Sorry to see them go (as I like making a continuous circuit to get on a ride over and over again), but EMH seem to be dying off (perhaps their extinction should be heralded with a period of EMH solely for DinoLand, which no one would take advantage of anyway??). Keep in mind that EMH were introduced in 2005 - which was a very different time as Disney was trying a number of things to incentivize on-site stays. These days? Ticket prices are up, room rates are up, food prices are up, additional price events and experiences are up - and people still may have trouble booking rooms and finding availability on-site. If the prices haven't driven people away (and most people vote with their wallets), I won't be surprised if the reduction in perks like EMH don't affect the numbers. And if there is a dip? Disney can always throw out a "perk" like "free dining" to pack them in (never mind the math, folks, where paying rack rate for that room to get the dining plan won't really be a savings for many of you over a room discount - there's no such thing as a free QS lunch).
I'm a bit shocked it took Disney so long to start charging for those extra hours, with things like EMM, After Hours, certain tours, etc. EMH benefits only resort guests for no additional charge - but those resort guests on any given day are only fraction of the total guests coming into the parks. If many of those guests are willing to pay for the privilege of extra time in an uncrowded park, of course Disney will move to the model that generates more revenue. Looking at things like EMM, After Hours, dessert parties, tours with priority ride access, dining packages with guaranteed event seating, etc., Disney knows that it can upsell exclusivity and people will pay. I suspect we'll see more, not less of that. I compare it to the airlines - no matter your ticket, you're all getting to the destination at the same time and the base flight services are all the same. But that doesn't stop a lot of people from spending a lot more money to upgrade to business or first class for a better "experience" (or that air of exclusivity with a few nominal perks). So, like the airlines, Disney is ending meal service for those in coach and handing out peanuts instead - they bet that you'll still take the flight even if you're grumbling about it.
(And to be clear - I'm not defending the loss of EMH - but I think I understand reasons why it's happening. If anything, I'm a contrarian and might actually want them to introduce even more "pay-to-play" add-ons. Why? Because these things are cyclical, the scales will tip again, and they'll start incentivizing once more after overplaying their hand.)
I'm a bit shocked it took Disney so long to start charging for those extra hours, with things like EMM, After Hours, certain tours, etc. EMH benefits only resort guests for no additional charge - but those resort guests on any given day are only fraction of the total guests coming into the parks. If many of those guests are willing to pay for the privilege of extra time in an uncrowded park, of course Disney will move to the model that generates more revenue. Looking at things like EMM, After Hours, dessert parties, tours with priority ride access, dining packages with guaranteed event seating, etc., Disney knows that it can upsell exclusivity and people will pay. I suspect we'll see more, not less of that. I compare it to the airlines - no matter your ticket, you're all getting to the destination at the same time and the base flight services are all the same. But that doesn't stop a lot of people from spending a lot more money to upgrade to business or first class for a better "experience" (or that air of exclusivity with a few nominal perks). So, like the airlines, Disney is ending meal service for those in coach and handing out peanuts instead - they bet that you'll still take the flight even if you're grumbling about it.
(And to be clear - I'm not defending the loss of EMH - but I think I understand reasons why it's happening. If anything, I'm a contrarian and might actually want them to introduce even more "pay-to-play" add-ons. Why? Because these things are cyclical, the scales will tip again, and they'll start incentivizing once more after overplaying their hand.)