This was a tough thread to get through. I get why this makes people upset, it's just another thing that it feels like we used to get for free. But it's not going away, the fact that it's happening in the summer of all times proves it.
Personally, I'm *amazed* they haven't introduced a tiered After Hours structure. Something like a red lanyard for $119 gets you the standard After Hours Experience, and for $199 you get a blue lanyard that gets you an ADDITIONAL 3 hours. As someone said previously they have not found the price point that people won't pay. The parks are seemingly jammed all the time. They're building new lands, new hotels, new transportation, it's not going to get any better.
I've been going to WDW since I was 6 years old in 1994; I miss the old days like everyone else, but the days of "quiet times" and off season are gone. Events like this absolutely are a pain in the butt for the good people who save their money and plan a vacation for a family of 4 or more for months on end, and I feel bad for people who get cheated out of park time or have to pay more money. This is a huge benefit for some people though. I plan on being in the area for work in Feb 2019, not enough for a full WDW vacation but I'm hoping there's an After Hours night so I can get one night in the park with very little wait.
The price point could be more accessible, but these events are selling out. I have a feeling in a couple years when this is $199/person we'll be looking back fondly on the days when this event "only" cost $119.
