Disney After Hours Event

[ford91exploder]

Epcot can still absorb crowds, but the attraction lineup is thin. We know it's getting two major additions in the next month or two, but it sounds like Frozen will have an 1100-1200 hourly capacity while Soarin' should be around 1800-2000.

Soarin's capacity should be sufficient, but Frozen should be incredible low. When you also consider that many of the Future World attractions are skipped by guests, the capacity doesn't feel as high in that park.

Horizon's capacity was huge - but so many pavilllions have been shuttered and well lots of the remaining rides are lame at best.

 

[GhostHost1000]

Horizon's capacity was huge - but so many pavilllions have been shuttered and well lots of the remaining rides are lame at best.

The universe of energy "could" be a people eater too....if only... lol

 

[RSoxNo1]

Horizon's capacity was huge - but so many pavilllions have been shuttered and well lots of the remaining rides are lame at best.

Epcot attractions all had ridiculously high capacities. They could afford to reduce the capacities of many of them and opted to do so over the years. Unfortunately in most cases the predecessor was better than the replacement.

 

[GoofGoof]

I maintain that there is no better way to get folks to pony up in Disney than to offer an entertainment item that cannot be seen outside of the park (other than in video). The streets are dead - add some street actors, or roaming characters. Something interactive and a lot of fun. It's a bit ironic that Disney sent some of the wonderful actors over at DHS to the unemployment line just recently.

I agree with this. So many people just focus on ride count but it's the little things that make/made WDW truly unique and world class. With these upcharge events they could try to at least provide something unique like they did this past summer at AK with the Lion King show.

I would be more upset at Joe & Jill vloggers who go to Disney on a weekly basis getting in for free only to rub it in the face of all those who would love to be there, than the DVC owners. Those camera yielding, don't-care-if-I-talk-loudly-on-rides, keep-my-video-screen-on-in-pirates types kill me.

Those people are part of the problem too. I agree that it's frustrating to see them getting handouts for no good reason. The difference is they are a small portion of the overall crowd. If the numbers talked about here are correct they sold 300 tickets but the event was "sold out" with 1,000 tickets issued. That means 70% of the people at the event didn't pay. If I were in the 30% I'd be real mad. It's nothing against DVC owners or bloggers. I'd just want my money back.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Remember at one time Epcot was a people eater before Bad Eisner and Iger turned it into the worlds largest outdoor bar.

I like out door bars, im quite fond of indoor bars too.

 

[bugsbunny]

It's not a sell out if you give the tickets away for free and CMs are riding the rides, too. But clever on their part to artificially drum up a crowd.

As for EMH in gerneral, if a park had one that day, I avoid it. Guaranteed higher crowd levels all day. I think that the evening ones are organized chaos. Exclusive time at the parks for just you and 30,000 other people! No thanks.

But to pay an additional $150 for the night or $70 for the morning? The Kool Aid is strong in this one

 

[marni1971]

Epcot attractions all had ridiculously high capacities. They could afford to reduce the capacities of many of them and opted to do so over the years. Unfortunately in most cases the predecessor was better than the replacement.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Horizons1]

I maintain that there is no better way to get folks to pony up in Disney than to offer an entertainment item that cannot be seen outside of the park (other than in video). The streets are dead - add some street actors, or roaming characters. Something interactive and a lot of fun. It's a bit ironic that Disney sent some of the wonderful actors over at DHS to the unemployment line just recently.



I would be more upset at Joe & Jill vloggers who go to Disney on a weekly basis getting in for free only to rub it in the face of all those who would love to be there, than the DVC owners. Those camera yielding, don't-care-if-I-talk-loudly-on-rides, keep-my-video-screen-on-in-pirates types kill me.

But those bloggers are so important. You can't talk bad about them. Why if they didn't post pictures of Disney online and praise every single thing Disney does they'd have to pay to get in just like everyone else.

 

[scoobygirl39541]

Curious, if they added characters freely walking around like the used to decades ago, would that be more appealing to anyone here? Even throw in some rare characters. Or maybe make it how you see on ads.. throw some characters on rides and really make it seem like you're IN the world of Disney.

 

[GoofGoof]

Curious, if they added characters freely walking around like the used to decades ago, would that be more appealing to anyone here? Even throw in some rare characters. Or maybe make it how you see on ads.. throw some characters on rides and really make it seem like you're IN the world of Disney.

Yes and no. I think the characters appearing in set spots and at set times is something that really did come about based on guest feedback. The popularity of the meet and greets really has made it less possible to have the spontaneous character encounters. The autographs and photo pass camera people have added to this problem. Having young kids I can say it's nice to know there are certain places you can go that will definitely have characters.

All that being said, I think they could do both. There could be some characters that have spontaneous appearances and just interact with the crowd without stopping for pictures or autographs. It wouldn't take long to hug or hive five a kid and move on but if they have to stop and sign autographs and pose for multiple pictures it would be total chaos as the crowd grows. They could actually use the data gathered from the magic bands to know when an area is extra crowded or needs extra attention and send in a few spontaneous characters. It would especially work during pre-show or pre-fireworks time when people are just waiting around. Of course that would cost more money too so it probably won't happen.

 

[asianway]

But those bloggers are so important. You can't talk bad about them. Why if they didn't post pictures of Disney online and praise every single thing Disney does they'd have to pay to get in just like everyone else.

I really wish easywdw josh hadn't flamed out in 24 hours of joining here. He seems like minded to many of us, and though he won't take anything for free has quite the following

 

[AEfx]

All that being said, I think they could do both. There could be some characters that have spontaneous appearances and just interact with the crowd without stopping for pictures or autographs.

Given some of the things I have seen, I don't think it can be done. I've seen adult males come close to physical battery when a character refused to stop for their kid to take a pic/get an autograph. No, we shouldn't design the world due to crazy outliers - but it's just an example of how passionate and how much these characters are now seen as part of the "Disney Park experience". But I just can't see it working now that everyone has a camera attached to their hand rather permanently (particularly the audience that runs after characters).

While we complain about the meet and greets, to be honest - the system they have now is pretty close to the best that can be done without completely changing the paradigm. It creates kind of a "shadow park" where the people with insatiable kiddos can stand in hours long lines, and the rest of us largely get out of having to deal with it.

 

[Clamman73]

I really wish ******* josh hadn't flamed out in 24 hours of joining here. He seems like minded to many of us, and though he won't take anything for free has quite the following

He was quick to point out the recent changes in soft drink and bottled water prices. A few years ago bottled water was $2.50. It went to $2.75 and now it's $3.00.

 

[raven]

Epcot can still absorb crowds, but the attraction lineup is thin. We know it's getting two major additions in the next month or two...

I wouldn't call the reopening of closed attractions an "addition" by any means. They will certainly attract more guests since they've been closed but they aren't additions. Epcot has MANY areas available to open up to help thin the crowds if they wanted. For example: UoE has a HUGE potential for this but most guests don't want to sit through a 41 minute snorefest. It could be completely overhauled into a DAK's Dinosaur-esque type of attraction while keeping the energy theme.

 

[AEfx]

He was quick to point out the recent changes in soft drink and bottled water prices. A few years ago bottled water was $2.50. It went to $2.75 and now it's $3.00.

If it's ice cold, I'm down with the $3. Buying a cold single in a store costs nearly $2, at least - so hey, no foul there.

Charging $150 per person for what used to be free for all guests (extended operating hours used to be the norm) or then at least resort guests (EMH), is the top end, though. I daresay, it's now the most overpriced thing at WDW.

Reading this discussion, I have to keep reminding myself about the per person part. It's like...wow - a family of four would have to pay $600 for a couple hours in the MK with a few included novelty treats (my guess is, they are using the oldest stock of everything, too). Even if you paid Disney prices, you are talking a max of like $50 "value" on the treats if the family double-dips on them (smart on Disney to have ice cream which will melt so folks don't pack their bags with it - though you know someone out there tried). And given that most people wouldn't have multiple 'treats' like that normally at that time of evening, in many cases, and would just be consuming this stuff because it's "free", it's sort of a dubious value.

While of course a vacation is expensive, I can't help but want to say to that family of four - "instead of spending $600 on a couple of extra hours of nothing really special - you could buy a brand new, pretty nice laptop - or a decent big screen HDTV and surround system - when you get home..." and still have had pretty much the same vacation.

 

[note2001]

If it's ice cold, I'm down with the $3. Buying a cold single in a store costs nearly $2, at least - so hey, no foul there.

Charging $150 per person for what used to be free for all guests (extended operating hours used to be the norm) or then at least resort guests (EMH), is the top end, though. I daresay, it's now the most overpriced thing at WDW.

Reading this discussion, I have to keep reminding myself about the per person part. It's like...wow - a family of four would have to pay $600 for a couple hours in the MK with a few included novelty treats (my guess is, they are using the oldest stock of everything, too). Even if you paid Disney prices, you are talking a max of like $50 "value" on the treats if the family double-dips on them (smart on Disney to have ice cream which will melt so folks don't pack their bags with it - though you know someone out there tried). And given that most people wouldn't have multiple 'treats' like that normally at that time of evening, in many cases, and would just be consuming this stuff because it's "free".

While of course a vacation is expensive, I can't help but want to say to that family of four - "instead of spending $600 on a couple of extra hours of nothing really special - you could buy a brand new, pretty nice laptop - or a decent big screen HDTV and surround system - when you get home..."

Thankfully, for all the brain cells killed off by having kids, there is a completely different group of brain cells that are activated when one becomes a parent of more than one child. They help us determine how to save money and most normal folk will realize the $600 price point is a joke. At the same time I can guarantee if one parent turned to the other and said "I'll watch the kids, you go have fun." they'd have no hesitation in spending $150 on themselves if it meant time away from the diaper brigade. It's a rare occurrence.

 

[radiohost]

I wonder if they really restrict this to 1,000 tickets? If that is true, would you pay more than $50 per?

Here's how I view it.

I am willing to spend $200 ($50 per EMH ticket for family of four) to have the experience of being at the park practically alone. This would be reliving my youth, as EMH was more isolated and longer (three hours).

 

[matt9112]

This would be a huge perk in my opinion. We stay at deluxe or moderates and the passes would be available 60 days in advance so it is not really something that was available before FP+. They could make it even better by allowing the extra passes to be used at a second park.

I hope not.....I'm not a fan of when guests get subdivided based on who and more importantly how wealthy you are. Some basic things like lodging are exspected but changing how certain guests may or may not be able to do or take advantage of bugs me. 5,000 dollar vacation or no fun for you?

 

[GoofGoof]

I hope not.....I'm not a fan of when guests get subdivided based on who and more importantly how wealthy you are. Some basic things like lodging are exspected but changing how certain guests may or may not be able to do or take advantage of bugs me. 5,000 dollar vacation or no fun for you?

It works pretty well for Universal. Only their deluxe resort guests and those willing to pay a huge upcharge get to skip lines.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Am I the only one who thinks with only 1,000 people, it would be well worth the $150 for 3 hours in the MK?

I guess I am, because I paid for it in 2 weeks.

If a 1,000 cap is verified, I'm there with you.....I see no way that # can be real....

The DVC members paid dearly though.

Agreed....and would guess this might be part of a new Marketing ploy to the potential DVC purchasers ...maybe "DVC EMH"?

If I spent $150 to get into this event and found out that most of the people there got in free I'd be pretty mad. I don't care how much they paid for their membership. Completely irrelevant.

I'd be mad too! But I don't see it as irrelevant, and definitely not completely irrelevant.