Princess and Pirates -- Good Idea???

[JimboJones123]

Don't think this is a hate thread. Please! I'm just trying to see if they charge the same for the xmas and halloween parties, how this could work. It sounds like they are splitting the park to a boys side and a girls side. If you have kids of each gender, it will split the family, or leave on gender tagging along for part of the night that they may not be interested (not so much for girls, they may get into the pirates, but boys being into princesses -- the word "yuck" comes to mind). If you have only girls or only boys, this will basically cut the park in half. Can you charge 35-40 bucks for only half of the MK? Maybe it will be something cheaper for like 10-15 bucks. I can see that. Guess we'll have to wait for more details. This also seems to overcater to kids. Will adults have NO INTEREST AT ALL? I know lots of adults and teens go to the other parties, but will this exculde them? I guess it means shorter lines though.

 

[goofntink]

Not how it will work.It will use the entire park at the same time.The pirates will be on the hunt for treasure all over the park,with different "Pirate Coves" located in different areas.Also will have different Pirate character members scattered about, and some will give instructions on how to be a proper pirate,and the rules pertaining to parlay.The Princess Party will get the same treatment with different meet and greets with the Disney Princess's around the park,and Balls to attend.Instruction on how to be a proper princess will also be given.They will also be a parade involving both partys.Hope this helps answer some questions.Dad and Mom also get to be Pirates and Princess

 

[COProgressFan]

I agree that the appeal for adults seem minimal. The Christmas and Halloween parties seem to offer something for everyone, but this seems really geared toward the 10 and under crowd. I guess we'll have to wait and see how it turns out...

CoP

 

[BuzzComplexCM]

Disney needs to stop with this already. They keep adding hours to the park for CM's to work who are exhausted. I remember working both MNSSHP and MVMCP, but ON TOP OF A FULL EIGHT HOUR DAY. Then the guests say that the CM's aren't magical, well, we're tired!!! LOL.

This is just another way for Disney to make $$$ which we have all become accustomed to. However, I am also taking the Guest into consideration with this, just think...You come to visit for a week and 3 nights of your visit, the MK closes at 6pm so they can clear out the park for the Event Ticket Holders. So the guests who don't get the Event Ticket or can't afford it lose out on 5-6 hours of MK playtime, sucks huh?

 

[JimboJones123]

But the kids will still be pulled in 2 different directions... That's the concern I have.

 

[BuzzComplexCM]

But the kids will still be pulled in 2 different directions... That's the concern I have.

Good point. Typical family of four. Mom, Dad, Boy, Girl. Now you will have mom and daughter spilt from dad and son, what kind of vacation is that?

I remember when I went through my teen years and could not stand being with my parents and they would let me do my own thing. But, as I got older, I find that my parents are actually alot of fun in the parks, especially EPCOT.

I don't like thinking that parents and kids will be pulled in two different directions, it really kills a vacation and what could be a special, fun night for them.

 

[Shaman]

Not how it will work.It will use the entire park at the same time.The pirates will be on the hunt for treasure all over the park,with different "Pirate Coves" located in different areas.Also will have different Pirate character members scattered about, and some will give instructions on how to be a proper pirate,and the rules pertaining to parlay.The Princess Party will get the same treatment with different meet and greets with the Disney Princess's around the park,and Balls to attend.Instruction on how to be a proper princess will also be given.They will also be a parade involving both partys.Hope this helps answer some questions.Dad and Mom also get to be Pirates and Princess

This seems like it will be a HUGE hit for Disney and if it works we'll see more things like it. Merchandise alone will bring in a good chunk.

But the kids will still be pulled in 2 different directions... That's the concern I have.

Not exactly...I would imagine, it's kinda like when a family is traveling around the park, some attractions will appeal to all members of the family, some will not.

 

[Cynderella]

I've never even heard of this until this thread but I understand the point about the families being seperated. That's not very family vacationish. And as the poster above mentioned it's not fair that the MK closes early for people going to the event because not everyone will be going so that really kinda kills the day knowing it closes at 6. I hate when it closes at 7 during the slow times...always makes me mad! :fork:

 

[BRER STITCH]

Hmmmm...double posted.....????

 

[BRER STITCH]

Remember when a "special event" at WDW actually was a SPECIAL EVENT??? :veryconfu

The part I dislike most about the way these things are going is that the "special-ness" of the events are being liquidated to the point of meaning less and less for the returning guests.

For example, it used to be a special treat when the MK was open til midnight suring peak summer hours. Now, anyone who buys a ticket in addition to the tickets they already purchased can get late night hours just about any time they visit now. What's so special about that???...And after attending the Christmas Party or Halloween Party once, there is nothing "special" about the next year's event to make you want to attend again.

 

[JimboJones123]

Remember when a "special event" at WDW actually was a SPECIAL EVENT??? :veryconfu

The part I dislike most about the way these things are going is that the "special-ness" of the events are being liquidated to the point of meaning less and less for the returning guests.

For example, it used to be a special treat when the MK was open til midnight suring peak summer hours. Now, anyone who buys a ticket in addition to the tickets they already purchased can get late night hours just about any time they visit now. What's so special about that???...And after attending the Christmas Party or Halloween Party once, there is nothing "special" about the next year's event to make you want to attend again.

I second that. We did a second round of the xmas party, and felt we really were not getting anything more the next year. It's really hard when you have length of stay tickets that you can't even use. As much as I really like these events, I wish they wern't so "special" (as in extra tix). One would think MK could just X-mas up a regular night, like Knotts in CA does, and numbers would skyrockt. But $$ is the bottom line -- supply and demand dictate. If you come, they will build it.

 

[Kadee]

I've never even heard of this until this thread but I understand the point about the families being seperated. That's not very family vacationish. And as the poster above mentioned it's not fair that the MK closes early for people going to the event because not everyone will be going so that really kinda kills the day knowing it closes at 6. I hate when it closes at 7 during the slow times...always makes me mad! :fork:

I agree. We went to Sea World once (just for 1 day) and they closed early (5pm) for a private party. Of course, we didn't know this until we got inside. There were no signs outside or anything. At least at WDW, there are THREE other parks you can enjoy along with the water parks, and DTD.

 

[Brian Noble]

Knott's Christmas may be "normal", but I think they may have actually held the first hard-ticket event: as I understand it, KBF invented the notion of a halloween event, and it's been a hard ticket event for at least several years.

It's also fantastically successful ---it probably represents the lion's share of their 4Q revenue.

 

[JimboJones123]

I just wish MK christmas was more like Epcot christmas... something that goes on that they don't hold back on til you buy the extra tix.

 

[CaptainMichael]

I personally dislike these "special", hard-ticket events. I've been lucky in the past that these haven't affected my trip, but it's bound to happen one day. But, if they weren't profittable, Disney wouldn't do them, so I guess we must deal with it. I think at some point, there may be overkill...

 

[JimboJones123]

I personally dislike these "special", hard-ticket events. I've been lucky in the past that these haven't affected my trip, but it's bound to happen one day. But, if they weren't profittable, Disney wouldn't do them, so I guess we must deal with it. I think at some point, there may be overkill...

I think it may have be found too...

 

[CaptainMichael]

I think it may have be found too...

I agree, at least MVMCP and MNSSHP are tied to holidays and somewhat justified....this new event is a stretch...It could have been something more along the lines of Star Wars weekend. They could have had like two weekends of stars from PotC and Disney Fairytales with the Magic Kingdom specially decorated.

 

[JimboJones123]

I agree, at least MVMCP and MNSSHP are tied to holidays and somewhat justified....this new event is a stretch...It could have been something more along the lines of Star Wars weekend. They could have had like two weekends of stars from PotC and Disney Fairytales with the Magic Kingdom specially decorated.

This would actually be a great promotion for EMH maybe every Monday night or Sunday night. Add an extra EMH or 2 each week to MK! Only for resort guests... that'll get em working on the rest of POP really quick. Plus -- they may have to open back up the treehouses to fend off all the reservations. An actually "disney guest only" event! Why am I not in marketing. Set your reservations for 2007 early... resorts will be packed!

 

[polarboi]

Actually, it sounds pretty cool to me.

And I should point out:

1. I have zero interest in pirates and/or princesses.
2. I do not have kids.
3. I won't be attending these pirate/princess nights.

But I still think it's a good idea.

I like to see that the company is always thinking of new ways to make the experience more personal for the guests, and to generate revenue at the same time. And why? Because the more money they have, the more they can afford to spend on upkeep, new attractions, and taking care of the CMs.

Speaking of which... I do hope that they use some of the money generated by these events to hire more CMs and pay them a competitive wage. We don't want tired, overworked CMs representing Disney. We want fresh, happy people who are being treated well. If the hours are going to get longer, there need to be more CMs to cover them.

And yeah, it sounds like this event is going to appeal more to kids. So what? I like having some attractions and events that don't appeal to kids, so it's only fair to have some that are aimed more squarely at them. Families with children generate a lot of money for Disney, and that's a good thing. If these are popular, Disney makes money, and everyone wins (assuming the money is well spent on investing in the parks and cast). If they aren't popular, they'll go away.

I think my favorite thing about the new pirate emphasis is that finally Disney is doing something to target boys the way that princesses have targeted the girls. Parents have been asking for this for a long time.

-p.b.

 

[Scar Junior]

Actually, it sounds pretty cool to me.

And I should point out:

I agree with this post completely. I am a 22 year old straight single male fanatic of the company (who plans on working for the company in January). I have no connection to this promotion in the least bit.... except it's Disney. I respect everyone's concerns about these promotions.

But, I must admit that I am a huge fan of these events (with one exception).

First of all, these events make money for Disney and cost me nothing. They provide means of income that allow the company to maintain a profit margin that allow them to stay away from increasing prices on things I may buy or use; also, their success may prompt new ideas for rides and shows. Maybe a princess darkride or pirates addition to Fantasmic (or other night show).

Second, they provide great magical memories for children upto 11ish. The promotions also help Disney stand out from the other "theme" parks.

There is a lot of upside to this... trust them, they know what they're doing. No, I don't think its overkill. Perhaps there should/will be more of these events to come in the next few years.

-I'm out.