Beach Club and International Gateway

[LisaInNc]

We are having earaly breakfast at the Beach Club and planing on being at Epcot when it opens for the all important Soarin. Can we use the International Gateway for this or would we be better going to front of the park.

It's 4th of July week so crowds are going to be heavy so getting there when it opens is important.

I will cancel the breakfast if I have to.

Lisa

 

[frndofpooh]

We always use the International Gateway from the Beach Club. It's pretty quick to go that way because there are really no crowds in the WS that time of morning and you can just zip over to Soarin'. Good luck!

 

[erikthewise]

The practice varies. Sometimes they won't even start checking bags until precisely 9:00. Other times they will let you in early and hold at a rope before the UK pavilion until 9:00. If you're really lucky they might drop the rope a couple minutes early to give you a fighting chance.

Invariably you are at a few minutes disadvantage to those entering at the main gate. But only to those who enter FIRST at the main gate! They do not get through all at once, and if you are in the front of the line at International Gate, you will get to Soarin before many of the people at Main Gate. For this reason there is little advantage if any to driving to Main Gate unless you get there early enough to be one of the first to enter.

Don't be at the end of the line at International Gate, since there are a limited number of turnstiles there and it may take a while to get everyone through.

On a slow day none of this matters a great deal, but you asked about 4th of July week. I've never had the pleasure of experiencing crowds of that level, but I hope I've helped.

 

[Robert P]

I agree with the previous posters. We always us the IG, and heading straight to Soarin, I am never in front, but still ahead of the bulk of the crowd from the front entrance.
As erikthe wise pointed out, sometimes they don't budge until 9:00, and other times we have been let inside the gates, and held at a rope.
Either way, I would say it is not worth the effort to go to the front gate unless you are sure to be near the front, as there is a good chance you will be fine if you are at or near the front of the line for the IG entrance.
Good luck.

 

[m_kasch]

I agree with everyone else, it is easier to use the IG to get anywhere in EPCOT, if you are at the Beach Club. There are less people there, so it is easier to navigate the crowds -- although I have never been there 4th of July, so maybe it is crazy or soemthing. Have fun!!