Random Annoyance about World Showcase

[sephorachick]

Well, it's 5:00 somewhere.

HAHA

 

[NancyIL]

I know I read somewhere that back in the 80's when EPCOT had a theme, Future World opened before World Showcase because it is in the future. Silly I know, but I saw that somewhere.

Brendan

There wasn't a back entrance into World Showcase until the International Gateway opened in 1990: http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/EpcotGrandOpening.html

 

[OKW Lover]

Back when Epcot was new FW and WS had the same hours. Disney found that most people didn't make it to WS until later in the day (after they did stuff in FW) and realized they could save money by not staffing WS until later.

 

[blugill13]

As a former international cast member - it's a good thing. It allows all of the cms who work at WS to recover from their hangovers.
I remember feeling sorry for the poor Norwegians when they opened for breakfast, they were some of the biggest partiers.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The money reasons make sense, but it's too bad.

I think a lot of people would enjoy going there in the morning when it's cooler.

And hey with new FP+, you could book your FW FPs for the afternoon and stroll around WS in the morning for a change of pace

 

[Planogirl]

My pet peeve is that WS should stay open later at night after Illuminations!


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I would like that! Even if it's just for an hour or so, that would allow the area to clear out after Illuminations and we could get a drink or dessert somewhere.

As a former international cast member - it's a good thing. It allows all of the cms who work at WS to recover from their hangovers.
I remember feeling sorry for the poor Norwegians when they opened for breakfast, they were some of the biggest partiers.

 

[Mitzicat]

Once in September a few years ago, I was at the "Back" entrance of Epcot at around 10:00/10:30 a.m. There was a lady in her running attire that entered with me. I was able to walk where I wanted to...and she ran (exercised) all the way around the world showcase.

I was a single that day so I just walked around and looked at all the gardens. No one said anything to either of us.

I often thought that if I am ever so lucky to stay at the boardwalk..that would be an awesome early morning walk/run. Wish they had a way to allow folks to do that.

 

[PinkBudgie]

As DLR vets researching our first WDW trip for next summer, I have to say I was shocked at the late opening of the WDW parks. Both DCA and DL open at 8 with EMH at 7am. With Florida being even hotter and more humid than DLR, you would think they would open all the parks at 8am during the summer. Then I was really surprised to find out half of Epcot doesn't even open until later. I don't think alcohol has anything to do with it since DCA serves it too, they just don't open the beer stands until lunch time.

I'm just disappointed at the late opening times because I'd love to get an early start and go back for a nap mid day during the heat.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We always wished it opened a little earlier too. The places that don't want to begin serving until 11 or even after could have their signs out and doors closed that they begin serving at whatever time.
I used to think that it was because people mostly had to come through Future World and it takes a while to get through. However, we don't do everything in Future World -- especially things like Mission Space -- and it doesn't take us that long to get over to the World Showcase earlier.
We like to have fish and chips for lunch and believe me, when they say 11:00 they mean 11:00 and not a minute sooner.

 

[Doug7856]

By all means, stop by guest relations and let them know your opinion on the late opening. Seems to me the entire park should open at 9. Also there should be late night hours especially during the hot, humid summer season!

 

[ArwenMarie]

As DLR vets researching our first WDW trip for next summer, I have to say I was shocked at the late opening of the WDW parks. Both DCA and DL open at 8 with EMH at 7am. With Florida being even hotter and more humid than DLR, you would think they would open all the parks at 8am during the summer. Then I was really surprised to find out half of Epcot doesn't even open until later. I don't think alcohol has anything to do with it since DCA serves it too, they just don't open the beer stands until lunch time.

I'm just disappointed at the late opening times because I'd love to get an early start and go back for a nap mid day during the heat.

I didn't know that, very interesting.

Now this really doesn't make any sense to me!

 

[disnut8]

Back when Epcot was new FW and WS had the same hours. Disney found that most people didn't make it to WS until later in the day (after they did stuff in FW) and realized they could save money by not staffing WS until later.

Exactly. What do most people do when they first enter a park? Hit the attractions at the front. This does NOT apply to people who hang out here all day. The typical tourist will just go to the first thing they see, which at Epcot will be Spaceship Earth. Then they will go to the Future World pavilions, either going right or left until they are done. Then they will go to World Showcase. By that time, it's 11:00 or even after.

Disney isn't dumb - they realized this years ago and adjusted the hours.

I can understand the "hot" issue as I've sweated along with everyone else in World Showcase but there's no good solution for everyone. In the cooler months, guests might not want to walk around the lagoon at 9:00 - they'd rather be in heated buildings.

Disney used to completely shut down Future World at 7:00 (meaning the attractions were closed but you could walk through) and now they have most attractions open until 9:00. But I've been there during that time and I think it's a good balance.

 

[Mac4life30]

I always thought it was because you cant sell alcohol till 11am. Also that most people hit the attractions in the front first before working their way to the back.

 

[princesspiglet]

Unfortunately,Guests cannot walk all of the way around World Showcase before 11:00 AM.

That must have been a rare oversight on someone's part to not have the rope up between Norway and China(the other rope is between france and Morocco).

Also,only the very front part of The Puffin's Roost is open in Norway before 11:00 AM(they open it because they sell Princess dresses there and some Guests will buy them and then head on over to the Princess brerakfast at Akershus).

In all our trips (15+), I have never seen these ropes. We stay at BCV and always come through the IG entrance around 9:30. We have walked both ways to get to FW and have never seen a rope.

We have run into characters before though and it was great getting pictures without anyone else around. We have also stopped in France to grab breakfast and have taken numerous pictures in the phone booth, totem pole, etc., all around WS without any people there from 9-11.

 

[OKW Lover]

I always thought it was because you cant sell alcohol till 11am.

Why couldn't they sell alcohol before then if they wanted to? Is there a FL law about it?

 

[TDC Nala]

Alcohol is served in Future World too. There are even kiosks that sell beer. Don't know if they serve beer before 11 or not. In WS the pub opens at 11:30, the tequila bar at noon. They don't open at 11 but the kiosks do.

The only areas of WS you can walk through before 11 are UK, Canada, Norway and France. UK and Canada need to be accessed so guests entering through the International Gateway can walk through. France is open because the bakery is open. Norway needs to let in the guests for Akershus breakfast. They used to meet the guests at a rope before Mexico and only let them in if they had reservations for Akershus. Now I think they let them walk in but the Mexico pavilion building itself is roped off.

However, no other shops, kiosks or attractions at any of the pavilions are open before 11.

And I have had alcohol at Disney restaurants before 11 AM (mimosas, bloody marys, etc), so there's no Florida law against restaurants serving alcohol before that time. Don't know about lounges or kiosks. Maybe it is just Disney's internal rule that they won't sell it in the parks until 11.

 

[Mr. Pig]

Back when Epcot was new FW and WS had the same hours. Disney found that most people didn't make it to WS until later in the day (after they did stuff in FW) and realized they could save money by not staffing WS until later.

This was my first thought. Why open and staff an area when almost nobody is there.

 

[richmo]

I doubt alcohol is an issue. They could easily not dispense alcohol until whenever they chose.

As a couple other posters have alluded to, I'd guess the reason is that by opening at 11, they'd only have to staff one shift. Since a large percentage of the World Showcase are international CM's on the college program that Disney also houses, by opening up earlier, they'd have to bring in a lot more CM's from around the world. I know not all the WS CM's work 11-10, but I'm thinking that may be the reason behind it, or at least part of it.

 

[chartle]

Exactly. What do most people do when they first enter a park? Hit the attractions at the front. This does NOT apply to people who hang out here all day. The typical tourist will just go to the first thing they see, which at Epcot will be Spaceship Earth. Then they will go to the Future World pavilions, either going right or left until they are done. Then they will go to World Showcase. By that time, it's 11:00 or even after.

Disney isn't dumb - they realized this years ago and adjusted the hours.

I can understand the "hot" issue as I've sweated along with everyone else in World Showcase but there's no good solution for everyone. In the cooler months, guests might not want to walk around the lagoon at 9:00 - they'd rather be in heated buildings.

Disney used to completely shut down Future World at 7:00 (meaning the attractions were closed but you could walk through) and now they have most attractions open until 9:00. But I've been there during that time and I think it's a good balance.

This! It pretty simple.

I too remember reading that WS opened the same time as FW and it took a couple of hours for people to filter back to the WS. Then in the evening most everyone was in WS waiting for Illuminations and not in FW so it closed early. So why have it fully staffed when no when goes there.

Now maybe they should rethink this as the WS is more popular and they now have the back entrance.

 

[richmo]

This! It pretty simple.

I too remember reading that WS opened the same time as FW and it took a couple of hours for people to filter back to the WS. Then in the evening most everyone was in WS waiting for Illuminations and not in FW so it closed early. So why have it fully staffed when no when goes there.

Now maybe they should rethink this as the WS is more popular and they now have the back entrance.

That actually makes sense. I like your answer better than mine...

The vast majority still come in thru the main entrance, so I doubt the International Gateway entrance would be enough of an impact to change things.