News EPCOT to be festival-free for summer 2024

[PREMiERdrum]

If Summertime festivals don't make money... that's a sign it's not popular. And why should Disney provide an unpopular experience?

It's less about that... ish.

The festivals were designed to give Epcot an extra draw in the slower periods. As the park grew stale and lacked enough destination attractions, the festivals were expanded.

What started as a way to focus crowds to certain seasons became, unfortunately, a year-round expectation. Eventually, that was going to need to be corrected.

With the park's makeover "complete," this became a natural opportunity to reset guest expectations. If it works, they'll successfully fix guest expectations for summer and refocus the festival crowd back to fall and spring. If it doesn't work, there will be a new festival in summer '25.

FWIW, I do expect some lighter "festival-like" offerings to be announced for summer to compliment the Encanto show. The central gardens were designed for this, and they will be in use at least somewhat year round.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It's less about that... ish.

The festivals were designed to give Epcot an extra draw in the slower periods. As the park grew stale and lacked enough destination attractions, the festivals were expanded.

What started as a way to focus crowds to certain seasons became, unfortunately, a year-round expectation. Eventually, that was going to need to be corrected.

With the park's makeover "complete," this became a natural opportunity to reset guest expectations. If it works, they'll successfully fix guest expectations for summer and refocus the festival crowd back to fall and spring. If it doesn't work, there will be a new festival in summer '25.

FWIW, I do expect some lighter "festival-like" offerings to be announced for summer to compliment the Encanto show. The central gardens were designed for this, and they will be in use at least somewhat year round.

A Taste of the Epcot International Mirabel and Friends Festival?

 

[Disstevefan1]

With the park's makeover destruction "complete," this became a natural opportunity to reset guest expectations.

FIFY

 

[bmr1591]

I get it. Cost cutting.

Not sure if it’s about attendance any more.

It’s all about per capita spending at the parks.

I mean, I don’t think that’s totally fair. If the investment wasn’t driving attendance (or was seen to be affecting attendance in later months), it only makes sense to restructure.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

A Taste of the Epcot International Mirabel and Friends Festival?

I'm not sure a Taste of Mirabel in World Celebration (given it's central feature) would be "more family"....

 

[Disstevefan1]

I mean, I don’t think that’s totally fair. If the investment wasn’t driving attendance (or was seen to be affecting attendance in later months), it only makes sense to restructure.

Attendance used to be THE measuring stick on the assumption more people spend more money. Now they are actively limiting attendance for those they think do not spend enough money. Now I think everything is about per capita spending.

 

[wdwfan22]

Epcot doesn't need a summer festival. Epcot needs to invest in attraction updates and additions. There wasn't any boost in Epcot attendance during the summer when the festivals were extended to cover the summer dates.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Epcot doesn't need a summer festival. Epcot needs to invest in attraction updates and additions. There wasn't any boost in Epcot attendance during the summer when the festivals were extended to cover the summer dates.

Of course, that overlaps the addition of Rat, two fireworks spectaculars, and GotG. So new attractions don’t move the needle either?

They need more inventive cupcake flavor profiles. Mango habanero would get butts in the park.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Epcot doesn't need a summer festival. Epcot needs to invest in attraction updates and additions. There wasn't any boost in Epcot attendance during the summer when the festivals were extended to cover the summer dates.

Its not about attendance any more. Now I think everything is about per capita spending at the parks.

Now that they have Genie+ and ILL, maybe they don't need the food booths as much.

 

[ToTBellHop]

How nice for them that they can also close Tangierine Cafe all summer and not have to staff it. The Morocco pavilion is practically a ruin nowadays. They’ll tell stories about how ancient peoples used to tolerate bad food to watch a belly-dancer nearby.

 

[monothingie]

How nice for them that they can also close Tangierine Cafe all summer and not have to staff it. The Morocco pavilion is practically a ruin nowadays. They’ll tell stories about how ancient peoples used to tolerate bad food to watch a belly-dancer nearby.

Never Forget.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Never Forget.View attachment 781839

Bad, Orange bird!

 

[monothingie]

Bad, Orange bird!

My eyes are down here.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Bad, Orange bird!

Why is Orange Bird bad?