Entering EPCOT at International Gateway?

[liznboys]

Is the International Gateway for anyone to use, or is it just for the EPCOT resort guests? And if it's for anyone, where would you park to use it?

 

[gigi1313]

international gateway can only be accessed by foot or boat... there is no "parking lot" for it... we use it when we drop our rental car off at the dolphin and take the boat over to epcot... you can also get a boat from mgm to epcot if you are park hopping...

hope that helps...

 

[Terry S]

Yes and No. It is for use by anyone. BUT, there is no parking lot that you could park at and use. The only parking lots available are the ones at the resorts and as you know those are for resort guests. The reason I say is that is is for use by anyone is that it is not restricted use by Epcot Resorts guest. Anyone is more than welcome to walk in and out of the International Gateway, but there is not public parking available.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks! I guess I don't see ever using it unless we stayed at one of the EPCOT resorts. I wonder just how much traffic it gets, seems like it wouldn't be much!?

 

[DisneyPete]

There is a parking lot for use by guests going to the Boardwalk. But, I wouldn't recommend using it as it is quite a walk over. It is over at the Boardwalk Inn. If you drive there, they will direct you where to park.

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by DisneyPete
There is a parking lot for use by guests going to the Boardwalk. But, I wouldn't recommend using it as it is quite a walk over. It is over at the Boardwalk Inn. If you drive there, they will direct you where to park.

Thanks! That was actually another question I had...where do you park if you just want to visit the Boardwalk-but aren't a guest at the resort(s) right next to it! So it has an actual parking lot for anyone to use, huh? Is it the same thing as the park parking lots-meaning you have to pay to park there unless you're a WDW resort guest?

 

[crisi]

I think the BW lot (not the hotel lot, but the restaurant/shop/bar lot) is open parking - which has caused problems with people "breakfasting at Spoodles and then spending the day at Epcot." To the best of my knowledge they don't have a time limit on it currently, but I've always suspected that they will eventually switch to 3 hours until 10:00pm.

The International gateway gets some traffic....there were probably 30 people lined up there for Epcot EE when we went, and always people coming and going. Not like the front of Epcot - there are four turnstyles or so back there and probably only one or two open at any given time - different than the rows of turnstyles at the front of the parks.

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by crisi
I think the BW lot (not the hotel lot, but the restaurant/shop/bar lot) is open parking - which has caused problems with people "breakfasting at Spoodles and then spending the day at Epcot." To the best of my knowledge they don't have a time limit on it currently, but I've always suspected that they will eventually switch to 3 hours until 10:00pm.

The International gateway gets some traffic....there were probably 30 people lined up there for Epcot EE when we went, and always people coming and going. Not like the front of Epcot - there are four turnstyles or so back there and probably only one or two open at any given time - different than the rows of turnstyles at the front of the parks.

Thanks for the info.!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

We use that gate to grab the ferry and head to MGM, or go and eat/shop at the Boardwalk area =)

It's usually pretty easy to get in and out of, which is nice!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by Aimeedyan
We use that gate to grab the ferry and head to MGM, or go and eat/shop at the Boardwalk area =)

It's usually pretty easy to get in and out of, which is nice!

Ya know I never thought about it the opposite way...leaving EPCOT throught that gate to visit the Boardwalk or head to MGM! Duh! LOL Thanks!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could park at Disney Studios, ride the boat or walk over to the International Gateway and enter Epcot.

 

[ahoff]

One disadvantage is the long walk to FW if you are only interested in FW attractions. We entered there at opening and by the time we were got to TT the FP returns were already at 4pm. But it is great for WS, which I think opens later than FW.

 

[CatLady]

It's a great way to exit the parks if you're staying on property and have chosen to watch the fireworks from WS. If MGM is open late that night, you can exit through that gate, take the Friendship Boat to MGM, then take a bus from MGM to your resort. Much better than fighting the mob to get back out the front of Epcot.

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by liznboys
Ya know I never thought about it the opposite way...leaving EPCOT throught that gate to visit the Boardwalk or head to MGM! Duh! LOL Thanks!!

Careful though - if you leave your car at Epcot, you need to get back through before the Gateway closes - or you'll be taking a cab to get to your car!

 

[missypie]

Originally posted by ahoff
One disadvantage is the long walk to FW if you are only interested in FW attractions. We entered there at opening and by the time we were got to TT the FP returns were already at 4pm. But it is great for WS, which I think opens later than FW.

That is what I can't figure out. The Epcot Resorts are supposed to be so convenient...esp. to Epcot. But if you want to enter at rope drop to rush to TT, shouldn't you be at the main entrance? Do I really need to drive my car to Epcot when staying at an Epcot Resort? Is there a way to walk from YC to the main entrance of Epcot?

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by crisi
Careful though - if you leave your car at Epcot, you need to get back through before the Gateway closes - or you'll be taking a cab to get to your car!

Yes, we'll remember that, thanks!!

 

[ChuckGA]

The reasons to use the Gateway:

1. You can show up at rope drop and still be "first". 50 people behind is still "first" to me.
2. Zero-wait stroller rental.
3. Very few people and you get to walk through England and Cananda with almost no one around. Very peaceful.

Chuck

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by ChuckGA
The reasons to use the Gateway:

1. You can show up at rope drop and still be "first". 50 people behind is still "first" to me.
2. Zero-wait stroller rental.
3. Very few people and you get to walk through England and Cananda with almost no one around. Very peaceful.

Chuck

Great points! Thank you.

 

[SoonerKate]

To the best of my knowledge they don't have a time limit on it currently, but I've always suspected that they will eventually switch to 3 hours until 10:00pm.

Though that might happen eventually, it could be pretty messy, logistics-wise. The overflow parking lot at BW, where most non-resort guests park (the one across the street) is also CM parking for everyone at that resort.

 

[kda]

When we've visited BW in the past year, the security guard directed us to the lot across the street for "visitors to the BW". This enables those guests actually staying at BW to be able to use their own parking lot.