Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
I’m not convinced they have any interest in the phased opening at Epcot anymore. I don’t think they ever loved it in the first place
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Walt Disney World theme park hours updates
- Thread starter Bill in Atlanta
- Start date
I’m not convinced they have any interest in the phased opening at Epcot anymore. I don’t think they ever loved it in the first place
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
They loved it when I was going in the 80s and 90s... after TT opening was the peak and it dropped off since
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
They loved it when I was going in the 80s and 90s... after TT opening was the peak and it dropped off since
Having people enter to specifically ride the “E tickets”....is not a win. Remember Epcot could never peddle it’s “swill” in the mornings. Garden grill was cute...but that was it.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
I’ve mentally blocked out such things...with good reason.
Guess we missed the whole “ticket prices raised effective Sunday at 12:01” announcement?
Looks like maybe 3-4 of them.
correcaminos
Well-Known Member
Nah but right around when TT was being built we had things like Horizons and Wonders of Life Pavilion. TT was delayed and so Horizons closed before it opened, but to me that was right when it took a nose dive. Maybe slightly before then... but the 90s definitely felt like a peak. I remember when FW and WS had two different set of hours. You did FW in the morning and WS after lunch (or for lunch really). It worked well. Miss some of those days. Now they have WS only beginning hours. I really miss what it was and hope they actually do something now they are finally taking care of things. They left it to rot it feels like
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Nah but right around when TT was being built we had things like Horizons and Wonders of Life Pavilion. TT was delayed and so Horizons closed before it opened, but to me that was right when it took a nose dive. Maybe slightly before then... but the 90s definitely felt like a peak. I remember when FW and WS had two different set of hours. You did FW in the morning and WS after lunch (or for lunch really). It worked well. Miss some of those days. Now they have WS only beginning hours. I really miss what it was and hope they actually do something now they are finally taking care of things. They left it to rot it feels like
I’m an Epcot purist...i fought many battles on the sugarplum candy boards about it during the “let it snow, Oslo!!!” Days. But I try to be pragmatic and just want a consistent commitment to not let the park rot/die in vain.
You won’t get any dispute from me here...However, I don’t think they like the “morning” crowd.
billions in park operations, if you think they will exhibit "charity" due to their stock price and revenue from Disney+ when setting WDW fees and deciding whether to charge for more access (FP+ or EMH) you don't understand corporate Disney very well.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Nobody is calling for “charity”
But the stock price is all that matters to those that control Disney. It’s 2021.
If you want to say that $200 for 3 hours at night (hypothetical) at magic kingdom is because they “lost money” or have to “make it up”...I have beans to sell you.
Public companies are now speculative...not revenue based. It is what it is.
Disney stock prices jumped in last year due to Disney+ revenue which soared, and yes speculation plays a huge part of that but revenue growth is also critical. My point is WDW will be looking to increase revenue (and continue to control costs), they know demand (visitors) will increase and I fully expect to see fewer sales in fall 2021 and beyond, no free or discounted dinning, plus more movement to revenue generating events and activities like extra hours and FP+ fees. Just watch.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
Looks like new park hours are starting to roll out for the week of April 11th. Magic Kingdom 8a-9p, Epcot 11a-11p, no change at Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom yet.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
April 11-17.
MK 8a to 9p
Epcot 11a to 11p
Studios 9a to 8p
DAK 8a to 8p
MK 8a to 9p
Epcot 11a to 11p
Studios 9a to 8p
DAK 8a to 8p
Walt Disney World theme park operating hours extended from April 11
Walt Disney World theme park operating hours extended from April 11
All four parks have increased operating hours for the second and third weeks of April 2021.
www.wdwmagic.com
Really good sign to see the "normal" hours returning post-Easter. Big test will be the following few weeks, later April into early May... do we keep seeing such "generous" hours.
I'm really hoping that 11pm Epcot close becomes permanent, at least through summer.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
Park hours react to demand, not the other way around. If the crowds keep coming, the hours will keep expanding.
It's a bit of mutual reinforcement. They see higher park reservations, high booking, higher anticipated crowds -- they expand hours. And those expanded hours ultimately also encourage more guests to come.
But my point being..... I'm happy to see the hours increasing, not just during Spring break and Easter.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
I'd be shocked if more than 2% of potential guests would cancel or skip a trip because the park hours are less than they'd like.
Still Spring Break though. Connecticut and Massachusetts will have breaks as late as April 23, maybe beyond.
many schools have easter break that extends week or longer after Easter (April 4th this year), so these hours are in respond to that "demand" surge, and again that late April into mid May should give indication of how WDW is planning for crowds in that period and respond in terms of hours. If on-site guests only get 1/2 early entry, I am hoping in fall for at least 12 hrs in each park so as have enough time
Cancel a trip: I doubt it.
But I see in many discussions, very common refrain: "I'm not going back while it's so limited" -- And hours are a big part of that.
And especially for guests who like to go at night. They see there are NO night hours being offered, they are less likely to book.