Epcots World Showcase .....Free Admittance?

[wee-haggis]

About 2 years ago we heard that Epcot was considering opening its doors to the World Showcase ,free of admittance charge ,after 5pm for dinner and shopping (blocking off the other portion of Epcot for paying guests only).
Anybody heard anything about this?

 

[donna in Oz]

I haven't heard anything about this, but I'm just imagining how log-jammed WS would become in the evenings.

Seems like it would be a great place for newly-arrived folks to spend their first evening without wasting a day on their hoppers; add to that the mix of local folks who might drop in.

Hmm, not so sure this would be as great an idea as one might initially think.

 

[InstImpres]

I would be very surpised. Just finished making some Epcot PS's and they VERY CLEARLY read from a script "arrive 5 minutes early, blah, blah......admission to the park is required"

 

[DebbieB]

I remember hearing something about that too. That they would build a back entrance into the restaurants so that you could eat without entering the park itself. They should come up with some kind of after 4pm admission, other than the special Florida annual pass.

 

[wee-haggis]

I think it would be a win,win situation for everyone.
Disney would be assured of having full restaurants and the public would be offered a vast array of eating establishments without having to pay the gate admission.
I highly doubt that they would go for this however,without at least a token admission fee......that would be about $30 for them (no doubt)!!!...lol!

 

[DebbieB]

I was thinking about this and I don't think it would be fair to those people who paid for a full admission. It would be more difficult to get a PS plus longer waits in the restaurants.

 

[pintrader]

There are moany local, semi-local,quasi locals who would drop 100 to 200 bucks for a meal at a restaraunt, but don't care about the "amusement park" aspect.

I have heard it mentioned as well. If the economy continues the way it is going ... don't be surprised. Cast Members make a stingy 6 bucks an hour as it is. I've heard food servers make even less. If the restaurants or parks are not full CM's get put on reduced hours. It is hard enouh to make ends meet on 40 hours at clearing less than 6 bucks an hour without the threat of your job being eliminated or hours seriously cut back.

Having a wider customer base can reduce that threat.

 

[donna in Oz]

Slightly confused, here . . . . . Are we talking about free admission into just the WS restaurants, or are we talking about free admittance to all of World Showcase as originally posted???

 

[wee-haggis]

Originally posted by donna in Oz
Slightly confused, here . . . . . Are we talking about free admission into just the WS restaurants, or are we talking about free admittance to all of World Showcase as originally posted???

I was reffering to both because I can't see it being possible to access the restaurants without being able to visit the showcase countries as well.

 

[GeorgeG]

I think it would cost a lot more to develop public access to the rear of the restaurants than WDW would gain by having more diners.

Besides, if WDW really wanted to attract more business, they'd lower their prices all-around (resorts, admissions, food) and there has been absolutely no indication they're ready to do that.

Top hotels just outside started offering rooms for $35 a night and that idea never got picked up by WDW. There are too many people, me included, that are still willing to pay the price of "magic."

I just think it's easier for WDW to manipulate their employees than their guests, or so they think.

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I was thinking about this and I don't think it would be fair to those people who paid for a full admission. It would be more difficult to get a PS plus longer waits in the restaurants.

And just think how difficult it would be to get a good view for Illuminations.

steve