Why Doesn't World Showcase Open at 9am?

[jhaig]

Someone asked me this the other day and I had no answer. Is there just not enough there to do? Or is it like most things related to the parks -$$$$$?

 

[eeyoresmom]

If I remember correctly they pushed back the opening of WS to 11 AM as part of the huge cuts they made immediately after 9/11.

 

[morethananyonex]

I would assume they find enough people don't make it back there before 11 to justify the cost.

 

[OKW Lover]

When Epcot first opened the entire park opened at the same time. Disney quickly saw that most people don't get to WS until later in the morning because they stop in FW first to do the attractions there. It just didn't make sense to staff the WS pavilions for a 9:00 opening.

 

[POOHsie]

If few Epcot visitors have reached WS between 9-11, it's a lot of dollars expended on labor and merchandise operations for very little return. I think Epcot found 11am to be the hour suited to begin WS operations. One recent change is Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie in France now opens at 9am. Not sure if the bakery can only be accessed from International Gateway or Epcot front gate, too. Their menu selections are really good!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it's a stupid decision by Disney not to open WS til 11. Why keep half of the park closed until 11? Everyone complains about Soarin and TT lines, but maybe opening up the other half of the park would help. I think lots of people would love to tour WS starting at 9, especially people with little kids and also during the very hot months (which is a lot of months in Florida!).

 

[FiggieFan]

I think it's a stupid decision by Disney not to open WS til 11. Why keep half of the park closed until 11? Everyone complains about Soarin and TT lines, but maybe opening up the other half of the park would help. I think lots of people would love to tour WS starting at 9, especially people with little kids and also during the very hot months (which is a lot of months in Florida!).

I have to say on our last visit in February, there were a lot of people sitting at the rope by Norway by 10:30 waiting for WS to open. The CM loudly announced to please not stampede him on the way in when he finally was going to take the rope down. Half joke and half truth. Since Future World needs some help and is not what it used to be, it would be great if WS opened earlier. We always feel like we are running around trying to catch WS shows in the afternoon. We never see enough of WS - the shows or stores. I can't say we will always try to hit EPCOT at rope drop anymore. Tired of The Seas with Nemo and one can only do Universe of Energy and The Land so many times. It may be great for some, but my fiance has motion sickness so TT, Soarin and Mission to Mars are out. EPCOT is the only place we wander looking for things to do in the mornings.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I always wondered the same. Why different hours? My DH the comedian says because its so much earlier (or later ) in some countries.

 

[ucfknight]

If I remember correctly they pushed back the opening of WS to 11 AM as part of the huge cuts they made immediately after 9/11.

The decision was years before 2001.

However, I think the decision to close parts of Future World at 7 pm dates to those post 9/11 cutbacks if I recall correctly.

 

[Planogirl]

The decision was years before 2001.

However, I think the decision to close parts of Future World at 7 pm dates to those post 9/11 cutbacks if I recall correctly.

Yes, I remember WS opening at 11 a long time before 9-11.

I wouldn't mind if WS opened even just a bit earlier. We like to eat lunch at 11:30 and it would be nice to have a little time to stroll around before we go to the restaurant. Plus I would agree that Future World doesn't have much to do for us. We could save the few things we like until the hot afternoon.

 

[Micca]

My sense is that the thing that drives most people to WS is dining. We die-hards love the attractions, shopping, and just the general atmosphere of the countries, we must admit that it's pretty tame as "theme park" entertainment is concerned. Disney could add more breakfast options in WS, but there are so many on property as it is.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Someone asked me this the other day and I had no answer. Is there just not enough there to do? Or is it like most things related to the parks -$$$$$?

~I think it's related to the budget. But, I would love for World Showcase to open at 9AM!

 

[trekker93]

They should create a new pavilion - Coffee World - with a big donut in the middle for us early risers!! We could have a Duncan donuts building, Starbucks, and others...

 

[LilyWDW]

It is a budget thing, but I don't understand why that is so bad? It seems anytime anything could be related to money when it comes to Disney, people get all upset. Why should a company, ANY company, waste the resources of labor and energy costs when they know that sales are not going to be near enough to cover them? I am sure Disney has done studies that show this. It makes perfect business sense.

 

[jon18uk]

My sense is that the thing that drives most people to WS is dining. We die-hards love the attractions, shopping, and just the general atmosphere of the countries, we must admit that it's pretty tame as "theme park" entertainment is concerned. Disney could add more breakfast options in WS, but there are so many on property as it is.

Yes, I agree with this, the main draw in world showcase is dining so they don't need to open any earlier really.

If there isn't much in Future World that interests you then either park hop after doing something else in the morning or have a lie-in/use the resort pool then go into Epcot later. If you don't want to do the big thrills in Future World then there is always The Seas, Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

I think it's a stupid decision by Disney not to open WS til 11. Why keep half of the park closed until 11? Everyone complains about Soarin and TT lines, but maybe opening up the other half of the park would help. I think lots of people would love to tour WS starting at 9, especially people with little kids and also during the very hot months (which is a lot of months in Florida!).

Well the decision is based on extensive research so I would hardly call it stupid....is it inconvenient for some? Yes, but as a business designed to make money it is a decision that makes the most sense....

 

[csmith041177]

Very good question, and I have often wondered that. I also wish they would open WS before 11 just to alleviate the Soarin crowds.

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

I personally wouldn't mind if World Showcase opened at 9.

 

[jon18uk]

Very good question, and I have often wondered that. I also wish they would open WS before 11 just to alleviate the Soarin crowds.

I don't think this would work, most people are still going to ride Soarin' and as you arrive at Future World first thats what most people will ride first.
I wouldn't expect many people to think, lets go and look at China, then go back to Soarin' then go to UK for dinner as it adds a lot more walking to the day.

 

[drew64]

I think it's a stupid decision by Disney not to open WS til 11. Why keep half of the park closed until 11? Everyone complains about Soarin and TT lines, but maybe opening up the other half of the park would help. I think lots of people would love to tour WS starting at 9, especially people with little kids and also during the very hot months (which is a lot of months in Florida!).

Actually, it is an intelligent business decision based on factual data. Originally, WS opened at 9 along with FW. It sat virtually empty for hours as the vast majority still crowded in FW in the morning hours - therefore there were not lots of people who wanted/loved touring WS in the morning, so why would they waste the money to staff it for 2 additional hours at a loss.