2016 has already seen Walt Disney World increase admission prices, switch to a demand based pricing system for single day tickets and introduce separately ticketed premium extra-hours experiences for a price. Now we’ve learned that both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will also see price increases and new pricing tiers for the events most popular days.
This was not unexpected. The holiday parties have been known to sell out in previous years, even after Disney dropped some of the perks used to get at the events. They’re still a lot of fun and, in the case of MNSSHP, an experience you can’t get anywhere else. Other than add more nights, which could been seen as unfair to the day guest, increasing prices is the next most logical step.
For 2016, pricing increases as you get closer to the holiday or want the popular weekend party nights. You do save a bit by buying in advance instead of the day-of (assuming the night hasn’t sold out), but this isn’t available every night of the event.
To give you an idea for comparison: 2015 MNSSHP admission for adults ranged from $68 to $87. 2015 MVMCP prices for adults ranged from $74 to $82.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2016 dates include:
- September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30
- October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31.
September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 25 – $72.00 plus tax age 10+, $67.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $79/$74 same-day
September 29, 30 – $79.00 plus tax age 10+, $74.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $88/$83 same-day
October 2, 6 – $86.00 plus tax age 10+, $81.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $95/$90 same-day
October 4, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 –$91.00 plus tax age 10+, $86.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $95/$90 same-day
September 23 – $85.00 plus tax age 10+, $80.00 plus tax age 3-9
October 7, 14, 21, 28, 30 – $95.00 plus tax age 10+, $90.00 plus tax age 3-9
October 31 – $105.00 plus tax age 10+, $100.00 plus tax age 3-9
Passholder Rates are available 9/2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 29, 30; 10/2, 6 – Rates are $67-$80 depending on the night plus tax.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates in 2016:
- November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29
- December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22.
November 10, 13 – $86.00 plus tax age 10+, $81.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $91/$86 same-day
November 18, 27, 29, December 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 – $97.00 plus tax age 10+, $92.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $96/$91 same-day
November 7, 8, 11, 15, December 1 – $91.00 plus tax age 10+, $86.00 plus tax age 3-9
December 9, 15 – $96.00 plus tax age 10+, $91.00 plus tax age 3-9
December 16, 18, 22 – $99.00 plus tax age 10+, $94.00 plus tax age 3-9
Passholder rates are available 11/7, 8, 11, 15; 12/1, 11, & 13 – Rates are $74-$84 plus tax depending on the night.
The question is, will these high prices help keep crowds down or is demand enough to sustain these prices. If you’re a local, you’ll probably want to go earlier and save as much as $33 on a ticket. If you’re a guest on vacation, you’ll just build the cost of this event into your total costs. The price increase may mean one or two more quick service meals instead of table service, but it’s not a make or break deal, if you ask me.
I hope Disney plans to add more value to the event but upping the amount and quality of decor (last year was pretty sparse in areas), adding characters for meet and greets (having more than one Jack Skellington and Sally to handle crowds would be a good start), and perhaps bringing back the complimentary photo (a lot easier since Photopass is all digital now).
What would you like to see added to the Walt Disney World holiday parties to justify the new higher prices?
I just bought tickets for one of the first evenings of MVMCP. Which brings the total for my WDW/Universal vacation just over the amount it would cost to vacation for two weeks in the Bahamas. We haven’t even added food and in-park purchases into the cost factor yet.
I have a feeling this will be the last Disney vacation in a long, long time.
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