Early entry mornings?

[LoriL]

Now that attendance is climbing back to normal levels, does anyone know is Disney plans to reinstate surprise mornings??

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Doesn't look like it.

 

[David]

I thought it a little ironic that in this years vacation planner video from WDW, they include a little note that the change was due to the resort guests wanting time with the characters moreso than early entry. What guests did they talk to? I have not heard one person write that they prefer the Character Caravan over the EE. I really wish Disney would reconsider this new policy, but I doubt they will make the change.
Just for fun, I sent an e-mail to Disney asking if this was a permanent change or temporary. They responded with a form e-mail saying what they now offered---but no mention was made of whether or not this was permanent.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I'd be fine with them not re-instating EE..what irritates me is Epcot not opening until 10 am...it's absurd! As for Animal Kingdom...I remember...back in the day...when it was open 7 am to 7 pm...that was so nice...that park really is beautiful at sunset and the animals are amazing to see at sunrise (VERY active). 9 to 5 is just dumb...they need to at least go back to 8 to 6...perhaps after Beastlie opens, they will have enough to do there each day to make keeping it open 7 to 7 worthwhile again...maybe if Beastlie gets a nighttime show...as I have said before...just close Africa and Asia at sunset...during the summer they could even do split hours like Epcot, with Asia and Africa open like 7 to 7, Discovery Island open 7 to 9 (keep the gift shops open!) and Dinoland and Beastlie open 9 to 9. Then during the not so busy season, have it 7 to 5 and 9 to 7 or even 8 to 5 and 10 to 7...provided Beastlie is big, I don't think people would have a problem with it...and it will be big if it has everything I want it to have! (thrill ride with a highly themed queue that goes from a beautiful castle to a dark hall to the dungeon to a cave where you board the Reign of Fire Ride, two family rides, two kid rides, daytime show dedicated to reptiles, nighttime show, fast food place specializing in turkey...errr...dragon legs, and a themed, sit-down restaurant) And all this for juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust...$350,000,000!
Kyle

P.S. did I mention a bubbling moat (Discovery River) around the front of Castillo Beastlie with a drawbridge going over it?

 

[gcurling]

I'm aware of a telephone conversation someone had with a fairly high level manager at WDW concerning EE.

He did point to the % of guests using it, but did admit that it was largely a financially driven decision. He went on to say that it's removal generated the largest guest backlash he can recall. But, sadly, he indicated that there was no plan for its return any time in the foreseeable future.

While we confine our travel to the "slower periods" of the year, we still found EE to be a highly valuable perk. Particularly at MK. The loss of it has impacted us this year. We normally take a trip or two in the Spring, strategically avoided the peak of Spring Break and Easter. EE was a big part of those trips, doing most of our park time early in the morning.

We've opted not to take Spring trips this year and are waiting until May for our next trip.

I can't imagine what mid-summer will be like with all the guests compacted into the shorter operating hours - even if the closing times return to normal, no EE offers no escape for resort guests from the crowd swell that will happen with 9am and 10am openings.

Here's to hoping that WDW will reconsider this elimination. It meant alot to many regular guests.

 

[dalton30720]

I had lunch last month with a friend of mine who is a WDW Exec. He says that not enough people were using EE for it to be cost effective. Disney is a business and they analyze every operational hour.
He believes EE will be brought back only during peak times of the year. I sure hope so!

 

[no2apprentice]

I am taking my family down in April and called to make some PS at different restaurants. I asked the PS operator if Early Entry would return during peak times and she said "NO". It was an instant answer with no hesitation. I was surprised I didn't get something more "elusive".

 

[gcurling]

no2apprentice,

I suspect that the CRO CM's are getting an earful about the termination of EE. You probably caught one that had had enough. The phrase "EE" likely sends chills up her spine at this point.

 

[LoriL]

Thanks for all the information-- this is certainly disappointing. Early entry provides one of the main reasons people opt to stay inside the parks! If they want to save money, WDW might as well eliminate those Character Caravans-- it sounds like the most sought-after characters do not participate, and they do not visit every hotel every day. So what's the point? I'd rather get to the park early! I don't think the Caravans would be missed!

 

[tinkrbel]

EE was never the reason we stayed on property and we seldom took advantage of it, specially when the girls were babies because getting up early made them grumpy and whiny. I would rather the parks were open later. they are all so beautiful at night. We try to take our time when they are closing and enjoy the slow walk to the gate ( also that gives us hopes we will get a seat on the bus or monorail ) . we have been talking about what we will do evenings now since the parks will be closed so early.