bus to epcot main entrance from bw?

[daughterlovestink]

I know you can walk into the Epcot through the international gateway from the Boardwalk, but since this opens later than Future World and we have small children and we don't want to add on any more walking than necessary, is there a bus to Epcots main entrance?

 

[spiceycat]

no - none of the Epcot resorts have a bus to Epcot.

there use to be an Epcot bus at the Studios - but believe me it is easier to just walk to Epcot thru the IG - it is not a far walk.

 

[Bob P]

No, sorry; you have to go through the IG from any of the Epcot Resorts.

Bob

 

[amejr999]

Do they let you in earlier so you have the same chance of getting to Space/TT/Soarin as people coming in the front entrance?

 

[Bob P]

IG and the "front" gate open at the same time. It's just a longer walk from the IG.

Bob

 

[twojo21]

you could also hop on the friendship boats, which is our favorite way to travel from the epcot area resorts on crescent lake to epcot & mgm. you can catch them from the boardwalk dock, yacht club dock, swan/dolphin dock, which then goes to epcot world showcase - international gateway entrance & the mgm entrance about every 10 minutes.

 

[amejr999]

So if you stay at an Epcot resort, you basically are forced to get in line behind everyone running in from the main entrance?

 

[spiceycat]

No - Journey into the Imagnation is closer to the IG than the front gate.

Now Test track is about the same for both places

 

[daughterlovestink]

so if we enter from international gateway and walk to future world, what attraction do you think we should go to first? It seems like we would be last ones to get there compared to people at front entrance? Doesn't seem fair

 

[amejr999]

No - Journey into the Imagnation is closer to the IG than the front gate.

Now Test track is about the same for both places

Are you sure? Passporter 2005 says that even JIYI is a few minutes closer to the IG, let alone TT.

 

[sotoalf]

so if we enter from international gateway and walk to future world, what attraction do you think we should go to first? It seems like we would be last ones to get there compared to people at front entrance? Doesn't seem fair

You will be allowed in with the rest of the resort guests. Remember, unlike every other resort guests, you don't need buses, boats, or monorails to get to Epcot: you just walk right in. It's not a question of fairness at all. It's like saying GF/Contemporary/Polynesian guests have an "advantage" over other guests because of their proximity to the MK.

 

[Tinkmom]

So if you stay at an Epcot resort, you basically are forced to get in line behind everyone running in from the main entrance?

In my experience, this is waaay off base. It is so much faster to get in at the IG than the front entrance of Epcot, and once you figure out where you are it is a breeze to get to wherever you need. Besides, there is not the huge rush to get somewhere like at MK when the rope drops.

 

[jiminy14]

There is one definite advantage to entering through the IG. If you plan on just visiting the countries in the WS, you can arrive at the opening time of 11:00 AM and virtually have all of WS to yourself. We have been able to cover all of WS before the rest of the people head back there from FW. It is very pleasant to take a leisurely stroll around the lagoon with only a few other people back there with you. The stores are not crowded and there are no lines for the rides.

 

[betterlatethannever]

In my experience, this is waaay off base. It is so much faster to get in at the IG than the front entrance of Epcot

Not at park opening.

At the IG, they don't even let you go through security until Park opening time. At the Main gate, you are through security, turnstyles and waiting at the rope by SE when the rope drops at opening time. It is definitely a disadvantage at the IG.

Ed

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I can add that two years ago my DS and I entered the IG on an early morning. We were at the front of our line and headed straight to Test Track. All of a sudden we saw a horde of people from the main entrance literally running to TT. We got there as quickly as we could, grabbed FP and got on stand-by, which was already really long.
This was before Mission: Space opened so maybe some of the crowds are split between the two. Anyway, I agree with others that if you are heading for TT you are at a disadvantage entering through the IG.
Disney should give people entering via the IG something like a five minute head start to even things out.

 

[Tinkmom]

Not at park opening.

At the IG, they don't even let you go through security until Park opening time. At the Main gate, you are through security, turnstyles and waiting at the rope by SE when the rope drops at opening time. It is definitely a disadvantage at the IG.

Ed

Again, in my experience arriving at the main gate is a nightmare, and there are approximately 20 million times as many people trying to get in, all with huge bags. I would rather get into Epcot via IG anytime, as it just seems that there is not the incredible crowds. I guess most people don't bring everything but the kitchen sink when getting in via IG as they are staying at one of the Epcot resorts and not an outside visitor there for the whole day and lugging everyone and everything they own. The main gate entrance at Epcot has to be the slowest in WDW.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Again, in my experience arriving at the main gate is a nightmare, and there are approximately 20 million times as many people trying to get in, all with huge bags. I would rather get into Epcot via IG anytime, as it just seems that there is not the incredible crowds. I guess most people don't bring everything but the kitchen sink when getting in via IG as they are staying at one of the Epcot resorts and not an outside visitor there for the whole day and lugging everyone and everything they own. The main gate entrance at Epcot has to be the slowest in WDW.

I agree. The main gate is VERY SLOW, and I would prefer the IG gate anytime other than opening. At the main gate, there are hundreds, if not a thousand people already at SE waiting for the rope drop.

At the IG, they used to have a rope drop at UK so you had a chance to compete with the main gate.

Ed