Random Annoyance about World Showcase

[Rip]

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.

They can sell alcohol before 11am. WDW is not in Orlando proper and even in the city limits the only day that you can't buy alcohol before 11 is Sunday.

 

[Rip]

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.

They will sell beer before 11 in the parks.

 

[chartle]

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.

And 99% of those people are running to Soaring.

 

[WDSearcher]

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 would also argue, though, that both DL and DCA close early during off season (as early as 6pm) and that neither park has evening EMH any time of the year, including during the holidays. So opening at 7am makes more sense -- Disney is going to get more guests who want to get up early and get on (and off) the 5 before the real traffic starts; they don't have nearly the number of onsite guests WDW has. Plus ... there are only a couple of fine dining experiences throughout DL and DCA -- most of the Disneyland restaurants are in the resorts or DTD.

WDW, on the other hand, has a lot more people staying onsite, and Disney wants those folks to eat at the resort character breakfasts, go golfing, etc., and that's easier to do without a 7am pull to be at the parks. Additionally, WDW stays open far later -- MK as late as 3am with EMH -- so WDW guests are more conditioned to stay up late to avoid the heat than to get up early. You want to get up early and see Epcot in the daytime before the heat. Disney wants you to take your midday break and then come back to Epcot in the evening to dine in one of the many restaurants in that park. It's just a different strategy.

 

[AmyB2006]

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. It really is this simple. Not because of alcohol etc. I mean, those could be other reasons, but this is the main one. Saving money. All about the $$$.

I miss the days of it being open at the same time. I always like walking around the WS when nobody else was there. Then as the crowds started to filter in, we'd file out and do FW. It was great!

ETA... I don't know if it's a State Law or City/County ordinances but alcohol sales in FL are only limited on Sundays as far as I know. It's till noon. And it's only if you're purchasing alcohol from a store for yourself. Bars and businesses that sell alcohol to consume on property can still sell it, as far as I know. So Disney would be exempt from that anyway.

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm perfectly fine with WS not opening at 9am,maybe during the festivals they could consider opening at 9am but the truth is the vast majority of people don't make it back there until 11 or later on in the day.Epcot is a really big park so staffing WS for even those two short hours over time will definitely add up.Opening up sections of parks in waves is not unusual and is done in much smaller parks unlike Epcot that makes it pretty annoying if you get there at park opening.I remember going to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and before 10am your options were the Haunted Lighthouse 3-D movie or the Lochness monster coaster,everything else was off limits,kinda annoying.I sometimes come into Epcot through the International Gateway at opening and love wondering through there with everything closed,also you can walk over to the bakery in France to get some breakfast so at least there is something to do while wondering through France,UK and Canada.I also got a perfectly empty picture of WS around Germany as we were the first people let in at 11am this January,that picture wouldn't be that perfectly empty if it opened at 9am.

 

[AmyB2006]

I also got a perfectly empty picture of WS around Germany as we were the first people let in at 11am this January,that picture wouldn't be that perfectly empty if it opened at 9am.

Actually it probably would be. That's why they don't open. Cause nobody was going back there. LOL

 

[katiee37]

I guess it's staffing related since Epcot is such a large park--you would need to pay for cashiers, hosts and wait staff at more restaurant, security, characters, Photopass photographers, etc. Plus on a normal night a lot of WS stays open a bit longer than FW during and after IllumiNations, so maybe that plays a role.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I would also argue, though, that both DL and DCA close early during off season (as early as 6pm) and that neither park has evening EMH any time of the year, including during the holidays. So opening at 7am makes more sense -- Disney is going to get more guests who want to get up early and get on (and off) the 5 before the real traffic starts; they don't have nearly the number of onsite guests WDW has. Plus ... there are only a couple of fine dining experiences throughout DL and DCA -- most of the Disneyland restaurants are in the resorts or DTD.

WDW, on the other hand, has a lot more people staying onsite, and Disney wants those folks to eat at the resort character breakfasts, go golfing, etc., and that's easier to do without a 7am pull to be at the parks. Additionally, WDW stays open far later -- MK as late as 3am with EMH -- so WDW guests are more conditioned to stay up late to avoid the heat than to get up early. You want to get up early and see Epcot in the daytime before the heat. Disney wants you to take your midday break and then come back to Epcot in the evening to dine in one of the many restaurants in that park. It's just a different strategy.

I guess that makes sense. Although actually, it is the locals driving in who come late. There are a zillion off site places within easy walks that most people stay at, not on site. The locals arriving later make the mornings at DLR nice.

You're right there are no evening EMHs although DL stays open until midnight during the summer. This year I was disappointed to find that they decided to close DCA at 10pm instead of 11pm like last summer. I guess my problem is I just want too much Disney! I just want it to always be open and ready for me! I'll just have to adjust my touring style for WDW.

 

[LilyWDW]

It is like a store deciding what hour they should open. Why staff and pay for the utilities used when you are not making money? At Epcot, most guests are not going to head back to WS first thing in the morning. They are going to do Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track, Spaceship Earth, and all of the attractions in FW first. It is simple consumer behavior.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Am I the only one who divides WS and FW into two different days? WS is our sleep-in day! We've never been in the heat before, but I imagine we can pop into the pavilions to cool off.

(Not saying it wouldn't be cool to explore while everybody else is in FW, though)

 

[pepe of ohio]

Am I the only one who divides WS and FW into two different days? WS is our sleep-in day! We've never been in the heat before, but I imagine we can pop into the pavilions to cool off.

(Not saying it wouldn't be cool to explore while everybody else is in FW, though)

Nope 2 different days for us too....FW is a morning park, then it gets super hot and we leave...

Different night we'll return either thru IG or regular, wander WS, really nothing much here but shops, except for Mexico and Norway.... Illuminations and we're gone !!

 

[LilyWDW]

Am I the only one who divides WS and FW into two different days? WS is our sleep-in day! We've never been in the heat before, but I imagine we can pop into the pavilions to cool off.

(Not saying it wouldn't be cool to explore while everybody else is in FW, though)

I also do at least 2 days at Epcot. One rope drop for FW and then a later start for WS and Illuminations. The reason I say at least is because I enjoy going during Food and Wine so I will often do 3-4 days at Epcot on those trips.

 

[OKW Lover]

Am I the only one who divides WS and FW into two different days? WS is our sleep-in day! We've never been in the heat before, but I imagine we can pop into the pavilions to cool off.

(Not saying it wouldn't be cool to explore while everybody else is in FW, though)

I doubt you're the only one, but probably one of the few. Why restrict yourself to half a park?

 

[WEDWDW]

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.

So,you have been in Morocco,Japan,America Adventure,Italy,Germany The Outpost and China before 11:00 AM?

That is so interesting-in my 25 trips there have always been ropes between UK and France(now France and Morocco) and Norway and China.

I usually just go in April/May,July and December.

Do they just use the ropes at certain times of the year?Thanks!

I would love to be able to walk all the way around World Showcase Promeneade before 11:00 AM!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I doubt you're the only one, but probably one of the few. Why restrict yourself to half a park?

I think there's plenty to do in WS for a day (or two). I'm not the world's biggest fan of FW.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I LOVE that it opens at 11 am. As a West coaster it is hard to get to the parks at 7 am when it is 4 am back home in the summer. I always plan a WS day where we sleep in and eat breakfast somewhere before heading over to WS at 11 am. We usually do this towards the end of the trip when we are exhausted waking up at 6 am to hit the parks. Please don't change the opening time. There are tons of other things you can do before it opens.

 

[OurDogCisco]

So,you have been in Morocco,Japan,America Adventure,Italy,Germany The Outpost and China before 11:00 AM?

That is so interesting-in my 25 trips there have always been ropes between UK and France(now France and Morocco) and Norway and China.

I usually just go in April/May,July and December.

Do they just use the ropes at certain times of the year?Thanks!

I would love to be able to walk all the way around World Showcase Promeneade before 11:00 AM!

Same here. We've always seen the ropes. We have taken pictures in the empty UK before when we really going to FW. But most of the time we are power walking to FW to get in line and fast passes.

 

[momtotwoteens]

I'm confused about the rope thing. If I enter at FW, can I get to the bakery in France before 11? If I enter at the international gateway, can I get to FW before 11? It sounds like the ropes are blocking you from going through, but then I must not be understanding it right because what would be the advantage of staying at an EPCOT resort? Sorry to sound like a dingbat...

 

[LilyWDW]

I doubt you're the only one, but probably one of the few. Why restrict yourself to half a park?

I use one morning to get there at Rope Drop and get FW done plus Maelstrom and Gran Fiesta Tour. Lunch will be wherever I am when I get hungry (or Food and Wine booths if I am there then). I will also make this an early day, usually leaving at about 2pm. Then I will have at least one other day (depending when I am traveling, during Food and Wine I do 3-4 days total at Epcot) where I "sleep in" (as much as I do at Disney lol) and head over for the 11am for a day of shopping, exploring, and eating. This is when I will also stay for Illuminations.

I do not enjoy doing full days in the parks (open to close) so I normally split MK and Epcot.