Epcot Countries before 11am

[monty]

Are you able to get into the Countries bit of Epcot before 11am, ie to catch a boat to the Boardwalk resorts, or is this area closed off from Future World till 11am?

 

[Donald is #1]

Are you able to get into the Countries bit of Epcot before 11am, ie to catch a boat to the Boardwalk resorts, or is this area closed off from Future World till 11am?

Well, there are a couple of answers to your question.

1) The countries are all closed until 11 AM.

2) However, if you are going to or coming from the international gateway, then the path through the WS from Canada to the international gateway is open.

 

[SteamboatStevie]

The countries are all technically closed until eleven, but you can definately get from the boats into future world. On a side note, the bakery in France is usually open early, and it's a really nice (and quiet!) place to enjoy a morning coffee and pastry. It's wonderful to meander around some of the countries before the crowds show up. The attractions and shops aren't open, but the music is playing and you can soak up that wonderful atmosphere.

 

[Robo]

The countries are all technically closed until eleven, but you can definately get from the boats into future world. On a side note, the bakery in France is usually open early, and it's a really nice (and quiet!) place to enjoy a morning coffee and pastry. It's wonderful to meander around some of the countries before the crowds show up. The attractions and shops aren't open, but the music is playing and you can soak up that wonderful atmosphere.

to the DIS, SteamboatStevie!

 

[Figment's Friend]

You can get some pretty great pictures too without the crowds!

 

[Cool-Beans]

As was posted, the countries aren't open, but you can get as far as the boat before you hit the rope.

If you really want to walk through the World Showcase before it opens, you can take the Hidden Treasures of the World Showcase tour. I got some very nice pictures during that. But if there are workmen around, they ask that you not photograph what they're doing.

 

[MJMcBride]

there is a princess breakfast in Norway

 

[Schmeck]

there is a princess breakfast in Norway

Guests who have an ADR for the Norway breakfast before WS is open get escorted over by a CM, right?

 

[maxiesmom]

Guests who have an ADR for the Norway breakfast before WS is open get escorted over by a CM, right?

We didn't get an escort for our breakfast with the princesses. But maybe that is because we came thru the international gateway?

 

[goofyjoe]

Guests who have an ADR for the Norway breakfast before WS is open get escorted over by a CM, right?

Actually, there is no escort to the breakfast...you are just "directed" to Norway.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I think Canada and the UK are before the "rope" so technically you can walk around there but nothing will be open. We did the Segway tour which was before WS opened and it was really cool to be there with no one around. Other than that, I LOVE walking around WS when it first opens at 11 and hardly any one else is around. Some of the shops don't open right away though.

 

[disnut8]

Are you able to get into the Countries bit of Epcot before 11am, ie to catch a boat to the Boardwalk resorts, or is this area closed off from Future World till 11am?

You will be able to walk from the rope at the entrance over to the International Gateway. You will go through a very empty Canada and a very empty United Kingdom. And then you will have to exit at the International Gateway.

However, the Cast Member will probably need to know WHY you would like to do that. I'm sure you would not do this and the rope going into the rest of the World Showcase is manned by a Cast Member but Disney World will want to prevent some pranksters from trying to duck under that rope and run amok through the rest of World Showcase.

BTW - unless a boat is right at the dock at the International Gateway, it's almost always faster to walk to wherever you are going to the Epcot resorts.

 

[shoes99]

Actually, there is no escort to the breakfast...you are just "directed" to Norway.

We had an early breakfast reservation, we had some seniors in our party, and they were taken via golfcart to the breakfast while the rest of the group walked over. We came thru future world..

 

[eeyoresnr]

As was posted, the countries aren't open, but you can get as far as the boat before you hit the rope.

If you really want to walk through the World Showcase before it opens, you can take the Hidden Treasures of the World Showcase tour. I got some very nice pictures during that. But if there are workmen around, they ask that you not photograph what they're doing.

so the Hidden treasures tour is still available? allears.net shows it as discontinued in 2007
we want to do this for our Dec trip

 

[eeyoresnr]

bump

 

[NancyIL]

so the Hidden treasures tour is still available? allears.net shows it as discontinued in 2007
we want to do this for our Dec trip

I did one of the last Hidden Treasures of World Showcase tours in April 2007. At the time I was told it would only be available to groups.

As for the bakery in France being open before 11 - you aren't allowed to cross the bridge to France when entering from the International Gateway. If you enter World Showcase from Future World near Mexico - there is a rope that keeps you from going any farther than Norway.

 

[eeyoresnr]

cool beans....can you tell me when you took this tour and if you were part of a group?...the disney website it still showing this as available

 

[NancyIL]

cool beans....can you tell me when you took this tour and if you were part of a group?...the disney website it still showing this as available

I did it in April 2007 (LAST year). I booked it just for myself.

 

[CPer'sMom]

As for the bakery in France being open before 11 - you aren't allowed to cross the bridge to France when entering from the International Gateway. If you enter World Showcase from Future World near Mexico - there is a rope that keeps you from going any farther than Norway.

A rope AND a CM Both at the bridge before France and at Norway.