Cirque du Soleil is offering a new premium 'La Nouba' experience at Downtown Disney

[cw1982]

This was exactly what I was thinking. Lose the gift bag & feed me. I'd also like a cocktail pre-show. For the right inclusions I would consider it but not what's currently listed. I'd be just as happy with the front & center seat, skip the rest.

I agree with this... am I the only one who thinks that, somehow, the idea of having popcorn as the included snack almost cheapens the package's perceived value? I was reading the list of what was included, and when I got to "popcorn," I have to admit that I let out a giggle.

Not that the whole thing doesn't still sound a bit high, but really?

ETA: if the free popcorn was in the form of a coupon that came with the bag of merchandise, that might be different IMO... but I don't think popcorn should be used as a selling point for a $250 upcharge.

 

[lebeau]

I know it was mentioned before, but can anyone confirm, is this a Cirque thing or a Disney thing. Meaning, who is really taking the cash in this so called "cash grab" A number of people have thrown WDW under the bus on this one, but I thought most, if not all, the 3rd parties at DTD operate on their own and just pay lease fees to Disney.

It may be that this is Cirque and not actually Disney. Doesn't matter though. The perception is anything that happens on Disney property is Disney. And perception is reality.

Right now, Disney is soaking guests with one upcharge after another. It feels like a new one gets rolled out every week any more. Whether this on actually comes from Disney or not doesn't really matter. It's just one more in an alarming barrage of Disney World upcharges.

 

[Polydweller]

It may be that this is Cirque and not actually Disney. Doesn't matter though. The perception is anything that happens on Disney property is Disney. And perception is reality.

Right now, Disney is soaking guests with one upcharge after another. It feels like a new one gets rolled out every week any more. Whether this on actually comes from Disney or not doesn't really matter. It's just one more in an alarming barrage of Disney World upcharges.

Only if you choose to ignore the fact that Cirque is an independent Canadian company and in no way a Disney company like you have tried to imply throughout this thread. You try to backtrack out of it with this post but you are still wrong. You have ranted through several posts about a Disney cash grab but now it's time to stop that line of attack and deal with the actual, factual info about this premium experience.

The facts are that it's park Cirque experience, it's not something they normally do and they are adding several features that are not normally part of the show experience. In other words they have added valued to the show experience not just up charged people do it is not a cash grab. If one doesn't think the added value is worth the price then they don't buy it. That's capitalism.

 

[Monty]

I read the information provided and immediately decided this package sounded like a pretty good deal. I'll be booking it for my son and I for this August.

Then I read the rest of this thread and can honestly say the vast majority of interlocutors to this thread are bat-poop crazy!

1- This is Cirque offering something new as an add-on experience to their already amazing show.
2- The added cost beyond the current ticket price is quite reasonable for an opportunity to meet with a performer, a backstage visit, a gift bag with merchandise and a 10% discount should you want anything else from their store.

You may all now continue your nonsense...

I'll be booking the experience!

 

[Tigger1988]

Find a new phrase to harp on, you've already beaten "cash grab" into the ground in record time.

It's hilarious watching people ignore the fact that Disney had nothing to do with this and Cirque already has packages like this for their other shows. HILARIOUS!

 

[cw1982]

Find a new phrase to harp on, you've already beaten "cash grab" into the ground in record time.

It's hilarious watching people ignore the fact that Disney had nothing to do with this and Cirque already has packages like this for their other shows. HILARIOUS!

Yeah, I still think the price is a bit much (but then again, I'm clearly not a member of the target audience for this offer anyway), but it's not really fair to blame Disney for this when Disney has nothing to do with it. That would be like someone saying they got poor service at Rainforest Cafe at DTD, so clearly Disney's standards of service have lowered. It's just not quite compatible. Do people erroneously make that leap? All the time. Doesn't make it right.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Front and Centre seating on its own is $134 . So for $116 you get:

• Souvenir popcorn and soft drinks

• A Cirque du Soleil gift bag with merchandise

• A meet and greet with a performer from the show

• A look backstage at costuming and other areas

• 10% discount for use in the gift shop

If the gift bag has decent stuff, that's not a terrible price. I'd say buy it now before the price goes up.

 

[cw1982]

Front and Centre seating on its own is $134 . So for $116 you get:

• Souvenir popcorn and soft drinks

• A Cirque du Soleil gift bag with merchandise

• A meet and greet with a performer from the show

• A look backstage at costuming and other areas

• 10% discount for use in the gift shop

If the gift bag has decent stuff, that's not a terrible price. I'd say buy it now before the price goes up.

Well, when you put it that way, Cirque has done better than Disney IMO. Disney's latest "upgrade" of the same price range doesn't include admission; at least this one includes decent seats!

I do wonder what the "merchandise" in the gift bag will be. It better not be anything lame like a kaychain... just saying.

And nope... I'm still not a member of the target audience for this one

 

[Kman101]

When you see websites stating "yet another ..." upcharge ... it's becoming a noticable problem.

Though I take little issue with this one. Maybe because I like Cirque and it's interesting enough for me. I did chuckle at 10%.

 

[lebeau]

Only if you choose to ignore the fact that Cirque is an independent Canadian company and in no way a Disney company like you have tried to imply throughout this thread. You try to backtrack out of it with this post but you are still wrong. You have ranted through several posts about a Disney cash grab but now it's time to stop that line of attack and deal with the actual, factual info about this premium experience.

The facts are that it's park Cirque experience, it's not something they normally do and they are adding several features that are not normally part of the show experience. In other words they have added valued to the show experience not just up charged people do it is not a cash grab. If one doesn't think the added value is worth the price then they don't buy it. That's capitalism.

My point is most people aren't going to make that distinction. Also, you do not know for a fact that this is separate from Disney. I'm not backtracking from my point one bit. I'm not implying anything at all. I am plainly stating that Disney overdoing it on these upcharges and this is just another straw on the camel's back. Fair or unfair, that's how most people are going to view it.

Thanks for the mini-lecture on capitalism. I like to get one every three posts. See my earlier responses for why that sort of response is useless.

 

[lebeau]

Yeah, I still think the price is a bit much (but then again, I'm clearly not a member of the target audience for this offer anyway), but it's not really fair to blame Disney for this when Disney has nothing to do with it. That would be like someone saying they got poor service at Rainforest Cafe at DTD, so clearly Disney's standards of service have lowered. It's just not quite compatible. Do people erroneously make that leap? All the time. Doesn't make it right.

But it actually isn't wrong.

They are on Disney property. They are part of the Disney World experience. Disney profits from third parties being there. They choose who to allow on their property. When they rent their space out to a third party, that third party then represents Disney.

So yeah, Disney is responsible for the service you get from third parties at Disney World. Maybe not directly. But that's not a distinction guests should be expected to make.

 

[GrammieBee]

Dumb people don't use buzzwords. Dumb people use drugs. Drugs make dumb people think $250 is reasonable to see the mistreatment of elephants that occurs backstage at a French Canadian circus.

I hope you were being sarcastic. Cirque Du Soleil does not and never has used any animals in its acts. They are all human performers. We have seen all but three of their approximately twenty different past and present shows, so I speak from experience.

 

[ABQ]

But it actually isn't wrong.

They are on Disney property. They are part of the Disney World experience. Disney profits from third parties being there. They choose who to allow on their property. When they rent their space out to a third party, that third party then represents Disney.

So yeah, Disney is responsible for the service you get from third parties at Disney World. Maybe not directly. But that's not a distinction guests should be expected to make.

Well then, following that line of thinking, though it's a teensy weeny tiny loss of profits, I'm going to say this. Disney loses out on a cash grab and I hate them for it. How so, Ghirardelli gives away free chocolate as I waited in line for my super delicious frappe. It's an anti cash grab and as a stock holder in TWDC I'm upset that one of their 3rd parties is willingly accepting shrink in their revenue.
This is all sarcasm btw, but honestly, some of the 3rd parties that are still present at DTD do a fantastic job and if you're going to knock WDW due to an action you don't like by Cirque, it's only right that you recognize those that do well. That is, if you think there are any.

 

[lebeau]

Well then, following that line of thinking, though it's a teensy weeny tiny loss of profits, I'm going to say this. Disney loses out on a cash grab and I hate them for it. How so, Ghirardelli gives away free chocolate as I waited in line for my super delicious frappe. It's an anti cash grab and as a stock holder in TWDC I'm upset that one of their 3rd parties is willingly accepting shrink in their revenue.
This is all sarcasm btw, but honestly, some of the 3rd parties that are still present at DTD do a fantastic job and if you're going to knock WDW due to an action you don't like by Cirque, it's only right that you recognize those that do well. That is, if you think there are any.

Sure, that's totally fair.

And believe it or not, there is plenty I like about Disney World. Just because I am critical of them in areas where I think they are falling down, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate free chocolate samples.

Disney could probably learn a thing or two from this particular third-party vendor. They should be the ones giving their guests that feeling of something extra. They used to do it a lot more often then they do today.

 

[seahawk7]

I definitely see the logic. I don't object to upcharges in principle. But the degree to which Disney relying on them to pad the bottom line is disconcerting. And some of them do impact your experience. Viewing areas for parades and fireworks that were free to all are now being reserved for those willing to fork out extra. Park hours are cut for hard ticket events.

As these are accepted and become more common, Disney is going to keep taking things that were included in the price of admission and selling them as separate experiences.



I shelled out for the Feel the Force Premium Package and that thing was a cash grab and a half. I have heard similar feedback about a number of these offerings. Even sites that never complain about Disney have given mixed to poor reviews to the After Hours at Epcot and Harambe Nights experiences.

I see your point about optimal viewing spots being reserved for these packages. However I liked the Feel the Force Package because I was just not going to deal with the chaos of Star Wars Weekends and the crowds it brings in waiting for that parade. My experience the last couple of years had me choosing to forgo that parade so the Feel the Force Package was nice and I thought worth the price.

But I don't like the direction Disney is taking this package stuff where you have to pay extra for things that we use to be able to pay with patience. I would rather have the choice to wait two hours for a good viewing spot for a parade or fireworks than continue to pay extra. But reserving good viewing spots is here to stay unfortunately.

 

[seahawk7]

Not to mention, one of the newest offerings where guests can now buy front of line access to a handful of rides will certainly affect those of us JUST paying $94/99 per day.

I will say this. If the premium packages were coming in addition to park expansion like was seen in the 1990s, it wouldn't leave a bad taste in my mouth. And while I agree upcharges are not individually offensive, it is absurd how many of these they have created this year. It seems like they announce two of these a week! Insane! How long until they offer the Premium Toilet Experience for $59/day with 4-ply Charmin?

Does it come with a dessert party?

 

[seahawk7]

Exactly. When you charge a lot of money for a crappy experience, it leaves a sour taste in the mouth. As an example, we have the Star Wars viewing area upcharge. I can only imagine the Frozen viewing area package announced today will be the same crappy offering. Charge people $59 for shaded viewing (with seating?) and a true dessert party? Fine. But leave them in the sun with Mickey's Premium Bars and a crappy view? That leaves much to be desired and could actually turn off the big-spending guests who are interested in these packages in the first place. Disney shouldn't want to risk losing those potential big spenders.

I liked the evening portion of the Feel the Force Premium Package. The desserts were good and I liked the drinks they served. I thought it was a better evening dessert party than Wishes.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I read the information provided and immediately decided this package sounded like a pretty good deal. I'll be booking it for my son and I for this August.

Then I read the rest of this thread and can honestly say the vast majority of interlocutors to this thread are bat-poop crazy!

1- This is Cirque offering something new as an add-on experience to their already amazing show.
2- The added cost beyond the current ticket price is quite reasonable for an opportunity to meet with a performer, a backstage visit, a gift bag with merchandise and a 10% discount should you want anything else from their store.

You may all now continue your nonsense...

I'll be booking the experience!

Youre Canadian there for your point and opinion are invalid.

 

[seahawk7]

I think that's part of my problem. I've done the MK dessert party, as well. And I think it is a wonderful offering that I would do every year. You get a wide range of good (not great) desserts, seating protected from the elements, and a small enough crowd that there is no stress involved in getting a great view of the fireworks. This is not the case for the recent DHS dessert parties, which have very few dessert options (think Mickey's Premium bars and miniature cupcakes), no shade (and you need to be there for the full hour to get a good view) and most views are awful. Far more appropriate would have been to reserve a section of the usually-dead Hollywood and Vine for the dessert party and then escort guests out to their private viewing area (SRO) of the daytime show and fireworks about 10 minutes prior to showtime. That would be a PREMIUM experience that wouldn't get so many complaints and demands for refunds.

I agree. To have gotten the full benefit of the reserved viewing for the Star Wars parade, you had to be one of the first ones let in. So once again, you have to be there early and wait- just like you would without the package. So not very "premium" is it?

 

[seahawk7]

And people are paying these high prices. Apparently, Disney is asking what the market will bear, right? No harm in that. What Disney doesn't seem to realize and/or care about is that rather than exceeding customer expectations like they used to, they are now meeting them or coming in below expectations. The reason people are willing to pay Disney top dollar for a new package is that Disney has a long history of delivering the goods. But now they are developing a reputation for ripping off their guests with cash grabs. In the long, long run I think these programs will hurt Disney if they don't get them under control.

So the only way Disney will stop offering these packages is when people stop paying for them. Until then, this is our new reality.