Epcot Money Grab

[BigTxEars]

Yep. You guys nailed it. I just found some internets that had historical hours that went back to 2002. And I saw that FW was closed at 7, and WS stayed open till 9. That deep annoyance bubbled right back up to the surface when I was looking at those hours.

How ridiculous to close FW at 7. No wonder I was ticked off.

7pm is early indeed. 9pm is reasonable although 10pm would make sense as well. WS could stay open well past that due to the bars and such

Either way the ideal that WDW started closing WS at 9m so they could now charge a cover to let folks in latter is debunked

 

[xdan0920]

7pm is early indeed. 9pm is reasonable although 10pm would make sense as well. WS could stay open well past that due to the bars and such

Either way the ideal that WDW started closing WS at 9m so they could now charge a cover to let folks in latter is debunked

I don't think anyone was saying that exactly. I *think* the sentiment being expressed was that Disney has started closing the WS earlier(not sure when this started, or if it even did now) to save money. Now, they see an opportunity to fleece guests out of a few extra bitcoins, and they are grabbing at it.

On the whole, I like the idea of the wind down, but I think the execution is lacking. Are we limited to the single flight and sampler? Can we order a la carte after we finish our 3.5 oz of wine? I think it would take me about 15 minutes to drink my flight and eat my charcuterie. Hardly worth $35. Also, how many people are they letting into these events? Is it super exclusive? or is it a cattle corral?

 

[BigTxEars]

I don't think anyone was saying that exactly. I *think* the sentiment being expressed was that Disney has started closing the WS earlier(not sure when this started, or if it even did now) to save money. Now, they see an opportunity to fleece guests out of a few extra bitcoins, and they are grabbing at it.

On the whole, I like the idea of the wind down, but I think the execution is lacking. Are we limited to the single flight and sampler? Can we order a la carte after we finish our 3.5 oz of wine? I think it would take me about 15 minutes to drink my flight and eat my charcuterie. Hardly worth $35. Also, how many people are they letting into these events? Is it super exclusive? or is it a cattle corral?

Details would be nice. They have said you can order off the menu as well.

"Along with the included samples, you will also be able to order from the regular menu."

We have ADRs at Bitergarden at 7pm so I will not be too hungry, drinks are a different matter.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I have been to Epcot many times over the last decade and WS never closed at 11pm unless there was an EMH. These after hour events at EPCOT are not being offered on the EMH days....SO please check you info that says the WS used to be open until 11pm.

And yes an empty WS is a very quite romantic place to stroll through being able to enjoy the different countries scenery is amazing. DH & I did a segway of the WS (no longer offered) before opening and it was some of the best photos I have of the countries and for someone who enjoys photos immensely this is a great addition to my Sept DW trip.

This will be at night so that shutter is gonna have to be open a long time to get good shots

 

[rt06]

I am thinking of booking just me and the wife, leaving the kids at the BW (well my daughter is going on 17 so not really kids) while we are there. A nice surprise for her I think We can walk to Epcot, drink it up and then stumble back to the BW

I hear you get a wristband. Someone said they got a 9:40 ADR. With my own eyes I saw 9:20, and only 9:20. Today, no availability (I'm screening July). I'm now worried that the concept isn't as I imagined (club level spread, bite sized morsels, limited options, but all you can eat). All you can eat may sound too good to be true, but the restaurant controls the pace and the portions at which the food is served. The food won't be fresh tomorrow, get rid of it today. Waste reduced. Servers make easy money. All they worry about is drinks, unnecessarily remove silverware to feel useful, and take their stinking 20% (j/k, not really, I am in the restaurant business). Everyone's happy.

The reason I quote you, BigTx is this: Say your family is done watching Illuminations. Time for you and wife to wind down. DD doesn't drink, and she doesn't eat lamb sliders because Mary had a little lamb, and that's just cruel. But DD, at an age that she can roam unaccompanied, isn't ready to head back to the hotel. She and the kids will hang around WS while you enjoy your wine. How can Disney possibly ask DD to leave WS when you're less than 200ft away? That's a PR nightmare.

I'm sure we'll get answers in due time. It's awful fun speculating.

 

[stalkingmickey]

Yep. You guys nailed it. I just found some internets that had historical hours that went back to 2002. And I saw that FW was closed at 7, and WS stayed open till 9. That deep annoyance bubbled right back up to the surface when I was looking at those hours.

How ridiculous to close FW at 7. No wonder I was ticked off.

As I stated in my post

"I have been to Epcot many times over the last decade and WS never closed at 11pm unless there was an EMH."

Maybe next time before you respond with a wise comment you will do your research.

 

[stalkingmickey]

I don't think anyone was saying that exactly. l?

That is exactly what some posters in this thread said....

 

[stalkingmickey]

This will be at night so that shutter is gonna have to be open a long time to get good shots

Not sure really if you think you being funny or if you think you are giving me a tip on how to take a night shot...thanks I am aware of how to take a night photo.

 

[xdan0920]

As I stated in my post

"I have been to Epcot many times over the last decade and WS never closed at 11pm unless there was an EMH."

Maybe next time before you respond with a wise comment you will do your research.

It has closed at 11 though, just not regularly, or recently. Not sure what was "wise" about my comment either.

My responses to @jakeman and @MichWolv were about the recent history of the park.

What was the extent of your research? Anecdotal evidence based on your specific trips to WDW? Me too.

 

[xdan0920]

That is exactly what some posters in this thread said....

I just thumbed through the thread again, I didn't see anyone saying exactly that. Maybe you can point me in the right direction?

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Not sure really if you think you being funny or if you think you are giving me a tip on how to take a night shot...thanks I am aware of how to take a night photo.

Just sorta saying that saying you had great pics during an empty MORNING will not equate to good pics...cause you know its dark?

 

[BigTxEars]

That is why I am glad it is offered as a option. It fits some families, others it does not. If my kids were much younger we would not do it as we would have nothing to do with them while we did the wind down. But as it stands my daughter is old enough to take my son back to the BW while I get my booze on

As far as the food, well let's just say I ain't going for the food If it's small portions or whatever I am fine with that. I will still be stuffed with German food at that point. I am going to have a drink or two and relax.........that is where the value is for me. Other it might be in the food, others no value at all. It's totally personal and option.

Now all of us are just guessing at this point, soon we will have reports and know for sure

At worst I am out $70 or so. I much rather lose $70 on a bum deal than miss out on what could be a great time at WDW which I go to once a year.

Ours is at 9:20 at SR, if the reservations are already filling up (think I read that on here) then looks like WDW has a winner on their hands

 

[cw1982]

Yep... ADR's are filling up. I was looking at the ADR's available during my trip, trying to tweak some times on other meals, and the Wind Downs are listed as events like the Fantasmic packages, but no times are showing as available.

 

[BigTxEars]

Just checked the 5th of June, 9:20p is still open at all four places. More booze for me

 

[BuddyThomas]

This sounds pretty cool. Count me in!

 

[stalkingmickey]

Just sorta saying that saying you had great pics during an empty MORNING will not equate to good pics...cause you know its dark?

Umm if I have my tri-pod and my camera settings set correct then the pictures will be just as good and if not better

 

[rt06]

Just checked the 5th of June, 9:20p is still open at all four places. More booze for me

I see what happened. It's only Thursday - Sunday.

 

[stalkingmickey]

WS used to be open till 11. Sorry you don't remember it.

This comment was a wise one....and maybe you remember WS staying open until 11pm but you failed to remember that they were EMH you were there for.

My information was not just from my years of planning WDW trips but it was not hard to find historical times WS closed.

As for posters saying that the time was taken away from regular guest just to make money on letting people stay in the parks please see post #39 page 2 of this thread

TY

 

[xdan0920]

This comment was a wise one....and maybe you remember WS staying open until 11pm but you failed to remember that they were EMH you were there for.

My information was not just from my years of planning WDW trips but it was not hard to find historical times WS closed.

Money grab to stay in a park you've already paid for, for time that used to be included in your admission?

If Martin says the park used to be open till 11, then the park used to be open till 11. Like I said, I was only able to find times back till 2002. And in those historical listings, there were times, NOT EMH, where the WS was open till 11. And plenty of times it was open till 10 as well. Not often, but it happened.

As for posters saying that the time was taken away from regular guest just to make money on letting people stay in the parks please see post #39 page 2 of this thread

TY

This?

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.

I don't think he is saying that Disney had some master plan to squeeze $35 out of a couple hundred guests an evening, and decided to close the park early to do so. He is saying, they close early to save money, then try and grab some extra cash off guests who want to stay a little later. Two VERY different things.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Umm if I have my tri-pod and my camera settings set correct then the pictures will be just as good and if not better

Maybe, but you would not need an empty park to get that. And better? Different, but you wont be able to see nearly as much.