Better Epcot Early Entry Strategy?

[4My3KGirls]

I am trying to decide which is the better strategy for Early Entry into Epcot when coming from All Star Sports. Here are the two options I am looking at:

1. Take the bus from All Star Sports direct to the main entrance at Epcot. Epcot Early Entry starts at 8:30, so I plan on busses to Epcot being available starting at 7:30.

2. Take the bus from All Star Sports to Hollywood Studios (8:00 AM Early Entry / 7:00 Bus) and then take Skyliner to International Gateway from DHS.

I think I am leaning toward Option 2 since our priority for the morning will be Remy and then Frozen, but if that isn't feasible to get us there early enough to be toward the front of the IG crowd, then we can make Test Track the priority and use Option 1.

Has anyone used Option 2 for an Early Entry day at Epcot?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If Remy is your first priority for the morning, then you option 2 sounds very good - enter at International Gateway and avoid all the folks entering from the main entrance. That being said, it's tough to tell what the early entry lines will look like at IG, and it is a much smaller entry for guests (less queues to get you through). We were there last week, and even though we didn't enter early, I was out for an early morning run. When I saw the queue at IG at 8:00 (park opened at 9:00, so 8:30 early opening that day) it was lined up from around the Skyliner exit back to the bridge already. I didn't experience how long the would take to get in, but it's probably 10 minutes, at least, if you're in the back. Good luck with your choices! If it were us and Remy, Frozen, and TT were the priorities, I think at one-day G+ purchase would be the way to enjoy the day a little more, but that's not for everyone!

 

[RoseGold]

Option 2 works, but that's a long ride, you have to transfer at CB. I'd just take a Lyft to Beach Club and walk in the back. Even if they turn you away at the gate, which they shouldn't, just get out at the gate. The parking lot is small.

Say you made a mobile order for the restaurant or you need to meet a friend at International Gateway.

Other option would be take the boat to BC from HS, which is a more pleasant ride, but also not exactly fast.

Or, if you want some extra steps, the long HS - BW - Epcot walk is surprisingly pleasant.

 

[cjlong88]

You can also take an Uber to Swan/Dolphin and walk. Personally I've been prevented from entering a Disney resort because I wasn't staying there and didn't have a dining reservation before. Doesn't happen at Swolphin, so if you want to avoid a chance that you'll be denied entry (my introverted, rule-following self was super embarrassed when it happened to me ), that is another option for you!

 

[kylenne]

I'd just take a Lyft to Beach Club and walk in the back. Even if they turn you away at the gate, which they shouldn't

lol they absolutely are at prime rope drop hours, precisely because of too many people doing this kind of thing. There’s a reason folk are always making convoluted plans to get dropped off at that Speedway.

OP, just take a Lyft to the Dolphin if you have to do this. No one ever gets turned away there and it’s maybe 5 minutes more walking than BC, if that. Skyliner lines can be obscene at CBR in the morning because of all the people transferring between lines.

 

[RoseGold]

lol they absolutely are at prime rope drop hours, precisely because of too many people doing this kind of thing. There’s a reason folk are always making convoluted plans to get dropped off at that Speedway.

So you get out at the gate, or get out in the line to the gate. What do you care if the car makes it in?

 

[snikki]

I would Uber to dolphin and walk to the IG. Although I’ve seen reports of people taking an Uber to BWI and not being turned away.

 

[coasternut22]

I agree with taking a rideshare to swan/dolphin. This is the ideal choice. If you can’t do this, then for option 2, it’s faster to walk from HS to IG than it is to take the skyliner.

 

[gharter]

If Remy is your priority, then you want to enter through the IG.
Either ride share to Swan/Dolphin or go to HS and then I would walk to Boardwalk area and then walk to EPcot. That will be about a 25 minute walk. The Skyway from HS goes to Caribbean Beach where you have to get off and switch to a different line. It will be packed at that time and could have a long wait.

 

[Miffy]

OP, I just returned from WDW and rode the Skyliner from Epcot to DHS at a time when there was practically no one else around, so I didn't have to wait in line and the trip took 20 minutes, not counting walking to or walking off the Skyliner.

I imagine that at peak times it takes much longer.

 

[40ariel]

I am trying to decide which is the better strategy for Early Entry into Epcot when coming from All Star Sports. Here are the two options I am looking at:

1. Take the bus from All Star Sports direct to the main entrance at Epcot. Epcot Early Entry starts at 8:30, so I plan on busses to Epcot being available starting at 7:30.

2. Take the bus from All Star Sports to Hollywood Studios (8:00 AM Early Entry / 7:00 Bus) and then take Skyliner to International Gateway from DHS.

I think I am leaning toward Option 2 since our priority for the morning will be Remy and then Frozen, but if that isn't feasible to get us there early enough to be toward the front of the IG crowd, then we can make Test Track the priority and use Option 1.

Has anyone used Option 2 for an Early Entry day at Epcot?

Did you end up using Option 2? How did it work out? I am contemplating a similar strategy, taking the bus from Saratoga Springs to Hollywood Studios and then walking to International Gateway to ride Remy at Early Entry.

 

[4My3KGirls]

Did you end up using Option 2? How did it work out? I am contemplating a similar strategy, taking the bus from Saratoga Springs to Hollywood Studios and then walking to International Gateway to ride Remy at Early Entry.

We ended going with Option 1. It was certainly a disadvantage over those coming in through IG to get to Ratatouille, but if your goal is Test Track, or maybe even Frozen at rope drop, I imagine it would be the same, if not better.

We were held about half way between The Seas and The Land right along the construction walls for Moana. When we got to Ratatouille it was posted 45 min. We waited a little more than 30. When we came out it was up to 75 min already. This was MLK weekend in January.

 

[SL6827]

So if EE is slated for 8:30, best to be at the IG no later than 7:30? Or earlier? (end of January timeline for reference)

 

[gharter]

We were there in October (Food and WIne), got to IG at 8 for 8:30 EE and were in the first 1/3 of the crowd when it opened. Had about a 20 minute wait for Remy. I wouldn't get there any later than 30 before EE.

 

[40ariel]

Has anyone tried taking the bus from their resort to Hollywood Studios (8:00 AM Early Entry / bus stop at 6:30am) and then taking Skyliner/boat/walking to International Gateway from DHS for an 8:30 AM Early Entry at EPCOT?

Just wondering how it worked out for you?

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Normally the skyliner is faster between the Studios and Epcot, but first thing in the morning due to lines at the CBR hub you might be better off taking the friendship boat. First boat usually leaves at 7:15 am from HS and gets you to I.G. around 7:40. If you miss that the 7:30 boat will get you there around 7:55.

 

[40ariel]

Normally the skyliner is faster between the Studios and Epcot, but first thing in the morning due to lines at the CBR hub you might be better off taking the friendship boat. First boat usually leaves at 7:15 am from HS and gets you to I.G. around 7:40. If you miss that the 7:30 boat will get you there around 7:55.

I just wanted to report back that we tried Strategy 2: Take the bus to Hollywood Studios (8:00 AM Early Entry) and then the Skyliner to International Gateway from DHS.

If you want to be at the front of the security line at the International Gateway, you are better off walking from Hollywood Studios to International Gateway.

After getting on the skyliner, we were held up at the CBR hub, they wouldn't let anyone going to Epcot get on the skyliner at the CBR hub until 7:30am.

I recommend bus to Hollywood Studios and walking from HS to IG.