'Villains Unleashed' hard ticketed event coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios in August

[71jason]

I have watched three times since the 90s when more adult type Halloween Parties were put up to WDW's leadership and shot down every time. ... I view this as an adult event only so far as it appeals to adults who view the characters as attractions.

I read that as no haunted houses or anything Halloweeny like that--correct? Bit of a disappointment.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I have watched three times since the 90s when more adult type Halloween Parties were put up to WDW's leadership and shot down every time. ... I view this as an adult event only so far as it appeals to adults who view the characters as attractions. I may look great in that picture with Donald on Formal Night, but I was only doing him a favor by letting him get a picture with one of his big heroes!!!

No this won't be "adult" like Terrorific Nights in the French studios, but you can't buy specialty drinks at Mickey's party up the street.

Also note how this isn't even a true "Halloween" event, in that the holiday is not mentioned in any specific way. Makes an August party an easier sell.

 

[WDW1974]

Of course there was a time you had to pay per ride. Not so today. So it is a bit apples/oranges. Haunted Mansion was a dollar when a dollar was a dollar.

Not, not really. And I think E-Tickets were only 90 cents at their priciest before WDW did away with them entirely for EPCOT Center's debut.

The bottom line is that WDW was more affordable in 1974 or 1984 or 1994 -- and to a higher number of people (yes, our methodical murder of the American middle class has something to do with that too!) -- than it is here in 2014.

Shockingly, WDW was also a vastly higher caliber destination back in 74, 84 and 94.

 

[WDW1974]

I read that as no haunted houses or anything Halloweeny like that--correct? Bit of a disappointment.

Unless they drastically changed plans, that is correct.

This isn't HKDL, where Halloween truly has to be experienced.

 

[WDW1974]

No this won't be "adult" like Terrorific Nights in the French studios, but you can't buy specialty drinks at Mickey's party up the street.

Also note how this isn't even a true "Halloween" event, in that the holiday is not mentioned in any specific way. Makes an August party an easier sell.

No, Halloween starts a week later in summer with a MNSSHP on September 1st, that is Labor Day.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Thanks.

It is nice when folks give a bit of credit. BTW, this isn't the last upcharge/hard-ticket event you'll see ... you may see multiples in the very near future.

I can't say I care. I won't pay for any WDW upcharge event. And this one appears to be largely a ''let's get the moldy foamheads out and the fanbois will flock here'' ... one would hope there's more to this event with fireworks being only a start.

If you can't see a desperation by Disney with all of these events, then you have trouble with a grasp of the obvious. These events are flowing fast because NGE isn't delivering and Georgie K has mandates to make those numbers in any way possible.

I do feel kind of sad at how the fan community laps these things up, but as I have said many a time, WDW fans are the biggest obstacle to WDW returning to its past glories. They'd rather simply have merchandise events where they can buy crap with logos and characters long since removed from the parks, or events like this where the big deal is foamheads that they keep in storage.

Uh, so does that mean @71jason and I get credit for sitting on this for a month after we found out about it?

(J/k of course)

 

[Nemo14]

Not, not really. And I think E-Tickets were only 90 cents at their priciest before WDW did away with them entirely for EPCOT Center's debut.

The bottom line is that WDW was more affordable in 1974 or 1984 or 1994 -- and to a higher number of people (yes, our methodical murder of the American middle class has something to do with that too!) -- than it is here in 2014.

Shockingly, WDW was also a vastly higher caliber destination back in 74, 84 and 94.

When we started taking our kids in the mid 80's -early 90's, we often told people how it was actually cheaper to go to WDW than to take them to our local yokel amusement park. We didn't factor in transportation costs because we were down there to visit family anyway, and accommodations were either off-site (at family members) or at Disney hotels with great discounts from a CM friend. But ticket prices themselves were quite affordable back then.

 

[jt04]

Not, not really. And I think E-Tickets were only 90 cents at their priciest before WDW did away with them entirely for EPCOT Center's debut.

The bottom line is that WDW was more affordable in 1974 or 1984 or 1994 -- and to a higher number of people (yes, our methodical murder of the American middle class has something to do with that too!) -- than it is here in 2014.

Shockingly, WDW was also a vastly higher caliber destination back in 74, 84 and 94.

Subjective opinion. But we have been down that road so no need to rehash.

Epcot needs help no doubt. All four parks need additions. But considering the 50th is on the horizon I think it is safe to say they will. Perhaps people will call it 'spirited change'.

 

[WDW1974]

Uh, so does that mean @71jason and I get credit for sitting on this for a month after we found out about it?

Sure ... so long as I get credit for being told months ago that upcharge events were coming and would be fast and furious to cover for the NGE shortfalls and would likely include this event!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Subjective opinion. But we have been down that road so no need to rehash.

Epcot needs help no doubt. All four parks need additions. But considering the 50th is on the horizon I think it is safe to say they will. Perhaps people will call it 'spirited change'.

Quick, dig out the Happiest Celebration on Earth plans again!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sure ... so long as I get credit for being told months ago that upcharge events were coming and would be fast and furious to cover for the NGE shortfalls and would likely include this event!

Actually, you get credit for saying they've been trying to do this for 10 years....

 

[WDW1974]

Subjective opinion. But we have been down that road so no need to rehash.

Epcot needs help no doubt. All four parks need additions. But considering the 50th is on the horizon I think it is safe to say they will. Perhaps people will call it 'spirited change'.

Yep ... the 50th anniversary is SEVEN plus years away. Let's throw away the rest of the decade and concede to UNI that we are totally Blue Ocean and don't need to actually add anything to our stale parks annually.

You are still a hoot!

 

[PhotoDave219]

I read that as no haunted houses or anything Halloweeny like that--correct? Bit of a disappointment.

I think its just Villains. But I will pass on more as I find out.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Attention TDO: Obviously the Disney Villains are a major draw, or you wouldn't be pulling this stunt.

So how about a Villains attraction in MK or DHS? Think of the increased crowds you'd get with a permanent installation! DUH!!!!

 

[alissafalco]

Attention TDO: Obviously the Disney Villains are a major draw, or you wouldn't be pulling this stunt.

So how about a Villains attraction in MK or DHS? Think of the increased crowds you'd get with a permanent installation! DUH!!!!

ANY attractions at this point would increase crowds.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi All, I wanted to get permission from Marni prior to posting the link to his video of the original Villians event here: Feel free to check it out it is AMAZING!!!!! Obviously it doesnt cover every moment of the event but it is a great compilation of the events of that night. Marie

 

[danv3]

Subjective opinion. But we have been down that road so no need to rehash.

Epcot needs help no doubt. All four parks need additions. But considering the 50th is on the horizon I think it is safe to say they will. Perhaps people will call it 'spirited change'.

At Disney speed, they better start breaking ground this year if we're going to see new attractions for the 50th.

 

[MKCP 1985]

That's simply not true. For most of WDW's first 25-30 years, the experience was largely the same for all guests. And talking about behind the scene tours, concierge options or a NASCAR driving experience are in no way the same as actual theme park options.

All of these hard ticket events are a relatively 21st phenomenon. There was a time, for instance, when MVMCP was a one weekend event and the Christmas entertainment went on during regular operating hours the rest of the week for day guests. They've come a long way from that ... and not at all good

It is very true that Epcot Center used to close early for private parties in the off season. If the internet had existed during that time, people would have complained their day was cut short so that corporate bigwigs with VIP guests could enjoy access to which they were denied,

It is true that people could get more by spending more since day 1. At the simplest level, a park guest with a day ticket was given a ticket book. Someone willing to spend more could buy extra E tickets.

We may be talking apples and oranges to some extent. Whether hard ticket events offering different parades and entertainment is good or bad is a matter of debate and opinion but Disney World has always offered more to those with more money to spend.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Thanks.

It is nice when folks give a bit of credit. BTW, this isn't the last upcharge/hard-ticket event you'll see ... you may see multiples in the very near future.

I can't say I care. I won't pay for any WDW upcharge event. And this one appears to be largely a ''let's get the moldy foamheads out and the fanbois will flock here'' ... one would hope there's more to this event with fireworks being only a start.

If you can't see a desperation by Disney with all of these events, then you have trouble with a grasp of the obvious. These events are flowing fast because NGE isn't delivering and Georgie K has mandates to make those numbers in any way possible.

I do feel kind of sad at how the fan community laps these things up, but as I have said many a time, WDW fans are the biggest obstacle to WDW returning to its past glories. They'd rather simply have merchandise events where they can buy crap with logos and characters long since removed from the parks, or events like this where the big deal is foamheads that they keep in storage.

This one seems like a bone thrown to fans largely because they know they'll get money. They're creating an event that fans ask for as opposed to creating one fans didn't know they wanted (Harambe Nights).

 

[NowInc]

I hope no one will blindly buy tickets for this until more details are announced. We don't know exactly whats being offered, and with THAT info, even $1 is too much to pay in my opinion. I did the event last year and it was more stressful then anything...but I was ok with that because it was free. I realize that they have had time to (hopefully) plan for better management of this event as well as limit how many people attend, but you have to also realize that a LOT of the problems they created on 9/13 were STILL a problem even this past month at rock your disney side. Granted it was BETTER, but by no means ideal...ESPECIALLY regarding the meet and greets, which I think will be the main reason a LOT of people would go to this hard ticket event. Imagine paying close to $70 to meet a character and end up NOT being able to due to long lines or a "character swap" every 30 minutes. Not cool

Lets also not forget WHERE this is being held. There isn't a lot to do there as it is, so there would need to be a LOT of things being thrown at you to justify a hard ticket event, in my opinion.