Evening Magic Hours for Deluxe Guests Only

[mshanson3121]

One more time....Just because you stay at a deluxe doesn't translate into having more money. It means I'm willing to spend the money I have to be there. I'm so, so, tired of this being rich vs poor.

My kids are teachers in a state that pays them very little, ranked near the bottom. One of them is recently divorced with a son, and didn't work during the height of the pandemic because she's high risk. I'm now single, living on SS and a pension from my husband who passed away. I'd bet anything most of the people staying at values or moderates have higher incomes than we do. And this perk for Deluxe/DVC is available to everyone but just like the VIP tours, you pay for it. It's just not priced separately.

No, actually it DOES mean you have more means. I literally cannot afford to stay there. Can NOT. It's not about rich vs. poor, it's just reality. Funny thing is, only the deluxe people are trying to deny that reality.

Are there ppl staying at Value that have more money? Sure. Because they choose to. But the reality is there are a lot of ppl staying off site or at Value that just cannot afford deluxe. Not sure why it's so hard to admit that.

Also, and the point of all this is - this never used to be a perk you had to pay for if you could afford to. It was a perk for everyone. Quit trying to pretend otherwise.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I'm sure they have and came to the conclusion that it's not a number they need to worry about.

see..thats kind of what some of us are saying. They arent worried about us. No matter how much we've spent over the years, Disney just no longer values us anymore.

 

[Brett Wyman]

If they do it like previous EMH's, they'll scan your band or ticket at the rides. They've never made non-eligible people leave the parks, just not allowed to ride attractions. A lot of people had issues with that and thought they shouldn't be allowed to stay. I don't. I'll be riding rides, not shopping or eating.

The didn't with extra magic hours but they DO do that with the after hours parties. Which are up charge events of course. They have CMs walking with poles with the evening party banner on it that "corral" people towards the front. And guests without bands cant even shop in the stores. Its not out of the realm of possibility they could institute that for these events since the audience has been greatly limited. But most likely they wont since its NOT an up charge event.

 

[FionaP]

If they do it like previous EMH's, they'll scan your band or ticket at the rides. They've never made non-eligible people leave the parks, just not allowed to ride attractions. A lot of people had issues with that and thought they shouldn't be allowed to stay. I don't. I'll be riding rides, not shopping or eating.

This makes sense-thank you

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Why would you ever stay in a moderate or value now vs offsite? Lost Magical Express, lost free magic bands, lost free resort parking, lost extra magic hours, cannot go to late night hours and once the new FP system comes out, lost advanced FP bookings and most hotels don't have transportation advantage because they only have unreliable bus service that they share with other resorts (next up large price increase to any value/moderate on skyliner)........What is the incentive to book a Disney value or moderate? I cannot find one thing......................Oh wait, 30 minutes in the morning so now i can get up at 6am

I am so not a morning person and never used early morning extra hours. Actually, on my only childhood trip to Disney, we stayed off-site at a Red Roof Inn and ate a big Denny's breakfast/brunch before going to the parks so my parents wouldn't have to buy us lunch in the parks.

As an adult, I loved my first few on-property stays at the values. But now that we have 2 kids, we have found we get so much more space off-property for a much lower price. Disney on-site will be a tacked-on 2 or 3 night stay to get our Disney fix and experience the Skyliner from Pop to Epcot...until the Pop prices climb even higher.

There's a limit to what value customers will pay before looking elsewhere...especially now that I know I can book a room in a resort walking distance to a park, with a lazy river and a bowling alley over at Universal for less than an All-Star.

 

[Kmedders]

No, actually it DOES mean you have more means. I literally cannot afford to stay there. Can NOT. It's not about rich vs. poor, it's just reality. Funny thing is, only the deluxe people are trying to deny that reality.

Are there ppl staying at Value that have more money? Sure. Because they choose to. But the reality is there are a lot of ppl staying off site or at Value that just cannot afford deluxe. Not sure why it's so hard to admit that.

Also, and the point of all this is - this never used to be a perk you had to pay for if you could afford to. It was a perk for everyone. Quit trying to pretend otherwise.

Sorry - but I disagree. Everyone can choose to save up longer to afford the deluxe accommodations if that's what they want. Additionally, anybody can rent a DVC room on a deluxe property for very close, if not equal, to the price of a value or moderate. Staying deluxe does not equate to more money. It could be that family saving up longer and going fewer times, charging the entire trip on a credit card, renting DVC, etc. So many different answers. But to say that it is a clear sign of wealth is way off base.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

No, actually it DOES mean you have more means. I literally cannot afford to stay there. Can NOT. It's not about rich vs. poor, it's just reality. Funny thing is, only the deluxe people are trying to deny that reality.

Are there ppl staying at Value that have more money? Sure. Because they choose to. But the reality is there are a lot of ppl staying off site or at Value that just cannot afford deluxe. Not sure why it's so hard to admit that.

Also, and the point of all this is - this never used to be a perk you had to pay for if you could afford to. It was a perk for everyone. Quit trying to pretend otherwise.

I think the harsh truth of this is that Disney has the data to prove that they do not need to care if they lose a small minority of guests because of this change. They are a profit driven company, of course they want to incentivize people to have higher spend. That means that yes, some guests have higher priority than others. I've been a proud pop peasant (& Pheasant - shoutout to my summer Covid thread peeps) and a happy deluxe "have" (PS the income shaming on here is just gross... can we not?) and completely understand why Disney would rather entice people to spend more money. They are a business. That is what businesses do.

That means sometimes, yeah, Disney does not care as much as others about you. They don't care about you as much as a guest willing to spend more. Why should they? My budget Pop weekends are not and have not been their main concern. Disney much prefers me on a post-cruise stay at the CR Tower Club. That isn't offensive to me, that is basic business. Does that mean I will stop having budget weekends all together? No. I do however, understand that during those times, I'm not the main priority, and that is OK. I have the option to pay for that priority (by staying deluxe) and chose not to that time.

Is it *fair*? Depends on your definition of fair. Life isn't fair. There will likely always be someone ahead of each of us, and that's ok. Be happy where you are and that we are fortunate enough to be here arguing about extended hours at Disney theme parks instead of figuring out how to pay for groceries this week.

 

[Roxyfire]

I think it's telling that Disney may need these perks at the Deluxe and DVC levels. Disney may not have current issues with the price-point for moderate and values, but they may have hit a price-point with the Deluxes that they need to add these perks for retention. If they start to run into issues at other levels they'll start to add incentives as well. But they'll do easy stuff like the perks before they try dropping room prices.

I'm not sure they "need" it. I genuinely think this this is data-driven. I can only imagine the amount of data gleaned from years and years of FP+ and magic band use and of course we know they do surveys of guests but of course that data isn't always reliable. But those taps, those are like money right there. I think we are thinking like consumers and not thinking like business strategists. Many on these boards will say the accountants have driven decisions, perhaps in the past. I think we are actually seeing the impact of all this data collection. The only question that probably remained, does all that pre-COVID data still apply to a post-COVID WDW consumer? And its shaking out probably, and even more so due to pent up demand. It's going to be real interesting the next few months.

 

[Lewisc]

I can't believe the number of posters who are "taking Disney's side". Disney resorts, all levels, have a significant price premium compared with offsite resorts. Disney sold the price to guests as a total experience. Disney Magical Express. Inbound luggage. RAC. Excellent transportation. Access to extra park hours. Earlier access to ADRs and FPs.

With very few, limited, exceptions benefits received by booking a higher class of resort was limited to resort amenities. Better landscaping. Better restaurants. Room Service.

Some posters are playing with words. Disney is taking a benefit which was given to all resort guests and now limiting it to guests of some resorts. I understand the concept of paying more and getting more. Big difference when that's extended to theme park benefits.

Some posters are speculating... Disney doesn't want to give access to Good Neighbor hotels which, presumably contractually, offer perks like EMH to their guests. The speculation, not sure I agree, is once the contracts expire (12/31/21?) Disney might extend EMH to all onsite guests.

I'm not sure I agree with the posters who are expecting an empty park. How many hours? The first 30-60 minutes should have a fair number of peasant guests already queued for popular attractions. Would anyone be surprised if Disney decided to sell passes to EMH.

Posters who are defending Disney, Would you have the same opinion if later Disney decided to limit this to club level guests?

I booked POP for late September. I was literally able to change to the Dolphin for the same price, including the resort fee. There numerous offsite properties which are frequently available for the price of a Disney moderate. Look at the Gaylord Palms. Marggurittaville, Hyatt Grand Cypress. Pop rates are running $200-$300 a night. POP has the Skylinner but it's expensive when you consider the resort.

Disney isn't delivering package to the resorts. Isn't offering real housekeeping. Disney is able to charge $$$. We'll see if anything changes after the pent up demand and 50th year is over.

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm not sure they "need" it. I genuinely think this this is data-driven. I can only imagine the amount of data gleaned from years and years of FP+ and magic band use and of course we know they do surveys of guests but of course that data isn't always reliable. But those taps, those are like money right there. I think we are thinking like consumers and not thinking like business strategists. Many on these boards will say the accountants have driven decisions, perhaps in the past. I think we are actually seeing the impact of all this data collection. The only question that probably remained, does all that pre-COVID data still apply to a post-COVID WDW consumer? And its shaking out probably, and even more so due to pent up demand. It's going to be real interesting the next few months.

IMO this is the things they have wanted to do before Covid but were afraid to due to PR backlash. With the Covid excuse they can do it.

While at first it bothered me this evening perk, the more I think about it shouldn't have upset me. I have said for awhile these kind of changes were coming. It's Chapek's big plan to get people to pay more for less.

 

[cakebaker]

No, actually it DOES mean you have more means. I literally cannot afford to stay there. Can NOT. It's not about rich vs. poor, it's just reality. Funny thing is, only the deluxe people are trying to deny that reality.

It absolutely does in most cases. It's matter of choices and priorities. If you're going to WDW and staying on site at all, you have more money than most people. I'm sure your choice isn't between eating and staying Deluxe. Maybe it's a newer car, vacations somewhere else, a nicer house, better furniture, dining out more than cooking at home- there are literally hundreds of ways people can choose to spend their money.

I took a quick look and the difference between staying at AKL standard and AOA standard is about $1500 for a 5 night stay, 4 adults with tickets in Feb. That's not a huge amount of money and as I said, if you can stay on site, then you aren't paycheck to paycheck, barely feeding your family. There are ways to save that amount of money over a years time. It may not be worth it to you, but that's not the same as I can't possibly pay that kind of money.

What I'm denying and will continue to deny is that I'm not in the 1%, I'm not wealthy or rich and I don't have "means". I have no doubt I am on the lower end of the spectrum in income for those who go to WDW. I scrimp, I save, I sacrifice other things in order to stay where I want to stay. For the love of God, I did a re-fi cash out on my home to pay for our first trip.

 

[Roxyfire]

IMO this is the things they have wanted to do before Covid but were afraid to due to PR backlash. With the Covid excuse they can do it.

While at first it bothered me this evening perk, the more I think about it shouldn't have upset me. I have said for awhile these kind of changes were coming. It's Chapek's big plan to get people to pay more for less.

Right and if you think about it from a business strategy front it does two things: Encourages guests on the fence toward a Deluxe resort or even a brand new shiny DVC contract.

 

[Kmedders]

Posters who are defending Disney, Would you have the same opinion if later Disney decided to limit this to club level guests?

Yes - I would still have the same opinion. What a business chooses to do does not get me worked up the way so many people seem to be. I am the consumer. Disney can do whatever they want, and I can choose to accept it or not. I'm not going to get angry about it. Disney is a vacation. It is not my life. There are plenty of other places in the world I can travel to if I don't like what they are doing. I more take issue with entitlement attitude based on pre-covid scenarios. Covid changed everything, and businesses are allowed to made financial changes whenever they want.

 

[cakebaker]

Posters who are defending Disney, Would you have the same opinion if later Disney decided to limit this to club level guests?

I'd say that's their choice and at that point, I'd consistently stay concierge. If you're staying at a deluxe, especially AK lodge, the price increase for concierge is not a great deal more and the food in the lounges more than makes up the cost.

That said, I don't think they will because it would make EMH's under untilized. I don't believe there are enough concierge level guests to get to the number of people that would fully utilize the parks. There just aren't that many rooms. Plus, I don't think they have a lot of trouble booking concierge level rooms. There's a good demand for that level of stay.

 

[Kmedders]

It absolutely does in most cases. It's matter of choices and priorities. If you're going to WDW and staying on site at all, you have more money than most people. I'm sure your choice isn't between eating and staying Deluxe. Maybe it's a newer car, vacations somewhere else, a nicer house, better furniture, dining out more than cooking at home- there are literally hundreds of ways people can choose to spend their money.

I took a quick look and the difference between staying at AKL standard and AOA standard is about $1500 for a 5 night stay, 4 adults with tickets in Feb. That's not a huge amount of money and as I said, if you can stay on site, then you aren't paycheck to paycheck, barely feeding your family. There are ways to save that amount of money over a years time. It may not be worth it to you, but that's not the same as I can't possibly pay that kind of money.

What I'm denying and will continue to deny is that I'm not in the 1%, I'm not wealthy or rich and I don't have "means". I have no doubt I am on the lower end of the spectrum in income for those who go to WDW. I scrimp, I save, I sacrifice other things in order to stay where I want to stay. For the love of God, I did a re-fi cash out on my home to pay for our first trip.

Well said. You can rent DVC points and save even more. A week at AKL in September in a standard room would run around $1,100. That's $157 per night. If you can afford a value resort on Disney property, most likely, you can afford a Deluxe even if that requires renting.

 

[Meglen]

I mean... If they let all the rif raf (the masses)in than the EMH at night wont be as appealing with the higher crowds, and they wont get more people staying deluxe/dvc.

I dont personally care but you know this is the reason.

 

[karen4546]

No, actually it DOES mean you have more means. I literally cannot afford to stay there. Can NOT. It's not about rich vs. poor, it's just reality. Funny thing is, only the deluxe people are trying to deny that reality.

Are there ppl staying at Value that have more money? Sure. Because they choose to. But the reality is there are a lot of ppl staying off site or at Value that just cannot afford deluxe. Not sure why it's so hard to admit that.

Also, and the point of all this is - this never used to be a perk you had to pay for if you could afford to. It was a perk for everyone. Quit trying to pretend otherwise.

It was not a perk for everyone. It was a perk for onsite guests-then they extended it to "partner" hotels.

If you can afford to stay at a value then you can afford to rent points and stay at a deluxe villa. Standard view studios are low points at AKV.

It is possible to stay at a Deluxe villa/resort for less also by going in off season, annual pass discounts, etc.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes - I would still have the same opinion. What a business chooses to do does not get me worked up the way so many people seem to be. I am the consumer. Disney can do whatever they want, and I can choose to accept it or not. I'm not going to get angry about it. Disney is a vacation. It is not my life. There are plenty of other places in the world I can travel to if I don't like what they are doing. I more take issue with entitlement attitude based on pre-covid scenarios. Covid changed everything, and businesses are allowed to made financial changes whenever they want.

Agreed. The posters who already booked $$$ Disney resorts based, in part, on amenities listed when they made their reservation have a right to have issues.

Current Disney pricing makes other vacations attractive. You can tour Europe for what a Disney vacation costs. You can go to an all inclusive resort.

 

[karen4546]

Well said. You can rent DVC points and save even more. A week at AKL in September in a standard room would run around $1,100. That's $157 per night. If you can afford a value resort on Disney property, most likely, you can afford a Deluxe even if that requires renting.

lol I just posted this also. But so true.

 

[Meglen]

Well said. You can rent DVC points and save even more. A week at AKL in September in a standard room would run around $1,100. That's $157 per night. If you can afford a value resort on Disney property, most likely, you can afford a Deluxe even if that requires renting.

Yup this upcoming trip we are going for 7 nights at AK and payed about 2k thats 285$ a night thats on par with pop,AoA for october..