International Gateway - How Soon May I Enter Epcot?

[MattIL]

We are staying at the Beach Club Villas next week. How soon in the morning will we be able to enter through the International Gateway on a regular morning entry (9:00 AM). We obviously would like to get to Soaring as quickly as possible to either ride the ride or obtain a fast pass.

Thank you for the help.

 

[LMO429]

I am curious about the answer to this as well. I'm pretty sure they changed it and let you into the park a little earlier from what I read. It use to be roped off till 9 right before england. it was never a problem being one of the first people on soarin from that position.

 

[Metsoskil]

I've been there when they didn't open the turnstiles 'til exactly 9, and I've been there where they let you walk in about 15 min. early so that you are at the rope (on the opposite side of the character spot) during the rope drop countdown. There's just no way to tell.

 

[Bradsdadg]

Last year when we went it was 9, same as the front side.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I just got back from a 10-night stay at BWV! For the regular 9am opening of Epcot, they allowed us through the turnstiles at 8:45am. The CM told me they try to time it to be in sync with the front gates. We had arrived at 8:30am and were the first ones through the turnstile. I was at the very front of the rope, stay to the left side as much as possible and you will see the CMs who will escort you to Soarin' at the exact same time as the CMs on the other side (where the people entered from the front gate). I got a FP for Soarin' with a return time of 9:50am. No problems!! We waited a little bit in the standby line though to ride with our group of 7 people because my dad takes longer to walk than the rest of us. We only waited 15 minutes though, not bad at all!! The FP was for my husband who was staying with our little one (too short to ride) and our big one (did not want to ride). In the mean time, DH went to test Track to get FPs for those of us who wanted to ride that one (7 of us).

Just so you know, while many people are very nice and courteous at the parks, some people are vicious at rope drop time and will literally run down anyone to get to the rides first. If you walk slower you will still be on the ride in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Robo]

The Int'l gateway usually opens to allow guests to enter a few minutes before the scheduled opening time (EMH or regular).

Guests can walk in past the (still-closed until 11am) UK pavillion up to a rope-drop area either near Future World or near the FW Fountain of Nations.

CM's will then "walk" guests to a popular attraction (Soarin' and/or Test Track).

Int'l. gateway guests usually make it to the entrance of a popular attraction a bit behind those who enter at the main gates... but not really enough later to matter.