Quantcast "Early Theme Park Entry" program to Replace Extra Magic Hours program in 2021
 
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Mousehut Mail WebDisney News INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Guide
News Discussion Theme Parks Resorts Info Central Shop Interactive Podcast INTERCOT Navigtion
Site Sponsors
  magical journeys travel agency
  INTERCOT shop

INTERCOT Affiliates
  disney magicbands & accessories
  disneystore.com
  disney fathead
  disney check designs
  amazon.com
  priceline.com

News
  site search
  headlines
  past updates
  discussion boards
  email update

INTERCOT Other
  advertising
  sponsors
  link to us
  contact us
     

INTERCOT Ads
 

 
 

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Imaginoppolis, Imagination Island
    Posts
    14,530
    Post Thanks / Like

    Exclamation "Early Theme Park Entry" program to Replace Extra Magic Hours program in 2021

    The Walt Disney World resort has announced the Early Theme Park Entry program:

    Quote Originally Posted by Disney Parks & Resorts

    Coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day!

    This new offering will replace the Extra Magic Hours benefit that was suspended in the Summer of 2020. The new Early Theme Park Entry benefit will better spread visitation across all four theme parks to maintain social distancing, while providing added flexibility by giving Guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing.

    Guests will require valid admission and a park reservation made via the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.
    Figment! aka Jason ºoº
    INTERCOT STAFF
    News, Rumours & Imagineering
    Dining
    Vacations Beyond Disney

    ~It’s what us storytellers do; we restore order with imagination, we instill hope again and again~

    ~We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things~

  2. Thanks Jeff, DDuck66 thanked for this post
  3.     Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
  4. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    296
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    And another perk bites the dust. We used the morning EMH alot and could get 1 or 2 things done in that hour with the place relatively uncrowded.
    POFQ Sept 2012
    POFQ Oct 2014 Hubby's 50th Birthday!
    Wilderness Lodge Nov 2018 My 47th Birthday!

  5. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by merciantinkerbell View Post
    And another perk bites the dust. We used the morning EMH alot and could get 1 or 2 things done in that hour with the place relatively uncrowded.
    It still seems like a perk to me. If you stay onsite, you now can get into ANY park early. Before, you planned which park for which day based on the morning EMH. And if we were staying offsite, we planned which park to avoid that morning, knowing that the resort guests would favor that park. Now, it's going to be more spread out, less crowded, and it won't matter which park you choose! I like this better than the EMH.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  6. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I never used EMH, but I don't really understand how this is supposed to be better for Covid. Cramming the same number of people into shorter hours just increases the crowd. I think the same thing about grocery stores, etc who have shortened their hours.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  7. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    296
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post
    It still seems like a perk to me. If you stay onsite, you now can get into ANY park early. Before, you planned which park for which day based on the morning EMH. And if we were staying offsite, we planned which park to avoid that morning, knowing that the resort guests would favor that park. Now, it's going to be more spread out, less crowded, and it won't matter which park you choose! I like this better than the EMH.
    But reducing it from 60 minutes to 30 means we may have time to get through the turnstiles and to 1 ride but maybe not depending on transport time. With 60 minutes we could certainly get to 1 ride and queue if not on it.
    POFQ Sept 2012
    POFQ Oct 2014 Hubby's 50th Birthday!
    Wilderness Lodge Nov 2018 My 47th Birthday!

  8. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by merciantinkerbell View Post
    But reducing it from 60 minutes to 30 means we may have time to get through the turnstiles and to 1 ride but maybe not depending on transport time. With 60 minutes we could certainly get to 1 ride and queue if not on it.
    Except that they never religiously stuck to that "1 hour" time frame. I can't tell you how many times we showed up and they let us in 20 minutes before that. I could totally see that happening here. But, you're right, it's not really a lot of time. I think what I like about it is that its for *all* of the parks *every day*. So, you won't get a majority of the resort guests all descending on that one park that will let them in early. It'll totally spread out those numbers.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  9. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    York, PA
    Posts
    3,128
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post
    But, you're right, it's not really a lot of time. I think what I like about it is that its for *all* of the parks *every day*. So, you won't get a majority of the resort guests all descending on that one park that will let them in early. It'll totally spread out those numbers.
    Unfortunately, until they get rid of the 'park reservation' policy, you will still be limited to whatever park you reserved for that day.

    Just some "food for thought".....
    -Bud

    Walt Disney World:
    9/03 - CBR
    1/09 - BWV
    9/05; 2/07; 12/07; 9/08; 9/09; 9/10; 9/11; 12/13; 12/17; 4/18; 10/18, 4/23 - PC
    5/15 - POR
    1/22 - ASMO
    10/22 - ASMU

    Disneyland: 12/15 - Paradise Pier Hotel

    Next up: ???

  10. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    South River NJ
    Posts
    546
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    The good news: it is for all four parks every day. Should help spread out the guests. The bad news: It is only thirty minutes. Worse news: Evenings will all be hard ticket events of some sort.
    5/21 SSR & BCV
    11/19 Copper Creek Villas
    5/17 - Boardwalk Villas & Swan
    10/14 Legacy Villas
    10/11 & 12 Coronado Springs
    1981 - 2010 Offsite
    1974,76,78 Fort Wilderness
    8/87 - 05 Disneyland

  11. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I used to plan my days to stay away from morning extra magic hours parks. Now that won't be possible.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  12. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Posts
    1,374
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cinderelley View Post
    I never used EMH, but I don't really understand how this is supposed to be better for Covid. Cramming the same number of people into shorter hours just increases the crowd. I think the same thing about grocery stores, etc who have shortened their hours.
    Exactly. One of the absolute dumbest things that have been done during all of this is cutting hours and packing everyone in with less shopping hours. That one has just baffled me from the beginning.

  13. Likes Cinderelley liked this post
  14. #11
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    5,212
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Regardless of the reason, I am disappointed to hear that the evening EMH times are going away altogether. I am a bit of a night owl and loved to be at the parks at night, especially real late (midnight or later) in the summertime or during holidays. It's my favorite theme park time of day, with all the colorful lights after dark, and it was cooler too. Made it even more magical. I agree they'll probably go to hard ticketed events for late nights now.
    1971 (age 15) MK was new!
    1974 off-site (Senior Trip)
    1982 off-site
    1988 off-site
    May 2002 AS-Sports, with DW & kids
    May 2004 Pop Century
    Feb 2005 Wilderness Lodge
    Oct 2006 Pop Century
    Oct 2008 Camped at Fort Wilderness
    Feb 2010 Cruise on the Wonder
    Dec 2014 POFQ for Christmas!

  15. Likes Cinderelley liked this post
  16. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Posts
    1,374
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by joonyer View Post
    Regardless of the reason, I am disappointed to hear that the evening EMH times are going away altogether. I am a bit of a night owl and loved to be at the parks at night, especially real late (midnight or later) in the summertime or during holidays. It's my favorite theme park time of day, with all the colorful lights after dark, and it was cooler too. Made it even more magical. I agree they'll probably go to hard ticketed events for late nights now.
    Same here. I always preferred the evening EMH as well. I was there the summer when they were staying open really late with the 3 hours of EMH. I forget what year it was, maybe around 2005 or so I was there week of 4th of July. It was really busy and they extended the regular park hours that week and Magic Kingdom regular hours closing wasn't until 1:00AM and they had 3 hours of EMH after that. We got in line for space mountain right before closing at about 3:50 or so and it was about a 60 minute wait or something like that. By the time we rode and came out of the building, we were walking down Main Street to leave the park as the sun was starting to come up. That was pretty cool and one of my most favorite memories. We literally did Magic Kingdom all night long.

  17. Likes Cinderelley liked this post
  18. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cinderelley View Post
    I used to plan my days to stay away from morning extra magic hours parks. Now that won't be possible.
    Nor will it be necessary. If the new policy spreads everyone out so there is no need to avoid any one particularly over-crowded park, then what's the issue?
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  19. #14
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    205
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    My initial thought was that this and the elimination of magical express were cost saving measures resulting from covid-19 but seems to be a tough argument when Disney stock hit an all time high during the pandemic.
    Pooh Fan
    DVC Member- Home Resort SSR
    Sep 2000 - CBR & Dis Wonder
    Sep 2004 - OKW
    Sep 2006 - Pop
    Sep 2008 - OKW
    Feb/Mar 2009 - Off Site
    Sep 2009 - AKV
    Sep 2011 - OKW
    Sep 2012 - Paradise Pier
    Sep 2013 - Offsite and AKV
    Sep 2014 - ASM
    Nov 2015 - SSR
    May 2018 - OKW/AKV Kidani
    Jan 2020 - SSR

  20. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    York, PA
    Posts
    3,128
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pooh Fan View Post
    My initial thought was that this and the elimination of magical express were cost saving measures resulting from covid-19 but seems to be a tough argument when Disney stock hit an all time high during the pandemic.
    The thing you need to think about with these 'changes' are that they ARE cost-cutting moves. The Parks portion of Disney has its own budget and has been hemorrhaging cash since the CoVID crisis started. Putting out more money than they have been taking in from visitors. The media group has done pretty well with Disney+ hitting the 'airwaves' and pulling in more subscribers than they had anticipated in their first 5 years. All told, the company has done better than expected through this.
    -Bud

    Walt Disney World:
    9/03 - CBR
    1/09 - BWV
    9/05; 2/07; 12/07; 9/08; 9/09; 9/10; 9/11; 12/13; 12/17; 4/18; 10/18, 4/23 - PC
    5/15 - POR
    1/22 - ASMO
    10/22 - ASMU

    Disneyland: 12/15 - Paradise Pier Hotel

    Next up: ???

  21. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pooh Fan View Post
    My initial thought was that this and the elimination of magical express were cost saving measures resulting from covid-19 but seems to be a tough argument when Disney stock hit an all time high during the pandemic.
    What I think this really is, is a chance for Disney to reset a bunch of things they were looking at changing. I mean, Disneyland is taking advantage of the year-long closing to completely change the way they sell passes. As Walt Disney World stopped doing a LOT of things....shows, Fast Passes, Extra Magic Hours, parades, etc, they don't have to bring ANY of that back. They have a chance to make whatever changes they want as they bring things back online. While you and I might not appreciate those changes, I see the wisdom of making them now.

    The one thing that I would LOVE to see them change is FP+, which is terrible. I hope they go to the MaxPass system DL uses, but that they don't charge for it.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  22. #17
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    205
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I definitely get it but thinking of optics. I guess true fans will be aware of the difference between the various and arms of the company and the reality of one area compensating overall for another. There is no doubt that the shut downs have taken a huge toll and that Disney+ likely would not have seen such a steep growth had there NOT been a pandemic.
    Pooh Fan
    DVC Member- Home Resort SSR
    Sep 2000 - CBR & Dis Wonder
    Sep 2004 - OKW
    Sep 2006 - Pop
    Sep 2008 - OKW
    Feb/Mar 2009 - Off Site
    Sep 2009 - AKV
    Sep 2011 - OKW
    Sep 2012 - Paradise Pier
    Sep 2013 - Offsite and AKV
    Sep 2014 - ASM
    Nov 2015 - SSR
    May 2018 - OKW/AKV Kidani
    Jan 2020 - SSR

  23. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by joonyer View Post
    Regardless of the reason, I am disappointed to hear that the evening EMH times are going away altogether. I am a bit of a night owl and loved to be at the parks at night, especially real late (midnight or later) in the summertime or during holidays. It's my favorite theme park time of day, with all the colorful lights after dark, and it was cooler too. Made it even more magical. I agree they'll probably go to hard ticketed events for late nights now.
    I work night shift. I'm with you 100%.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  24. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post
    Nor will it be necessary. If the new policy spreads everyone out so there is no need to avoid any one particularly over-crowded park, then what's the issue?
    I highly doubt the capacity will stay capped forever. Now there won't be a non-morning EMH park. Before, the non morning EMH parks were less crowded. Also, not a fan of no evening EMH. I work nights and don't do early mornings the majority of the time.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

  25. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    8,024
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pooh Fan View Post
    I definitely get it but thinking of optics. I guess true fans will be aware of the difference between the various and arms of the company and the reality of one area compensating overall for another. There is no doubt that the shut downs have taken a huge toll and that Disney+ likely would not have seen such a steep growth had there NOT been a pandemic.
    Haven't the parks been a huge source of revenue for Disney? I'm sure all of the money they make hasn't gone 100% back to the parks. Now it is time for the other parts of Disney to take care of the parks. If Disney doesn't have enough money stashed away to weather storms, someone wasn't doing their job right. The rest of us have to do it.
    I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

 
Company
Advertising
Guest Relations
Community
Discussion Boards
Podcast
Newsletter
Shop
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our newsletter:
INTERCOT Logo PRIVACY STATEMENT / DISCLAIMER | DISCUSSION BOARD RULES
© Since 1997 INTERCOT - a Levelbest Communications Website. This is not an official Disney website.
> Levelbest Network Site