Angry lifting block out dates

[mom2rtk]

I understand why Disney did it. Lower crowds than normal = wanting more people in the gates, not that hard to figure out. But I can also understand why people traveling there and visiting during that time would be annoyed. The thoughts don't have to be mutually exclusive and I don't think anyone needs to be called "bitter" or ridiculous for being concerned.

Exactly that.

 

[randumb0]

I've said it here elsewhere, and I will say it in this thread.

My local newspapers are saying that foreign tourism in NYC is way down this summer. They are attributing it to current events. I am certain that if I were European, I would not choose to visit the U.S.A. this year.

It would stand to reason that Orlando is similarly affected.

Attendance is actually up at Universal so you can't necessarily attribute Disney's decline to a lack of European visitors

 

[epcotty]

Confused on this, just checked FL resident blockout dates on certain passes on the site, they seem to be just like before

 

[randumb0]

Confused on this, just checked FL resident blockout dates on certain passes on the site, they seem to be just like before

Silver Pass was blacked out until 8/12, but now you can go starting on 8/1

 

[CAS239]

Silver Pass was blacked out until 8/12, but now you can go starting on 8/1

Silver was blacked out through Aug 10th. Only 2 days difference, but some might care lol

 

[randumb0]

Silver was blacked out through Aug 10th. Only 2 days difference, but some might care lol

No worries thanks for correcting me

 

[CAS239]

I can understand those that would be annoyed if you're paying for airfare and all this and now would have an extra 70k people in the park with you. But that's not the case at all.

They lifted a 10 day blackout ban just days in advance. This means the average family is not all of a sudden getting online and booking a trip days out just because of this lift. If they were planning on coming say Aug 11th when the original blackout is lifted, that's when their still coming. This lift mainly benefits locals, a change in crowds that no one will notice.

I'm 2 hours away and already planned to come up on the 11th when my silver pass originally was lifted. I'm 99% sure I'm not coming up sooner than that. While some locals will of course hit the parks, not everyone will.

If they lifted the Christmas/NYE blackout, then I'd understand. But for anyone traveling 8/1-8/10, your trip won't be affected at all. You'll have a great time in the parks. The heat will affect you more than crowds

 

[yulilin3]

A couple of personal observations:
AP blocked out dates are there for a reason. When you pay for a full, no block out dates, you pay to be able to go to the parks during the busiest seasons. You don't pay to have less people in the parks. Basically block out dates are Christmas/New Years, Spring Break and Summer. All super busy periods.
Disney's decision to lift block out dates are a combination of GMR/Energy closing and lower crowds
I believe that the crowd difference will be almost undetectable. We know GMR and Universe of Energy will be busier, but that would've been the case with or without the aps that were blocked out.
I, personally am not angry about this but if it's something that bothers you I recommend sending Disney an email, nothing can be done in forums like this other than vent wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[JerseyJanice]

Attendance is actually up at Universal so you can't necessarily attribute Disney's decline to a lack of European visitors

Well, the fact that there was a substantial hike in WDW ticket prices last February could be another reason, although IDK if the ticket price hike affected all types of tickets. It definitely hit the kind of tickets I bought and not by a small amount.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's reasonable to assume that lifting blockout dates on Florida passes will increase crowds during those days.

How much is anyone's guess.

 

[Cinderella94]

I have to say, I don't believe for a minute that the closings of GMR and Ellen have anything to do with this decision. Otherwise would it not have been announced when the closures were announced? I think it's an extremely convenient coincidence. To not have a problem with these blackout dates being lifted is perfectly fine with me, everyone should feel however they'd like, but let's at least be real about why the change was made.

 

[yulilin3]

I have to say, I don't believe for a minute that the closings of GMR and Ellen have anything to do with this decision. Otherwise would it not have been announced when the closures were announced? I think it's an extremely convenient coincidence. To not have a problem with these blackout dates being lifted is perfectly fine with me, everyone should feel however they'd like, but let's at least be real about why the change was made.

I have a a lot of local friends here in Orlando who emailed Disney to complain about the GMR closure, especially with such short notice, if they had announced the closure before the Summer block out dates came into effect they would've gone to ride one last time, but since it was announced during the block out dates they felt it was unfair. Not saying that that is the only reason, but I am sure it's a combination of that and low crowds

 

[Cinderella94]

I have a a lot of local friends here in Orlando who emailed Disney to complain about the GMR closure, especially with such short notice, if they had announced the closure before the Summer block out dates came into effect they would've gone to ride one last time, but since it was announced during the block out dates they felt it was unfair. Not saying that that is the only reason, but I am sure it's a combination of that and low crowds

That's fair, I may just be cynical

 

[AngiTN]

It's interesting when locals are like "who cares" with no regard to the fact that tourists have bought airfare and accommodations. Maybe it is a big deal to them to have increased crowds. But they get called bitter

Not unexpected though

I said who cares and I am not local. I am a tourist who bought airfare and accommodations during this time.
I think it's ridiculous to believe this change is going to have any impact on waits for rides in any way whatsoever.

 

[randumb0]

Well, the fact that there was a substantial hike in WDW ticket prices last February could be another reason, although IDK if the ticket price hike affected all types of tickets. It definitely hit the kind of tickets I bought and not by a small amount.

But again, Universal raised their prices days after Disney yet they have an increase in attendance

 

[MrsDuck]

Umm, Yea, it will. especially if the reason is to ride the great movie ride. What do you think we'll be riding when we are there? So now I should pay more money because the blockout date was when we knew we would be going to the park to stand in longer lines? Sorry but that's messed up.

So based on that logic, you booked your trip specifically during the week when the silver passes were blocked out? It seems as if you were taking these block out weeks too seriously as the difference in crowd level is totally minimal. Case in point is the week of Christmas. No silver passes are allowed in yet the park is always at capacity.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I said who cares and I am not local. I am a tourist who bought airfare and accommodations during this time.
I think it's ridiculous to believe this change is going to have any impact on waits for rides in any way whatsoever.

I believe it's the most logical conclusion that lifting blockout dates from a whole set of local/FL passes will increase crowds and waits. Certainly crowds won't go down?

 

[anomamatt]

I have to say, I don't believe for a minute that the closings of GMR and Ellen have anything to do with this decision. Otherwise would it not have been announced when the closures were announced? I think it's an extremely convenient coincidence. To not have a problem with these blackout dates being lifted is perfectly fine with me, everyone should feel however they'd like, but let's at least be real about why the change was made.

Agreed. And if it were about Ellen & GMR, only DHS and EPCOT would be exempt from the block out. All parks are open... this is about attendance.

 

[anomamatt]

I think it's ridiculous to believe this change is going to have any impact on waits for rides in any way whatsoever.

I'm not sure you mean "any impact", do you? One or two people getting in line before you with previously blocked out passes would have an impact. Tiny impact, but an impact.

Maybe it won't make a big impact, but it will make an impact of some sort.

 

[anomamatt]

This is becoming death by a thousand cuts this summer:

1) Pricing (resort and 1 day admission) has not changed from when Summer was "peak" (non-holiday) season
2) Park hours have been shortened, due to lack of crowds (we think that's the reason)
3) Reports of staffing cutbacks until 9/30 to increase bottom line at end of fiscal year
4) Block out dates being lifted to boost attendance numbers at end of fiscal year

I view this recent change as the most minor (only a few days), but it's salt in the wound when you consider 1) and 2)...