Disney After Hours Event

[Pumbas Nakasak]

That's exactly my point. If these things happen, it means they surveyed positively. Ergo, Disney is giving their guests what they want. Ergo, there's no point in crying about a cash grab because the guests told Disney "we want this and we'll pay for it."

There's no scenario wherein negative survey feedback leads to a greenlit initiative. The things that Disney plans on doing regardless of what the guests say aren't things they waste their time surveying. For example, nobody is going to respond positively to the question "Would you like Disney to raise ticket prices?" So when Disney is going to raise ticket prices (a regular, plain-old price increase), they don't solicit feedback first. By definition, if it's an initiative they're bothering to survey, they're only going to do it if the survey results indicate they should. In that case, it's Disney listening to their guests and something to be encouraged.

It helps if you know the answer you want before you ask your questions.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It helps if you know the answer you want before you ask your questions.

I don't buy it. I didn't buy it when we were told that survey results were manipulated for FP+ and I don't buy it now. If you're going to do something that requires you to manipulate survey results, just go ahead and DO it. Surveying is very expensive and you don't waste time and money on a fake survey. You just skip the survey all together.

 

[xdan0920]

By definition, if it's an initiative they're bothering to survey, they're only going to do it if the survey results indicate they should. In that case, it's Disney listening to their guests and something to be encouraged.

It's not quite that black and white. My guess is, the majority of those surveyed regarding this After Hours event said NO, they would not pay that much for what is offered. So they are really only listening to a minority of their guests. But it's enough to justify going forward with this event.

 

[flynnibus]

Once again, that's a rumor

It's not a rumor - it's something DISNEY brought up in soliciting input from their customers. I didn't say it was being DONE or in place.. that is your defensive posture kicking in and countering things I didn't even say. The fact that its even part of the discussion is a tell in its own right.. and that is what I was referring to. Take any other number of things that actually ARE in place if that distinction bothers you so much.. like preferred parking... or the selling of Fastpasses through 'dining packages' box lunches which are nothing more than selling FPs and seating access.

Your definance of the wave forming reminds me of this scene from Jurrasic Park.. its all beautiful and harmless to watch until you realize its about to run right over you

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I don't buy it. I didn't buy it when we were told that survey results were manipulated for FP+ and I don't buy it now. If you're going to do something that requires you to manipulate survey results, just go ahead and DO it. Surveying is very expensive and you don't waste time and money on a fake survey. You just skip the survey all together.

Im not concerned by your consumer habits, I thought you were all about legitimacy of action, just throwing the option out there, if you know your objective you can get the data to support your business case. Never had to battle for budget?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Im not concerned by your consumer habits, I thought you were all about legitimacy of action, just throwing the option out there, if you know your objective you can get the data to support your business case. Never had to battle for budget?

I'm not delusional. I wouldn't battle to fund a project that I had to manipulate my pro forma to get to NPV positive. When it fails spectacularly because my model was built on faulty assumptions, that's going to come back at me.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I'm not delusional. I wouldn't battle to fund a project that I had to manipulate my pro forma to get to NPV positive. When it fails spectacularly because my model was built on faulty assumptions, that's going to come back at me.

All I can say is I worked for the marketing company of an ad agency and the questions in any survey were always " carefully considered" . Perhaps Disney is above all that because of the magic.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

All I can say is I worked for the marketing company of an ad agency and the questions in any survey were always " carefully considered" . Perhaps Disney is above all that because of the magic.

I'm not saying Disney is somehow "above" these things for any altruistic or fairy tale reasons. I'm saying they know better. For all the criticism of "MBA think" around here, an MBA's knowledge is not wholly illegitimate. You actually learn real things in an MBA program. It's a basic principle in any strategy course that you don't build a model based on faulty assumptions. Bad data leads to bad conclusions. Garbage in, garbage out.

 

[Wrangler-Rick]

All I can say is I worked for the marketing company of an ad agency and the questions in any survey were always " carefully considered" . Perhaps Disney is above all that because of the magic.

The Disney surveys allow you to continue or kick you out based on the answers you provide during the course of answering the survey. Do you think this skews the over-all reliability of the data they get from the surveys? In my mind I would think that it could lead them down the wrong path if a significant number of survey taker's opinions are not counted.... (Not trying to be snarky or combative, just wanted to hear your thoughts considering your experience in the field)

 

[disneyflush]

Don't think this will do much to increase maintenance on the attractions.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I'm not saying Disney is somehow "above" these things for any altruistic or fairy tale reasons. I'm saying they know better. For all the criticism of "MBA think" around here, an MBA's knowledge is not wholly illegitimate. You actually learn real things in an MBA program. It's a basic principle in any strategy course that you don't build a model based on faulty assumptions. Bad data leads to bad conclusions. Garbage in, garbage out.

But not if its the garbage out you want. I took part in a survey earlier this year for a fairly well known tourist destination, and I can assure you it was loaded to deliver two potential outcomes. Which ultimately as a consumer/ business operator were more or less interchangeable in terms of cost and value.

Many years ago I took part in a survey at the AK, it was so loaded against the dining option of Picnic in the Park that I told my wife we wouldnt have the option on the next visit. And as if by magic it was gone.

Data is data, sometimes its value can be seasonally adjusted other times simply ignored. It does help sell a bad idea if you can spin that your giving folk what they asked for, even if it is tenuous. Personally I think WDW doesnt give a monkeys what the prolls think, but its nice to have a little support to keep head office at bay. IMHO of course, good as fact really.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

The Disney surveys allow you to continue or kick you out based on the answers you provide during the course of answering the survey. Do you think this skews the over-all reliability of the data they get from the surveys? In my mind I would think that it could lead them down the wrong path if a significant number of survey taker's opinions are not counted.... (Not trying to be snarky or combative, just wanted to hear your thoughts considering your experience in the field)

My own belief is that there are core answers you want, especially from key demographics, but ultimately I dont think any business makes key decisions based on a referendum. I wouldn't trust any survey results that lets Joe Bloggs log in on line and give an opinion. You get people like me having a bit a giggle posting nonsense. I dont pretend to be close to the data mining but I understood enough to see that questions and samples worked best when the guys knew what they were looking for. ie what the client was hoping to achieve.

 

[raven]

Found the survey in question. It was $125, ride waits under 10 min, increased character experiences throughout the park, fireworks, and unlimited snacks. Look how that turned out

They up charged the event another $25/person to cover the cost of the survey.

It helps if you know the answer you want before you ask your questions.

Exactly. Careful and precise wording, along with timing and presentation, will get you the results you want. It's all planned to manipulate the reader into thinking they would be getting something more. This isn't new for Disney and thousands of companies use the same strategy.

As far as people saying it won't effect them whatsoever because they don't plan to partake in it, it definitely still effects the normal flow of family Disney vacations by shortening your time in the parks (already limited FP+ experiences are allowed per guest per day to greatly diminish what you can experience), and this new experience pushes in the face of guests that Disney simply is catering to families with more money (record gate prices are hard enough for a lot of families to afford but suddenly the amount of EMH will be limited in that park unless you want to pay even more).

It's all business and politics at its WORST. There was a time when regular income guests came to WDW and felt special just by walking into the park. Now they want you to pay extra for it. $500/night deluxe castle view from the Polynesian? Not anymore. That $500 gets you a view of someone else who has even more money than you.

Just my opinion.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Looks like there will be an "early morning" option for $69 as well...

Fantasyland Fun Before the Park Opens

Make your Walt Disney World mornings more magical than ever with a first-access experience in the park!

Rising with the sun on select mornings, Disney Early Morning Magic gives you the chance to be among the first to enter Magic Kingdom park and experience a trio of Fantasyland attractions:

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Peter Pan’s Flight.

Plus, in addition to the early-morning fun, you can get your fill of a fantastic continental breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus—featuring such scrumptious breakfast fare as:

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
Mickey Waffles

Available with the purchase of a separate ticket, Disney Early Morning Magic takes place on select dates from 7:45 AM to 10:00 AM. However, admission is limited—be sure to buy your tickets before it’s too late!

Admission to Disney Early Morning Magic is available $69 per adult and $49 per child (tax not included).

 

[raven]

Don't think this will do much to increase maintenance on the attractions.

Or cleanliness of the parks. After hours maintenance and custodial do the core grunt work at the parks. If their time is limited, you can better expect a dirty, broken park to become the norm.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I miss e ride nights, hell I miss some of the parties, but the prices for these events I couldnt justify to myself, they dont offer any value on any level for me or my family. Id rather take in a gig, even if it turned out as heinous as Van Halen last year with Cut Glass Dave and his broken voice.

 

[Witchy Chick]

Looks like there will be an "early morning" option for $69 as well...

Fantasyland Fun Before the Park Opens

Make your Walt Disney World mornings more magical than ever with a first-access experience in the park!

Rising with the sun on select mornings, Disney Early Morning Magic gives you the chance to be among the first to enter Magic Kingdom park and experience a trio of Fantasyland attractions:

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Peter Pan’s Flight.

Plus, in addition to the early-morning fun, you can get your fill of a fantastic continental breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus—featuring such scrumptious breakfast fare as:

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
Mickey Waffles

Available with the purchase of a separate ticket, Disney Early Morning Magic takes place on select dates from 7:45 AM to 10:00 AM. However, admission is limited—be sure to buy your tickets before it’s too late!

Admission to Disney Early Morning Magic is available $69 per adult and $49 per child (tax not included).

Doesn't MK open at 9am? Is this going to be an hour "overlap" of EMM guests and regular ticket guests (similar to the 3 hour overlap for the After Party)? I'm interested to see how this works out for people who get there at rope-drop and find lines for 7DMT, Pooh, and Peter Pan at park opening.

 

[raven]

I didn't see this survey but I have a question for those who did. Was this available to ALL guests or just guests staying in moderate or deluxe resorts? That would definitely make a difference on how it was answered if so.

 

[Jrn14]

I can't wait for the Magic Kingdom's "Middle of the Night MADNESS"

For just $87 per person you can be in the park from 2:15- 4:27 and experience all the late night magic of The Jungle Cruise, Astro Orbiter, and the Hall of Presidents. Free animal crackers and Gatorade will be provided!

 

[pax_65]

I'm interested to see how this works out for people who get there at rope-drop and find lines for 7DMT, Pooh, and Peter Pan at park opening.

Clearly Disney doesn't care.