Extra Expensive Xmas at DL

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Actually went reading DL stuff today and saw this (http://micechat.com/29456-disneyland-resor-rumor-update/).
The third reason behind the new World of Color show is to soften the blow when the inevitable private parties begin at Disneyland during the Christmas season. We’ve explained in previous updates how the full-service Christmas offerings at Disneyland were in the crosshairs of the One Disney team based out of Orlando who want Disneyland to move to a private-party concept like that used at Disney World. Disneyland’s parties will force the Christmas Fantasy Parade and Believe In Holiday Magic fireworks and snow shows to move to an extra-cost ticketed event, much like the HalloweenTime parties in October are now the only way to see the Halloween Screams fireworks and the Halloween parade.

The plan would be to offer the Soundsational Parade during the day before the parties along with the usual Remember fireworks on non-party nights, and then roll out the major Christmas entertainment only during the parties in the evenings. The good news is that much like Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy running in October, the Holiday versions of Small World and Haunted Mansion would still be available to park visitors daily without purchasing an additional ticket to an evening Christmas party. And while Disneyland closes early in December to host Christmas parties, the crowds can move over to DCA where the new Christmas World of Color show will soften the blow of being kicked out of Disneyland. Or at least that’s the hope, and if the new show is good enough that plan might actually work.
WHAT THE WHAT?? I am absolutely shocked that they would even consider taking the Christmas parade, fireworks, and snow away from APers. Even a Scrooge like me adores Xmas night offerings at DL. Non-party nights feature Remember Fireworks?? In December??

Yes, I'm sure the WoC show will be fun. But no Disneyland on Xmas nights is just insane.

I have been considering getting our passes again this fall. Now thinking again.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm surprised you hadn't heard of this before. I was the last straw for me. I purposely planned for my VERY LAST AP to expire this coming November, before this travesty begins. Sure, my AP no longer makes much economic sense, but I might have still held on to one for the convenience of just going to the Park whenever some reason came up, even if the money didn't add up.

But no, if Disneyland is going to pull crap like this, I'm no longer a customer.

[katiesue]

It doesn't make sense that they'd do two parades. You'd have two separate casts right?

We've never done the Halloween thing and I don't really miss anything. And honestly if it meant I could actually get a decent spot without camping out for hours to see the parade and fireworks it might be worth it to me for a hard ticket.

[€uroMeinke]

So is the "party" ticket a premium in addition to your normal ticket, or is it a stand alone part-day in Disneyland ticket? If the latter, that might soften the blow of not renewing as you could still get a Disney night in. I wonder though if all attractions will be running for the party.

[innerSpaceman]

katiesue, the Halloween fireworks ran only for one year, I think. Perhaps two. Certainly not enough for the public to become used to that as part of the Halloween season Disneyland started celebrating just a few years ago, as opposed to the Christmas parade and fireworks which have been a part of every paying guest's Christmastime Disneyland day since time immemorial.

[katiesue]

So is the "party" ticket a premium in addition to your normal ticket, or is it a stand alone part-day in Disneyland ticket? If the latter, that might soften the blow of not renewing as you could still get a Disney night in. I wonder though if all attractions will be running for the party.

If it's like Halloween they let you arrive pre-party by a few hours then they sweep the regular guests out for the party part. You can't arrive at 8AM but I think it was something like 4PM. And I think not all the attractions are open for Halloween but I don't know which ones.

ISM yes I know they've done the snow, fireworks and parade for years for free. It's also the same snow, fireworks and parade that is has been for years. For us if it made it less crowded I'd think about it. Otherwise I'm not all that upset.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm sure you didn't exactly mean for "free," but rather included within the HIGH price of your $95 day ticket or your $600 annual pass. The entertainment was never free, just like the attractions didn't magically become "free" when the ticket books were abolished. Admission to Disneyland in the ticket book age was $7. Nothing's free at Disneyland, and a very good part of the price you pay to get in IS for the fine entertainment.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I can understand having a few "private" parties to give wealthy guests some sort of special access with smaller crowds. But to shut out APers entirely seems masochistic. Won't there be hell to pay?

iSm - I didn't know about this, and I didn't know the Halloween fireworks were a party-only thing now, as I have been purposefully keeping myself out of the loop of things I can't really attend. Probably should have continued to keep away.

From a non-APer, possible day guest perspective, I'm feeling gouged, and not happy at the direction this is all leading.

[innerSpaceman]

From what I read in Al's article about this (it was many months ago), the plan was to do Xmas parade, Xmas fireworks and snow as purely private party stuff all season until about December 22nd or 23rd, and then do them as part of a regular Disneyland day from that Christmas Eve Eve time until New Years.

But, as all APers know, the worst time to visit Disneyland is the week between Xmas and New Years, which would leave one or two "practical" nights to see the Xmas entertainment without paying extra for it.


But let's forget APers for a moment. What about tourists? They must buy Disneyland tickets PLUS Special Event tickets to enjoy the full retinue of Disneyland Christmas offerings?? That's messed up.


If they go through with this, they've lost me. It's just too greedy, low, and mean-spirited, even by Disney standards. At Christmastime? It's unforgivable.

[Nephythys]

I paid for three day passes and the Halloween party last year- but that's Halloween. Christmas doesn't seem the right season to be demanding more money for those parties- and it's just as crowded, at least it was for the Halloween party, so it hardly feels like you are getting anything exclusive.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I deplore the private-party thing, especially for the tourist. The average tourist isn't going to think about the possibility of Disneyland closing. Just not on the radar. As a guest, I feel gouged - I have to pay twice and that sucks. And from what I have heard, it's still crowded. Really really crowded.

Squeezing the guest for every last dime. Meh. Not happy.

[RStar]

It seems like they would want to give the APers Christmas party nights (for free, or a low cost add-on) for a few nights early in the season, rather than have them add to the already busy crowd right at Christmas time.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Halloween as an add-on is something we're used to, Knott's and Universal have been doing it for years. Christmas though? Shameless. I'm waiting until official word comes from Disney before I march into City Hall, AP extended. At this point, the only response you'd get from the pretty pretty plaids is that they "haven't heard anything about this and if you'd just go ahead and go online and post your concerns on placatetheap.passingthedisneybuck.com that would be oh so helpfulblahblahblah..."

[lindyhop]

Last year I don't think I went to Disneyland at all during Christmas but it took me a while to remember why. I didn't want to deal with the nightmare of Candlelight just about every night in December. But DCA more than made up for it. Cars Land was so creative and Buena Vista Street was charming. I didn't need the gridlock of Disneyland in the evening (usually the only time I get there). If I really want to see the holiday stuff I wouldn't mind buying a separate ticket but it would be nice to think they would limit attendance. I don't expect that though.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Oh yeah, Candlelight.

BTW Mouseplanet is now saying that another price hike is imminent. Guess they got absolutely no drop off after the last adjustment. It's intense how Disneyland is completely inelastic, at least, for us lucky enough to even consider spending so much.

[€uroMeinke]

I've got 2 weeks left on my current AP - I'll be getting drinks at the Carthy sometime between now and then. Cheers Disneyland, it was a fine affair.

[scaeagles]

Disneyland got way too expensive for my out of state family (5.5 hour drive isn't really bad) long ago. Used to be that getting annuals was worth it for a few weekend trips during the year and maybe a week over spring break and a few days over the summer.

I tihnk now a 4 day hopper might be more expensive than we used to pay annuals. I think it's close anyway.

Makes me sad not for me, but for all of you who clearly love the park and live nearby.

That said, I cannot fault them for charging what people are willing to pay. They have made hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and I can't blame them for wanting to make it back as quickly as possible.