Do people entering epcot through WS/IG get a head start at park opening?

[TigerLaw]

Given the crowds running to soarin at opening and hour-pkuys stand by times 10 minutes after opening, I was just wondering in anyone knew whether those staying at the epcot resorts and entering the park through world showcase/international gateway get a hear start/are let in a couple minutes early to get to future world.

Maybe its just me, but given that epcot resort people are paying big bucks to stay on sight, I don't think they should be put at an immediate disadvantage relative to everyone else at epcot opening.

any comments/input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[puggymom]

I have stayed at BC a few times and they are not let in a few minutes early. Yes, it does take a few minutes longer to get to Future World, but it helps if you send your 14 yo nephew ahead to grab fast passes.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We were never allowed to get in earlier either. They held everyone outside the gate until the park officially opened.

 

[snels]

We have had alot of stays in the Epcot resort area. The people who enter from the main entrance do have an advantage over the people entering through the International Gateway. I wish that the Disney people would let us in early, but they never have. (at least the times we are there) We always end up behind a huge crowd from the main gates.

 

[2tinksmom]

The only way you can get in early is if you have ADRs for the Princess Storybook breakfast and if you're lucky and time it right, you might be finished eating and be there when they drop the rope at WS.
Michele

 

[salmoneous]

The folks at the IG have a longer walk, but they have smaller crowds to deal with. Except for the very first people coming through the main entrance I think it balances out.

 

[Fantasmic303]

I'd have to agree that, basically, it balances out. We entered from the Gateway in July, which three of our party heading to Test Track and me racing to Soarin' for fast passes. I didn't run, but I was walking pretty darn fast, and I made it to the courtyardish area to the left of the entrance to The Land before the crowd from FW was walking up. If I had been just a teensy bit quicker, I would've beat them entirely.

I have to tell ya, though - it was a really funny sight. They had CMs leading the pack, so it was very orderly, and you should have SEEN the mobs going in...it was crazy.

With that being said, I joined the mob, got FPs and could've practically walked right on. I chose instead to head over to Test Track to meet up with the rest of my family, where we were able to ride a few times without waiting.

Bottom line: I wouldn't take my sweet time from World Showcase to Soarin', but you shouldn't be at too much of a disadvantage.

Good Luck!

 

[elgerber]

We have had alot of stays in the Epcot resort area. The people who enter from the main entrance do have an advantage over the people entering through the International Gateway. I wish that the Disney people would let us in early, but they never have. (at least the times we are there) We always end up behind a huge crowd from the main gates.

I totally agree with us, this has always bothered us a little. We always stay at the Boardwalk Villas, and we try to walk as quickly as we can, but with 2 kids with shorter legs, it's not fast enough. By the time we get to Soarin' a couple minutes after opening, the line is already huge from all the people that had a shorter walk from the front gate. It seems to me they could let us in a couple minutes early and hold us up with a rope at the entrance to future world.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe its just me, but given that epcot resort people are paying big bucks to stay on site, I don't think they should be put at an immediate disadvantage relative to everyone else at epcot opening.

On the other hand, they shouldn't necessarily be given an ADvantage over Guests who may be paying even bigger bucks at the other Deluxe resorts; and how do you separate the paying-big-bucks-for-rooms Guests from renting-DVC-points-at-a-good-rate Guests?

but it helps if you send your 14 yo nephew ahead to grab fast passes.

Have you considered renting out his services?

 

[TigerLaw]

I guess my point was while I don't think the epcot resorts should be given an ADVANTAGE, they shouldn't be put at a DISADVANTAGE either. make it so that when the front people start up the hill to the land, we have enough time to be right there as well.

 

[bab31]

I think if this is a priorty for you, then find the transportation that gets you to the front gate. I can hear the people now at the front gate saying... hey wait I paid my money to enter this park just like the people at that other entrance did. Your paying big bucks at the deluxe for your hotel accomadations. Not for the parks. Sorry I simply disagree.

 

[elgerber]

I am not asking for special treatment, and it has nothing to do with the hotel cost. What I would like would be a fair advantage, to be as close to future world as the guests at the front gate are. I am not asking to be let into the park earlier than the people in the front.

 

[BAST]

We just got back from WDW and we stayed at the BWV. The two days we went to EPCOT, we drove to the front entrance to avoid the delay at the IG entrance. At the front entrance, the people are let in about 15 minutes early and are now stopped right in front of the fountain (very close to Soarin). Waiting to get in at the IG entrance and then walking all that way would put you in a fairly long line at Soarin.

 

[Trissy]

When entering from WS, how close do you get to FW? Where is the rope being held? How much earlier than park opening can you get to the rope? Is it the same with EMMorningH?
These next couple of days cannot go by fast enough!

 

[elgerber]

When entering from WS, how close do you get to FW? Where is the rope being held? How much earlier than park opening can you get to the rope? Is it the same with EMMorningH?
These next couple of days cannot go by fast enough!

When you enter from the World Showcase, you are held at the back of the World Showcase, until 9 am when the park opens. So, you do not get anywhere near future world to wait for park opening.

 

[BAST]

When you enter from the World Showcase, you are held at the back of the World Showcase, until 9 am when the park opens. So, you do not get anywhere near future world to wait for park opening.

I also do not think that they even start scanning tickets until 9:00. Therefore, you also have to wait in line and go through ticketing.

 

[Viki]

Yeah, we're the first folk at the IG and we haul butt, but we never beat the crowds at the front gate so we grab a fast pass.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think if this is a priorty for you, then find the transportation that gets you to the front gate. I can hear the people now at the front gate saying... hey wait I paid my money to enter this park just like the people at that other entrance did. Your paying big bucks at the deluxe for your hotel accomadations. Not for the parks. Sorry I simply disagree.

No offense, but how would you ACTUALLY know if the times were slightly off? You'd have to actually have someone from your party standing at both gates confirming the gate drop. I don't think most people would bother. And actually, a big part of what you are paying for to be at the BC/YC/Boardwalk is indeed the location - that's why AKL and WL are priced considerably less than POLY/GF/BC/BWK/YC. They are no less spectacular in terms of decor, features, restaurants, or service.

Going to the front gate from an Epcot resort via Disney transport would be silly. It would take a LONG time (about 1 1/2 - 2hours), when you can walk there in under ten minutes. Taking a car would be better, but then you'd have to go out the front gate at departure, which would defeat the purpose of staying at an Epcot resort.

We have noticed also that the posted wait times are not always accurate. They are often wildly incorrect. It would not suprise me to learn that Disney intentionally exaggerated the wait times in the early am so that people will indeed get fastpasses. This distributes the crowd better. It's not a conspiracy, it's crowd control 101. The walk to Soarin' takes quite a bit of time. Disney knows everyone heads there first, so it's better for them if people fastpass the ride, then stand around wasting time while they figure out where they will go while they wait for the fastpass time.
I have personally experienced wildly incorrect wait times posted at Living with the Land - posted as 45 minutes what was actually a ten minute wait. I'm pretty sure I saw something similar at TT. I was doing a baby swap, and I saw the wait time go from 25 to 60 min. - in a matter of minutes. No way did that many people enter the ride while I was sitting there. I was waiting for someone to come off the ride, and they were closer to the 25 minute wait time.

 

[starwood]

We went end of July and they started letting us through the ticket booth a few minutes before 9:00 BUT there was a rope set up right before England. We were held there until 9:00. It's still less crowded than coming in the front entrance so you make better time getting to future world.

 

[AKLRULZ]

In June 2005 and December 2005 when we stayed at BC and YC respectively they permitted us in about 10 minutes early. Once the rope dropped we made a beeline by walking pretty briskly to Soarin and just beat the mad rush.

Seems like it's hit or miss.