Beach Club to Epcot Main Gate for Backstage Tour

[L&Lfan]

Is there anyway to get to the Main Gate at Epcot from the Beach Club for a backstage tour meeting at 8:45am? We don't have park admission media so the use of International Gateway isn't an option. I have heard you can walk along the street sidewalk from the entrance to the Beach Club to the entrance/parking lot to Epcot. Is that even possible? Or is our only option to take a cab? Any help/advice would be most welcome. Thanks!

 

[RSWA2]

I posted this exact same question on another section.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3340765

But I called the Tour number, asked the CM there, she called Guest Relations and Guest Relations told her that I can go the IG entrance and they will have a list of people who are taking the tour. They will then escort me to the front to meet for the tour.

If you get a chance, call them too, see if we get the same answer.

 

[JeJecm]

I had the same issue as we were going to be staying at Beach Club and doing the Backstage. Since that was the first day if our trip we changed our reservation and our staying at hotel in DDT area. It was cheaper and has shuttle to Epcot. We will be staying at Beach Club starting the day after our Backstage Tour. Just curious what day are you doing the Backstage. We are booked for Nov 7

 

[L&Lfan]

11/11/14 Veteran's Day is our tour.

I think I will check with the IGGR a day or two before the tour to see if they have a list of tour guests for real.

Actually, it was a CM on the Disney tours phoneline who told me there's a sidewalk you can use from the Beach Club to the Epcot Main Gate but I've never heard of that!

What a waste to have to take a cab from BC to Epcot.

 

[RSWA2]

11/11/14 Veteran's Day is our tour.

I think I will check with the IGGR a day or two before the tour to see if they have a list of tour guests for real.

Actually, it was a CM on the Disney tours phoneline who told me there's a sidewalk you can use from the Beach Club to the Epcot Main Gate but I've never heard of that!

What a waste to have to take a cab from BC to Epcot.

Hmm, yeah I looked on Google maps to see if I could walk there, it looks like you can but you have to walk on the actual street, so that's not practical. Yeah, check a couple days before to see if they will have a list.

 

[illinidp]

You can use the IG if you are in the tour.

 

[DebbieB]

Could you walk or boat to DHS and catch an Epcot bus there?

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think you can enter a park without a park pass...even if you are on a tour. There is no way to walk to the front of Epcot from any resort, not even the Epcot resorts.
They may have changed the rules though...I was told, at GS at the IG, that if I wanted to get into the park, even to just walk through, I had to have a park pass. I would ask at GS and see what they say...or even right at the IG entrance area. I have found that getting answers from CMs on the phone is not to be relied on.

 

[bryana]

i had assumed that all tours needed park admission. are there some that don't? it would be a good thing to keep in mind for future reference!

 

[tinkfan160]

For the Backstage Magic tour you do not have to have a park ticket, but I believe it is required for all of the others as they focus on one specific park whereas the backstage tour goes to all 4.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

You can take a bus to MK and monorail to Epcot. Check if D&S has bus s ervice to Epcot. You can walk that.

 

[jsilvers]

I have heard you can walk along the street sidewalk from the entrance to the Beach Club to the entrance/parking lot to Epcot.

I'm extremely curious where you have heard this. Not only is there no sidewalk, but there is a canal between the Beach Club and Epcot. So unless you're planning to dodge cars, take a swim, and then hide from security while cutting through backstage areas… See https://www.google.com/maps/place/D...2!3m1!1s0x88dd7fac3e06c229:0xf888e62fdee747bc.

 

[LaurenT]

I posted this exact same question on another section. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3340765 But I called the Tour number, asked the CM there, she called Guest Relations and Guest Relations told her that I can go the IG entrance and they will have a list of people who are taking the tour. They will then escort me to the front to meet for the tour. If you get a chance, call them too, see if we get the same answer.

We did this. It was a few years ago, but DH and I were allowed through the IG before park open to go to the front of the park for our backstage tour. They did not scan our tickets (though we did have them).
I remember getting several different answers both here and from calling ... But in the end it was no problem.

 

[RSWA2]

11/11/14 Veteran's Day is our tour.

I think I will check with the IGGR a day or two before the tour to see if they have a list of tour guests for real.

Actually, it was a CM on the Disney tours phoneline who told me there's a sidewalk you can use from the Beach Club to the Epcot Main Gate but I've never heard of that!

What a waste to have to take a cab from BC to Epcot.

OP, were you successful in going through the IG without a ticket?

My tour is coming up in a couple weeks, so I'll reply back on what we had to do without a ticket, just in case there are some interested in knowing.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If park admission is not required for your tour, they WILL escort you from the International Gateway. Yes, I have seen it done before. A CM will stay with you but they will take you to the tour meeting area.

 

[RSWA2]

Update

As others have stated, yes you can walk through to IG to the front gate of Epcot for a tour without using a park admission.

You check in at guest services at the IG and they will have a CM walk with you through to guest services at the Front entrance. Worked for us without any issues just last month.

 

[Dayzy]

Isn't there a boat that goes from Yacht & Beach Clubs to the front entrance of Epcot? Or does it only run at certain times?

 

[Raenstoirm]

Isn't there a boat that goes from Yacht & Beach Clubs to the front entrance of Epcot? Or does it only run at certain times?

Thats the international gateway, which is the back entrance to epcot, hence the issue. There is no water in the front of epcot.