News Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours coming for resort guests

[HauntedPirate]

That is true - and the boats to Disney Springs aren't running right now (I'm not sure if the walking path from Saratoga to DS is open). I've stayed at OKW twice - the first time without a car and the second time with a car. My wife and I hated it without a car because the resort is so big but loved it with a car.

It is.

 

[GoofGoof]

I just don't understand why either of these things are tied to the 50th/October 1? I get it will take some time to implement, but wouldn't these be great guest satisfaction tools for the summer months as well? Especially considering the continued ramping up of capacity.

I agree. It may just be that Summer bookings are strong already and they don’t need the extra incentive to bring guests in. I am going end of August and it is tough to see things like this and Rat ride and new night shows and other offerings happening a few weeks after I leave, especially when the stuff could start, but is being held back arbitrarily. I am hoping the silver lining is that some people delay their visits and the crowds are even lower than normal for end of August

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

I apologize if someone mentioned this already, but looking at the layout of deluxe properties, it appears that about 90% of them are connected by waking trails, skylines, monorail, or boat to a adjacent park. So the only time they need full bus staffing is AK. The rest, in theory should be covered mostly by alternate modes, with only busses filling the gaps like during the day. There was only 3 that was independent of all parks. I wonder if the bus situation played a part. It looks like a “perk” but also covers for crowds they can’t support yet.

How would someone staying at WL get to HS? Or Beach Club to MK? Or AKL to Epcot? Park hopping? Busses are needed in significant numbers, unless someone comes up with a cheaper alternative that can service all resorts to all resort destinations.

Your right, but to clairify my point, the gaps in the deluxe that require a bus will be about half of the deluxe category each time. The other half are covered by something else already just based on where the resorts in that category are. Except for AK. Only needing to bus to a subset of one category within the subset of all resorts is nothing to sneeze at. IMO

 

[AMDPhenomX4]

Your right, but to clairify my point, the gaps in the deluxe that require a bus will be about half of the deluxe category each time. The other half are covered by something else already just based on where the resorts in that category are. Except for AK. Only needing to bus to a subset of one category within the subset of all resorts is nothing to sneeze at. IMO

So are Pop, CBR and AoA going to be reclassified as deluxe now?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Well, so much for the rumor that Disney was doing away with the Deluxe/Moderate/Value categories.

Also, WRT "equity"... Remember that it was Unca Walt that charged more money to ride the "E Tickets." While some families bought the discounted ticket booklets that "encouraged" them into A and B level attractions, people with money to spare could just ride E-Ticket rides all day long.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Well, so much for the rumor that Disney was doing away with the Deluxe/Moderate/Value categories.

Yep, stick a fork in that. They must have figured that they could make more money keeping the class-based designations rather than creating location-based ones. (Edit: fixed a typo)

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

So are Pop, CBR and AoA going to be reclassified as deluxe now?

So, we will declassify the rest of the Epcot resort area because the lines hub runs through there?

 

[James Norrie]

Well, so much for the rumor that Disney was doing away with the Deluxe/Moderate/Value categories.

Also, WRT "equity"... Remember that it was Unca Walt that charged more money to ride the "E Tickets." While some families bought the discounted ticket booklets that "encouraged" them into A and B level attractions, people with money to spare could just ride E-Ticket rides all day long.

Thanks for pointing this out...

Also, Walt himself came up with Club 33 as an exclusive perk to corporate sponsors to get more money out of them.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Can't help but sort of feel like this is another signal from TWDC that a family of 3 with both adults making respectable wages working in public service and trying to be responsible with their money, thus can't in good conscious fork over the money for a deluxe resort, are less important. This is yet another perk taken away from people like us while still expecting the same or higher prices in return.

 

[pdude81]

Can't help but sort of feel like this is another signal from TWDC that a family of 3 with both adults making respectable wages working in public service and trying to be responsible with their money, thus can't in good conscious fork over the money for a deluxe resort, are less important. This is yet another perk taken away from people like us while still expecting the same or higher prices in return.

I can't imagine they ever wanted you to be responsible with your money.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Can't have the poors running amok in the parks now, can we?

 

[SteamboatJoe]

I can't imagine they ever wanted you to be responsible with your money.

We had a deal that I would not be responsible with my money while on property but to do so I had to be able to afford to be on property. Guess I should have gotten it in writing.

 

[G00fyDad]

I highly doubt it will happen. The peasant resorts will get a few FP instead.

It amazes me the amount of cheering that goes on for these perks that used to be available to everyone.

Who's cheering for them??

 

[Jrb1979]

Who's cheering for them??

I have seen many that have defended this move and some are ok with it.

 

[Roy G. Dis]

Can't help but sort of feel like this is another signal from TWDC that a family of 3 with both adults making respectable wages working in public service and trying to be responsible with their money, thus can't in good conscious fork over the money for a deluxe resort, are less important. This is yet another perk taken away from people like us while still expecting the same or higher prices in return.

If you're trying to be responsible with your money don't stay at a frickin Disney Resort! C'mon.

 

[Jeff4272]

Correct

 

[dovetail65]

If you're trying to be responsible with your money don't stay at a frickin Disney Resort! C'mon.

Responsible is the wrong word. I think it best to say if you want to pay less don't stay at a Disney resort.

 

[kong1802]

Here are the hours from July 1st from 2006-2019. While there is a drop in the last 2 years, I would hardly call that a trend if reducing operating hours for years. And I agree with the Epcot hours issue but I would have to think that has more to to with pandemic disruptions then the new normal.

Theyve cut about 2 hours per day. So about 30 hours a month to be generous.

Look at July 2015. 8-12 regularly. Now we are lucky to get 9-10.

Walt Disney World Calendar

Disney World Park Hours

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[ThatMouse]

I hope they release EMH to all guests. This is bumming me out, because room rates have doubled in price in recent years. The rack rates have steadily increased + parking fees + reduction in discounts & group rates. A few years ago we stayed at Polynesian and Beach Club for under $300 / night including tax and it was the last year of free parking. That was the most I've ever spent. Now I can only imagine what it is. Probably $400 before taxes. Not even going to look I'm so bummed out.

 

[dovetail65]

I hope they release EMH to all guests. This is bumming me out, because room rates have doubled in price in recent years. The rack rates have steadily increased + parking fees + reduction in discounts & group rates. A few years ago we stayed at Polynesian and Beach Club for under $300 / night including tax and it was the last year of free parking. That was the most I've ever spent. Now I can only imagine what it is. Probably $400 before taxes. Not even going to look I'm so bummed out.

I think a night rack rate with no discounts 595.00 right now (for Polynesian) If someone wanted book a room now I saw a
Pool or marina room first week of August I was getting like 673.95 a night. Didn't check the 25% discount though.