They offer an "after 1 PM" and an "after 5 PM" single-day ticket to convention and meeting attendees. The after 1 PM ticket is over $100 before tax. The after 5 PM ticket comes in just a little bit better than a regular day ticket. I think it was around $75 before tax.
This will never happen in our lifetimes. Bob Chapek only cares about short term profits. Capital investments take a long time to pay off. This is the same reason why we will never see another gate, why future land expansions are unlikely to come, and why the only new things Disney builds these days are DVC towers, because those can quickly be sold off for a profit.
What makes it even worse is that Disneyland Paris recently began their 30th anniversary celebrations and they have WAY more effort put into it than WDW's 50th. At WDW you can hardly notice that a celebration is even happening. I get Covid probably had something to do with it but it's a major letdown.
To be honest, the two new fireworks shows were not good replacements of the ones that were already there, so I don't see them as part of the celebrations at all. The ride openings and restaurant rethemeings are a constant at WDW so I don't see those as 50th related. I just know that other Disney parks have done much better with their celebrations.
Obviously everyone has different experiences and unique circumstances but I'm starting to think this is more of a self-fulfilling prophecy deal.
I’m going to guess you didn't experience Disneyland's 50th or 60th anniersaries? WDW probably didn't have 20% of the merchandise DLR had for their 60th. Good luck trying to catch some of this stuff online when it shows up. It's usually gone in minutes. Good luck even trying to buy anniversary ears or any t-shirts. Have they had them? Yes. Was it a PITA to find it when you were looking? Yes.
I get it that different people like different things... I just don't think they "celebrate" the 50th. So much hype and advertising but disappointing execution when you arrive. That's all. I was expecting more from Disney than the opportunity to purchase more things to celebrate.
Something like the Year Of A Million Dreams would've been nice. Unexpected magic during the day put a pep in your step.
The after hours events will be priced around $150+ now btw
We went at the end of April 2022 and barely noticed it was the 50th celebration at WDW. I think a lot of the problem is Disney used the 50th as a reason to upsell, not really celebrate. They totally ignored the prior 49 years.
I believe the goal is to reduce park attendance and they’re targeting low money makers like annual pass holders and families with young kids.
This is my main issue with the 50th. It really doesn't feel like it's celebrating the history of WDW and is instead trying to sell you on the present day. Meanwhile from the videos I've seen to Paris's 30th, you can tell that there was a lot of effort put into celebrating that park's entire history rather than JUST sell merchandise. Yes I am aware that all celebrations like this are for selling merchandise but there needs to be more than that to get people excited, you know what I mean?
I agree. I remember reading a statistic a while back that one of the largest groups of people going to WDW and theme parks in general are adults without children. I think Disney is trying to appeal to this group in particular with all of the recent changes.
This is exactly what’s missing. I’ve seen many CMs just shrug their shoulders to a question (navigation related). Pre pandemic even a custodial CM would go above and beyond to direct you.
