Disney nixes fee for midnight Force Friday event at Disney World and Disneyland

Disney has reversed course on its latest pay-to-shop event, a midnight Force Friday opening planned for stores at Disneyland and Disney World.

Guests will no longer have to pay $50 or sign up in advance to join the crowds vying for an early look at the new Star Wars merchandise at the World of Disney Store at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney and Once Upon a Toy at Orlando’s Downtown Disney.

Those who registered will get a full refund and will still receive the “Force Awakens” messenger bag, according to the Orange County Register. They will also get to be among the first to enter the store.

In addition, the stores will no longer close at 3 a.m. Instead, they will remain open all night and throughout the next day, the Register reported.

While Disney says it made the decision because of “overwhelming demand,” it just as easily could have been because of negative response. On the Disney Parks Blog, guests expressed frustration over lack of information, including what merchandise would be available. And, of course, they didn’t like the idea that if they were staying on property Sept. 4 they would have to pay for midnight shopping — whereas they could go to any Toys “R” Us at midnight for free.

Today’s update was frustratingly short on information as well; the Register’s post had more practical information than the Disney Parks Blog did.