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Z3ro to H3ro
10-08-2009, 05:12 PM
Candlelight Spectacular at Disneyland (http://d23.disney.go.com/expo/100709_D23Event_DLRCandlelight.html?CMP=EMC-eml&att=20091008D23FanFare)

At $275 a person... well let's just say I won't be attending. While it sounds nice, just for my wife and I to attend is $550.. and at Christmas time, with presents for the family and all... this isn't even an option. Includes a park hopper ticket, which drives most of the price. What about for AP? Thanks D23.

Disney and Dickens (http://d23.disney.go.com/expo/100709_D23Event_DisneyDickens.html?CMP=EMC-eml&att=20091008D23FanFare)

At $95 a person... well it's another no go. Come on.. it's Christmas... family time. $400 for a family of 4 to go. Notice this one has nothing to do within the park.

Yeah... think I'm going to pass on renewing the D23. What do you all think?

AVP
10-08-2009, 05:42 PM
D23 ANNOUNCES 2009 HOLIDAY MEMBER EVENTS

BURBANK, CA – October 8, 2009 -- D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today announced complete details for three incredible holiday events this December. D23 Members will get a chance to deck the halls and experience the wonder of the season like never before through incredible offerings at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts as well as a very special "Disney and Dickens" event celebrating Christmases past and present in Hollywood.

"The winter wonderland season at a Disney Park is unlike any other and this December we are offering D23 Members a chance to experience some of our most heartfelt holiday traditions like never before," said Steven Clark, head of D23. "All three of these events are sure to create lasting magical memories and I couldn’t be more excited to cap off this incredible year of D23 with our Charter Year Members."

HOLIDAY 2009 D23 CHARTER MEMBER-ONLY SPECIAL EVENTS:

December 6, 2009 D23’s Candlelight Spectacular at Disneyland

For more than 50 years, Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony has heralded in the Christmas season at "The Merriest Place on Earth." This year’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony serves as the centerpiece of D23’s first holiday season celebration during a magical day of festivities created exclusively for D23 Members and their guests. This can’t-miss event begins with a day enjoying the holiday splendor of Disneyland including reserved seating at Disneyland’s A Christmas Fantasy Parade. When night falls, D23 Members and their guests will gather inside Stage 17 at Disney’s California Adventure where a winter wonderland awaits with a sumptuous private dinner prepared by Disneyland’s Executive Chef—with a special show starring some of Disney’s most beloved characters donning their holiday best. Later that evening, D23 Members and their guests will be escorted to reserved seating for this year’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony, a breathtaking retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, the Disneyland Orchestra and the Disney Employee Choir. Following the Candlelight Processional and Ceremony, the party returns to Stage 17 where everyone will enjoy a sweet treat and a special "behind-the-candles" look at the history of holiday traditions at Disneyland, as well as the special care and work that goes into making the parks look their best for the season. Add in some D23 magic, and this is sure to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!
December 10, 2009 D23’s Disney and Dickens

Join Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and fellow D23 Members for an evening of Dickensian delights at the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood to experience the new Robert Zemeckis film Disney’s A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carey, Bob Hoskins and an all-star cast in this new retelling of Charles Dickens’ timeless holiday favorite. After the movie, guests will head to a holiday feast at the legendary Tam O’Shanter restaurant in Los Angeles—a frequent hang out of Walt Disney and his animators. D23 Members will have the opportunity to see Walt’s table, take a look at the wonderful artwork created by Disney animators for the Tam, and be entertained by Dickens Carolers, as well as an ensemble from the Disney Employee Choir, who will sing their favorite Disney Christmas songs.
December 12 & 13, 2009 D23’s Magic & Merriment

For two days at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, D23 Members will have the opportunity to experience the holiday season as never before. The jolly happenings begin Saturday morning, December 12 inside the D23 Member Lounge in Epcot. D23 Members will get their first behind-the-scenes look at the holiday magic Disney creates including a glimpse at how the Resort transforms seemingly overnight from Florida paradise to winter wonderland. After a day enjoying the park, D23 Members will reconvene at the America Gardens Theatre to enjoy the perennial Christmas favorite, Candlelight Processional, narrated by the incomparable Vanessa Williams. Following the show, D23 Members will head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a holiday feast on the set of Lights! Motors! Action! And after the park closes, D23 Members will enjoy one more signature ride before heading to the Streets of America for a private viewing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights hosted by two of Walt Disney World’s top creative minds. Sunday takes D23 Members to the Magic Kingdom for a full day of holiday delights. The fun includes a private luncheon inside the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, and a once-in-a-lifetime private tour of the Cinderella Dream Suite inside Cinderella Castle. That night, the festivities continue with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which includes a private hospitality area with holiday treats. Add in reserved seating for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade and a good helping of pixie dust and D23 Members will have a winter wonderland weekend to remember.
To find out more about D23’s Holiday 2009 Special Events Calendar, including admissions and how to register for events, visit http://www.disney.com/D23 and click on the "Expo & Events" tab. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice, have varying admission fees and registration processes, and may require advance reservations due to space limitations.

K & S
10-08-2009, 06:05 PM
I have grown so weary of all the cash grabs Disney is conducting this year. From raising prices on stroller rental and parking prices to charging for Mickey Mouse hat embroidery. And the little things like charging for a tomato slice on a burger and serving margarine at the Blue Bayou. I viewed D23 as just one more insult to long time pass holders and chose not to join. This offer means there will only be three shows to try and get a dinner reservation to attend.

Our family pays over $1,200 a year for APs and we still feel like second-class pass holders because we didn't join D23...enough already!

:mad:

AVP
10-08-2009, 06:42 PM
I just spent a bit of time analyzing the events, and I can not for the life of me figure out how Disney is justifying the difference in cost and benefits between the Candlelight package and the Walt Disney World event:

Disneyland Candlelight Spectacular - $275 per person

A one-day Disneyland park hopper ticket. ($97 value)*
Reserved seating for A Christmas Fantasy Parade
Private dinner and holiday show inside Stage 17
Reserved seating for Candlelight Processional and Ceremony
Private dessert and behind-the-scenes Candlelight presentation.
* These tickets can only be used on December 6th, and only by the event guest.

Walt Disney World Magic & Merriment - $195 per person

Two one-day, one-park tickets ($158 value)**
Admission to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ($42.55 value)
Two one-day admissions to Disney Quest ($80 value)**
Private "Holidays Around the World" presentation
Reserved seating for Candlelight
Dinner and dessert on the set of Lights! Motors! Action! (including alcohol)
Private, after-hours viewing of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Transportation between Epcot and Disney Studios during the event.
Private luncheon at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon
Opportunity to tour the Cinderella Suite
Reserved seating for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade
Access to the D23 Member Lounge
**These tickets do not have the guest-only restriction, and can be used through December 30th.

So... the $195 Walt Disney World event comes with $280 in admission tickets, two meals, and several activities. I don't get it. I know if there was any way I could spend that weekend away from my store, I'd sign up for D23 just to attend the WDW event. The Disneyland events don't look interesting enough to justify the price, and I shudder to think of how much MORE complicated this is going to make the annual Candlelight Dining Package fiasco.

AVP

Teddi
10-08-2009, 07:37 PM
I just spent a bit of time analyzing the events, and I can not for the life of me figure out how Disney is justifying the difference in cost and benefits between the Candlelight package and the Walt Disney World event:

I know if there was any way I could spend that weekend away from my store, I'd sign up for D23 just to attend the WDW event.

I think maybe it does like this. Economic downturn HURTING WDW, NOT hurting DL. WDW= Incentive to go, "good deal". DL CP "fiasco" demand so high it always sells out, eh make a little more out of it. :rolleyes:

KarenW2
10-09-2009, 12:50 AM
Well, for us, the 2 "home games" will be happening here, while we're on our vacation in WDW and unless we change our airline tickets' return trip to Monday, 12-14, instead of Saturday, 12-12 and pay for another 2 nights of an onsite room (even at the cheapest resort), the WDW happenings will be going on there, while we're flying home!!

I couldn't believe how expensive the Candlelight Processional package event is! I noticed the tickets start selling in October, so they'll know if they're sold out at the D23 rate, before the restaurant packages would be opened up (unless D23's event cancels it for non-members entirely, for the Sunday performance!) in December. It'll be interesting to see how they handle that.

I'm happy we won't have to worry about it, since we already have our CP package at WDW scheduled.

Drince88
10-09-2009, 04:58 AM
I know if there was any way I could spend that weekend away from my store, I'd sign up for D23 just to attend the WDW event. The Disneyland events don't look interesting enough to justify the price, and I shudder to think of how much MORE complicated this is going to make the annual Candlelight Dining Package fiasco.
That was my thought on both of those points, too, Adrienne (well, general travel, no worries about a retail store for me!)

olegc
10-09-2009, 06:57 AM
after attending the HMH 40 event with its dinner and mini-show, and the truly deathly slow processional (and lack of drink and poor delivery at HM in park) I did not get how the value translated for the money we spent there. Now D23's holiday show comes in - and it seems to me it's the same deal. My guess is that Catering and Entertainment are both pushing the idea that their costs are higher and justify a higher price. I don't get it either - but the only way to have them get the message (as cstephens always says) is not to buy if you don't want it. However, there will always be someone somewhere who will buy a limited-availability package.

It could also be that WDW's event can handle more people than Disneyland's can. I doubt it - as I think costs here are higher than Orlando, and as stated above the attendance in Anaheim has not dropped as significantly as Orlando (imho).

My lament is that more and more APs are not considered a program that deserves attention - except maybe to get early access to events that are available to anyone. And, of course, to get some discounts. but they created a new tier of fan-event that requires more money at times. Could this also spell the removal of the free event from the D23 lexicon? we'll have to see...

Phil Johnson
10-09-2009, 07:46 AM
I won't even consider these events either. Pay to join, so you can pay to play. I'm taking advantage of the free events, like the studio tour. That's more than worth the annual membership price to me.

Neither of these particularly floats my boat, so that may be a bigger reason why.

But I think they're missing two important groups with this.
- Families - As some of you have said, it's a significant cost to bring a 4 person family to an event like these. For a single or a couple, it's more manageable.

- AP holders - Park tickets are their biggest currency because people know what they're worth. But they do need to either discount the package or offer something significantly extra for AP folks.

Now, of course, those two groups are Disney's most hardcore fans. Though there's plenty of us singles out there too. And these pricier events are ok for us.

At the moment I think their mistake is not offering a broader selection of events during each round of announcements. Each round should have a pricy "exclusive" adult event, something more affordable that will cover a family of 4 for about the same price as one single, and a special event for AP holders. I don't have an AP, but it might get me to buy one if they did something special for them as part of D23.

As I see it, year one is a learning process. If they're paying attention, next year will be different. Especially if membership drops off.

Hannahbelle
10-09-2009, 11:47 AM
Our family pays over $1,200 a year for APs and we still feel like second-class pass holders because we didn't join D23...enough already!

:mad:

AMEN to that!

AVP
10-09-2009, 01:35 PM
It'll be interesting to see how they handle that. Just in case you missed the other thread (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=133556), Disneyland confirmed for me this morning that they aren't offering Candlelight dining packages this year.

AVP

KarenW2
10-09-2009, 11:47 PM
Wow, that's really a sad state of affairs, to not offer the packages at all this year at DL! I'm really glad we'll be on vacation and will be able to see it at Epcot, with Stephen Curtis Chapman!!

Which brings up the question I've always wondered about - since the "powers that be" know that the CP is a very popular event here, why is it only offered the first weekend in December, and not more days, like it is in WDW?

They could definitely make more money from the event, offering it more often, so why don't they do it? It would also be an opportunity for more folks who want to see it, to be able to see it, whether or not it's done in conjunction with a dining package or whatever.

Maybe a good, strong letter writing campaign might catch their attention?? It's only October, so there's still time for them to change their collective minds about it!

Z3ro to H3ro
10-10-2009, 03:44 AM
Maybe a good, strong letter writing campaign might catch their attention?? It's only October, so there's still time for them to change their collective minds about it!

Nope, I tried that yesterday. They said no to me. Go figure. :D

Ha-ha!

Phil Johnson
10-10-2009, 07:40 AM
There's a good blog about the AP discussion here:
http://thedisneyblog.com/2009/10/06/could-disney-gain-through-offering-there-annual-pass-holders-more/

Drince88
10-10-2009, 08:27 AM
Which brings up the question I've always wondered about - since the "powers that be" know that the CP is a very popular event here, why is it only offered the first weekend in December, and not more days, like it is in WDW?

Does DL use just a CM choir, or are there local groups as well? At WDW, one part (probably less than 1/4) of the choir is CM, plus the Voices of Liberty, and then the rest of the choir is made up of local groups that may only do a night or two (but 3 shows each night). If they do have CM only choir, they'd have to change that around because of scheduling, and then they'd need to pay someone to coordinate the local choirs and practice, etc.

I was thinking about this yesterday. Would there be too big of an uproar if they moved it to the Hyperion Theater, and then they COULD offer it more days without totally disrupting traffic in Town Square. It wouldn't be as cool as being outside walking in with the candles, but you also wouldn't have to worry about weather.

cstephens
10-10-2009, 01:56 PM
Which brings up the question I've always wondered about - since the "powers that be" know that the CP is a very popular event here, why is it only offered the first weekend in December, and not more days, like it is in WDW?

Well, the major reason is space and overcrowding. Candlelight at Epcot is in a theatre and so, contained. Candlelight (at least now) at DL is right on Main Street, and getting in and out of the park during Candlelight days is really difficult. Having that kind of mess for more than one weekend probably wouldn't be a good thing.

Z3ro to H3ro
10-11-2009, 07:06 AM
...getting in and out of the park during Candlelight days is really difficult.

Ah ha! But you forget... customer satisfaction should prevail over packing in mass crowds to feed the money machine.

Well it sounded good. I heard businesses USED to have that philosophy. :)

dawnid
10-23-2009, 02:55 PM
Has anyone already posted that Candlelight tickets are on sale through D23? It looks like they've made it an extended event. http://d23.disney.go.com/expo/100709_D23Event_DLRCandlelight.html Its a bit pricey at $275 pp but sounds like fun.

Drince88
10-23-2009, 05:39 PM
They haven't sold out yet?

KarenW2
10-24-2009, 01:22 AM
Well, I'm not surprised they haven't sold out of the Candlelight event tickets yet, especially at that price!! I think they'll find there aren't very many who are willing to spring for that high a ticket price, when they're already buying Christmas presents, as well as trying to make house payments and such!

Sure wish they'd add more tickets for the WDW event!! I was very sad to end up not getting tickets to the event because their computer screwed up!!

I certainly hope there will be more D23 events to go to next year, that will actually be available for us to attend! The only one we were able to get tickets to this year was the Expo and that's only because they wanted to pack that place full of people and were still selling tickets during the event!!

If we're not able to get into another event, I'll definitely be planning to NOT renew my Charter membership when the time comes!