Why Doesn't World Showcase Open at 9am?

[jbish]

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.

While that reasoning makes sense for the time at which that decision was made, it's not ridiculous for us to ask the question as to whether or not that same thing would happen today. The very fact that Norway has an extremely popular breakfast option today that likely didn't exist at the time of the research from 15+ years ago lends to more people starting their day within WS and then working their way around the park in a different loop than before. Also, with the popularity and variety of the Epcot resorts (I assume there have been more added over the years but don't know the exact history of the Epcot resorts) that can access the park from the International Gateway also brings people in from the WS area.

I would just be curious to see if they tested longer hours if the results would be different today than years ago. Don't be so quick to dismiss the question today based on "business reasons" that were decided years ago. A good business would continually be doing market research. And maybe Disney has updated their research to determine the continued 11 am opening time, but it doesn't seem like it's really been tested.

 

[Blondie]

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

Good one!

I would think with the S/D, Y/B Clubs and the BWI (and the Villas) remaining nearly full most of the time that they would bring back WS opening at 9am. Disney uses the ability to enter Epcot via International Gateway as one of their selling points. Maybe one day they'll reconsider......

 

[ArwenMarie]

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.

That's thinking of WS as a mall, which is how WDW apparently thinks of it as well. I'm thinking of it as a set of attractions. There are two rides in there, as well as tons of other stuff to do. Since WDW doesn't seem to want to build new rides or attractions, they could at least maximize the use of the ones they have. If it's a mall in the main business of selling food and alcohol, well, that's fine, open at 11, but let's just call it a mall and not charge a ticket to get in.

 

[larryz]

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.

My preferred general atmosphere in Epcot consists of 77% N, 21% O, 2% CO2, supplemented by 100% C2H5OH.

 

[W.E.D.]

We love the late opening. We devote one whole day of our trip to touring WS. Since it doesn't open until 11:00am, this is also known as our "sleep-in day"!

 

[Karbase8]

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.

Completely agree!

 

[LilyWDW]

We love the late opening. We devote one whole day of our trip to touring WS. Since it doesn't open until 11:00am, this is also known as our "sleep-in day"!

I agree! I do 3+ visits to Epcot every trip. I love my World Showcase days because I don't have to get to the park until about 10:30AM. Such a great morning to sleep in some and get a lazy start!

 

[Goldilocks07]

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...

This would be AMAZING. If they put it near America/presidents and straight up New York City style, they could have the awesome street carts that sell all the great donuts, bagels, and coffees.

 

[*disgal*]

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

Cute!

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....

I wonder though, how old do you think that research is. Just wondering. Also wondering if it's old, if they did it again, would they have the same findings?

While that reasoning makes sense for the time at which that decision was made, it's not ridiculous for us to ask the question as to whether or not that same thing would happen today. The very fact that Norway has an extremely popular breakfast option today that likely didn't exist at the time of the research from 15+ years ago lends to more people starting their day within WS and then working their way around the park in a different loop than before. Also, with the popularity and variety of the Epcot resorts (I assume there have been more added over the years but don't know the exact history of the Epcot resorts) that can access the park from the International Gateway also brings people in from the WS area.

I would just be curious to see if they tested longer hours if the results would be different today than years ago. Don't be so quick to dismiss the question today based on "business reasons" that were decided years ago. A good business would continually be doing market research. And maybe Disney has updated their research to determine the continued 11 am opening time, but it doesn't seem like it's really been tested.

Also I think we have to add in all the people waiting in line for the Frozen princesses. Many posts on this board saying one family member is standing in line and others go to FW. Maybe they would spend some time in WS if it were open? Who's to say?

My family LOVES FW but we also love WS and we don't get enough time to do everything or see all the shows by the time Illuminations starts. We would LOVE for WS to open earlier, like at 10am, an hour after the park opens. Disney staggers openings by an hour everyday practically, for EMH,etc. I wish they would do it at WS.

 

[*disgal*]

This would be AMAZING. If they put it near America/presidents and straight up New York City style, they could have the awesome street carts that sell all the great donuts, bagels, and coffees.

Did someone say NYC bagels?? I haven't had a good bagel since I was in northern NJ about 5 years ago.

 

[gailinroch]

I remember a long time ago when WS opened at 9 am and DH and I strolled over the the French bakery from the International Gateway right at 9. We were practically the only ones there. It was lovely-and like we had the park to ourselves. Then who should appear but Minnie in her fancy red French dress. She hung around us being adorable for quite some time while we ate our delicious pastries and coffee at the outside bistro table.

So all those Boulagerie staff, Minnie and her handlers were working for a handful of people for that half hour. For us it was one of those magical, never to be forgotten experiences .....for Disney, way to expensive and impractical.

 

[JimmyV]

We love the late opening. We devote one whole day of our trip to touring WS. Since it doesn't open until 11:00am, this is also known as our "sleep-in day"!

We're in this camp as well. We use the late opening to fill in the gap after we have been at the MK until 1:00 a.m. the night before. It is nice to be able to go somewhere at WDW at 11:00 and not feel as if you are disadvantaged by getting a late start. That said, once a week, a morning EMH starting at 9:00 (or even 10:00) would be nice, and would serve as a decent test of the proposition that the park and its economics could sustain an earlier opening more frequently.

 

[ArwenMarie]

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...

 

[WildGinger]

We love the late opening. We devote one whole day of our trip to touring WS. Since it doesn't open until 11:00am, this is also known as our "sleep-in day"!

Agree!

 

[MouseyMin]

I think a lot of people don't arrive at EPCOT early in the morning, so the attractions in World Showcase are not needed to disburse the crowds then. Besides being a full-day park, many people "hop" to EPCOT after spending 1/2 day at the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Especially after the Animal Kingdom, since it closes so early. So, EPCOT doesn't get really busy until late afternoon when all of the "hoppers" arrive.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ho does anyone know that Disney hasn't in fact checked the data on the operating hours many times? Do people really assume that Disney has no notion of what is good for their bottom line?

 

[*disgal*]

Ho does anyone know that Disney hasn't in fact checked the data on the operating hours many times? Do people really assume that Disney has no notion of what is good for their bottom line?

I get what you are saying but.....what data? WS hasn't been open at 9 am for YEARS so what recently do they have to compare to?

I think JimmyV's idea is a good one.....trying out an EMH once a week or something. THAT would be a way to get great data.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

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.

You make all good points here!!!!

Ho does anyone know that Disney hasn't in fact checked the data on the operating hours many times? Do people really assume that Disney has no notion of what is good for their bottom line?

I completely agree....just like LilyWDW said- "it's a budget thing." Disney knows they don't need to test anything----- it's a cut. Anything above that will cost Disney more money!