The "pavilion" is where the old Millenium Village use to be. The gateway is right between Canada and England. Not sure if this link will work, but here goes:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=epcot&hl=en&ll=28.371271,-81.551718&spn=0.00127,0.001148&sll=27.698638,-83.804601&sspn=14.773305,18.808594&t=h&hq=epcot&z=20
The blue roofed arc shaped building is where 3D is held, as well as the Party for the Senses. It looks small from this angle, but its actually pretty big. There is a big wooden gate close to the walkway. That will be closed before the event.
A little before the Sweet Seats are opened, the little door in the gate will open and there will be a flurry of activity. That's when and where you check in if you have reserved seats. Then you walk up the pathway to the entrance of the building.
Inside there they give you the menu and color codes for the tables. You can spot what each table is giving out by matching the color above it to the color in the menu. They also give you a pair of glasses for the "3-D" later.
Now I believe if you go to the PFTS they don't give you the glasses, but they do give you a plate and wine glasses. But I could be mixing up the two.
This all happens in the "holding room" where you wait your turn to be shown to your reserved table. You get about a half hour of free reign in the room, grabbing what ever food you want, before GA is left in. (Which is well worth the extra price.)
The GA people fill up the holding room in the meantime. And then there is a "rope drop" where the curtain seperating the holding room is dropped. That's when the mad rush begins.
I don't care what anyone else says... There is always the initial mad rush of people that come in. Between waiting all that time and the spectre of no where to sit, some people can get pretty animated. Plus there is always someone (or someones) that haven't had a good day and are intent on getting their money's worth.
My wife and I have done GA a couple of times before. And we've always offered our empty seats to anyone who politely asks. One time I spotted line mates that had gotten stuck with one of the bartops. And invited them over to the table as well. It's always turned out well. (So be nice to the people waiting in line with you if you are GA.
)
Advice... Go hungry. Don't eat dinner. Eat an early lunch. There is *a lot* of food to have. Mostly desert stuff, but a little bit of real food that could make up a dinner.
When the event is over, they ferry everyone out of the event hall. If it's raining, they usually hand out ponchos. They also usually hand out a goodie bag of chocolates and such.
The event includes a special viewing area for the fireworks. The last two years its been the area between the two Gateway shops near the ferries. Which usually results in really annoying the families that were waiting there hoping the ropes would drop for them.
It doesn't help that half the event goers are half crocked from all the free Scotch and wine that are handed out at the event.
This is also where those 3-D glasses come into use. But I won't ruin the surprise of what they are for.
The morning dial in was somewhat successful - got some of what we wanted...cast member initially clueless and apologetic - but helpful. I work for a big company and the lack of preparedness doesn't surprise me - feel bad for the phone folks...hope their day wasn't too horrific...
