Star Wars Land: Upcharge?

I can't imagine they'd do this. MAYBE opening day. But other than that... they'd essentially be charging you $95 to go to a "park" with 2 rides. How in the world would that fly? If you want to bring your whole family, of course the charge would be even more outrageous.

Where did this rumor come from? Some sources sometimes cited here are pretty dicey (and not very reliable).

 

Wait... did you read this on Miceage?

At the bottom of the article they say: "Because you were so attentive, you are the first to know: April Fools! The part about Star Wars Land being a separate ticket event for the first summer is a prank."

If you read this some place other than Miceage, THEY probably read Miceage (but not the whole article) and just posted the "rumor" without vetting. This is how things get spread.

I'll leave comments on the parallels to the "real world" to others...

 

I have been seeing this all over the place. People pulling April Fools stunts when it is not yet April 1.

Still, I would not put is past them. I just checked on the price for the Minnie and Friends breakfast buffet and it ranges from $35-60!! I assume depending on time of year though it does not specify. We called to check on the day we have reservation and were told $33. Totally confused. But they sure seem to be charging whatever the market will bear for everything.

 

In all fairness, they're currently charging over $100 for a day at the Studios in WDW, which after 28 years of operation only has 5 rides (one of which is a simulator not an actual 'ride' and another of which is rumored to be permanently closing by this fall)

Like you, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some sort of upcharge event for the grand opening. I wouldn't pay for it, but it's perfectly in line with things they've done in the past and I'm sure there would be an audience for it

Remember when April Fools jokes were actual jokes, not just quasi-reliable sites posting incorrect information? Those were the days. And I'm not sure why everybody got a head start this year (more clicks on Fridays than Saturdays, maybe?), but that's not how it works. That's not how any of this works.

 

True enough. But at least they also have shows, plus exhibits like the animation building, etc. It's always been my least-fave park (I even preferred DCA 1.0), but at least there are those other things. SWL will have 2 rides, plus... well, plus food and shops. That's why this rumor, even before I read to the end of the Miceage article, sounded fishy to me from the get-go.

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see a special opening day party ticket, though. There are enough SW geeks who would want to be there the first day.

Having said that, though - they've never actually done that before, have they, just for a new Land? And there's the whole concept of previews - opening attractions early before they officially "open" to work out the kinks etc. Thus reducing the value of going on these rides "the first day" when presumably thousands of people will have gone on them previously. If they DO have a separately ticketed opening day, they'd have to really pull out the stops on special entertainment, I'd think. Uni had some major entertainment offerings when Potter officially opened - were those special tickets?

 

I'm not sure if there have been any upcharge parties prior to the opening of attractions/lands, but it seems like something that has plausibly happened in the past. Recent WDW openings (including the upcoming Avatar land opening) have used time reservations sort of like FPs for DVC members and AP holders. It's not exactly the same thing, but it's still offering an advance preview for people who have paid more (though indirectly).

There's also the infamous AP previews of Light Magic at DL, which I believe had a cover charge around $20. I think this reflects why they've avoided these sorts of things in the past; if the new offering isn't truly show-ready, it's tough to turn away paying customers and risks bad press. When the previews are "free" it makes it much easier to enforce the "availability may change at a moment's notice" clauses

 

I hope there is an up charge. Hopefully there is a fast pass that resort guests can reserve to enter the area during a particular time of day. They can then offer a fast pass on sight for day guests and annual pass holders. This will give day guests and Guests staying at Disney hotels and advantage over AP's whose typically arrive after work or later then opening. They can even offer a golden ticket fast pass for resort guest perhaps 2. They can be used in Star Wars land or any other attraction the guest chooses. This will create more revenue as Disney will have even more compelling reasons to stay on property. Guest booking through the Walt Disney Travel company will have the advance of the 1 early entry.