Best resort for EPCOT

[mspencer]

Arriving 3/27 and looking to head to EPCOT for 3/28. We are staying at either Hilton Bonnet Creek or Hilton Buena Vista Palace but for the night of the 27th I thought of staying onsite or at Disney Swan/Dolphin for convenience. I would like to be there right away to catch the opening (which from what I read people are allowed in this park about 30 minutes prior to posted open time). Main thing daughter wants to do is Soarin and Test Track. What is your hotel recommendation. Considering Pop, Art of Animation or Caribbean Beach for onsite, but not sure if it would be better to be able to walk from Swan or Dolphin or if really the benefit is that minimal that I should stick with either Hilton as I have a great deal I can get at either. Thoughts?

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Beach Club. Its the closest resort to the IG entrance

 

[havoc315]

Beach Club is truly under a 5 minute walk.
Swan and Dolphin are a long walk or slow boat ride away.

The Skyliner hotels are a good option but you need to line up extremely early for the Skyliner if you want to make rope drop.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

While it’s ultimately not that big of a deal and hundreds/thousands of people manage it just fine each day, I don’t love the pre-planning/thought/extra time involved from the Skyliner resorts when trying to rope drop Epcot, especially now where single parties per cabin are creating rather long lines during high traffic times.

To me, I think the convenience of a walkable Epcot resort is worth it, so Swan/Dolphin would get strong consideration for me out of your choices.

 

[mspencer]

Can someone clarify where the walkable resorts take you into EPCOT? I am thinking a different entrance than the one others arrive at. Is that an inconvenience at all? Also, I am reading those that arrive by car are not allowed in until a certain time and they circle or line up somehow? That has me a little stressed for some reason thus I am considering a more convenient location for our park day. Lol

 

[chalee94]

Can someone clarify where the walkable resorts take you into EPCOT? I am thinking a different entrance than the one others arrive at. Is that an inconvenience at all? Also, I am reading those that arrive by car are not allowed in until a certain time and they circle or line up somehow? That has me a little stressed for some reason thus I am considering a more convenient location for our park day. Lol

The Epcot resorts are around Crescent Lake (bottom left of the pic) leading to the International Gateway entrance. The main parking lot and monorail entrance are at the top of the pic.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We have stayed at both. I think a lot depends on your pace of walking. While BC/YC are very close, we are fast walkers and have stayed at Swan/Dolphin and thought the walk was very quick (under 10 minutes for sure for us). If you are pretty speedy I would choose the Swan/Dolphin due to the probable cost savings. If the costs, after resort fee and any parking fee, are close, I would chose YC/BC.

 

[gatour]

Can someone clarify where the walkable resorts take you into EPCOT? I am thinking a different entrance than the one others arrive at. Is that an inconvenience at all? Also, I am reading those that arrive by car are not allowed in until a certain time and they circle or line up somehow? That has me a little stressed for some reason thus I am considering a more convenient location for our park day. Lol

The International Gateway entrance is between the UK and France pavillions.

 

[bakerworld]

Arriving 3/27 and looking to head to EPCOT for 3/28. We are staying at either Hilton Bonnet Creek or Hilton Buena Vista Palace but for the night of the 27th I thought of staying onsite or at Disney Swan/Dolphin for convenience. I would like to be there right away to catch the opening (which from what I read people are allowed in this park about 30 minutes prior to posted open time). Main thing daughter wants to do is Soarin and Test Track. What is your hotel recommendation. Considering Pop, Art of Animation or Caribbean Beach for onsite, but not sure if it would be better to be able to walk from Swan or Dolphin or if really the benefit is that minimal that I should stick with either Hilton as I have a great deal I can get at either. Thoughts?

We love the Dolphin and it is walking distance to Epcot and HS - or you can use the boat. The pricing can be similar or better than Caribbean Beach.

 

[MDIME]

We have stayed at both. I think a lot depends on your pace of walking. While BC/YC are very close, we are fast walkers and have stayed at Swan/Dolphin and thought the walk was very quick (under 10 minutes for sure for us). If you are pretty speedy I would choose the Swan/Dolphin due to the probable cost savings. If the costs, after resort fee and any parking fee, are close, I would chose YC/BC.

I second this 100%!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would choose beach club. I love the resort and it’s very close to Epcot.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I know this is what people mean, but just for the sake of clarity since the trip is end of March.....Beach Club is an option but only Beach Club Villas since the hotel side is still closed until 5/30.