the Villains version they say “more than 20 attractions”. Until we see an attractions list, hard to say if that is intentional wording or generic marketing speak not tied to event specifics. Does seem like a few less attractions may be open if we read that literally. But TBD.

 

[Wendy May Hall]

Wow. $139 and they can't even tell you which rides will be open? That's odd.

I was able to use my AP to get discount, which was significant! I don’t want to complain because TBH in August, I will be thrilled to just be in the park late at night when it’s cooler! lol I don’t know if they did a DAD last summer but I’m thinking the reason they are TBD on rides and no characters is because of the heat! Also, I’ve read that these events sell out quick, but I had no problem getting tickets today - they practically begged me to help purchase them!

 

[HopperFan]

Wow. $139 and they can't even tell you which rides will be open? That's odd.

As @GADisneyDad14 it's likely just the standard phrase from Disney of not committing anything in case of ...

When we went to DAH a couple weeks ago Under the Sea was not open, I think it normally is. Some shows were, some were not. Many of what Disney calls attractions; Riverboat, Splash Area, Monsters Inc Show, Hall of Presidents etc were closed.

Going off list I think we had 22 open. As long as the main ones are open we are happy as we are only interested in rides for DAH.

 

[Captainkidd76]

As @GADisneyDad14 it's likely just the standard phrase from Disney of not committing anything in case of ...

When we went to DAH a couple weeks ago Under the Sea was not open, I think it normally is. Some shows were, some were not. Many of what Disney calls attractions; Riverboat, Splash Area, Monsters Inc Show, Hall of Presidents etc were closed.

Going off list I think we had 22 open. As long as the main ones are open we are happy as we are only interested in rides for DAH.

I agree 100%. If the 4 mountains, Buzz, Peter Pan, Pirates, Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pooh, Small World, TTC, Teacups, Astro Orbiter and Dumbo are open, I'm happy.

 

[Captainkidd76]

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Villains thing, but I wish they would be more specific on open attractions. From everything I've read, the After Hours event at MK has been great in terms of wait times. I'm curious if the same will be the case for the Villains event. Also, are the snacks unlimited? Like, if I get a craving for more than one Mickey Premium Bar, will I be able to get one? Or a bottle of water?

 

[Raya]

Also, are the snacks unlimited? Like, if I get a craving for more than one Mickey Premium Bar, will I be able to get one? Or a bottle of water?

Yes! You can have all the Mickey Bars you want! Each time the we approached a snack cart there was no line, and some cast members automatically gave me enough of whatever I asked for to cover my entire party. So 2 cokes, 2 Mickey Bars, etc. because there were 2 of us. No one keeps track or limits.

 

[Christinecinti]

Thanks for the replies!! Yeah I know the EMH definitely impact the crowds. We'll be there for the late Wed night ones at MK, but we go into those expecting more folks (esp the first part of the EMH night.) I'm hoping MK will extend hours for mid July trip and close at 11 (I noticed some June dates did)... and then the EMH will go till 1:00am. In the last hour or 2 it used to clear out more (still crowds but better than at 10:00 LOL) ... I remember the good old days when we had a 3:00am close EMH a few years back! But since we're staying late Wed night, that's why sleeping in a bit Thur morning and planning to go back to MK Thur night- hence the worry about Villains event... just cause I hadn't seen the dates on those before I already booked my FP for those Thur nights. Since I got good FP for those nights, we'll prob just keep our plans to go back to MK Thur night- and hope the crowd for Villains does indeed just get absorbed in! I think it's the "lesser of two evils" compared to having to give up my fast passes for 7 dwarves/splash/BTMnt and hope I can find good ones at another park. We are going for a longer trip this time around 12 nights, and taking mid day breaks cuz of summer heat, so doing a lot of 1/2 days in each park. (Mainly MK and HS- our two favorites... with a couple1/2 day trips to Epcot and AK)

... next decision is do we want to add an 'after dark' event at HS since they are adding July dates, and it'd be only way to get some time at night in that park, since it summer it stays light so late and they close so early! Part of me wants to cause it'll be a bit cooler + lower crowds. Other part of me says waste of $ since we're going enough days to do everything we want. We did do AP this year so would get the discount. I wish I knew if they were going to limit # tickets sold so it was truly very low crowds/lines at it?!!!... Or the Villains event, but since no characters leaning toward HS if any- since MK open later anyway other days.

 

[Wendy May Hall]

@Christinecinti i think it depends if you really like Villains or not b/c it will be themed and it will also have a nighttime Villain stage show. I don’t know if the other DAH at other parks will have shows or fireworks or not? So, for me, bottom line is pick your favorite park that has your favorite rides b/c the real beauty of a DAH is the low crowd levels!!!!!!!!

 

[Captainkidd76]

@Christinecinti i think it depends if you really like Villains or not b/c it will be themed and it will also have a nighttime Villain stage show. I don’t know if the other DAH at other parks will have shows or fireworks or not? So, for me, bottom line is pick your favorite park that has your favorite rides b/c the real beauty of a DAH is the low crowd levels!!!!!!!!

I agree. Honestly, I wouldn't even stop to look at a stage show. It's all about the rides. Personally, I"m surprised people would pay for these events at the other parks. None has enough to justify the price besides the Magic Kingdom.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes! You can have all the Mickey Bars you want! Each time the we approached a snack cart there was no line, and some cast members automatically gave me enough of whatever I asked for to cover my entire party. So 2 cokes, 2 Mickey Bars, etc. because there were 2 of us. No one keeps track or limits.

FYI: Our experience a couple weeks ago was the food kiosks were starting to close before the last hour. Those open had "run out of stuff" and for the last 30 minutes we tried over and over to get drinks. NOTHING left. Was a bit aggravating they would do this.

 

[Wendy May Hall]

Great Point!!!! That was my biggest complaint at the last DAH event, the kiosks closed early...um, hello??? I paid a lot for those free snacks! . Our strategy was to ride all the rides, then hit the snacks on the way out (didn’t want to waste ride time in line for bottled water and Mickey bars), but they closed so we didn’t get anything. Pretty irritating way to end an otherwise glorious night!!!

 

[Captainkidd76]

Great Point!!!! That was my biggest complaint at the last DAH event, the kiosks closed early...um, hello??? I paid a lot for those free snacks! . Our strategy was to ride all the rides, then hit the snacks on the way out (didn’t want to waste ride time in line for bottled water and Mickey bars), but they closed so we didn’t get anything. ☹ Pretty irritating way to end an otherwise glorious night!!!

Yeah, that's not cool at all.