Back entrance at EPCOT

[HMHunters]

Hi all! I am planning a trip to the world to participate in the half marathon in January. (I must be addicted if I'm willing to do that just to get a trip!) I was wondering if anyone knows if the back entrance to EPCOT will be open for participants to use or if we'll have to go to the main entrance? If the back entrance is open I'm thinking of staying at a resort back there. Otherwise we'll stay on the monorail. I just need to optimize our sleeping time!! Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Robo]

Hi all! I am planning a trip to the world to participate in the half marathon in January. (I must be addicted if I'm willing to do that just to get a trip!) I was wondering if anyone knows if the back entrance to EPCOT will be open for participants to use or if we'll have to go to the main entrance? If the back entrance is open I'm thinking of staying at a resort back there. Otherwise we'll stay on the monorail. I just need to optimize our sleeping time!! Thanks in advance for your help.

The entrance is called the "International Gateway".

It is open any time Epcot is in operation for guests (EMH included).

But if there is a special event that takes place when the rest of Epcot is not open, it would only be on an event-by-event basis as to whether they would staff both entrances.

The marathon route (in the past) has started OUTSIDE the Epcot front gates and exited thru the OPPOSITE side of World Showcase than the Int'l Gateway (via a private CM exit.) Later, I believe runners may RETURN via the Int'l. Gateway to end the run at Epcot again.

All this is to say, only Disney officials will decide WHEN they will open the Gateway.
My guess is that many of the officials for the marathon will be staying at the Epcot Resorts, and will need access thru this Gateway before the evnet.

 

[raven69david]

Wow. I didn't know there were 2 entrances to EPCOT. I know where the main entrance is, but where is the "International Gateway" entrance?

 

[momandseandodisney]

Wow. I didn't know there were 2 entrances to EPCOT. I know where the main entrance is, but where is the "International Gateway" entrance?

Yeha, I did not know this either - can WDW transportation ever drop you off there (we are comign from CBR)

 

[Robo]

Yeha, I did not know this either - can WDW transportation ever drop you off there (we are comign from CBR)

The Int'l Gateway is located between the United Kingdom and France in WS.

It can be used by all guests.
But there is no regular bus service to this gate.

There is regular boat ("Friendship") transportation (complimentary to all guests) that "loops" to stops at Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin Resorts, and Disney-MGM Studios... and reverse of all of those stops coming back to Epcot.

If you want to ride the boat to MGM, the trip time (including all the stops) is 30 minutes (same for the return direction).

You can also walk to/from all of those locations from the Int'l. Gateway.
Walk time between Epcot and MGM is approx. 30 minutes at a constant pace.

There is a Guest Relations window ("Will Call" is fine here, too) and you may buy park tickets there as well.

In the mornings, EMH and Reg., since WS is not open until 11am, guests ARE allowed to enter the Int'l. Gateway and walk through a small section of WS (past the closed UK and Canada) to get to FW and its attractions.

(You may also exit this way even before 11am, but you must tell a CM as you enter from FW that all you want to do is exit this gate.)

 

[JRawkSteady]

You can actually walk there from Boardwalk as well. But you have to meet at the front of Epcot for the marathons unfortunately.

OP, maybe I'll see you there! My DGf is running the goofy race and a half, so we'll be there too!

 

[Spine_DR]

Its a small gate with like 6 turnstyles, its primary purpose is for entrance to Epcot for Boardwalk, Y&B and Swan and Dolphin guests. Many people use it to visit the Boardwalk being somewhat of an attraction in itself. Liike Robo said there is a boat that does a loop that includes all the resorts I mentioned MGM and Epcot. There are no buses from the CBR to any of those hotels so tgo take a bus you would have to hop on a Beachclub bus (Beachclub being little bit closer to Epcot than Boardwalk) from a park or DTD.

 

[raven69david]

Oh ok. Now i know where that is. I thought it was a separate entrace somewhere behind WS. I've always seen the ferry boats load/unload passengers there and knew that they were for the resorts. I just didnt know that it was called the International Gateway.

 

[DVCRSheridan]

Since we stay @ the BWV this back entrance to EPCOT (International Gateway) is awesome! It is so simple to just walk or take a Freindship boat over to EPCOT & then basically walk right in as there are hardly ever any lines. very very simple & convenient when staying @ any of the EPCOT resorts.

 

[antmaril]

This is why we stay at the BWI. Walk over to EPCOT and enter through the International Gateway - LOVE it!

 

[DVCRSheridan]

This is why we stay at the BWI. Walk over to EPCOT and enter through the International Gateway - LOVE it!

Yup, we love the walk over to EPCOT. It's especially nice @ night when everything is all lit up. The over to MGM isn't bad either.

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi all! I am planning a trip to the world to participate in the half marathon in January. (I must be addicted if I'm willing to do that just to get a trip!) I was wondering if anyone knows if the back entrance to EPCOT will be open for participants to use or if we'll have to go to the main entrance? If the back entrance is open I'm thinking of staying at a resort back there. Otherwise we'll stay on the monorail. I just need to optimize our sleeping time!! Thanks in advance for your help.

HMH -
IG is NOT open in the early AM for the 1/2 or full marathon start for those of us (DW and myself) staying at an Epcot resort for the event. If staying at an Epcot resort, or any any other Disney resort for that matter, with the exception of the monorail resorts and OKW (optional), bus transportation is available to the start. This runs from approximately 3:00 - 4:00 AM. You can drive or taxi if you wish. I've heard the monorail resorts are the best for "sleeping in", with the one exception being OKW. The start line for both, although a little
longer for the 1/2, is walkable from OKW....so I've heard.

We'll "see" you there on the 6th. Be prepared for temps anywhere from the
mid 30's (as it was this year) to the mid 50's for the start! Good luck with your training.

As a side, it's nice staying at the BCVs and watching mile 24 of the full the morning after you've completed the 1/2, plus the walk to EC and MGM the days after help keep the legs loose!!

 

[faindrops27]

How long is the boat over to beaches and cream??

 

[DVCRSheridan]

How long is the boat over to beaches and cream??

From the back entrance to EPCOT? It's only a few minute ride to the Yacht/Beach Club. You will first stop @ the Boardwalk & then onto YC/BC. It's about 5 minutes give or take.

 

[HMHunters]

Thanks to all for your responses! Looks like the mouse is out of the bag on our "secret" entrance! We have taken the boat from there over to MGM and found it very enjoyable.

HMH -
IG is NOT open in the early AM for the 1/2 or full marathon start for those of us (DW and myself) staying at an Epcot resort for the event. If staying at an Epcot resort, or any any other Disney resort for that matter, with the exception of the monorail resorts and OKW (optional), bus transportation is available to the start. This runs from approximately 3:00 - 4:00 AM. You can drive or taxi if you wish. I've heard the monorail resorts are the best for "sleeping in", with the one exception being OKW. The start line for both, although a little
longer for the 1/2, is walkable from OKW....so I've heard.

We'll "see" you there on the 6th. Be prepared for temps anywhere from the
mid 30's (as it was this year) to the mid 50's for the start! Good luck with your training.

As a side, it's nice staying at the BCVs and watching mile 24 of the full the morning after you've completed the 1/2, plus the walk to EC and MGM the days after help keep the legs loose!!

Great info; thanks! When you're taking 3 or 4 a.m. even 20 minutes extra sleep is HUGE; especially if you're planning on running 13 miles. We've been to WDW several times at Christmas, so I plan on taking clothes for any kind of weather. Good luck with your training and the race!