Party Season 2021

[SoFloMagic]

So I guess epcot isn't that tough. You just make dinner reservations after 7 into fireworks packages and cut off all the queues at 8. Sell fireworks packages with two options - $50 for fireworks and 4 punches for festival booths or $75 for prix fixe dining and fireworks

 

[dreday3]

Okay, we all need to stop coming up with ways for Disney to only allow us to see fireworks if we pay for it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

So I guess epcot isn't that tough. You just make dinner reservations after 7 into fireworks packages and cut off all the queues at 8. Sell fireworks packages with two options - $50 for fireworks and 4 punches for festival booths or $75 for prix fixe dining and fireworks

Both Epcot and DHS are simpler.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Okay, we all need to stop coming up with ways for Disney to only allow us to see fireworks if we pay for it.

What if I become a TOP FAN! of Chapek’s Facebook page? Does that earn me a Fantasmic?

 

[dreday3]

What if I become a TOP FAN! of Chapek’s Facebook page? Does that earn me a Fantasmic?

A magnet with an image of Fantasmic!

 

[SoFloMagic]

Both Epcot and DHS are simpler.

DHS is super easy, right? Just expand the former desert party to cover all seats in the stadium?

 

[ToTBellHop]

DHS is super easy, right? Just expand the former desert party to cover all seats in the stadium?

Yes. And maybe add restaurants at Boardwalk and Y&B? They’ll have capacity for it, I think.

 

[SoFloMagic]

Yes. And maybe add restaurants at Boardwalk and Y&B? They’ll have capacity for it, I think.

I mean if they want to try a pay-only fireworks show, that'd be the way to test it.
also wouldn't negatively impact anyone who doesn't pay as the offer would be the same as today.

 

[Touchdown]

Projections suggest we won’t need to distance by June. Seems like a stupid idea, and one competition could easily make an add around.

“Here at Universal/Sea World everyone gets to watch our night shows”

 

[HauntedPirate]

Think of things this way: “Can they charge for [insert attraction/event] that was taken away or hasn’t happened post-Covid reopening?”

If “Yes”, expect an upcharge to happen. Sadly.

 

[HauntedPirate]

And what of the guests who’ve already paid for a days admission? It was bad enough pre Covid.

Those peons? They haven’t paid enough to be allowed into the parks for more than a few hours a day. How else can they sell the parks twice (or more)? “Want more? pay up!” seems to be the direction they are headed.

 

[havoc315]

If that were the case the “party” would last 20 minutes.

Be afraid of double selling a theme park. Lest it become the norm.

Prior to Covid, it was already moving swiftly in that direction. MK was hosting after-hour events 1-2 times per week.

Cancelling night EMH is a further step I. This direction — night is for extra paid hours, EPH.

While I understand the negative reaction to it, it isn’t necessarily terrible for all guests. Disney will put the semi-true spin on it — how it increases flexibility and choices for their guests. For guests who solely want to spend a few night time hours, they won’t have to pay the price of a full day ticket.
And it will reduce night attendance, making for a better experience for those who buy the extra hours.

So there are some guests who will benefit from such a change. But they are the minority. It’s really about Disney getting to sell more tickets for more revenue on a given day.

I wouldn’t object at all to truly “extra” events.. events that start at 10 or 11pm, after traditional closing hours. But when it comes with reduction in regular hours... so the day guests are being cleared by 6-7 pm... it really is an issue.

 

[HauntedPirate]

After-hours events: Monetize a solution to a problem they created.

I have no problem with Halloween or Christmas parties. What I object to is reducing MK’s regular hours (closing at 6pm on party days) so they can sell the park twice, not to mention the increasing number of said parties, at least on the Halloween side.

 

[ToTBellHop]

After-hours events: Monetize a solution to a problem they created.

I have no problem with Halloween or Christmas parties. What I object to is reducing MK’s regular hours (closing at 6pm on party days) so they can sell the park twice, not to mention the increasing number of said parties, at least on the Halloween side.

They didn’t create COVID-19.

Who knows? Maybe they’ll make the right call and have most tickets be free (or, at least, not an upcharge—“free with dinner at Sunshine Seasons”). Time will tell. I never really objected to the Fantasmic! Dining Package because it didn’t feel like prices were inflated. Didn’t object to the Tiffins package for RoL, either, although I hated RoL.

For me, it is (some of) the Candlelight Dining Packages that are outrageously priced. And you basically can’t see the show without them. I hope they avoid that route.

Perhaps a compromise is to include $20 Quick Service Dining packages that don’t really cost you anything. You have to eat, anyway. Again, they’ll have capacity for this. There are ways to do this without overtly profiting off death.

 

[marni1971]

I wouldn’t object at all to truly “extra” events.. events that start at 10 or 11pm, after traditional closing hours. But when it comes with reduction in regular hours... so the day guests are being cleared by 6-7 pm... it really is an issue.

It certainly would be. If it became the norm. I’d very much hope it didn’t.

 

[havoc315]

It certainly would be. If it became the norm. I’d very much hope it didn’t.

It's the standard expansion / contraction cycle.

Introduce something new and awesome, to spark greater attendance, increase guest satisfaction, etc..
Then the number crunchers come in.. why are we paying so much for that awesome thing? We should cut the cost, increase the price..etc

EMH was a great onsite benefit.... that got eroded over the years as hours were reduced, more "partner" hotels were added..
Then they launched true paid after-hours events, which were awesome (after a few hiccups early on)...
Now.. why not cut EMH even more (like totally eliminate it at night)... and use those paid after-hour events more and more as a replacement for EMH... eventually a replacement for just regular ticket evening hours.... so it's no longer even really an "extra" event, it's now just paying for what used to be standard.

 

[HauntedPirate]

They didn’t create COVID-19.

Who knows? Maybe they’ll make the right call and have most tickets be free (or, at least, not an upcharge—“free with dinner at Sunshine Seasons”). Time will tell. I never really objected to the Fantasmic! Dining Package because it didn’t feel like prices were inflated. Didn’t object to the Tiffins package for RoL, either, although I hated RoL.

For me, it is (some of) the Candlelight Dining Packages that are outrageously priced. And you basically can’t see the show without them. I hope they avoid that route.

Perhaps a compromise is to include $20 Quick Service Dining packages that don’t really cost you anything. You have to eat, anyway. Again, they’ll have capacity for this. There are ways to do this without overtly profiting off death.

No argument with any of that. Only the problem of selling the park twice existed before Covid. Constrain ride capacity, making the parks seem busier than they are, plus don’t expand park capacity, which admittedly is a bit of a double-edged sword if not done properly. Sell after hours parties as a way to “enjoy rides and attractions with little wait!!!”.

 

[TTA94]

I know it’s to different parks but Shanghai has been doing fireworks and their daytime parade with guests gathering as they normally would, but wearing masks.

 

[marni1971]

I know it’s to different parks but Shanghai has been doing fireworks and their daytime parade with guests gathering as they normally would, but wearing masks.

And Paris is closed.

Apples and oranges.

 

[plawren2]

They didn’t create COVID-19.

Who knows? Maybe they’ll make the right call and have most tickets be free (or, at least, not an upcharge—“free with dinner at Sunshine Seasons”). Time will tell. I never really objected to the Fantasmic! Dining Package because it didn’t feel like prices were inflated. Didn’t object to the Tiffins package for RoL, either, although I hated RoL.

For me, it is (some of) the Candlelight Dining Packages that are outrageously priced. And you basically can’t see the show without them. I hope they avoid that route.

Perhaps a compromise is to include $20 Quick Service Dining packages that don’t really cost you anything. You have to eat, anyway. Again, they’ll have capacity for this. There are ways to do this without overtly profiting off death.

Whatever WDW has in mind for parties and extra hours in fall 2021 and beyond, it will not be due to COVID-19 (nor will be factor of or impacted by masks or social distancing) but to generate extra revenue (Disney lost billions in 2020), they know there will be pent up demand to visit WDW, plus the 50th anniversary, so I would fully expect that they will reduce regular park hours and add evening extra ticket events. And they know crowds will return and people will pay.