Will you pay $150 for the new "Disney After Dark" event in the MK?

[Angel Ariel]

Put the poll on a general discussion board that isn't full of people who go multiple times a year, or own DVC and you'll get different answers.

The people, the vast majority of them, on the general discussion boards I'm on already feel disney is too expensive and in large part take their kids to wdw only because they feel they have to (their words). Events like this, from what I observe in comments, just add to the feeling that Disney is too expensive and is more likely to push them away from wdw entirely than anything else.

Eta: also, not everyone here goes to wdw multiple times a year or owns DVC.

 

[Hikergirl]

The people, the vast majority of them, on the general discussion boards I'm on already feel disney is too expensive and in large part take their kids to wdw only because they feel they have to (their words). Events like this, from what I observe in comments, just add to the feeling that Disney is too expensive and is more likely to push them away from wdw entirely than anything else.

Eta: also, not everyone here goes to wdw multiple times a year or owns DVC.

I realize that not everyone does, but this site is not a representation of the average WDW guest so the poll isn't a true representation of vacationers.
Disney is too expensive but this event is optional so if people don't want to pay the money to go to it, they don't have too. If an option to purchase something pushes them away I would think they were just looking for an excuse not to go in the first place.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disney is too expensive but this event is optional so if people don't want to pay the money to go to it, they don't have too. If an option to purchase something pushes them away I would think they were just looking for an excuse not to go in the first place.

I'm aware the event is optional. But it does add to the feel of expensiveness at WDW. Most people I have come across in my general life, online and in person, who are *not* disney lovers like DISers, are *very* overwhelmed at the thought of planning a wdw vacation. This is just one more decision (to get the extra event or not) that adds to that overwhelming feel. Everyone has a breaking point, and from my personal observations in my life, a lot of those people who are not disney lovers are quickly reaching their breaking point, if they haven't reached it already.

 

[Hikergirl]

I'm aware the event is optional. But it does add to the feel of expensiveness at WDW. Most people I have come across in my general life, online and in person, who are *not* disney lovers like DISers, are *very* overwhelmed at the thought of planning a wdw vacation. This is just one more decision (to get the extra event or not) that adds to that overwhelming feel. Everyone has a breaking point, and from my personal observations in my life, a lot of those people who are not disney lovers are quickly reaching their breaking point, if they haven't reached it already.

I totally agree, I am one of those who has reached my breaking point.

I just disagree that this event is aimed at the elites of society especially if you compare the price to some of the other optional events and special things us regular folk spend our money on when visiting WDW.

 

[jrt1176]

I could see possibly doing this if I was there for only a few days or a long weekend. I don't think the rest of my family would even want to do it, but I might just take my niece, etc.

Then again, she is 10 and would probably want to head back well before the event starts!

I don't see the event as something we would do, and it sounds like most on here feel that way, but there is a butt for every seat! Some might like the idea...

 

[Angel Ariel]

I totally agree, I am one of those who has reached my breaking point.

I just disagree that this event is aimed at the elites of society especially if you compare the price to some of the other optional events and special things us regular folk spend our money on when visiting WDW.

I never said it was aimed at the elites of society? I don't think it is either

 

[Hikergirl]

I never said it was aimed at the elites of society? I don't think it is either

I know you didn't, you quoted my response to a poster who did say that. I was just making it clear that I don't necessarily disagree with what you are saying, just what that other poster was

 

[Angel Ariel]

Got

I know you didn't, you quoted my response to a poster who did say that. I was just making it clear that I don't necessarily disagree with what you are saying, just what that other poster was

got it

 

[RaginforDisneyRoy]

I have no intention of ever doing it - I don't have the money, I hate staying out late, and MK isn't my favorite park anyhow.

BUT - I heard an estimated capacity for the event from management today, and if the number I heard is true, it's a small fraction of the crowd at a Not-So-Scary or Very Merry party. So, at least there's that.

(No, I can't share the number I heard.)

I have heard similar things, which would have to be close to true if Disney truly wants to avoid a revolt at Town Hall. $150 for 3 exclusive hours (and an ice cream bar) is A LOT to pay so capacity has to be the trade off.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I never said it was aimed at the elites of society? I don't think it is either

Oddly enough I think it's aimed at people like the ones who populate this board which is what would make survey results like this unsettling. As much as you want to hype reduced crowds and the rides the other side of it is this really is a reduced park experience. Your time at some attractions and restaurants is going to be limited so doing this is really just all about the rides. To me this was targeted at people who have been enough they don't care about BOG, Country Bears, Tiki Room, Cosmic Rays, etc. but would want to just run from ride to ride without worrying about theming, characters or gift shops.

I think where they missed was not getting that they've slowly been jabbing most of the diehards for a couple years now. Raise prices and people complain but they adjust but keep changing programs, rules and their flow and well that adjustment starts going a whole different direction.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I have no intention of ever doing it - I don't have the money, I hate staying out late, and MK isn't my favorite park anyhow.

BUT - I heard an estimated capacity for the event from management today, and if the number I heard is true, it's a small fraction of the crowd at a Not-So-Scary or Very Merry party. So, at least there's that.

(No, I can't share the number I heard.)

5/4 perhaps?

 

[Kimberly9701]

At some point the only way to handle more crowds is to stay open later. Which they are doing .. and just charging for it.

If the crowds become too crazy during the day, Disney WILL see a downturn in attendance. People aren't going to put up with going to MK and only able to use their 3 Fast Passes and have to wait 40+ minutes for everything else while walkign shoulder-to-shoulder down main street and waiting an hour to get food at a quick service.

Exactly the reason why I no longer go to Disney World during the summer.
My son is young now..but after our November trip (while he's in 1st grade) I'll have a harder time justifying take him out of school in the following years. Even in kindergarten we had a humongous stack of make up work after a 15 night trip in September. Between the regular homework, make up work, and 3 days per week football, our lives were hell during the 2 weeks after we arrived back.
Disney World will never be my only destination for our family vacay annually, so this is something which attracts me...and makes a short summer stay an actual thing that I would consider.

As far as Disney World annual 1 week + visitors- I definitely don't think it is aimed at you, and completely agree that with an 8 day ticket (which we had in September) the value isn't there. But if your ticket is 4 days or less.. Then it makes sense to buy a 2/3 day ticket, and then the $150 for a separate day.
Get some good rides in..then head to the beach or a cruise. The benefit to all of the people here who are getting so upset--- you should have lower crowd times during these days!!! As I said.. I think most doing this wouldn't combine it with a park ticket.
This doesn't seem to be a random price gouge. Disney has a good reason for doing this. And it wouldn't be to anger their curent 1 week + onsite guests. It's to give those who don't have 7+ days to experience MK a way to maximize their trip...at a price...bc the crowd level numbers have given them a reason to think the demand is there.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

5/4 perhaps?

Not this time around. I have no doubt this batch of events will have small crowds to build up positive reviews. Three months from now is a whole different ballgame.

 

[RaginforDisneyRoy]

I'm just curious to know how many tickets per night will be sold. I would never do it with my kiddos, but MIGHT consider it for an adult's only trip. I remember back in the early 2000's they used to charge for after hours (e night?) and it was fun. However, I don't remember the price being anywhere near this $150 price tag.

E-ticket nights were $10. 2.5 hours extra in the parks. It was great.

 

[RaginforDisneyRoy]

Not this time around. I have no doubt this batch of events will have small crowds to build up positive reviews. Three months from now is a whole different ballgame.

That's a good point. I think you're on the money. They know if they're charging that amount and you have a Not So Scary sized crowd, people will be upset since this is basically a regular MK experience with a couple of freebies. For $65 more than a holiday event, there had best be minimal lines. That's why we are taking a chance on it.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Not this time around. I have no doubt this batch of events will have small crowds to build up positive reviews. Three months from now is a whole different ballgame.

Judging from the comments here, no one will be attending.lol. So the "no one will pay this" but added with "crowds will be very high" comments, are kind of amusing.
To each their own. If you don't want to pay then don't. But if it's an advantage for someone else then let them spend their money how they see fit.

 

[3smithboys]

Judging from the comments here, no one will be attending.lol. So the "no one will pay this" but added with "crowds will be very high" comments, are kind of amusing.
To each their own. If you don't want to pay then don't. But if it's an advantage for someone else then let them spend their money how they see fit.

Oh, I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will pay... and I don't care how other people spend their money at all as long as how they spend their money doesn't greatly impact how I spend mine.

However, I can see how these new programs will impact my day.... If they let more people into the park at 7pm because they bought these special tix, then the park will be even more crowded - that impacts directly on how my day is going... if they sell tickets to let people into the park and I was expecting to get there at RD and be one of the 1st in line and there are already loads of people there, then that impacts my day.....

 

[Kimberly9701]

Oh, I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will pay... and I don't care how other people spend their money at all as long as how they spend their money doesn't greatly impact how I spend mine.

However, I can see how these new programs will impact my day.... If they let more people into the park at 7pm because they bought these special tix, then the park will be even more crowded - that impacts directly on how my day is going... if they sell tickets to let people into the park and I was expecting to get there at RD and be one of the 1st in line and there are already loads of people there, then that impacts my day.....

But that's my point. To me this $150 deal is an attractive option for a short trip. In place of a full MK day. And I would be willing to bet that this would be the case for most who would consider this option. So it is not impacting your time and experience. It's spreading out crowds which makes everyone's experience better.

 

[3smithboys]

But that's my point. To me this $150 deal is an attractive option for a short trip. In place of a full MK day. And I would be willing to bet that this would be the case for most who would consider this option. So it is not impacting your time and experience. It's spreading out crowds which makes everyone's experience better.

Unless you and the rest of the people who buy this special evening ticket show up when the park closes and I am leaving, then yes, having thousands of extra people coming into the park from 7pm on will impact my experience if I am planning on staying until park closing.... having thousands more people looking for parade spots, places to stand for Wishes, and standing in lines for rides have to have an impact on the people who are already in the park - how can it not? The "special ticket" holders are allowed into the park starting at 7pm... I'm sure most will take advantage of that... If they were only allowed in after the park closed, I would have no issue with this event.... it wouldn't impact my day at all... but coming into the park before it closes has a direct influence on my day.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Unless you and the rest of the people who buy this special evening ticket show up when the park closes and I am leaving, then yes, having thousands of extra people coming into the park from 7pm on will impact my experience if I am planning on staying until park closing.... having thousands more people looking for parade spots, places to stand for Wishes, and standing in lines for rides have to have an impact on the people who are already in the park - how can it not? The "special ticket" holders are allowed into the park starting at 7pm... I'm sure most will take advantage of that... If they were only allowed in after the park closed, I would have no issue with this event.... it wouldn't impact my day at all... but coming into the park before it closes has a direct influence on my day.

I think you missed my entire point. Let's say I would normally buy a 3 day park ticket- 2 of which were MK days.
With this $150 option I would now buy a 2 day park ticket- 1 MK day, and pay $150 to do MK later in PLACE of that otherwise 2nd day bc there will be fewer crowds- since again- it wouldn't make sense for the 7+ day ticket people.
THAT spreads out crowds..so is a win win for everyone.