Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Yep, in a never-ending quest to hold onto his job, and make you pay twice for the MK (isn't that holiday nice?), Princess and Pirate Parties will be back starting in mid-January. I don't think that's news. But the fact they are being scheduled every month through MAY (thus far) is. The MK may not look shiny and polished, but its bottom line sures shines under Phil's ... uhm .. ahem ... leadership!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 And in a shameless plug for a really good cause, instead of spending an extra $45 a person to attend one of these, how about giving it to someone who really needs it. <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-92929-P-1.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms gBoard-T-92929-P-1.asp</a>
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 I already have my passes for the end of january. I hope the pirate ship is in the parade. and they should figure out a clever way to incorporate the shovel spark guys from the haunted mansion part of MNSSHP.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Why is it always a bad thing to make money? Disney found a market for night time events and are allowing guests an opportunity to spend time in a less crowded park for an extra fee. How is that a bad thing?? Moe power to Disney for finding a way to make money while keeping guests satisfied at the same time.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: It's perfectly all right to make all the money you can if you're not cheating to do it. My sisters and I agree with the Spirit on this because what ends up happening is that Disney tells one group of people they have to leave the park early so that an new group can be brought in to take their place. Both groups actually end up being cheated--after all is said and done. The first group doesn't get to have a full evening's worth of theme park entertainment, while the other group ends up paying more than the private party is actually worth.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: And I'd just like to add to what Orddu said. Even after they go and make all that money, it doesn't seem like it's spent very well on what it really needs to be spent on--like better maintenance for the theme parks or better salaries for the lower level cast members and their benefits.
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 << The first group doesn't get to have a full evening's worth of theme park entertainment, while the other group ends up paying more than the private party is actually worth.>> These parties happen at a time of year when the parks are slow and they usually close early (7.pm) and that is when the party starts. So the day-time guests are not losing any time. The party guests are paying 45 for adults as 30 for children as opposed to the 70 for adults and I think 55 for for children for a one-day one park. However there is extra entertainment and they hand out stuff like free drinks and candy. So I think it evens out. Also the party guests know they are paying for a five hour event with limited food and attractions. They are going to make their kids happy, afterall isn't that what disney is all about?
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 <<Moe power to Disney for finding a way to make money while keeping guests satisfied at the same time.>> Exactly, isn't that what disney is there for?
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 <<And in a shameless plug for a really good cause, instead of spending an extra $45 a person to attend one of these, how about giving it to someone who really needs it.>> Disney gives tons of money to diffrent charities and works closely with organizations all around the world. Theres a small called 'MAKE-A-WISH'.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<These parties happen at a time of year when the parks are slow and they usually close early (7.pm) and that is when the party starts.>> Nope. Sorry. Bah humbug. Coal in your stocking. But you're wrong. That's how they started. Back when NoJ was one night on the slowest weekend of the year in Sept. Back when MNSSHP's were offered 3-4 nights of a very slow October. And back when MVMCP was offered on two very slow weekends in early December. But WDW, as many of my fave Spirits here are fond of reminding, no longer has any slow/down periods. You certainly can't sit back and say 'Yeah, January through May is pretty quiet at WDW, so why not offer these parties?' <<So the day-time guests are not losing any time. The party guests are paying 45 for adults as 30 for children as opposed to the 70 for adults and I think 55 for for children for a one-day one park. However there is extra entertainment and they hand out stuff like free drinks and candy.>> Free drinks and candy? Let's be honest here. Candy is only a big deal at the Halloween Parties and lousy hot chocolate at the Christmas is the only drink served anywhere, ever. They even did away with the buttons and photos they used to give. Let's not misrepresent what you are getting for the extra $$$. <<So I think it evens out. Also the party guests know they are paying for a five hour event with limited food and attractions. They are going to make their kids happy, afterall isn't that what disney is all about?>> First, since Disney now advertises to day guests as they are leaving and doesn't first clear the park like they used to (which is terribly bad show) parents are regularly stuck in awful situations where they can't make their children happy. 'Daddy, I want to trick or treat with Mickey too!.' 'Sorry, Britney, but we can't afford to.' 'Why not?' 'Because I said so. I'm sorry.' 'I hate you, Daddy.' I've seen very similar exchanges. And Disney encourages this by trying to get the people who haven't bought tix and don't want them or can't afford them to get guilted in to buying them either for their kids or because they feel like they're missing something. The bottom line is the only line most Disney execs care about today. Phil Holmes has made it very clear he'd like to have hard-ticket events weekly if he can. That's not having something special during slow times that helps the Mouse make some extra money. It's gouging guests by saying 'You want Christmas? You're going to either pay an extra $45 a head or you need to arrive 12/23 just when we raise our rates to GOUGE levels and put holiday surcharges on our meals.' That's just not very Christmasy to me. And having hard-ticket events year-round often takes away nights for guests. If you're only there for 1-2-3 days, you may get two 7 p.m. closings for the Party and an 'extended' 8 or 9 p.m. in between. These are all about offering less to the guest, making them pay more and then making them feel special for doing so. But they do play right into Orlando's largely tourist guest makeup. You don't see things like this in Anaheim ... or Paris ... or Tokyo ... because they'd never ben able to get away with it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<And in a shameless plug for a really good cause, instead of spending an extra $45 a person to attend one of these, how about giving it to someone who really needs it.>> <<Disney gives tons of money to diffrent charities and works closely with organizations all around the world. Theres a small called 'MAKE-A-WISH'.>> I am well aware of Disney's charitable work. It's commendable. But right now, there is a child whose parents are CMs, who was the victim of the type of crime you'd like to think never happens, and he needs help ... and the fact Disney gives to other children really isn't of any moment to this discussion. This is the child of a pair of CMs ... and charity should begin at home.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Daddy, I want to trick or treat with Mickey too!.' 'Sorry, Britney, but we can't afford to.' 'Why not?' 'Because I said so. I'm sorry.' 'I hate you, Daddy.'<< Over dramatise much? Come on if the family can afford a 2 grand vacation, they can afford the 100 bucks or whatever to do the extra bonus nights. If the dad doesn't feel like it's worth it, Disney isn't forcing him to spend the money and if the kid throws a fit then they don't deserve to go in the first place. When Disney starts closing earlier than the other major theme parks in the area, then you have a valid complaint, but until then, they have these special events after Park closing, so it isn't effecting anyone negatively, except the whiners who will whine about anything Disney does.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Over dramatise much? Come on if the family can afford a 2 grand vacation, they can afford the 100 bucks or whatever to do the extra bonus nights. >> So William gets to decide what others can afford or not? Stating an opinion doesn't make it fact, buddy. <<If the dad doesn't feel like it's worth it, Disney isn't forcing him to spend the money and if the kid throws a fit then they don't deserve to go in the first place.>> You know what? I hate boorish behavior, like people having public meltdowns with their brats. But in this case, I can understand it. One group of CMs are trying to usher your a-- out of the park as quickly as possible, while you see a whole group obviously coming in for a special party. I certainly can understand a child pitching a fit over not being allowed to and I'm damn cynical enough to know that Disney is counting on situations like that to add a few hundred extra admissions a night. At least in the 80s and 90s, they'd do a hard close and clear the park, so that no one would know what they were missing. But that would entail more labor costs than Disney wants to pay out. <<When Disney starts closing earlier than the other major theme parks in the area, then you have a valid complaint, but until then, they have these special events after Park closing, so it isn't effecting anyone negatively, except the whiners who will whine about anything Disney does.>> When you start having to compare Disney to other theme parks, you've automatically lost your argument.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Exactly!! And it's sickening to see that anyone around here would support such a greedy method of price gouging. It's bad enough that this same sort of logic has also tried to kill the Spirit of Christmas each and every year. Does Disney management have to come along and try to murder the Spirit of Disney, too?!?! ORGOCH: Over my dead carcas!!!
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 spirit, I am a ap holder just like you, but with events like these, you have to think outside of the ap holder box. The majority of the people going to this event are going while they are on vacation. The event costs as much as a character dinner, and you are getting extra time in the park. The way the vacationing dad looks at it is this; I pay some extra money and I get to stay in the park for an extra five hours or longer (your ticket gets you into the park at 4. pm.) and disney markets it as a limited ticket event, so there will be less people in the parks. Also, the mom who just spent $40 on autograph books and mickey pens looks at it as an opportunity to get one on one time with the princess to fill up those books. This is one of those events where disney is strictly focusing on the young ones.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 I look at it this way, you are paying for a chance to go to the park when it is less crowded, how is that greedy and price gouging when they are giving a premium experience to those after hours. It's not like they are closing up shop at 2pm and making everyone leave to let the rich people in. They close at a normal off season time and then allow those who wish to have a more private experience at the park a chance. Besides, tell me how this is any different than Extra Magic Hours, where those who pay the overpriced hotel rates to stay on property get a few extra hours of fun when it is less crowded.
Originally Posted By cmash95 while I don't like the christmas event, I don't feel too bad about halloween or pirate and princess. the Mk historically closed at 6or 7 on the nights of the parties and the park was available for after hours rentals. unfortunately disney has burned their bridges with several larger corporations throughout the years so those that could afford to rent out the parks and few and far between. Mk still is open later on saturdays and during holiday weekends like president's day and memorial day as well as during spring break period.
Originally Posted By Brian Noble >>>or pirate and princess<<< As Spirit points out, that's not as true as it once was. Early February? Sure. MK generally closes at 8 anyway during that time, and it's practically a ghost town by then. A hard-ticket event then is a fine thing---guests have an opportunity at a late night, and Disney gets the revenue needed to justify keeping the park open late. But, you mention President's Week and Memorial Day Weekend as periods when the park is open late. Ironically, P-Week and Memorial Day weekend *both* have Parties this year. These aren't times when the MK normally closes much earlier than 11, but on these nights, it will close at 7. They feel like blatant money grabs. Of course, grabbing money is Disney's job. And, unlike Spirit, I'm of the opinion that it always has been, so I don't necessarily begrudge them. But, that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy ^^ In general, the park operating times have changed substantially at WDW now that there are 4 parks instead of 2, plus after hours activities at DTD and Boardwalk. There just aren't enough visitors on WDW property to fill 4 parks for late closings every day of the week, even in the "off season." I think WDW has tried to accommodate the desire for later closings through the EMH program (which runs in the off-season, too) and the addition of the late night hard ticket parties. I'm not sure you can compare the operating hours model from 20 years ago when there were only 2 parks to what WDW has become today. Honestly, I don't really understand the appeal of the hard ticket parties. I remember a number of posters on these boards predicting last year that the Pirate and Princess affairs would be cancelled entirely due to lack of interest and weak attendance, but it seems the opposite is happening with more dates being added to the calendar.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^ we enjoyed the P&P party in August - and although I am an AP - the rest of my family is not. The way we structure it is we go to a Water Park that day - or another Orlando attraction and then arrive about 5 PM for the hard ticket event. That way , if pre bought it is actually less than the price of a days admission. Yes, I know you don't get a full day then - but for my family 5 - 1 AM , when the parks are less crowded and we are there for a week + anyway - really works out OK. The day the MK closes early, if I didn't want to go to the hard ticket event I would go to EPCOT -- While I understand the money making accounting process behind this....there are ways to not make this a double pay day. And if you're an AP - divide up that cost by 365 and really...... Would I prefer the parks were open like they were in the late 80's - early 90's - sure --- but my guess is we ain't gonna see that ever again.... I've moved on.....
