Epcot After Hours Tasting - New event

[GrumpyFan]

Just again to be very clear, this isn't a move designed to test later hours or to improve the Guest experience.

This is one of many things happening designed to improve revenue because NGE is so over budget and so under delivering.

Sounds very desperate on their part.
What happened to the idea of selling access to MB to off-property hotels?
Might we see changes in the future adding costs to MB and raising prices on other things? #Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis

 

[bubbles1812]

It's already been said... but can't you just do this at your resort? For much cheaper? Presumably, the people most likely to stay for this would be resort guests. A 35$ cover charge is pretty steep. Also, no offense, but I'm guessing an "educational experience" is not the thing people will probably want at the end of a long day when you are trying to relax... And this is coming from someone who loves the idea of Epcot as edu-tainment. Not that it will really be an educational experience, but I do love the PR spin.

 

[BigTxEars]

Of course you can do this cheaper, at the resort, on International Blvd, at your local TGI Fridays back home, in your living room, on your back porch.....

But only way to do it at WS is this event, $70-$100 for a fun couple of hours is not too much IMO. I go to WDW once a year, I splurge and I am proud to say it!

 

[JohnD]

Why not just have the venues be open later with a limited menu? You purchase what you want going from venue to venue. It's not complicated.

The way it works now, you have to pay $35 at each venue for whatever "flight" you get and an app. First, there would be no incentive to stroll around W.S. You certainly wouldn't be spending $140 ($35/venue x 4 venues). Their setup pretty much commits you to one venue. That's it. Unless you're willing to spend $35 at each one.

 

[BigTxEars]

Why not just have the venues be open later with a limited menu? You purchase what you want going from venue to venue. It's not complicated.

The way it works now, you have to pay $35 at each venue for whatever "flight" you get and an app. First, there would be no incentive to stroll around W.S. You certainly wouldn't be spending $140 ($35/venue x 4 venues). Their setup pretty much commits you to one venue. That's it. Unless you're willing to spend $35 at each one.

I think the increase in staffing needed to open the venues late and not knowing which ones would need more or less staffing is the expense they do not want to incur. This way they know well ahead of time how to staff each of these places. Saves them money and makes more business sense.

 

[Communicore]

Since this is a hard ticket I guess it would be possible for a non Epcot theme park guest to pay the $35 and then enter the lounges? I'd like to invite some friends over if that is the case.

 

[Communicore]

“The goal was not for the bar to be open later, but it was for you to be able to take something new or pair something new from a culture that you might not be as familiar with,” said Mandy ÖDigiammarino, general manager of food and beverage at Epcot. "It’s more of an educational experience than it is a party-bar atmosphere,” she said.

I guess it's to be educated on how a money grab works?

 

[Clamman73]

As per the OS article...

“The goal was not for the bar to be open later, but it was for you to be able to take something new or pair something new from a culture that you might not be as familiar with,” said Mandy ÖDigiammarino, general manager of food and beverage at Epcot. "It’s more of an educational experience than it is a party-bar atmosphere,” she said.

That's ridiculous what she's saying...What does she mean by something new??? "Or pair something new from a culture that you might not be familiar with???" What???? "educational experience"??? over.

 

[jpittore1]

Probably not "Disney-proper", but why not just make it a two drink minimum per person versus a cover. When I attend our local comedy club, we pay a cover PLUS it is made clear it is a two drink minimum per person. It probably would give WS a bad reputation with a two drink minimum, but it would be a softer message than a $35 cover.

 

[Communicore]

The cover is to ensure that they can only go to one joint. Some people, msyelf included, initially thought the $35 is to allow admission to the event and to all 4 lounges but it's actually for just one. I did see websites with the drinks and food offerings and it seems like it won't be the bang for the buck. LIke for example, a mezcal shot and nachos and dip isn't $35!

 

[71jason]

The cover is to ensure that they can only go to one joint. Some people, msyelf included, initially thought the $35 is to allow admission to the event and to all 4 lounges but it's actually for just one. I did see websites with the drinks and food offerings and it seems like it won't be the bang for the buck. LIke for example, a mezcal shot and nachos and dip isn't $35!

It's a flight of mezcal shots. On the "day" menu, that's $25. Also on the day menu, "nachos and dip" (better than anything you're going to get in a chain restaurant) runs right around $10, if not more. These prices are not out of line for Disney.

As an aside, with only two hours, under your plan you'd almost have to slam your drink then run to the next bar. I heard nothing that ever suggested this wouldn't be a one-bar-per-night type of deal.

 

[BigTxEars]

As per the OS article...

“The goal was not for the bar to be open later, but it was for you to be able to take something new or pair something new from a culture that you might not be as familiar with,” said Mandy ÖDigiammarino, general manager of food and beverage at Epcot. "It’s more of an educational experience than it is a party-bar atmosphere,” she said.

That's ridiculous what she's saying...What does she mean by something new??? "Or pair something new from a culture that you might not be familiar with???" What???? "educational experience"??? *** over.

Hey I know zip about Moroccan food, guess I will know more afterwards

 

[Clamman73]

Hey I know zip about Moroccan food, guess I will know more afterwards

Yes, but I'm trying to differentiate this experience vs just going there earlier and ordering the same items. I'm wondering are the servers going to give you more information about the snacks and drinks that you otherwise wouldn't have learned by just asking the server during normal hours? Where does the educational component come into play? (not a question directly to you, but I'm wondering in general)

 

[Communicore]

Yes, but I'm trying to differentiate this experience vs just going there earlier and ordering the same items. I'm wondering are the servers going to give you more information about the snacks and drinks that you otherwise wouldn't have learned by just asking the server during normal hours? Where does the educational component come into play? (not a question directly to you, but I'm wondering in general)

Yea, maybe it is more of an individualized educational experience, as to how a mezcal is made, why does Guinness include fish bladder, or maybe the intricacies of how to properly season the beef from the Moroccan beef pocket sandwiches.

 

[BigTxEars]

Yes, but I'm trying to differentiate this experience vs just going there earlier and ordering the same items. I'm wondering are the servers going to give you more information about the snacks and drinks that you otherwise wouldn't have learned by just asking the server during normal hours? Where does the educational component come into play? (not a question directly to you, but I'm wondering in general)

Good questions, I think we will star getting reports back soon and find out.

 

[BuddyThomas]

This has got to be more of an experiment than anything else. If it is profitable for them, maybe they will expand it in some way.

I have to admit that I am not into it if it is just to visit one place for the full two hours. I thought you picked the place you wanted to visit for the $35 inclusive food and drink but that you may purchase more at the other venues. If they lock you out of the other venues, which just seems silly, I can't justify attending.

 

[BigTxEars]

This has got to be more of an experiment than anything else. If it is profitable for them, maybe they will expand it in some way.

I have to admit that I am not into it if it is just to visit one place for the full two hours. I thought you picked the place you wanted to visit for the $35 inclusive food and drink but that you may purchase more at the other venues. If they lock you out of the other venues, which just seems silly, I can't justify attending.

I agree, the drinks and food at the place reserved and then you can wander to the others and pay out of pocket would be great. But I guess that depends on if those other places are full or not, if those folks are moving around to other places as well then there should be room I guess. Lots of unknowns at this point.

Of course if there are belly dancers at Spice Road then I might be stationary

 

[cw1982]

The vibe I got from reading it was that it's like any other ADR... if I make a dinner reservation at Coral Reef, that ADR is not tied to, say, Via Napoli in any way, shape, or form, other than indicating that I made a decision to eat at one place instead of the other. I didn't see anything that would be any kind of indicator that having a reservation at one lounge would mean any kind of access to the others; if that was the case, why would guests have to select one lounge when making reservations? Why not have it just be a package deal that included those four places?

No, I'm pretty positive that your $35 only entitles you to one place. Whether or not they would let guests buy drinks and appetizers at other open lounges on a walk-in basis remains to be seen, but again, I'm not sure what the purpose would be of requiring ADR's if that was the case. Sounds like they want guests to make ADR's so they know how much staff to plan for, etc.

 

[wdwfan22]

Since this is a hard ticket I guess it would be possible for a non Epcot theme park guest to pay the $35 and then enter the lounges? I'd like to invite some friends over if that is the case.

This is not a hard ticket event, it's a dining event reservation. Epcot Theme Park admission is required in order to attend.

 

[Goofnut1980]

They should expand the entrance and bus area to the World Showcase entrance which would tie between Boardwalk and Epcot WS to allow for later hours. They could stop transportation to the front of the park and close the front off. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult to do.