Why are the Halloween parties so expensive at Disney Parks?

[DodgerGirl]

Every October when it's Halloween time at Disney Parks I have never figured out why the Halloween parties are very expensive to attend at Disney Parks and I can't figure out how they become booked so fast from the times they are announced. Take for example when Disneyland has it's annual Oogie Boogie Bash it seems that it's the most expensive of the Disney Parks Halloween parties but it sells out quickly. Then in Walt Disney World they have the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and that one also sells out and is more expensive. Is this because Halloween is the busiest time for Disney Parks and that's where they sell the most tickets? I also find it shocking that when Disneyland has the Oogie Boogie Bash people who save up money to go and when they finally go the people find it's a disappointment because you can't take your kids trick-or treating without waiting in long lines to get Halloween candy or to meet and greet and take pictures with characters in their Halloween costumes. What I think Disney Parks should do is lower the prices of the Halloween parties and offer special deals such as free Photopass photos with certain characters and discounts on Halloween character meals and that would save Disney Parks money and gain more attendees of their Halloween parties

 

[Minnie1222]

What I think Disney Parks should do is lower the prices of the Halloween parties and offer special deals such as free Photopass photos with certain characters and discounts on Halloween character meals and that would save Disney Parks money and gain more attendees of their Halloween parties

I'm sure they don't need more attendees if the parties are consistently sold-out.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I also can't figure out why they make people wait in a long long line to get kids Halloween candies when trick-or treating with kids and they do the same thing at the special Halloween character meet and greets and in my eyes Disney Parks should improve the Halloween parties by offering more free perks in order to lower the prices of the parties

 

[A Squared]

Those free perks are not free though, they have to be paid for which is where the ticket price comes from. As the parties sell out consistently every year on both coasts, Disney see no reason to lower the price.
We did MNSHP some years ago and the candy lines move fairly fast.

 

[mom2rtk]

The parties are so expensive because people will pay it.

 

[Minnie1222]

I also can't figure out why they make people wait in a long long line to get kids Halloween candies when trick-or treating with kids and they do the same thing at the special Halloween character meet and greets and in my eyes Disney Parks should improve the Halloween parties by offering more free perks in order to lower the prices of the parties

Unfortunately, the long lines are due to the parties having too many attendees. Lowering the prices will result in even longer lines. In order to shorten the lines, Disney would need to significantly increase the price.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I think if Disney Parks offered free perks such as free popcorn buckets filled with popcorn with unlimited refills and Halloween family portraits the parties prices would be better. I also can't figure out why Disney Parks start the Halloween parties at 7PM to 11PM? Because most kids are tired and are in bed by 11PM and for families I don't see how it's worth it especially if your kids have a 10PM bedtime but starting Halloween parties at 4PM would be smart for Disney Parks to do to save money and work on lowering the prices of the Halloween parties in my eyes

 

[TikiRob]

I think if Disney Parks offered free perks such as free popcorn buckets filled with popcorn with unlimited refills and Halloween family portraits the parties prices would be better. I also can't figure out why Disney Parks start the Halloween parties at 7PM to 11PM? Because most kids are tired and are in bed by 11PM and for families I don't see how it's worth it especially if your kids have a 10PM bedtime but starting Halloween parties at 4PM would be smart for Disney Parks to do to save money and work on lowering the prices of the Halloween parties in my eyes

They are still managing expectations of day guests. Starting at 4pm would require closing the park at 3pm. I think day guests would have a bigger issue with that than the guests of consistently sold out parties. Also, the party goes until midnight and you can arrive as early as 4pm with your ticket.

 

[BrianL]

They are still managing expectations of day guests. Starting at 4pm would require closing the park at 3pm. I think day guests would have a bigger issue with that than the guests of consistently sold out parties. Also, the party goes until midnight and you can arrive as early as 4pm with your ticket.

Also, Halloween isn't really fun until after dark.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You seem focused on them finding ways to lower the prices. But at the same time say there are long lines.

Why in the world would Disney lower prices on events that sell out months/weeks in advance? If anything, you're making some good arguments that they should raise prices.

 

[soniam]

The events aren’t really that geared to little kids. I’ve been to both coasts, and the candy lines have never been that terrible. There’s no incentive for them to make any of the suggested changes if the parties are selling out. They don’t care if it’s expensive; they are a business trying to make money. Character lines are long. Many of those people are adults. Getting pics with different characters, especially the more rare ones at the parties, is kind of a game to those that like to meet characters. It’s probably the main reason for the high prices and sell outs for the Halloween parties. If attendance drops significantly, then they will see about making changes.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Which are the rare characters that people can meet at the Halloween parties at Disney Parks? I think that this reason is why the Halloween parties are so popular and also people want to get their hands on the exclusive Halloween themed desserts and foods. But having families wait for hours to meet and greet characters with kids and have the kids take pictures with Halloween themed characters is just too long for kids and if you have a family you could send the father to stand in line to get candy for the kids and the mother could wait in the character lines with the kids and the kids would get their picture with the characters and autographs too and that would be a wonderful solution for Halloween party attendees that are families

 

[VGCgroupie]

For many people the party is about rare characters and low lines for rides. It’s a premium experience. We prefer Halloween events and after hours events even if the price is more than a regular day ticket.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Simple SUPPLY VS DEMAND.

 

[Nayan]

But having families wait for hours to meet and greet characters with kids and have the kids take pictures with Halloween themed characters is just too long for kids and if you have a family you could send the father to stand in line to get candy for the kids and the mother could wait in the character lines with the kids and the kids would get their picture with the characters and autographs too and that would be a wonderful solution for Halloween party attendees that are families

I don't know where you get the idea that it takes 'hours' to get an autograph or get candy. It doesn't!

Also as mentioned above, this is more for adults than kids and yes there are rare characters that you can meet (before you ask, the ONLY way to get their autograph is by attending the party). Disney touts it as a premium experience, which it is and they charge a premium price for it just like they do with other special events.

Disney is a company and companies like to make money. As long as people are willing to pay (and by the looks of all the sell-out dates they are) for the experience Disney will never lower the price, nor should they.

 

[Smugpugmug]

It's not just Disney that have expensive Halloween events. Halloween has an almost cult like following (I'm included in that, I LOVE Halloween!) so there is a huge demand for spooky themed events. Look at how insanely crowded HHN gets, especially on weekends. There's a haunted house event near me called Field of Screams and that can get super crowded on weekends. They even offer a skip the line pass just like Universal's Express pass.

 

[SuzErwin]

I also can't figure out why they make people wait in a long long line to get kids Halloween candies when trick-or treating with kids and they do the same thing at the special Halloween character meet and greets and in my eyes Disney Parks should improve the Halloween parties by offering more free perks in order to lower the prices of the parties

I was at the first Oogie Boogie this year and we barely waited - most treat trails were walk right through. Very efficient and lots of fun interacting with the villains! Also, PhotoPass is included with Oogie Boogie so you can get all the photos you want.

We also went to MNSSHP two weeks ago and had a great time - had to pay for PhotoPass and we didn't trick or treat - but we got amazing photos, walked right onto Tiana, loved the parade and fireworks, and thoroughly enjoyed strolling around the park and taking in the ambiance.

 

[raidermatt]

Disney's pricing strategies are much more short term focused now. They charge what you, and others, will pay now.

Make of that what you will.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I was at the first Oogie Boogie this year and we barely waited - most treat trails were walk right through. Very efficient and lots of fun interacting with the villains! Also, PhotoPass is included with Oogie Boogie so you can get all the photos you want.

We also went to MNSSHP two weeks ago and had a great time - had to pay for PhotoPass and we didn't trick or treat - but we got amazing photos, walked right onto Tiana, loved the parade and fireworks, and thoroughly enjoyed strolling around the park and taking in the ambiance.

I went to Oggie Boogie last week and the lines were pretty long for most of the event. If you went in the final hour/ during-after the second parade, you could walk right through. Same with the attractions. That’s because most families with kids had left by that point.

I went to MNSSHP last month. There was definitely way more people than last year. Tron, Space Mountain, etc. had 45+ minute waits until the final hour. Tiana closed at 6PM.

Goes to show you that everybody’s experience is different. That said, each ticket was exactly $20 more than last year (similar dates). We will probably see a similar increase next year and the events will still sell out.

The Disney World / Land after dark events have been appealing to us simply because we don’t make it to the parks often and in those short hours you can cover the attractions. At DL, it’s mostly locals who go all the time and they care more about the themed entertainment than attractions - so usually no waits.

 

[rdaky]

Most parties end up sold out. The only way that Disney will ever make it cheaper or start offering more (popcorn, drinks, whatever) is if they stop selling out and fewer people come. That's it. There is zero reason for them to make it more of a deal right now because they are getting the attendance they want. As long as parties remain popular, the prices will continue to go up every year.