May 4th - Epcot Restaurants closed???

[KayleeUK]

I can't seem to get a PS at any of them. Perhaps they are starting the celebration early

 

[ducklite]

There was a similar problem when they celebrated Walt's 100th.

MGM closed early and was open only to invited VIP's and press. Many rooms and resturants were booked months in advance and held for VIP's and press.

Anne

 

[CamColt]

Hmmm? Thats interesting. Did you just try for dinner, or different times through out the day? I wonder if Epcot is closing early that night for a press event or other private function, with the big celebration the next day.
Hopefully someone will have some info on this.

Edited to add....LOL, Anne! Great minds,huh?

 

[KayleeUK]

I tried for 6pm

I also tried H&V at MGM for dinner on the 5th May and they told me that restaurant was closed too.

 

[CamColt]

Yikes, Kaylee! I think they dont want you to eat.
I hope you are able to get some PSs.

 

[FallDisney]

I tried for 6pm

I also tried H&V at MGM for dinner on the 5th May and they told me that restaurant was closed too.

Latest seating I could get at Crystal Palace was 5:25. Surely all the parks aren't closing early? Had to take 4:50 at Prime Time on the 4th because that was the latest available. CM thought that once the hours came out, the schedule would open up and we could change to a little later time if we wanted. She said that happens quite frequently. Good luck!

 

[KayleeUK]

Yikes, Kaylee! I think they dont want you to eat.
I hope you are able to get some PSs.

Perhaps they know I am on a diet LOL

 

[krystyana]

I made ressies for boma for that night...so maybe try resort restaurants? I hope that doesn't mean all the parks are closing early that night... it's our last night there before the cruise....

 

[solotraveler]

I believe, if I am not mistaken, that there is a huge travel industry event every year in early May that shuts down Epcot for most of the evening. My guess is that May 4th is the date this year-- hence why there are no Ps's available.

Hope this helps!
Solotraveler

 

[Nik's Mom]

Interesting. It sounds like parks will be closing early.

 

[sweetp267]

Without ckecking further, isn't May 5 the first day of the 50th birthday at DL? Maybe there are some events or early closings connected with that. There are alot of events that are going on in WDW for the birthday party. I could be wrong. Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents.

 

[KayleeUK]

Apparently I can't get a PS at Epcot on May 5th either - so it seems that it is for 2 day's.

 

[n2mm]

I was expecting this. With the big event on May 5th, it's not unusual for a park to close early to host a huge party. I guess there will be something big the night before to celebrate the openning of Soarin'. Probably a press event, with the sponsors. Probably the sponsors of all of the attractions only. As for MGM, that could be the same story for them too with the Stunt Show opening on May 5th and the kick off for that park too. I believe the sponsor is Georgia-Pacific and Disney is really woooing them. When I made my ressies for that week back in July 2004, I was shocked that there was nothing left at Pop for the CM discount and had to get put in another type of CM discounted room. I have been preaching that the parks and resorts will be crowded around the 5th. Hope some folks heeded my warnings. BTW, it's not unusual for you not to get PS for MGM late. Since the May hours have not been released yet, you can seldom get a dinner PS after 6:00PM. They do often open up within the 30 day mark. I would think that if one park closes early, then the others would be open to the guest/public. Can't wait to see how they reschedule the evening EMH hours the first week of May. Should be interesting.

As I've said many times, I think there will be discounted rooms for the Spring, but do believe that there will be none or very few available around the 5th of May. I have been posting that folks should make a ressie at the resort that can afford to pay rack rate at, but unfortunately most folks tend to book where they can not afford to stay and hope for a discount, just setting them up for a disappointment--good luck to all. I guess I need to start looking at my itinerary, which I have not even thought of starting yet, for my May trip.

 

[NJDisneymom]

We are arriving in Disney May 6th, the day after the celebration and I'm really hoping the parks are somewhat "normal" for that weekend!

 

[4orm]

I called dining and the CM I spoke with said that it seems to be individual restaurants and there is a note in his system about restaurant closings due to press events. I'm guessing that some of the restaurants are closed for private parties, not the whole park, and surely not 3 parks on one day!

 

[keagansmom]

Wow! This could be interesting for those of us planning vacations around then. I was planning to avoid MK on the 5th and go to AK instead, but does anyone know aobut how Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th looks at the parks. It was my understanding that the press events are booked for the 4th and 5th only. Thanks and good luck to all.

 

[n2mm]

Too early to know. I can't imagine how they are ever going to manage to sort out the EMH schedule for that week. Fortunately for us, my DH is a CM and we have access to the employee website (portal). Needless to say I'll be watching that carefully for any information that will impact my trip in terms of hours (and hour changes), parties, closures, and fun activities we can attend! Lucky for us Feb is a short month, so we only have a few weeks before the May calendar will be released. We'll be there from April 29-May 14.

 

[kellymouse]

Oh no! This is making me very nervous! I am going April 30-May 7. I really didn't think that it would affect us too much except for May 5 and that day we were just gonna do a different park.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Not knowing park hours makes it so hard to plan. I haven't had a problem getting ressies, but then again, I always get early dinner ressies. I didn't try to book a meal for the 4th or 5th at all, since we plan on exploring Downtown Disney one night, and Ft Wilderness the other night.
I wish they'd release the hours. I want to finalize my plans!

I agree that we shouldn't expect discount codes for that week. I booked for 4/30-5/7 using the AAA discount on the MYW + dining package. That is probably the only discount around, unless you were lucky enough to get an e-mail or postcard code!

Despite the chance of crowds, I am still looking forward to a good time at WDW!

 

[PCFriar80]

Now I understand why there's a gap in performances on 5/5 and 5/6 for the flower power concert series. I'll assume they're using American Gardens for a private function or something associated with the celebration.