Extra Morning Magic at MK ($69/person!)

[ilikedonuts]

Come on, Disney. This has gotten out of control. And now all pre-park ADRs are worthless for empty park pictures and chance to be at the front of the line

www.kennythepirate.com/2016/03/24/what-is-disney-early-morning-magic-fantasyland-and-how-much-will-it-cost/

Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland

Fantasyland Fun Before the Park Opens
Make your Walt Disney World mornings more magical than ever with a first-access experience in the park!

Rising with the sun on select mornings, Disney Early Morning Magic gives you the chance to be among the first to enter Magic Kingdom park and experience a trio of Fantasyland attractions: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight.

Plus, in addition to the early-morning fun, you can get your fill of a fantastic continental breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus—featuring such scrumptious breakfast fare as:

Chilled juices, coffee and teas
Seasonal fruit and berries
Freshly baked pastries
Cheese and cured meats
Scrambled eggs with assorted toppings
Vegetable frittata
Smoked bacon
Pork and turkey sausages
Fried potatoes with caramelized onions
Mickey Waffles
Available with the purchase of a separate ticket, Disney Early Morning Magic takes place on select dates from 7:45 AM to 10:00 AM. However, admission is limited—be sure to buy your tickets before it’s too late!

Purchase Tickets Online or Buy Phone
Don’t miss this all-new special event at Magic Kingdom park. Purchase your tickets today! Admission to Disney Early Morning Magic is available $69 per adult and $49 per child (tax not included).

For tickets, please make your purchase online or call the Disney Reservation Center at [phone] for assistance. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

[lala]

UGH UGH UGH. I am getting tired of these "excessive add ons."

Does that mean the park doesn't open until 10am for the public on those days?

Will there still be EMH for resort guests?

[ilikedonuts]

I'm sure parks will close earlier (summer hours are already super short) for the evening stuff and there will be less EMH for both morning and night.

[pinkpeony6210]

Yikes! I would never pay that for 3 rides and a QS breakfast.

[ribollita]

I'm relieved that absolutely none of this appeals to me.

Winnie the Pooh is my least favorite ride in all the parks (although I've never tried Stitch).

I'm interested in which days they will offer this-- all except the one morning EMH day?

I am also glad I am holding BOG 8ams for every day of our upcoming trip as we wait to see how all of this plays out.

[ribollita]

Mar 24, 2016 6:56:20 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Mar 24, 2016 6:54:48 GMT -5 ribollita said:

I'm relieved that absolutely none of this appeals to me.

Winnie the Pooh is my least favorite ride in all the parks (although I've never tried Stitch).

I'm interested in which days they will offer this-- all except the one morning EMH day?

I am also glad I am holding BOG 8ams for every day of our upcoming trip as we wait to see how all of this plays out.

I feel bad for people who are going in the next month or so who have been planning for months to years (like Disney has programmed us to), and they pull this shit.

I completely agree! The last minute changes are inexcusable given how early they make someone start planning. Annoying.

[lala]

I just hope people don't buy them. That's the only way they'll stop it.

I'll go look, but did it say how those people would be led out of the park? Or do you need a ticket for that day as well?

Also - for anyone who listens to the disunplugged, they discussed this very kind of thing this week and it turned into a huge debate.

[lala]

Oh, I think you are right. People will still buy them. People with more money than sense.

[lala]

At least the evening ones get you into the park earlier than the party starts, so the per hour isn't as bad - like how you can still get 8 hours of park time for a holiday parties.

[kittycatlove]

Totally ridiculous, ugh.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised they didn't just get rid of pre park ADRs especially with a lot of people not really getting food at BOG. I can't really say I'm surprised. It doesn't interest me, and we aren't early risers anyways.

[Deleted]

I guess there was a survey recently that asked if people would pay extra for shorter lines. Sounds like a lot of people answered yes to that.

[swarley]

Mar 24, 2016 6:56:20 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Mar 24, 2016 6:54:48 GMT -5 ribollita said:

I'm relieved that absolutely none of this appeals to me.

Winnie the Pooh is my least favorite ride in all the parks (although I've never tried Stitch).

I'm interested in which days they will offer this-- all except the one morning EMH day?

I am also glad I am holding BOG 8ams for every day of our upcoming trip as we wait to see how all of this plays out.

I feel bad for people who are going in the next month or so who have been planning for months to years (like Disney has programmed us to), and they pull this shit.

Have they announced dates on this? I have MK days planned for April 17, 19 & 21 and am going to be LIVID if it is one of those mornings. I'm staying offsite and those are my only chances to ride the mine train. They have already screwed me over on changing AM EMH two months out, now this? 

I'm also PISSED they have not released any new info about Rivers of Light. My last day is opening night and there is ZERO information about FP+ or dining packages.

Seriously, they want you to plan where you want to eat 6 months in advance and what you want to ride 30-60 days in advance but they reserve the right to eff up all of your plans less than 30 days out. I need a drink!

[ilikedonuts]

Mar 24, 2016 8:50:38 GMT -5 swarley said:

Mar 24, 2016 6:56:20 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

I feel bad for people who are going in the next month or so who have been planning for months to years (like Disney has programmed us to), and they pull this shit.

Have they announced dates on this? I have MK days planned for April 17, 19 & 21 and am going to be LIVID if it is one of those mornings. I'm staying offsite and those are my only chances to ride the mine train. They have already screwed me over on changing AM EMH two months out, now this? 

I'm also PISSED they have not released any new info about Rivers of Light. My last day is opening night and there is ZERO information about FP+ or dining packages.

Seriously, they want you to plan where you want to eat 6 months in advance and what you want to ride 30-60 days in advance but they reserve the right to eff up all of your plans less than 30 days out. I need a drink!

I very much think it will be multiple mornings a week if not every morning. This way off site people feel like HAVE to pay for it to ride mine train.

[abs]

Oh come on now. Disney. WTF? It's already a crazy expensive vacation. All these add ons are getting insulting. I'm so tempted to cancel our July trip because I'm so disgusted.

I don't get what their goal is here.

[TamiTaylor]

Mar 24, 2016 6:56:20 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Mar 24, 2016 6:54:48 GMT -5 ribollita said:

I'm relieved that absolutely none of this appeals to me.

Winnie the Pooh is my least favorite ride in all the parks (although I've never tried Stitch).

I'm interested in which days they will offer this-- all except the one morning EMH day?

I am also glad I am holding BOG 8ams for every day of our upcoming trip as we wait to see how all of this plays out.

I feel bad for people who are going in the next month or so who have been planning for months to years (like Disney has programmed us to), and they pull this shit.

Like me. I have a pre-opening ADR at BOG for MK for a day they are NOT doing EMH and I am pissed. It's like changing the rules of the game more than halfway through.

[bexporter]

It actually sounds to me like they know what people are doing with the pre-park opening ADRs and expanding it to include more people and actually let you ride some rides during that time period. So in a way they're just increasing the number of people who can do a pre-park opening breakfast. The timing is quick, but the idea isn't outrageous to me.

[zarapipe]

Mar 24, 2016 9:27:26 GMT -5 abs said:

Oh come on now. Disney. WTF? It's already a crazy expensive vacation. All these add ons are getting insulting. I'm so tempted to cancel our July trip because I'm so disgusted.

I don't get what their goal is here.

To make as much money as humanly possible.

This posses me off. Like others said those early breakfast reservations are worthless now.

[ribollita]

I disagree the early morning breakfasts are worthless other than less likelihood of 7dmt for those eating at BOG (which isn't guaranteed anyway, I've experienced it both ways). Pictures in front of the castle will be the same as before as these guests should be out of sight riding rides.

[jeaniebueller]

I am sort of confused about the outrage. I think its a great idea for people who are staying off property to have an opportunity to come to the park early since they don't get to take advantage of EMH.

[Deleted]

So this is the email I just sent. I sent it to three different departments. Let's see what response I get.

Hello-

As an AP holder/DVC Member/ Longtime WDW resort visitor ( I just completed my 12th trip in January 2016)I am very disappointed about the recent party additions namely the late night/ early morning parties at MK. I understand " plussing" attractions in other ways, but adding " parties" on that are nothing more than charging for extra magic hours that have been historically available as a perk of staying onsite ( with some food additions that in no way make up the exorbitant cost of the event)is to me very disrespectful of your loyal brand followers. Staying onsite and OWNING DVC so I am able to continue to stay onsite is an important part of my WDW resort experience SIMPLY because of the additional perks onsite guests receive ( EMHs, Free Parking, Magical Express, Airline Check-In etc. etc.) These perks are very valuable and make a comprehensive Disney vacation that includes staying, playing and dining on resort property a great value. If charging for EMHs becomes the new norm, or the only way to maximize park hours ( many people rely on touring plans that include taking advantage of EMHs and then hopping to a less crowded park in the afternoon.) it will be hard for me to continue vacationing at the WDW resort as it will no longer be a good value for my family and the way we vacation. This will ultimately lead me to sell my DVC points and stop renewing my annual pass.

I truly hope it does not come to this. Disney is a premium brand that I have been passionate about for years. I have recommended Disney as a vacation destination to many friends and coworkers for a decade. I would love to continue to recommend Disney as a vacation destination as my trips there have provided COUNTLESS MAGICAL MEMORIES for my family including character encounters, wonderful immersive dining experiences, hard ticketed events such as MNSSHP, and spectacular evening shows such as Wishes, The Hoop de Doo Review and The Luau. I hope that Disney is able to continue to provide these experiences to their loyal customer base in the future in a way that exudes the magic, value and quality that Disney has come to stand for.

Please feel free to contact me at either my email or cell phone listed above to discuss this further.

Best,

edited to redact real name.

[swarley]

Mar 24, 2016 11:41:01 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

I am sort of confused about the outrage. I think its a great idea for people who are staying off property to have an opportunity to come to the park early since they don't get to take advantage of EMH.

I totally agree with you but I'm frustrated that it's looking like it could potentially be on a morning that I had planned (months ago) for rope drop. It would be a lot easier to plan around six months ago when I made ADRs and determined which days would be MK days. Disney wants you to plan your trip months in advance for things to go smoothly. They can just change things on you at any point rendering your plans pointless. It's not the end of the world, I'm just frustrated right now. I just want to enter the park, when the park opens, and not have Fantasyland already packed. That's why I planned our MK days around EMH already!

But it's also not really comparable to EMH for offsite visitors. It's ONLY 3 rides. As an offsite guest, I think I would pay $70/each for one morning if I got all of the benefits of EMH that onsite guests do. I won't do it for just 3 rides though.

[bexporter]

I planned a day at the Magic Kingdom on Easter Sunday months and months ago.

Just last week, Disney changed opening time from 9 am to 8 am. We didn't have pre-park opening ADRs, but this does adjust our plans and require us to get up a lot earlier to arrive by rope drop.

Change is always going to happen at some point, maybe after you've made plans. We all need to adjust to change.

[ribollita]

Mar 24, 2016 12:07:13 GMT -5 bexporter said:

I planned a day at the Magic Kingdom on Easter Sunday months and months ago.

Just last week, Disney changed opening time from 9 am to 8 am. We didn't have pre-park opening ADRs, but this does adjust our plans and require us to get up a lot earlier to arrive by rope drop.

Change is always going to happen at some point, maybe after you've made plans. We all need to adjust to change.

Well in all fairness, that change was at least predictable.

[abs]

The issue for me is Disney is already so expensive. For many people it's a once in a life time experience or a stretch to afford. Now they are excluding people that just don't have endless amounts of money. Will either of these events affect me? Probably not. It still just sits badly with me that they are expecting you to shell out even more money. I mean, they already raised meal prices, ticket prices, and hotel prices this year. That wasn't enough?

[Deleted]

I don't feel like this is requiring anyone to spend more money? You just don't pay if you don't want in early. What am I missing?

3000 people are going to already be in the park when the Rope Drops at 9am. They have three rides they can ride and some breakfast they can eat in that hour. 

Mine Train can handle 1200 people per an hour. 
Peter Pan can handle 720
Winnie The Pooh can handle 765
Operationally not theoretically

That's less than 3000 riders in that one hour. Plus they have until 10am to eat their breakfast and they are going to want to take castle pictures and pee and stuff that means that on any given day that they have this " party" when average non-extra money paying theme park guest enters the park there will ALREADY be a line for Mine Train posted at at LEAST 10-20minutes even if you are the second family at the turnstiles and up Main Street and don't stop for photos and don't have a stroller to park. THEN the people who were already in the park will be making their way to OTHER attractions in Fantasyland ( Like meeting Anna and Elsa) and create a longer line there too. At Disney time = money. It's just how it is. Spending up to 100 or more dollars per a day to to visit a park doesn't bother me when the park is open for 10 plus hours and I am able to fit in many many attractions and experiences during that time. It's a better value than many other recreational opportunitiesy TBH ( like the movies for example.) However when I am going to waste more of those 10 hours I paid for in line behind people who paid an extra 69.00 more than me to be there than yeah I am freaking annoyed. EMH were always built in as a perk of staying onsite. By offering this they are basically taking every day that it is offered at MK and offering me less value as a regular ticket holder. At what point do I draw a line in the sand here and say you are no longer offering me the value that I need to make this vacation worthwhile? 

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2016 13:00:43 GMT -5 @licia said:

Oh, so it's elitism. Ok.

No. I just take my Disney very seriously. Like my time is my money. It's a value thing. 

I mean Disney is already a very stratified place. Even the resorts are Deluxe Moderate and Value. 

[Amy]

For me, as with all of the recent up charges/fees/expensive extra hours, the problem is that they are doing all of this at the same time as they are closing attractions and cutting characters. We are paying more and getting less. I wish if they were going to do all of this it would've gone along with the opening of the 3 new lands, not when things are already a bit bare.

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2016 13:13:41 GMT -5 @licia said:

Mar 24, 2016 13:10:14 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

No. I just take my Disney very seriously. Like my time is my money. It's a value thing. 

I mean Disney is already a very stratified place. Even the resorts are Deluxe Moderate and Value. 

You said it yourself - you don't want 3000 people in line in front of you that paid to be there because you paid to be there. But these aren't disrupting the early magic hours, as far as I can tell, so you didn't pay to be there. 

Listen, I have no skin in the game. I don't take vacation this seriously and will likely only ever go to Disney once with my kid, where we will ride the goddamn carousel 800 times and eat ice cream all day if that's what she wants to do. I think it's bonkers that posters are considering canceling their trips because now people can pay to get in early. This is some Star-Bellied-Sneetches shit up in here.

You just explained the difference right here. You don't take vacation this seriously. I do. I have always perceived this type of vacation as a high value. This move has taken away previous value, and now I am upset.

LOL Star-Bellied-Sneetches tho
 

[Wines Not Whines]

Uh, have they announced dates for this yet? We'll be at WDW next week and I'm wondering if I need to change my plans to avoid MK on those mornings.