WHY do they open WS later than FW?

[Simba's Mom]

I remember! I remember! It was great!!! We used to go to the bakery in France and get our breakfast pastries and coffee, then tour WS. Many times we had the characters all to ourselves.

We tend to like going against the crowds, but Disney has changed many things to maximize their resources and you have to be part of a crowd to enjoy it.

I remember too! We were another family who loved eating breakfast at France. And I remember when I found out that WS was now opening later, I was so disappointed that we'd be giving up our French Pastry breakfast. Yes, I think it had to do with money (doesn't everything?). Except for those of us munching away in France, there weren't too many people in WS. They changed to the "staggered" opening before 1995.

 

[helenk]

I think (I could be wrong) that prior to 9/11, FW was open as late as WS. I do not recall WS being opened early, I know in 1999 it did not open until 11:00 but that is far back as I can get my memory to go.
After 9/11 it seemed that the Pavillions in Epcot took quite a hit, attendance wise. They shorten the hours to 7:00 but kept the more popular attractions open. Of course now there are more attractions that are kept open. Maybe at some point they will keep FW open until 9:00 again.

 

[Robo]

And I'm wondering.....the Norway restaurant is open for breakfast, so I guess some people are going into WS prior to 11am. Is it roped off before 11am or is just nothing open in WS (cept for Askerhus).

If you have made ADR's for the character breakfast there, the CM's posted at the WS entrance will direct you to walk to the restaurant.

Its no different than having early breakfast ADR's at any of the parks.
You are allowed to walk to your destination, of course, past all of the buildings that are still closed.

The other direction (toward UK) in WS from FW is traveled by the folks who need to enter/exit at the International Gateway (between UK and the bridge that goes to France.)

None of the other WS restaurants, shops or pavilions are open before 11am, and there are ropes to make sure you just walk in the "proper" direction between the Int'l. Gateway and FW.
You won't be allowed to "tour" WS until its opening time of 11am.

 

[deltachi8]

Disney most likely realized that the bulk f Epcot's traffice between 9-11am was kept in FW, so the expense of staffing the WS for thos hours was not a wise decision.

 

[purpliequeen]

Good question. We wondered the same thing. If they opened at the same time as FW, I would rush to Boulangerie-Patisserie in France for a croissant or two immediately following Soarin' and Test Track.

 

[Hound 109]

If you have made ADR's for the character breakfast there, the CM's posted at the WS entrance will direct you to walk to the restaurant.

Its no different than having early breakfast ADR's at any of the parks.
You are allowed to walk to your destination, of course, past all of the buildings that are still closed.

The other direction (toward UK) in WS from FW is traveled by the folks who need to enter/exit at the International Gateway (between UK and the bridge that goes to France.)

None of the other WS restaurants, shops or pavilions are open before 11am, and there are ropes to make sure you just walk in the "proper" direction between the Int'l. Gateway and FW.
You won't be allowed to "tour" WS until its opening time of 11am.

Thanks for the detailed information Robo. French Pastries at 11 am (not sooner) it is.

hound

 

[blondeheroine]

I had always suspected that since it was still basically open the same amount of hours, it had something to do with the fact that WS wasn't a "dry land." Of course, this comes from a girl from the South where we have many varying laws about when you can and when you can't serve alcohol. But seeing as it used to be open at the same time, that doesn't really make sense.

 

[chrome64]

I had always suspected that since it was still basically open the same amount of hours, it had something to do with the fact that WS wasn't a "dry land." Of course, this comes from a girl from the South where we have many varying laws about when you can and when you can't serve alcohol. But seeing as it used to be open at the same time, that doesn't really make sense.

I think there is something to this. I remember seeing somewhere that they can't legally sell alcohol until 11:00am (not sure if this is a state law or what). But, it would make sense to just open all of WS at that time and then there would never be a time that WS was open when you couldn't get a drink!

 

[blondeheroine]

I think there is something to this. I remember seeing somewhere that they can't legally sell alcohol until 11:00am (not sure if this is a state law or what). But, it would make sense to just open all of WS at that time and then there would never be a time that WS was open when you couldn't get a drink!

Might be an indicator as to just how much WDW makes at WS selling alcohol. Spending entire days at WS, I've seen just how many make use of WS drinking "opportunities" with an increase in incidents around the F&W Festival. I'll never forget the guy who DEMANDED a CM call security on him for not letting him take his drink on Spaceship Earth.

 

[CheshireVal]

I think there is something to this. I remember seeing somewhere that they can't legally sell alcohol until 11:00am (not sure if this is a state law or what). But, it would make sense to just open all of WS at that time and then there would never be a time that WS was open when you couldn't get a drink!

I bought a can of Heineken at Fantasia Mini Golf at 10am last year.

 

[Boston5602]

I bought a can of Heineken at Fantasia Mini Golf at 10am last year.

OMG I think YOU have a drinking problem !!!!!!

Next time we are in WS together let me buy you a beer and we can talk about your problem <G>

 

[MulanMom]

I think (I could be wrong) that prior to 9/11, FW was open as late as WS. I do not recall WS being opened early, I know in 1999 it did not open until 11:00 but that is far back as I can get my memory to go.
After 9/11 it seemed that the Pavillions in Epcot took quite a hit, attendance wise. They shorten the hours to 7:00 but kept the more popular attractions open. Of course now there are more attractions that are kept open. Maybe at some point they will keep FW open until 9:00 again.

IIRC, you might be correct. The WS hours were cut long before the hours in FW were shortened.

 

[CastMemberJoey]

Actually, Disney is not saving any money.....everybody is still at work.....the rides are running and being tested (this is daily testing as in all parks)......the electricity is going in all of the eateries.....food is being prepped.....deliveries are being made.....shops are getting ready to open for business.....

The CMs and contractors are at work, it is just not open to the park guest yet.....the only thing we are not doing is Kidcots and selling.

 

[Robo]

Actually, Disney is not saving any money.....everybody is still at work.....the rides are running and being tested (this is daily testing as in all parks)......the electricity is going in all of the eateries.....food is being prepped.....deliveries are being made.....shops are getting ready to open for business.....

The CMs and contractors are at work, it is just not open to the park guest yet.....the only thing we are not doing is Kidcots and selling.

Hey, Joey...
They did all these things BEFORE they cut the hours... but they started many of them (like ride-checks) earlier (and called in many CM's that much earlier) so WS could be open at 9am.