Walt Disney World has moved to date-based pricing for fireworks dessert events at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, in addition to for excursions in these parks, Animal Kingdom & past. This submit shares the worth ranges & will increase; plus our commentary about why that is taking place and a quick rant concerning the WDW FOMO machine.
This comes amidst different value will increase to start out the Walt Disney Firm’s new fiscal 12 months. At Walt Disney World, this additionally contains Annual Passes, Reminiscence Maker, parking, water parks tickets, miniature golf, and extra. Over in California, Disneyland elevated park ticket costs…and just about every thing else, too.
However wait, there’s extra! Walt Disney World bumped up the worth of a whole lot of menu gadgets throughout the parks & resorts at Walt Disney World and in addition on most character eating experiences within the parks and resorts. Now, we’re discovering comparable value hikes to the “Enchanting Extras Assortment,” together with a brand new variable pricing mannequin.
For starters, it needs to be of completely no shock to anybody that Walt Disney World has debuted date-based pricing for fireworks dessert events and excursions. If something, it ought to come as a shock that it took so lengthy for the change. Like just about each resort in all places, Walt Disney World resorts have lengthy had price charts that cost extra for weekends, holidays, and different peak weeks–whereas charging much less for the low season. (Reductions likewise have a tendency to supply larger share financial savings for much less common dates, making the hole even bigger.)
Extra not too long ago, Walt Disney World launched date-based pricing for park tickets a couple of years in the past. That successfully allowed them to extend costs for extra common dates, whereas nonetheless promoting a considerably decrease beginning value for the low season. To not rehash the contents of different earlier posts, however this is the reason there’s such a chasm between the low season value of Animal Kingdom–which hasn’t gone up since 2018–and Christmas or New Yr’s week dates at Magic Kingdom.
On the subject of add-ons, the identical factor occurred final 12 months with the Genie+ service, because the paid FastPass possibility debuted date-based pricing…after which per-park pricing this 12 months. A number of years in the past (pre-closure), there was additionally peak season pricing for character eating experiences; I don’t know when that began or stopped, nevertheless it hasn’t been a factor since reopening. (I’m guessing they acquired some bait & change complaints about menus/reservations not reflecting the seasonal surcharge?)
Suffice to say, it’s par for the course that Walt Disney World would wish to capitalize on the preferred dates of the 12 months–when households are already paying premium costs for resorts, park tickets, and Lightning Lanes–and making an attempt to squeeze a bit extra. With that in thoughts, let’s check out the new variable pricing for excursions at Walt Disney World…
Magic Kingdom
- Keys to the Kingdom Tour: $110 to $149 (beforehand $114)
EPCOT
- Behind the Seeds at EPCOT Tour: $39 to $45 (beforehand $35)
- EPCOT Seas Adventures – DiveQuest: $229 to $249. (beforehand $219)
- EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth: $209 (beforehand $199)
Animal Kingdom
- Caring for Giants: $39 (beforehand $35)
- Savor the Savanna: $161 to $199 (beforehand $148 to $174)
- Up Shut with Rhinos: $49 (beforehand $45)
- Wild Africa Trek: $219 to $229 (beforehand $199)
Fort Wilderness Campground
- Wilderness Again Path Journey: $90 to $99 (beforehand $90)
Turning to fireworks dessert events and eating packages, the primary change comes at EPCOT because it prepares for its new nighttime spectacular. The Spice Highway Desk bundle now prices $81 (beforehand $79), whereas the Rose & Crown Eating Room bundle is now priced at $92 (beforehand $89). The multi-course meal packages embody limitless drinks and table-side viewing of the World Showcase nighttime spectacular.
In our submit concerning the New Luminous: The Symphony of Us Eating Bundle, we did the maths on these eating packages and concluded that, pre-increase, you’d be basically paying $44 for the reserved seating and limitless alcohol. Now you’ll be able to bump that quantity as much as $46-$47.
Technically, these new costs apply to EPCOT Eternally fireworks viewing, which runs till December 4, 2023. However you’d be loopy to pay any premium for reserved viewing of that. I might not suggest paying greater than $5 for seats to observe that, so you really want to plan on going onerous with the booze to justify the EPCOT Eternally eating packages.
Lastly, Walt Disney World has additionally launched date-based pricing for its Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert events. One silver lining is that this variable pricing scheme solely applies to grownup dessert pricing, as kids’s pricing stays a set price. (However given that children can’t devour alcohol, they’re massively overpriced both approach.)
In any case, you’ll now see totally different costs on the Walt Disney World reserving circulation based mostly on which day on the calendar you choose to attend the dessert events at Magic Kingdom. Right here’s a rundown of the modifications and ranges:
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Events: Pre-Get together – Adults: $99 to $109 (beforehand $99) & kids $59
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Events: Seats & Sweets – Adults: $119 to $129 (beforehand $114) & kids elevated from $69 to $75
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Events: Submit-Get together – Adults: $99 to $109 (beforehand $99) & kids $59
For individuals who are curious, December 11 has peak-season pricing ($109) whereas November 11 has the decrease pricing ($99).
Pricing solely exhibits up for dates with availability, so I couldn’t assess your entire calendar. With that stated, I didn’t discover any dates that had costs apart from $99 or $109. My guess is that these are the one two value factors for now. As with different date-based costs at Walt Disney World, I’d count on each the vary and value factors to broaden over time. Individuals pays much more for a fireworks dessert get together on December 28 than they’d on September 13.
Turning to commentary, I’ve made it clear on plenty of events that I’m not a fan of a lot of the “Enchanting Extras Assortment” at Walt Disney World. Excursions are literally an exception to this, as I feel a number of them provide good worth. They’re additionally focused at totally different demographics than the dessert events.
I may very well be unsuitable about who’s reserving them, however I view these excursions as experiences for repeat guests who’ve “achieved” Walt Disney World and need a deeper expertise a couple of area of interest subject of curiosity to them. They’re a approach of studying and enriching, and are actually a particular splurge. For me, it’s powerful to make any sweeping statements about whether or not the excursions are “price it” at X or Y value level as a result of the explanations for doing them are far and wide, amongst different issues.
I’ve no such difficulties with the fireworks dessert events or eating packages. In my opinion, which is clearly subjective, none of them are price it. That was true on the prior value and it was additionally true on the 2018 costs. So in fact it’s true on the 2023 costs.
As has been talked about right here many instances, we nonetheless bear in mind again when Tomorrowland Terrace supplied free first-come seating. When the Fireworks Dessert Get together debuted as a check providing roughly a decade in the past, we opted to not do it. On condition that we didn’t love the view from the Noodle Station seating space, the $25 price ticket appeared steep for desserts. Now, the thought of limitless desserts for $25 at Walt Disney World appears so quaint!
These fireworks packages are all very costly, particularly for households with babies, adults who don’t drink, and so forth. Our considering is/was that the mirror picture view of what Tomorrowland Terrace provides is free and infrequently uncrowded. (See our Greatest Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Places for our suggestions, plus a color-coded map of the place to observe—and the place to keep away from.)
Given all of that, there’s completely no approach for me to do the maths and conclude that the fireworks dessert events can ever be price it. You’d should devour a critically unhealthy quantity of sugar and alcohol (so like 3 desserts and simply as many drinks) to even get in that ballpark. And at that time, why not simply purchase good desserts from some other place in Walt Disney World?
Nonetheless, I additionally should acknowledge that that is seemingly an unpopular opinion on my half. Walt Disney World’s dessert events are extremely common with common company. There’s one thing concerning the mixture of exclusivity, a personal occasion area, all you’ll be able to eat sweets and alcohol, and a stress-free viewing location for the Fortunately Ever After fireworks or different nighttime spectaculars that’s a profitable formulation.
With that mindset, the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Events are most likely one thing I’d file alongside Membership Degree at Walt Disney World. As with that, there’s actually no solution to contend that is “price it” from an goal perspective. You possibly can attempt to rationalize it or trick your self into believing it’s, however why trouble? Simply say you wish to splurge or TREAT YO SELF and transfer on. Loads at Walt Disney World isn’t objectively well worth the cash–the entire place is a nonessential trip expertise, simply benefit from the extravagances that enchantment to you.
A key distinction between excursions and dessert events can be that, for my part, these are aimed largely at first-timers who’re fearful about fireworks crowds or having a really magical trip. This might simply be my perspective, nevertheless it looks as if there’s a component of opportunism to them that doesn’t exist with the excursions.
Walt Disney World is aware of that the crowds and chaos of the nighttime spectaculars create a marketplace for this, and the costs could be indifferent from the worth supplied in consequence. These fireworks packages provide peace of thoughts, and should not essentially judged on their very own deserves.
To that time, I’ll reiterate my commonplace spiel that no enhancements or up-charges are essential to have an amazing journey to Walt Disney World. On the subject of on-line journey planning and social media, there’s a pervasive sense of FOMO that drives many individuals to spend on pointless experiences. Think about it a type of maintaining with the net Joneses (or Kardashians, today).
That is exacerbated by sure common experiences reserving up rapidly, however that’s much less a mirrored image of high quality and demand than it’s restricted provide and the FOMO machine. Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Events and EPCOT Fireworks Eating Packages are nice examples of this.
These two experiences have nightly capacities that quantity within the a whole lot, whereas there are tens of 1000’s of individuals watching the nighttime spectaculars every evening. You don’t want a math whiz to elucidate why this stuff reserving up rapidly is extra a numbers recreation than it’s a reflection of whether or not this stuff are “price it.”
It’s simple to fall into the FOMO entice, however it is best to attempt to keep away from falling prey to it. You may simply drop an additional $5,000 or extra on extras and upcharges to “assure” an amazing journey to Walt Disney World…and find yourself having an inferior expertise to somebody who didn’t purchase any of these issues. Spending extra creates extra strain, which means extra rigidity, and resulting in an amazing likelihood of meltdowns. We see this the entire time.
No matter how a lot you spend or plan, you’re going to overlook out on one thing. That’s the unhealthy information. The excellent news is that among the greatest magical moments at Walt Disney World happen by likelihood, and no quantity of spending or planning can “drive” these to occur. Briefly, spend strategically on splurges to deal with your self right here and there, however don’t chase perfection. It’s a idiot’s errand, and you’ll have a tremendous journey with out spending something further.
In the end, Walt Disney World is a giant place with a ton to supply. Even on a “extremely profitable” journey, you’re barely scratching the floor of the nice issues to do. Completely no single factor at WDW is make or break within the grand scheme of a visit. The strain to plan an ideal journey is non-obligatory, as a result of there’s no such factor (and paradoxically, each imperfect journey could be good in its personal approach if you happen to let it).
You possibly can have an unimaginable journey eating reserving your entire ADRs same-day and consuming completely at hidden gem eating places. You are able to do points of interest on a whim with out spreadsheets and even our semi-structured itineraries. You don’t must experience TRON Lightcycle Run or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to have a memorable journey. Likewise, you don’t want some fancy fireworks viewing to benefit from the expertise. Actually, I’d reasonably watch Fortunately Ever After in New Fantasyland for “free” than pay a whole lot of {dollars} for a dessert get together. However that’s simply me, and others really feel the splurge is worth it for them. They aren’t unsuitable, however neither am I.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing that you must know!
Your Ideas
Will you be reserving any of the EPCOT or Magic Kingdom fireworks packages with the brand new date-based pricing scheme? What concerning the behind-the-scenes excursions within the parks? Ideas on the WDW Fomo Machine or which of this stuff are price it? Do you agree or disagree with my ‘evaluation’ of WDW’s dessert events? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!