Anywhere to park to go in back entrance at Epcot?

[marciemi]

I know that on at least one of the evenings, we'll be going into to Epcot just to visit the countries and see Illuminations. I'd say our main focus is the American and Japanese pavilions, and it certainly looks like it would be a whole lot shorter to go in the back way than walk ALL the way through Future World and around the lagoon.

We'll be offsite and driving in though. Is there anywhere we can park that would make getting to that entrance shorter, or is it all resort parking in that area? We are not trying to avoid the parking fee - we would have already been to a park (and paid for parking) in the morning. I was also thinking it would help with the mass exodus afterwards - if we watched on the other side, we wouldn't have to walk all the way back through Future World either.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[Robo]

You can park at MGM and ride the boat to Epcot's Int'l Gateway.

Problem comes from staying past MGM's closing time.

The boats stop running back to MGM about an hour (or less) after MGM closes.
And the MGM parking lot trams stop about that same time.

Otherwise, sorry, but the "legal" remedy is to park at Epcot's parking lot and walk thru Future World to get to World Showcase.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

Believe it or not, it's not closer to the IG gateway from the far ends of the Boardwalk resort parking lot than it is from the legitimate Epcot parking lot.

And if you come into Boardwalk's gate and say you're coming to eat, they will park you at the far end of their parking lot.

It's a lot more thematically fun to just park where you're supposed to and enter at the front.

Epcot's lot is one of the most manageable, and if you're coming in in the evening, you'll be able to drive almost all the way up to the front of the lot and fill in spaces vacated by morning guests.

 

[bicker]

Yes, the Disney-MGM Studios is the only legit place you can park to use the International Gateway entrance. It's actually not a bad walk; just about 25 minutes for my wife and I, and a very nice wind-down after a long day at Epcot.

 

[Robo]

Yes, the Disney-MGM Studios is the only legit place you can park to use the International Gateway entrance. It's actually not a bad walk; just about 25 minutes for my wife and I, and a very nice wind-down after a long day at Epcot.

Yes, but the OP is asking so as NOT to HAVE TO WALK so far... that was the reason for the question.

 

[Harvestmooner]

If you paid for parking in the morning, I believe you can just show them your parking pass from that day and you won't have to pay again. I know that doens't get you any closer-but at least you don't have to pay again.

Have fun!!

 

[bicker]

Yes, but the OP is asking so as NOT to HAVE TO WALK so far... that was the reason for the question.

Okay, then the OP's best bet is to park in the Epcot lot, and use the main entrance to Epcot instead of the International Gateway.

 

[Robo]

Okay, then the OP's best bet is to park in the Epcot lot, and use the main entrance to Epcot instead of the International Gateway.

It all depends on timing.

If MGM is open late enough (or is having evening EMH), it can be less walking (but not less time) to take the boat between MGM and Epcot's IG to visit only WS.

But yes, most times the best bet is parking at Epcot.

 

[Donna]

I know that on at least one of the evenings, we'll be going into to Epcot just to visit the countries and see Illuminations. I'd say our main focus is the American and Japanese pavilions, and it certainly looks like it would be a whole lot shorter to go in the back way than walk ALL the way through Future World and around the lagoon.

We'll be offsite and driving in though. Is there anywhere we can park that would make getting to that entrance shorter, or is it all resort parking in that area? We are not trying to avoid the parking fee - we would have already been to a park (and paid for parking) in the morning. I was also thinking it would help with the mass exodus afterwards - if we watched on the other side, we wouldn't have to walk all the way back through Future World either.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

If you're planning on ending your evening at Epcot, why not get an ADR at Beach Club (cape may or beaches n cream) for around 5 or so, you'll be done around 6 and that gives you 3 hours to close out epcot at 9 and see Illuminations. Technically, you are "allowed" a 3 hr. "parking pass" for dinner (same as at contemporary or poly). That way, you are parking at Beach Club to eat there and won't be lying when you tell the guard. You will be questioned at the guard gate since you won't have the parking permit in your windshield. You could also eat at BW but Beach Club entrance to IG is so much closer; i suggest using the valet.

 

[DOOM1001]

If you tell the security guard at the Boardwalk you're going to eat at one of the Boardwalk restaurants you can park there for a couple of hours.However as far as the distance, I think it would be a bit closer from here to the WS than parking in Epcot's lot but not a big difference!!!

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, the BoardWalk parking lot is for exclusive use of BoardWalk guests, and guests currently using BoardWalk services, shops, activities, etc.

 

[marciemi]

Thanks everyone! I've never gone in the International Gateway entrance before and don't believe I've ever actually even seen it. I was just looking at the map of Epcot and thinking it would be shorter, but honestly didn't even know what it led to (sounds like Boardwalk and Beach Club from the posts - neither of which I've ever been to).

I think all the time we're there (late July - early Aug) MGM is open later than Epcot, so it sounds like if we have any plans to be at MGM, we could ride over to Epcot and still have time to get back. But otherwise, I guess it would be easier to park in the main lot and maybe take the ferry across the lagoon - do they still have that?

Thanks again!

 

[goofy4tink]

I routinely stay at BW, and it takes me just about as long to walk to the International Gateway from BW as it does for me to walk from the front entrance of Epcot and then walk to WS. It's about 10 minutes either way.
You can take one of the water taxis across the lake but it is time consuming. I found that I walk it faster than the boat makes it. But, if you aren't in a hurry, then go for it. It's a nice relaxing thing to do.
You could also park at the TTC and take the Epcot monorail over..that's fun also and drops you closer than the parking lot.