Hoppers, Epcot and Dining Pass

[abner1776]

From personal experience and from reading many posts over the years the two major reasons visitors purchase hopper passes are the ability to visit a second park in the same day and the ability to dine at a different park especially world showcase at Epcot.

Has WDW ever considered selling a separate "Epcot dining pass" that would entitle the holder to visit Epcot for dining only but not to ride any of the attractions ? With the advent of fast passes and magic bands this seems like something that could easily be done....all though it may "eat into"(pun intended) the sales of hopper passes.

 

[figment_jii]

They used to have a shopping pass, but those were discontinued a long time ago. Until they eliminate the standby line and/or require everyone to scan their MB/ticket at the entrance to every attraction, show, outdoor entertainment offering, streetmosphere, etc., there is really no way to implement a "dining pass" that wouldn't end up being abused by someone looking to game the system.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I think there is still a separate Epcot After 4 pass but it's only available to Florida residents.

How would they keep the dining pass guests off the attractions? Scan everybody's ticket/band prior to boarding, not just for FPs?

 

[figment_jii]

I think there is still a separate Epcot After 4 pass but it's only available to Florida residents.

That's a good point - I had forgotten about the Epcot After 4 Pm pass for FL residents.

How would they keep the dining pass guests off the attractions? Scan everybody's ticket/band prior to boarding, not just for FPs?

And it's not just about the attractions. Your admission ticket also includes the shows, parades, outdoor entertainment, streetmosphere, and a host of other things that it would next to impossible to prevent someone with a "dining pass" from enjoying.

Maybe an option would be to expand the "After 4 pm" type FL ticket to others, but in reality, the hopper pretty much covers this. Maybe they could create an "After 4 pm Epcot" hopper that is slightly less than the current hopper add on, but I don't know how useful/popular it would be unless the cost was markedly less than the hopper.

 

[purple figment]

I don't think there's much incentive for Disney to offer an Epcot after 4 type of hopper for the vacationers and non-locals. The majority of Epcot restaurants already book up as people plan to dine there on their Epcot day or have hoppers so it's not necessary for Disney to try and encourage people to come to Epcot just to dine. Also, as the PP mentioned, it would mean requiring CMs to scan MBs/tickets at every attraction if you try to limit the hopper to just dining.

I've seen more posts asking about buying a hopper for just one day and since Disney hasn't started offering a "one day only" hopper, I doubt they'll offer something as limiting as an Epcot dining only hopper.

 

[POOHsie]

I don't think there's much incentive for Disney to offer an Epcot after 4 type of hopper for the vacationers and non-locals. The majority of Epcot restaurants already book up as people plan to dine there on their Epcot day or have hoppers so it's not necessary for Disney to try and encourage people to come to Epcot just to dine. Also, as the PP mentioned, it would mean requiring CMs to scan MBs/tickets at every attraction if you try to limit the hopper to just dining.

I've seen more posts asking about buying a hopper for just one day and since Disney hasn't started offering a "one day only" hopper, I doubt they'll offer something as limiting as an Epcot dining only hopper.

I'd like to see a separate Hopper card to get a limited number of hopper experiences. I don't like the all-or-nothing approach, as it is pricey and has limited value for an average family visiting WDW.

I agree that Epcot restaurants have no problem booking diners and a special Epcot hopper isn't needed. We schedule our Epcot dining for our Epcot days. We stay long enough, these later years, to visit each park twice.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I've seen more posts asking about buying a hopper for just one day and since Disney hasn't started offering a "one day only" hopper, I doubt they'll offer something as limiting as an Epcot dining only hopper.

They do offer a one day hopper. It just has to be linked to a one day ticket. Its cheaper than a regular hopper. Not worth it for most people since you need to pay for a full price single day, but it is there if you want it.

 

[purple figment]

They do offer a one day hopper. It just has to be linked to a one day ticket. Its cheaper than a regular hopper. Not worth it for most people since you need to pay for a full price single day, but it is there if you want it.

I'm sorry I didn't make it clear, but I was was referring to the fact that people ask about adding hopping to just one day of their multiday ticket. Yes, you can buy a one day hopper ticket, but that's $134 + tax, while a hopper is $60 when added to a 4 day or more ticket and will allow you to hop every day and $49 when added to a 2 or 3 day ticket.

 

[richmo]

...Has WDW ever considered selling a separate "Epcot dining pass" that would entitle the holder to visit Epcot for dining only but not to ride any of the attractions ? With the advent of fast passes and magic bands this seems like something that could easily be done....all though it may "eat into"(pun intended) the sales of hopper passes.

I doubt it. Then everyone in a standby line would have to ticket/MB scan at every attraction, not just those with FP's. Seems not easily done.

I think there is still a separate Epcot After 4 pass but it's only available to Florida residents....

I believe they also make it available to professional conferences/trade shows onsite, but not the general public.