What do you think about the Early Morning Magic Fantasyland ?

[jbish]

I'm just having a hard time trying to guess how many people they will limit this to. It has to be worth their while to get these four locations (3 rides plus Pinocchio) operational an hour+ earlier than normal. I figure the incremental expenses are pretty low - breakfast foods won't cost a bunch, and the cast members are probably already there to get the park ready to open anyway. But they can't let in so many people that the lines get prohibitively long.

My guess is that, the first few days of this "event" will have low crowd numbers. People will get multiple rides on 7DMT, maybe without even getting off! Word will spread that it was "totally worth it". By mid-May, they will sell more an more tickets, but at some point, they'll hit a tipping point at which the lines are too congested, even with this "limited ticket" event. But make no mistake, Disney is going to push the limit as to the number they sell to maximize the profits. I just don't know what that number is.

Earlier, someone wrote that 7DMT can load 100 people in 5 minutes? Is it 100 people every 5 minutes? Then I guess they can probably get in 500 people, giving the people in the back a 20 minute wait? Maybe they can add another 200-250 people, assuming some portion of those people will go to PP or Pooh, or breakfast. But beyond that, you couldn't ensure that people won't have less than a 30 minute wait, can you?

Not sure what my point is. At 750 person cap (based on my math above), at an average price of $65pp, will Disney go through all this trouble for an additional $49,000 of revenue? That just doesn't seem worth it. But if you expand that out to twice per week over 52 weeks (presuming it works and they expand it year-round), that's $5.0MM of additional revenue. Profit margin might be high, but let's estimate 50%, $2.5MM of additional net income. Seems like a drop in the bucket. But, hey, it's Disney - squeezing out another dime for their customers. I guess it works.

 

[Huggups]

I'd do it. It's only 2 of us, so that minimizes the overall cost. My son once rode 7DMT seven times in a row after a rain storm cleared out the park. He still talks about it. I'd love to give him the chance to do that again.

When do these go on sale?

Same here! I would consider it for just the two of us.

 

[kwdw]

Boy, I'll just say this - I'm glad that I didn't have a trip planned before this was announced! Talk about a hiccup for those that had planned RD that day.

I really hope their experiments like this and the night hours flop and they don't continue them. I pay for parties/special events on occasion - but not often because I do find them expensive. But this one being in the morning - it effects the RP strategy - which has been key for my traveling plans.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I would never do this, but to each their own.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Ugh; I'm hoping it's a bomb and they don't push it into September bc one of our only two MK RD days is on a Tues. At least it will give me time to plan. We are a family of 5, can only afford short 3 day trip; we depend on RD, we REALLY need to ride 7DMT this trip (missed it last time bc of ride closure on our MK day). Will be interested to see what happens.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Considering how many times on our last 2 vacations to WDW the 7DMT was down it makes me wonder what they will do if the mine train experiences 'technical difficulties' on your special event morning. we were given a choice of other FP+ for different rides that day. Well imagine if you had paid for this to be given IASW FP+ later ... I would choke on my breakfast pastries.

 

[beesly]

I'm upset because I have CP booked for 8AM on April 30th. We are taking a very quick surprise trip for my DD and this is a favorite breakfast. I'm considering booking this stupid pre park BS and waiting to read reviews for the 4/26 date to see how it goes and decide to cancel or keep...

Careful - the website states, "The number of tickets for these events is limited. In addition, all tickets are non-refundable, non-transferrable and are only valid for admission during the special event date and hours."

 

[PoohsFan1]

I would do it if we stayed off site for sure. Staying on site we will just make use of EMH. I know it may only be a few rides, but if you did those long wait ones a couple times (I guess depending on number of tickets sold) you could then move to btmrr and splash when the park opens with very minimal waits. Could then head to breakfast by around 930 and have the bulk of the long wait rides and breakfast by 10 am. Honestly, I'm surprised more people don't like it. I know people worry it's replacing EMH, but I think there will always be one early morning in each park, and won't worry about it until it does.

Didn't really think of it this way...as long as they don't get rid of both EMHs (morning and night) for the onsite guests, then I really won't have a problem with these changes....I certainly won't be paying for it for our family, but I can really see this as being a great thing for those that are staying offsite.

 

[Jodygirl]

The 26th is our first day at MK with an 8:05 BBB reservation so we could get in the park early and get pics on a nearly empty Main Street. I am incredibly disappointed that we have to deal with this now. I had hoped it wouldn't start until after our trip. Our other MK day has the night event so will have to deal with extra crowds for the nighttime shows. I really hope it's not bad but having a hard time not worrying about it when I should just be looking forward to the fun.

 

[MainMom]

I just switched around my touring plans. I had planned to rope drop and head straight to Fantasyland on a tuesday in June, but now that isn't a great idea. I know that the breakfast people will have already ridden 3 of the rides, but that just means that they'll already be there, gumming up the works on the other rides. The reason that rope drop is a good strategy isn't that it is inherently magical, but from a pure numbers perspective there are less people in the park and in line. Anytime you increase the number of people in the park you increase wait times across the board. I'm going to try and avoid early morning magic from now on, but on the days that I can't, I'll be starting my day in Adventureland or Tomorrowland.

I guess I have a different perspective. We did EMH at MK in July last year so we were the ones in the park early. We chose to do Tomorrowland, Frontierland and then ride Haunted Mansion. We entered Fantasyland around 10:30ish and had no more than 15 minute waits for IASW, Dumbo and tea cups.

My take is that the other rides in FL will be about the same as EMH mornings. I definitely think it will affect PP and those who have BOG breakfast hoping to get a jump on 7DMT, but unless you have a breakfast or run back to FL at RD you need a FP for 7D.

 

[tlmadden73]

Is it though? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the evening event includes admission to the park - so $149 for 7 pm - 1-2 am. This morning event is $69 (corrected) PLUS your regular admission, which, if it's only a 2 or 3 day ticket, is pretty expensive.

Good point, but my point is that people are already paying $24+ dollars an adult for BOG breakfast for essentially the same perk. Yes, it does seem crazy to add $69 to the price of your ticket for just an extra hour and 3 rides, but I bet the demand is there.

Since breakfast is included (an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet which is probably more desirable to your average person than the "fancy" breakfast options at BOG),some people may find it worth spending the extra money for the early entry to get those three rides done (and probably multiple rides on 7DMT). People will get a better sense of value with a breakfast involved rather than just the extra time. It's a smart offering by Disney.

The price also LIMITS the number of people willing to do this. If the price was more "reasonable" then everyone would want to do it and it would be sold out and potentially crowded. You'd have the same complaints that people have about ADRs and Fast Passes ... that it is not available for their vacation. So, they priced these events high enough that most people will shy away from them, making it limited for those who do pay for it.



Next up (my guess): Closing the "extra magic bands" loophole people use to get 6 (or more) fast passes a day (by having 2 sets of magic bands on two different MDE accounts) and just offering extra fast passes for a premium price.
You'll probably see a similar add-on like the hopper pass where you pay $X(will probably be REALLY expensive) and get an extra fast passes for your entire stay.

 

[yulilin3]

for those interested this is the breakfast menu for this "event"
Chilled juices, coffee and teas • Seasonal fruit and berries • Freshly baked pastries • Cheese and cured meats • Scrambled eggs with assorted toppings • Vegetable frittata • Smoked bacon • Pork and turkey sausages • Fried potatoes with caramelized onions • Waffles

 

[yulilin3]

I'm upset because I have CP booked for 8AM on April 30th. We are taking a very quick surprise trip for my DD and this is a favorite breakfast. I'm considering booking this stupid pre park BS and waiting to read reviews for the 4/26 date to see how it goes and decide to cancel or keep...

tickets are non refundable, you won't be able to cancel

 

[Imagineer5]

Careful - the website states, "The number of tickets for these events is limited. In addition, all tickets are non-refundable, non-transferrable and are only valid for admission during the special event date and hours."

tickets are non refundable, you won't be able to cancel

Totally missed that. Guess I'll be attending on April 30th...

 

[Ratpack]

Well, this just stinks. I had a BOG pre park opening ADR on June 18 in hopes we could get photos in an almost empty park. Looks like now I will have to deal with the crowds for this event, if there are any. I will keep my ADR for now and I guess hope it is a bust in April and May and they can the idea before June. If it is still scheduled for June 18, then I will switch my plans accordingly.

 

[Imagineer5]

Interesting. Website says tickets are non refundable however confirmation email says I must cancel within 1 day for a refund. Additionally the website is seemingly allowing me to cancel even though I haven't actually pressed the button yet.

 

[TXStormtrooper]

If anyone calls to purchase tickets, I'd love for them to ask how many tickets will be available for this event. I don't know if they have that information or would share it, but I think it's an important piece of the puzzle.

 

[nilla]

Since we go for 10 full days and have become (tooting our own horns here) pretty darned good at touring the Disney parks, we stopped caring about trying to avoid the parks with EMH. My attitude is the same for this.

To be honest, I've never noticed a significant difference in crowds/waits on EMH days vs. non-EMH days.

 

[bigbabyblues]

With only 3 rides open, I don't see how they can sell too many tickets just due to capacity. They seem to be pushing it as "low crowds", I can't imagine it would be as busy as even a regular EMH during that hour.

We wouldn't do it. Not for an extra $280 for one hour with three "little kid" rides. We love Peter Pan, but not enough to ride more than once in a day. We haven't done 7DMT yet, but with 15 and 13 yo boys, I'm assuming it will be one ride and done also.

 

[Ratpack]

Well, I feel better now. I was just able to score a pre-park opening ADR for BOG on Sunday, instead of our current Saturday ADR. This actually helps as it appears Sunday is a better day for MK anyway according to EasyWDW. Also helps us not have to be up so early on Saturday which is our check in day at the resort as well.