Evening Magic Hours for Deluxe Guests Only

[cakebaker]

I think they could change the rules with this new system and if the parks normal closing time is 9pm then you might not be able to get in a line after 8:30 in order to allow the deluxe guests to actually have the benefit

They could do anything but that doesn’t mean it’s likely. You’re just pot stirring at this point.

 

[4Hawks]

Aside from it being only for deluxe guests and rebranded, how is it different? I do not see a difference other than the name and it being cut from the other hotels.

Much lower crowds (only deluxe vs all onsite + disney springs/good neighbor hotels)

Disney could have said it was an after hours event, exclusively for deluxe resort guests

 

[cakebaker]

Because I had access to the extra hours and now I won't. It's really simple.

And honestly. Running around telling everybody they have the 'opportunity' to vacation club level so they should put up with cuts in service is, out of touch, to say the least.

You don’t have to vacation club level. As many have pointed out, there are deluxe options no more expensive than a moderate or even a value- AOA suites. I’m not saying you should put up with anything. You should make the choice that’s right for you.

 

[amdphenom]

Disney could have said it was an after hours event, exclusively for deluxe resort guests

Honestly that would've worked a lot better. Give them free snacks and such.

 

[jujubiee4]

[

Not sure where we fall on the scale. DH and I are literally farmers and I work 2 jobs. But we stay deluxe when we go because we own DVC and go every other year. So are we peasants or nobility?

I'm confused.

Aww bless you. Nice to see there is still some levity on the boards.

 

[Farro]

Not sure where we fall on the scale. DH and I are literally farmers and I work 2 jobs. But we stay deluxe when we go because we own DVC and go every other year. So are we peasants or nobility?

I'm confused.

Bougie.

 

[kylenne]

Honestly that would've worked a lot better.

Really? Do y’all really think the same folk being extra in this thread screaming in all seriousness about ~peasants~ and ~high class~ deluxe guests over a theme park over this wouldn’t be lining up on the walking paths between MK and the monorail resorts with guillotines if they worded it like that?

Really?

 

[BrianL]

The first year the Skyliner opened, rates at POP, AOA, and CBR went up by and average of 17%. There hasn't been that big of a single-year hotel price increase at WDW since the 1980s when Michael Eisner first took charge.

People at those 3 resorts didn't get anything. They are paying through the noise for that Skyliner.

Well, I mean, they got the Skyliner, which definitely adds value. Maybe not 17% worth, but it's a perk for sure.

 

[4Hawks]

Really? Do y’all really think the same folk being extra in this thread screaming in all seriousness about ~peasants~ and ~high class~ deluxe guests over a theme park over this wouldn’t be lining up on the walking paths between MK and the monorail resorts with guillotines if they worded it like that?

Really?

Probably, but the optics would have been a little better....mayyybe?

 

[Farro]

Really? Do y’all really think the same folk being extra in this thread screaming in all seriousness about ~peasants~ and ~high class~ deluxe guests over a theme park over this wouldn’t be lining up on the walking paths between MK and the monorail resorts with guillotines if they worded it like that?

Really?

Probably, but the optics would have been a little better....mayyybe?

I think what looks bad, again, is the fact that extra, extended, whatever you want to call them hours (in the evening) was something that was available to all resort guests. And now it's been taken away from the majority of guests. Plus regular operating hours are shorter now.

And nothing in life is fair, that's the way the cookie crumbles and I get it. But come on, of course people are pissed.

Like has been said a million times, everyone has their tipping point, maybe this is it for some.
We haven't decided if it is for us. This trip is going to be telling I guess! But I don't think I can ever justify the price they are charging for deluxe anymore and I love Yacht Club. It's a bummer for sure.

 

[Nabas]

Well, I mean, they got the Skyliner, which definitely adds value. Maybe not 17% worth, but it's a perk for sure.

It's not much of a perk.

Since the Skyliner opened, I've stayed at AOA, CBR, RIV, and BCV and have ridden it several times.

The Skyliner is great in the middle of the afternoon when lines are short.

It's bad in the morning when everyone from 4 resorts are trying to get to DHS at the same time.

And it's terrible when a thunderstorm rolls in, the Skyliner shuts down, and Disney bus service is overwhelmed because those people were supposed to be taking the Skyliner to get back to their resorts.

But Florida never haves thunderstorms.

At this point, I take the Skyliner only when I'm drinking at night.

Now that I think about it, I guess that means I take the Skyliner a lot.

 

[kylenne]

Probably, but the optics would have been a little better....mayyybe?

Any way you slice this it was going to piss people off. There’s just no kinder, gentler way to say “this perk everyone used to get is coming back only for people at the most expensive tier of resort”.

I have nothing but empathy for people who are upset. Believe me, I get it. It sucks for people at Values and Mods who enjoyed this perk and now won’t have it. But as someone who decidedly isn’t wealthy but stays in Deluxes 99% of the time thanks to a combo of hustling and careful budgeting elsewhere in life (and not having kids), some of the talk in this thread goes past venting totally understandable frustration and smacks of that woman on FB who was hollering about Childless Millennials ruining the parks. Don’t blame people who stay at Deluxes for this decision, or people who still find value in staying on site when you (general you) don’t. Disney did this. If you’re unhappy, let them know. But making caricatures of people who stay at Deluxes resorts and calling folk cheerleaders for having a different opinion on it is messed up.

 

[4Hawks]

I think what looks bad, again, is the fact that extra, extended, whatever you want to call them hours (in the evening) was something that was available to all resort guests. And now it's been taken away from the majority of guests. Plus regular operating hours are shorter now.

And nothing in life is fair, that's the way the cookie crumbles and I get it. But come on, of course people are pissed.

Like has been said a million times, everyone has their tipping point, maybe this is it for some.
We haven't decided if it is for us. This trip is going to be telling I guess! But I don't think I can ever justify the price they are charging for deluxe anymore and I love Yacht Club. It's a bummer for sure.

Just to clarify, I'm not debating whether people should or should not be upset...I'm not trying to legislate people's feelings...I'm just arguing that this is not quite the same as EMH and Disney could have handled it differently (as is the case with many other things).

We usually rent points and stay deluxe (for the price of moderate) and will likely continue to do so whether extra hours are added or not. But we're the kind of family that spends more time at the resort than at the parks, and never used EMH when they were available.

 

[4Hawks]

Any way you slice this it was going to piss people off. There’s just no kinder, gentler way to say “this perk everyone used to get is coming back only for people at the most expensive tier of resort”.

I have nothing but empathy for people who are upset. Believe me, I get it. It sucks for people at Values and Mods who enjoyed this perk and now won’t have it. But as someone who decidedly isn’t wealthy but stays in Deluxes 99% of the time thanks to a combo of hustling and careful budgeting elsewhere in life (and not having kids), some of the talk in this thread goes past venting totally understandable frustration and smacks of that woman on FB who was hollering about Childless Millennials ruining the parks. Don’t blame people who stay at Deluxes for this decision, or people who still find value in staying on site when you (general you) don’t. Disney did this. If you’re unhappy, let them know. But making caricatures of people who stay at Deluxes resorts and calling folk cheerleaders for having a different opinion on it is messed up.

I'm 100% with you

 

[Jrb1979]

Any way you slice this it was going to piss people off. There’s just no kinder, gentler way to say “this perk everyone used to get is coming back only for people at the most expensive tier of resort”.

I have nothing but empathy for people who are upset. Believe me, I get it. It sucks for people at Values and Mods who enjoyed this perk and now won’t have it. But as someone who decidedly isn’t wealthy but stays in Deluxes 99% of the time thanks to a combo of hustling and careful budgeting elsewhere in life (and not having kids), some of the talk in this thread goes past venting totally understandable frustration and smacks of that woman on FB who was hollering about Childless Millennials ruining the parks. Don’t blame people who stay at Deluxes for this decision, or people who still find value in staying on site when you (general you) don’t. Disney did this. If you’re unhappy, let them know. But making caricatures of people who stay at Deluxes resorts and calling folk cheerleaders for having a different opinion on it is messed up.

I don't blame people. I blame Chapek for putting more of a gap between the haves and have nots.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't blame people. I blame Chapek for putting more of a gap between the haves and have nots.

There are virtually no guests at WDW that are “ have nots”. “
Have nots aren’t worried about a couple of hours extra at WDW, they’re worried about feeding their kids. This is getting to the point of being ridiculous.

 

[Brocktoon]

I'm paraphrasing Chapek, but I'm pretty sure I remember him saying (shareholders meeting, quarterly reporting ???) he didn't want to chase after park attendance records, but instead focus on attracting the guests that will spend the most per capita on site. If so, this seems to pretty much fit in line with what he wanted to do. The off-site and day guests who won't spend a lot are currently not the focus.

If this is Chapek's focus, I think this could be a molehill compared to the thunderous mountain when the new FP system is unleashed.

 

[Farro]

There are virtually no guests at WDW that are “ have nots”. “
Have nots aren’t worried about a couple of hours extra at WDW, they’re worried about feeding their kids. This is getting to the point of being ridiculous.

oh my god, aren't most people kidding?

Call me poor/steerage, I don't care!
Next visit maybe we stay deluxe and you can call me bourgeoise or elitist! (i'm busy trying to find out how to get Gran Destino added...)

It's just funny, it's not serious. I don't there's going to be any Marie Antoinette situations.

 

[CSLucas]

I realize this isn't a popular opinion, but failing to bring back a perk is not "taking it away from someone". With the exception of DVC, you haven't bought into anything. You stayed at a hotel 2 years ago that let you go to the park late. Now that hotel doesn't give you that same access. That's not "taking it away" because it wasn't something you owned - it was built into the rate that you agreed at that time to pay. You don't have to pay the new rate. I for one think plenty of people will still pay to stay in value and moderate without the extra hours. You can absolutely disagree with Disney's decision and you can change your future plans accordingly, but please remember that Disney is a business. It's their job to make money, not to give everyone perpetual access.

 

[cakebaker]

oh my god, aren't most people kidding?

Actually, I don’t think they are. This next trip I’m falling way down the ladder with my paltry $450 a night cabin. I’m finding it hard to play the I’m poor card though.

I may or may not have tossed crumbs of my croissant from my club level balcony at the YC to the hungry masses below. I think they appreciated it. I wasn’t about to share my mimosa. My generosity only extends so far.