Did I miss something?

[LadyAurora]

We made a quick trip to Disney last night...and found ourselves at the Magic Kingdom at dinner time. Around 5:15 we headed to Columbia Harbor House to eat. To our surprise, they stopped serving at 5:00. OK, we just wandered over to Pinocchio's Village Haus, onlu to find it was also closed. Same with the Plaza Pavilion.
Now, at this point, I was a little frustrated because I read my map and Times guide carefully, and it said nothing about the counter-service restaurants being closed, except for El Pirata and el Perico and Aunt Polly's.
After walking all over the park...it turns out only Cosmic Ray's and Casey's Corner were open. Casey's only has hot dogs, and Cosmic Ray's had a "limited menu" (which was stated in the map)...the soup/salad/sandwich side was closed.
So....is Disney trying to force us into a sit-down meal for the evening meal? Did I miss something, like a big sign at the entrance stating that most counter-service restaurants will be closed at 5?

 

[CheshireVal]

That's odd. I'd be pretty upset!

I was at WDW the week before Christmas and I noticed a few strange closings too. For instance, at Epcot, the Fountainview Espresso place was closed all morning (or maybe even all day for that matter-- didn't check again after 11am). Wouldn't it make sense that people would want coffee in the morning?

 

[sha_lyn]

Was Pecos Bill's closed too? What itme was the park closing? How were the crowds?

 

[solotraveler]

This actually isn't terribly uncommon when the parks close early.

Since the park closed at 7:00 last night they began to shut down the restaurants that are not as heavily trafficed early. I dislike this practice since it so limits you to what you can eat. I suppose with the early closing they figure that most people will be eating upon returning to their hotels (or else really like hot dogs)

Solotraveler

 

[LadyAurora]

Park closing was at 7:00, and crowds were manageable. I'm not sure about Pecos Bill's...we walked past after dinner on the way to BTMRR. It looked empty, but we didn't stick our heads inside to ask.
It was actually more crowded than I was hoping for...DH went to Epcot Sunday (without me ) and said the place was empty, except for M:S and TT.
I guess we'll make our dinner plans for our 5-day trip at other places besides MK counter-service!
And I guess I should prepare for the same to be the case in other parks.