Serious stupid question. I did not go until 2000 so our first time there definitely were "extras" experiences that could be purchased. So am I correct that there were no such things prior?
not sure if I would call it "class warfare". I mean all these offerings are open to anyone who wants to purchase them right?
Paid extras are not the issue. It's paid extras that take away from the availability, enjoyability, and accessibility of park rides, dining, events, etc from others just because they are "not paying more".
Examples of paid extras that DO NOT inhibit access or detract from other park-goer's experiences are:
Backstage Magic - No "blocked out times" that prohibit other diners from going to Whispering Canyon Cafe (soon to be Tiffin's)
Behind the Seeds Tour - Living With the Land ride is not inhibited or shut down during the tour
Celebration at the Top - Private banquet room used for this event along with a private balcony. Doesn't inhibit restaurant reservations or fireworks viewing areas.
Dessert Cruise Fireworks (multiple options) - Fireworks are viewed from Seven Seas Lagoon. No access restricted for park-goers wanting to view fireworks.
Disney Family Magic Tour
Disney H2O Glow Nights - After normal water park hours which never have EMH
Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour
Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour - Tour is held before the park opens so train access is not restricted during park hours
Epcot Seas Adventures: Dive Quest - Behind the scenes tour with dive.
Festival Experiences - This broad category includes all the paid extras that happen in the festival center and other areas that do not inhibit normal access to park attractions or reservations for restaurants.
Private Cabanas at Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Yacht & Beach Club - Pool areas are still open for others to use
Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour - Although it's VIP, it is a behind-the-scenes and does not inhibit access to dining reservations
The unDESCOVERed Future World - Also behind the scenes with no ride access.
The VOID experience - Not even in a park so affects no one
Up Close With Rhinos - No effect on Kilimanjaro Safari ride
Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour - Another behind the scenes tour
World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered - Behind the scenes with a snack from a booth (walk-up service)
Wild Africa Trek - No effect on Kilimanjaro Safari ride
runDisney Events - Races have minimal impact on the parks. Park-goers can still enjoy the parks any only need mind the coned off areas where runners are participating. Rides are not impacted nor restaurant access.
(PLEASE NOTE: The above are just a sample of the paid extras that are available that have no impact on others who want to enjoy the parks, fireworks, and have access to decent dining reservations, EMH, and fastpasses. There are LOTS & LOTS MORE. We didn't even get into the normal spas, boating tours, fishing, bike rentals, golf cart rentals, mini-golf that's $25 a person, actual golf, and all the rest that has no real impact on others.)
Examples of paid extras that DO inhibit access or detract from other park-goer's experiences are:
Fireworks Dessert Party (Multiple options) - Reserved seating/standing areas for the fireworks/nighttime show that takes all prime seating away from other "guests" makes these events intrusive.
After Hours Events (Disney Villains and the others) - Some will say this is "after hours". But we all know these take away from EMH opportunities. More importantly, this shortens the time available to enjoy the park in the evening because, even though the event doesn't start until 9:00pm or 10:00pm event ticket holders are allowed access while the park is still open starting at
7:00pm. Thus, one of my favorite times in the parks that saw many guests leave for the night, prepare to view fireworks or remain occupied in restaurants now will have a gigantic influx of new people raring to go. Ride times go up, not down, and more evening fastpasses are taken.
Star Wars Guided Tour
Priority access to Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (children's interactive show) meaning another child who wants to enjoy this normally free experience may get left out. Priority viewing of fireworks. Priority access such as to Star Tours ride [sometimes low ride times], Path of the Jedi [usually not full], and Backlot Express lunch [counter service] are less invasive, for now. But Star Tours will soon be swamped with the influx of Galactic Edge visitors thus making this another paid event that impacts ride times for an already overcrowded park with not enough capacity.
VIP Tours - Tours for 4 or more cost anywhere from $1,000 to $12,000...per day. Oh and that, of course, wouldn't include park tickets.
Regular VIP tour members are able to get on any ride at any time they want that's within their booking tier and get prime viewing space for fireworks, shows, and parades.
If you're a premium VIP tour group you can ride anything in any park any time you want. Enjoyed riding Avatar: Flight of Passage? You can go right back on. You can do it 6 times in a row if you want. Meanwhile the line for everyone else to ride it
once is 120 minutes. Want to eat at Victoria and Albert's? You can. Who cares if it's been "fully booked" for 3 months. You are paying $12,000. You get to go instead of the schlep that was just going to pay a few hundred to celebrate his anniversary with his wife.
Wanyama Safari - Less intrusive than some, this event takes away from prime dining hours (5pm) at Jiko.
(PLEASE NOTE: The above are also just a few examples of the intrusive events that inhibit access and enjoyment of other guests. What's disturbing is that more events are being added almost every other week that detract from a formerly free experience or limited availability reservation.)
The point is, there are plenty of things Disney has available (PLENTY!!!) that are paid extra events. Some have been around for years. Others are much newer. The issue we all have with Cinderella's Royal Table and the other paid extras listed above is this: When Disney takes away access (completely or partially) to lower cost/free options, bundle them with a few extras and charge exorbitant prices we get mad. There is no good reason for it. As you can see, they are already raking in the money with paid extras that don't effect park-goers. That's why people say it's unnecessarily greedy.
If it says, "sparkling wine", it's ok to drink (if that's what you like, I guess).
