Can we make it? Epcot by 9:30 PM, after 8:30 Fantasmic

[thewelts]

We are going to the 8:30 Fantasmic Show on Tuesday, December 15. I think the show is about 30 minutes?

My husband and I love to walk, and last year the walk from HS to Epcot was a highlight of our trip. We would love to do this again! If I recall correctly, it is appox. 1.5 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

We need to make it to Epcot by 9:30 PM (closing time) after the 8:30 Fantasmic show. Can we make it? It seems impossible. How strictly in closing time enforced? Will we have any other options to get to the Epcot Monorail station?

We don't plan to do anything specific at Epcot - only to walk through to the monorail to return to the TTC and then walk back to our resort (VGF).


Thanks for your advice and updated information.

 

[siskaren]

I would say impossible. Fantasmic is about 30 minutes, and I doubt you could get to the exit of DHS before 9:15. lllumiNations will be starting at 9:30, which means there will definitely still be people in in the park well after 9:30, but I don't know if they'd let you in after 9:30.

 

[thewelts]

Bummer... I was afraid of that!
What other transportation option do folks at the Boardwalk resort have to get to the Monorail or TTC after 9 PM?
There has to be a way out of there? Maybe UBER?

 

[siskaren]

Why would people at the Boardwalk resort need to get to the monorail or TTC after 9pm?

 

[BarbieGal457]

I believe you'd have to use the International Gateway entrance/exit so that would mean you'd have to cross the entirety of Epcot to get to the monorail. Even if possible to enter at 9:30, I think it'd be simply faster to take the bus from DHS. I may be wrong though.

 

[thewelts]

Why would people at the Boardwalk resort need to get to the monorail or TTC after 9pm?

What is people at the MK Resorts had a dinner reservation in the Boardwalk area and needed to get back to their resort?

 

[BarbieGal457]

The folks at the Boardwalk have the exact same options to get the the monorail that everyone else at a non-monorail-linked resort does. Bus, cab, boat, or walk if possible. Most people on property aren't directly linked to the monorail so you have to work around that if you want to use it.

 

[thewelts]

I believe you'd have to use the International Gateway entrance/exit so that would mean you'd have to cross the entirety of Epcot to get to the monorail. Even if possible to enter at 9:30, I think it'd be simply faster to take the bus from DHS. I may be wrong though.

As I said, it is all about the walk. We are less interested in spending time on a bus.
Thanks for your reply!

 

[BarbieGal457]

What is people at the MK Resorts had a dinner reservation in the Boardwalk area and needed to get back to their resort?

You would take a bus or boat and transfer around. You could take a bus from the Boardwalk back to MK, then get on the monorail line there, you could take a cab, you could take a bus to any park and transfer onto the bus to your resort...it works out.

 

[thewelts]

Perhaps we can enjoy our walk and then take Uber back from the Swan/Dolphin resorts??
Thanks again!

 

[BarbieGal457]

As I said, it is all about the walk. We are less interested in spending time on a bus.
Thanks for your reply!

I know that, I'm just saying that you might not be able to walk at that time of night. You can of course try it but you might get turned away trying to enter Epcot at closing time, which might mean you have to take alternate forms of transport.

 

[BarbieGal457]

Perhaps we can enjoy our walk and then take Uber back from the Swan/Dolphin resorts??
Thanks again!

I would definitely think that would work! I have yet to use Uber in Disney though I use it all the time at home, but we've used cabs from resort to park and all and had great success. Have fun!

 

[HM]

Sit at the top of the theater for Fantasic! and then leave just as the finale part is starting. Walk to the exit of the park and start your brisk walk to Epcot. You could just make it in time for the start of the 9:30 Illuminations. It's worth trying, right?

 

[sharonabe]

Sit at the top of the theater for Fantasic! and then leave just as the finale part is starting. Walk to the exit of the park and start your brisk walk to Epcot. You could just make it in time for the start of the 9:30 Illuminations. It's worth trying, right?

I would either try this, with an added emphasis on a VERY BRISK walk, or just take the bus from HS to MK and then monorail or ferry over to the TTC.

 

[chirogrrl]

We love the Boardwalk area! On our last trip, we wanted to walk over from Epcot and spend some time there. We relaxed, had some treats from Seashore Sweets, then walked up the steps to the front of the resort and took a cab back to AKV. Best $16 we spent on that trip. It was easy, relaxing and super-quick. Definitely skip Epcot and cab/Uber from the resorts.

 

[WEDWDW]

We are going to the 8:30 Fantasmic Show on Tuesday, December 15. I think the show is about 30 minutes?

My husband and I love to walk, and last year the walk from HS to Epcot was a highlight of our trip. We would love to do this again! If I recall correctly, it is appox. 1.5 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

We need to make it to Epcot by 9:30 PM (closing time) after the 8:30 Fantasmic show. Can we make it? It seems impossible. How strictly in closing time enforced? Will we have any other options to get to the Epcot Monorail station?

We don't plan to do anything specific at Epcot - only to walk through to the monorail to return to the TTC and then walk back to our resort (VGF).


Thanks for your advice and updated information.

Yes,you can make it(I've done it several times) IF you stay FOCUSED!!!!

Sit in the back near the "exit" and AS SOON as F! ENDS,start SPEED-WALKING and don't stop SPEED-WALKING until you reach the IG.

It is CRITICAL to use the BWI "shortcut".

Once in Epcot,I would definitely take time to warch ROE/The Heartbeat of Freedom before heading for the Monorail!

 

[DOOM1001]

I think you can make it but you have to walk at a good clip and use the Boardwalk Luna park pool shortcut.I'm also not sure about this but I think I heard that they may actually let you inside Epcot slightly after closing time to get back to the monorail,I could be wrong but I think somebody talked about this on another thread.

 

[DavidNYC]

Yes you can do it because I've done it before. But it requires a couple of things. First, I recommend sitting towards the right side of the Fanstasmic theater, ideally on a aisle. As soon as Mickey disappears off the top of the mountain and appears on stage I'd start heading up the aisle so you're at the top of the theater right as the show ends and close to the exit. As long as you're at the front of the pack, and as long as you walk at a good clip (make sure you know the route through Boardwalk) you'll make it but probably with no more than 5 or so minutes to spare.

 

[wilkeliza]

You'll be fine. If you get to the back entrance past 9:30 let them know you just want to walk through to the monorail so you can get back to your resort. Most guards will say okay. They don't even start clearing Epcot until 10:30pm on a night that Epcot is open until 9:30. The fireworks don't even start until 9:30.

I know this as someone who worked at Epcot. Like I said even until they clear the United Kingdom security usually lets people walk from the International Gateway up to the monorail.

 

[thewelts]

Thank you all so much!
Very helpful