Paid Events

Image: DisneyNot every method of controlling park traffic is good for all. For example, paid events have surged in popularity in recent years. Historically, guests happily attended Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. They paid money to visit Magic Kingdom at a time when the park was otherwise closed.

Over time, Disney executives appreciated the twin benefits of this tactic. Ticketed events improved park revenue while providing deep-pocketed visitors with a better Magic Kingdom experience. Not coincidentally, the dates for these parties have expanded to the point where Halloween starts in August, and Christmas starts about two days after the Halloween celebration ends.

The company has even doubled and tripled down on the premise. Disney After Hours is another ticketed event that celebrates…nothing. It’s just a night when guests can stay after park closing for a hundred bucks.

Image: DisneyAfter a shaky start, this event proved so popular that Disney introduced a similar morning event, Early Morning Magic, which is basically just a few rides and breakfast. Later, they even added Disney Villains After Dark, which is just Disney After Hours with villains. Somehow, it costs about $25 more.

While all of these events seem like shady cash grabs, they serve a purpose. Disney extends park hours for a fortunate few. In exchange, they earn a lot more money, effectively selling multiple admission tickets to the same guests.

The customers happily pay the money for the rare opportunity to visit Disney when it’s less crowded. In the process, many of them spend less time in the parks during regular hours, thereby reducing traffic. It’s possibly an evil practice but undeniably ingenious.