Epcot Money Grab

[Club Cooloholic]

Here's what gets me angry and no one is talking about it. The park stayed open until 10-11 just last year. This year they are closing it at 9 then saying you can stay until 11 (like last year) but if u do u must spend at least $35 in one of four restaurants AND we are not going to keep any attractions open.

So basically they took those extra hours away and are selling them back to you while saving costs from staffing attractions. That to me is a money grab.

If this were added on to the closing hours of 10 or 11 pm, truly making it after hours, then I would think its a great option.

Exactly. I have watched Illuminations from Tokyo Dining, and they were kinda cool with letting you hang a little bit to finish drinks. With this new policy, I have a feeling they will do their best to push everyone out right at nine. It's great for Disney, they get to cut the hours the park is open, the amount of staff(just lounges after all), and make money on the cover.
All this did get me thinking though, if they wanted to really give guests something cool, and lower the amount of complaining about lack of nightlife, keeping the WS open later would have been awesome, I think they would have sold more stuff in the shops, and of course in the bars. They could have even set up little mini lounges in places like China and Norway.

 

[MichWolv]

Here's what gets me angry and no one is talking about it. The park stayed open until 10-11 just last year. This year they are closing it at 9 then saying you can stay until 11 (like last year) but if u do u must spend at least $35 in one of four restaurants AND we are not going to keep any attractions open.

So basically they took those extra hours away and are selling them back to you while saving costs from staffing attractions. That to me is a money grab.

If this were added on to the closing hours of 10 or 11 pm, truly making it after hours, then I would think its a great option.

Between April and mid September last year, the park hours were until 9 every night, except EMH.

 

[Mammymouse]

I never understood why EPCOT always closed so early, especially because it was supposed to be the "adult" Park versus Magic Kingdom. But I rationalized in my head that it closed at 9 so the adults would then go to Downtown Disney. But we all know what happened to DTD in recent years-it turned into stores. Maybe the new DTD that is being built now will correct that back to a night life area again.

Not really being a drinker myself though and hubby gets headaches from most alcohol, the Wind Down would personally not be my cup of tea (pun intended). But, if I were with a group for a special reason I can see it being appealing, even though the cost value is sort of debatable - but we are talking Disneyworld here.

 

[bethymouse]

Nope not something for me, but to each his own!

 

[Communicore]

I guess the flight and snacks are $35

 

[daisyduckie]

Between April and mid September last year, the park hours were until 9 every night, except EMH.

Right! So nothing was taken away, and something was added. Sounds like a plus, instead of a money grab.

 

[rt06]

I was really skeptical at first, but after further thought...

La Cava de Tequila Wind Down Offering
May include Acapulco-style Shrimp Cocktail and Tostadas paired with a Tequila or Margarita Flight

Spice Road Table Wind Down Offering
May include Lamb Sliders, Chicken Rolls, or Moroccan Sausages paired with a White or Red Wine Flight

Tutto Gusto Wind Down Offering
May include traditional cured meats, cheeses, and Italian Antipasti paired with Italian wine flights

No info on Rose & Crown

I will stuff my face for an hour, wash it down with some wine, and call it dinner. It's kind of like a club level experience at a more reasonable price.

 

[cw1982]

I was really skeptical at first, but after further thought...

La Cava de Tequila Wind Down Offering
May include Acapulco-style Shrimp Cocktail and Tostadas paired with a Tequila or Margarita Flight

Spice Road Table Wind Down Offering
May include Lamb Sliders, Chicken Rolls, or Moroccan Sausages paired with a White or Red Wine Flight

Tutto Gusto Wind Down Offering
May include traditional cured meats, cheeses, and Italian Antipasti paired with Italian wine flights

No info on Rose & Crown

I will stuff my face for an hour, wash it down with some wine, and call it dinner. It's kind of like a club level experience at a more reasonable price.

When they say, "May include," is that "you may pick between these options" or "this is what MAY be offered"? IMO the wording is a little ambiguous.

To me, if I'm going to pay $35/person, I would prefer to have a little more say in what I'm picking eating and drinking than what this seems to (possibly) imply.

 

[rt06]

When they say, "May include," is that "you may pick between these options" or "this is what MAY be offered"? IMO the wording is a little ambiguous.

My assumption is both. I think it's Disney's way of saying, "Today's leftovers, so enjoy, but please have another drink before you leave," in the nicest way possible. The options will be based on remaining inventory. They clearly don't want children there at $35.

 

[cw1982]

My assumption is both. I think it's Disney's way of saying, "Today's leftovers, so enjoy, but please have another drink before you leave," in the nicest way possible. The options will be based on remaining inventory. They clearly don't want children there at $35.

Makes sense, but if I'm paying $35/person, I want a little more say in what is brought to me. I'm a picky eater and a VERY picky drinker lol, so if that's true, then there's one more reason why this is a no-go for me personally.

 

[Dwarful]

Am I confused? Right now you get one small plate of apps and the drink they offer at that location. Period. Right? If you want more you can buy more (I'm guessing on this one). Attractions and shops that aren't included will not be open? right?

 

[cw1982]

Am I confused? Right now you get one small plate of apps and the drink they offer at that location. Period. Right? If you want more you can buy more (I'm guessing on this one). Attractions and shops that aren't included will not be open? right?

Correct... I think it's a "flight" of drinks and an appetizer, but how much normally comes in a "flight"? I'd be hard pressed to think that it would be multiple full-sized drinks. And the ADR's are for whichever location you choose... the locations and venues not listed still close at normal times.

 

[BigTxEars]

So am I the only fool who has reserved this so far? From my experience Disney is not stingy with their food portions so I am not worried about getting leftovers in small portions. I would imagine it will be pretty nice as it will not be mass produced as I think it is during the "dinner rush" each night.

I will know for sure when I am gobbling down Lamb Sliders, Chicken Rolls, or Moroccan Sausages paired with a White or Red Wine Flight

I am hoping for chicken rolls myself but any of the above will be fine.

 

[mergatroid]

Right! So nothing was taken away, and something was added. Sounds like a plus, instead of a money grab.

I believe you're right. I suppose any way of making money can be called a 'money grab' but as you say on those dates nothing appears to have been taken away, just extra added. I don't see a problem with that personally.

 

[cw1982]

I think Disney would do better just to keep WS as a whole open later, as someone else mentioned. Keep the shops open later, maybe stagger closing the snack and beverage stands as the crowds diminish. Maybe the reservations for people who want a more upscale experience would be fine, but I am looking forward to walking around WS after the fireworks during the evening EMH and still being able to enjoy the environment with a yummy drink in my hand or sampling a snack... or both. I don't know that I think they are ripping anyone off, but I do think they would make more money if they didn't close WS so early. WS already doesn't open as early as FW, so close FW at 9 and keep WS open until 11 or 12... or whenever.

 

[Clamman73]

So am I the only fool who has reserved this so far? From my experience Disney is not stingy with their food portions so I am not worried about getting leftovers in small portions. I would imagine it will be pretty nice as it will not be mass produced as I think it is during the "dinner rush" each night.

I will know for sure when I am gobbling down Lamb Sliders, Chicken Rolls, or Moroccan Sausages paired with a White or Red Wine Flight

I am hoping for chicken rolls myself but any of the above will be fine.

If you're getting all three appetizers, and the wine flight is the three shown in this link, then it might be worth it...

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2014/...spice-road-table-in-walt-disney-worlds-epcot/

 

[cw1982]

If you're getting all three appetizers, and the wine flight is the three shown in this link, then it might be worth it...

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2014/...spice-road-table-in-walt-disney-worlds-epcot/

From the wording, I don't think it's all three appetizers... the list of appetizers says "or" in everything I've read, not "and," and the wording "may include" implies (to me) that those might not be the items being served at all, but are rather listed to give an idea of what you might see.

 

[rt06]

Am I confused? Right now you get one small plate of apps and the drink they offer at that location. Period. Right? If you want more you can buy more (I'm guessing on this one). Attractions and shops that aren't included will not be open? right?

I'm under the impression that it is a spread of food, like a cocktail hour, with the one flight included. The money is in coaxing you into hanging around to buy that second drink. There's no entertainment. There's no exclusivity. Without copious amounts of food, $35 is ridiculous.

 

[Clamman73]

I'm under the impression that it is a spread of food, like a cocktail hour, with the one flight included. The money is in coaxing you into hanging around to buy that second drink. There's no entertainment. There's no exclusivity. Without copious amounts of food, $35 is ridiculous.

Right...I know for me if I start getting a buzz, that you gotta start ordering more drinks - that's where the real money is going to be made...

 

[WDW Monorail]

Considering I and many other people regularly pay $30-$50 cover, (depending on the night) plus another $16 for a bad tasting drink, and then have to walk around in puddles of vomit and stand next to 1000 sweaty people, this is great!