ATW Tour drop off question.

[TinkerBellSam]

DH and DD16 are doing the Around the World at Epcot Tour (the segway one). Their tour time is 9:00 am and looking for them to be at the gate by 8:30. (seperate entrance??)
Since we are driving and will have a car, can I just drive them to the front of Epcot and drop them off, or will they make me drop them off in the parking lot somewhere? Or should they just take the bus from AKL and does it run early enough? Sorry for all the questions!! You DISer's are the best!

 

[pamjb]

You can drop them off in the Epcot parking lot. Once you get to the parking booths, they will direct you to an area to drop them off. It wasn't far from the entrance, but it was away from the Disney bus entrance.
I think it would be better for you to drop them off. You don't want them to be late for their tour.
I have done the tour twice...it is awesome! We were staying at the Beach Club at the time, so we were able to walk in the International Gateway entrance.

 

[TinkerBellSam]

Would it be less crowed for them to go in the IG at this time of the morning? maybe a little earlier to make it to IW?

Thanks for the great info.

 

[pamjb]

It may be less crowded to get in through the IG, but I can't guarantee that you will be able to get in that way. There was some people in our tour that were also staying at the Beach Club. They were told they had to get to the front of Epcot. I guess we asked a different CM and were told we could go through the IG. But we were on a very early tour (7:30 am, I think).
But, remember, if you choose to go in through the IG, it is a loooong walk to Guest Relations inside the park, so that will add to the time.
I would just use the front entrance, it may be easier.

 

[TinkerBellSam]

Thanks!