Epcot Early Entry from the International Gateway

[Grotto]

Entered through the IG this morning, Tuesday, February 17th. Just a little summary of my experience.

Staying at Beach Club Villas and lined up at the gate at 7:30am. Line at that point was back almost to the bridge where the walkway splits to Beach Club vs Boardwalk. People getting off the Skyliner and the Friendship boats actually had to backtrack towards Beach Club to get in line.

Started letting people through security and the turnstiles at approximately 7:35am. The main line moved quickly but the stroller line looked like it would take a long time.

I was through the turnstiles at about 7:45am

They formed 3 lines on the walkway to the World Showcase loop. This is where they scanned to make sure you qualified for Early Entry.

7:52am the line moved forward about 50 feet. I’m guessing because the lines were backing up to the turnstiles.

7:57am started the walk to the front of the park. Was lead by 2 Disney employees. It was a brisk walk, and you were not allowed to pass the Dinsey people.

At the first branch point towards Imagination, they sent the Guardians group left. Frozen group stayed right. At this point, no more Disney employees. A few took off running, but not too many.

8:01am I passed through the breezeway between Connections Cafe and Creation shop. No ropes here. Moved directly to Guardians line. There were definitely people from the from of the park ahead of me.

8:02am I was in line outside the spaceship.

8:07 am I was in the switchback between Guardians and the monorail line. I was in the 5th of the long linear switchbacks.

8:21 am they started letting the line into the building. Walked steadily to the room with all the displays by 8:29am.

8:35am in the holding room
8:38am. First pre show
8:42am. Teleportation room
8:47am. About to board coaster
Blondie. One Way or Another
8:53am. Off ride
8:55am. Threw up in the first garbage can outside of the pavilion

9:01am. Now in line for Frozen just ahead of the regular entry crowd…….

So I think that is about as fast as you can move from the International Gateway. Even though I wasn’t first through the turnstiles, I was right near the Disney employees walking us forward when we reached the split point. I don’t think getting in line earlier would have gotten me on Guardians faster.

A LOT of the IG people headed towards Frozen. I can see why. The current line is past China and over the bridge towards the Outpost. Can’t see the end of it from where I’m at.

Presidents Day week, so not sure if this is busier than normal. All the Lightning Lane passes are sold out.

Good luck to all the future early birds out there!

 

[Dave006]

Presidents Day week, so not sure if this is busier than normal. All the Lightning Lane passes are sold out.

Yes this is known as a Red Week. Massive crowds all week long. Yes LLMP at Epcot has been sold out for days through Thursday. There are still attraction drops but guests can't purchase the LLMP selection. It all will start to return to normal on Friday.

Thanks for sharing your morning commute. Also Frozen just very recently reopened after some attraction updates.

Dave

 

[davidrw]

If you’re coming in via International Gateway for Early Entry, you’re in a great spot for Remy and you’ll usually see people queuing up well before the official start time. In practice they let you tap in early then you get held near the path into France until they start letting Early Entry guests flow toward the rides.

 

[Disneylover99]

8:55am. Threw up in the first garbage can outside of the pavilion

9:01am. Now in line for Frozen just ahead of the regular entry crowd…….

Impressive. Lol.
You made good time getting from Guardians to Frozen despite getting sick.
Hope you feel great the rest of the day!

 

[brockash]

Entered through the IG this morning, Tuesday, February 17th. Just a little summary of my experience.

Staying at Beach Club Villas and lined up at the gate at 7:30am. Line at that point was back almost to the bridge where the walkway splits to Beach Club vs Boardwalk. People getting off the Skyliner and the Friendship boats actually had to backtrack towards Beach Club to get in line.

Started letting people through security and the turnstiles at approximately 7:35am. The main line moved quickly but the stroller line looked like it would take a long time.

I was through the turnstiles at about 7:45am

They formed 3 lines on the walkway to the World Showcase loop. This is where they scanned to make sure you qualified for Early Entry.

7:52am the line moved forward about 50 feet. I’m guessing because the lines were backing up to the turnstiles.

7:57am started the walk to the front of the park. Was lead by 2 Disney employees. It was a brisk walk, and you were not allowed to pass the Dinsey people.

At the first branch point towards Imagination, they sent the Guardians group left. Frozen group stayed right. At this point, no more Disney employees. A few took off running, but not too many.

8:01am I passed through the breezeway between Connections Cafe and Creation shop. No ropes here. Moved directly to Guardians line. There were definitely people from the from of the park ahead of me.

8:02am I was in line outside the spaceship.

8:07 am I was in the switchback between Guardians and the monorail line. I was in the 5th of the long linear switchbacks.

8:21 am they started letting the line into the building. Walked steadily to the room with all the displays by 8:29am.

8:35am in the holding room
8:38am. First pre show
8:42am. Teleportation room
8:47am. About to board coaster
Blondie. One Way or Another
8:53am. Off ride
8:55am. Threw up in the first garbage can outside of the pavilion

9:01am. Now in line for Frozen just ahead of the regular entry crowd…….

So I think that is about as fast as you can move from the International Gateway. Even though I wasn’t first through the turnstiles, I was right near the Disney employees walking us forward when we reached the split point. I don’t think getting in line earlier would have gotten me on Guardians faster.

A LOT of the IG people headed towards Frozen. I can see why. The current line is past China and over the bridge towards the Outpost. Can’t see the end of it from where I’m at.

Presidents Day week, so not sure if this is busier than normal. All the Lightning Lane passes are sold out.

Good luck to all the future early birds out there!

Wow sounds like a super busy day at Epcot. We used to go Presidents week every year until last year (school schedule); always entering through IG and have NEVER seen the line for security go back to the bridge...especially at 730...they don't even start the skyliners until 730. Good luck today.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I hope this was a very unusual morning. My biggest fear with the Skyliner Station being right outside the IG entrance has been that, with the addition of additional 4 resorts funneling into that entrance, what was a fairly easy, uncrowded entrance, was going to become overwhelmed. Fortunately, that hasn't been my experience at all, but it certainly was on the day you went. Usually I'm able to leave BCV around 8:00, and still be inside the park before 8:30. Last time I went there was a longer line waiting for Les Halles Bakery than there was for Remy (and the Remy line was moving, while at Les Halles, they had to wait until 9:00-I wish Les Halles would open early!).

 

[Pea-n-Me]

8:55am. Threw up in the first garbage can outside of the pavilion

Lol, omg. I wonder how many people do that, or don’t even make it that far!

The first time I went on Guardians I felt like I was going to be sick that way (while I was still on the ride!) It surprised me, and I was hesitant to go on it again. But I read here that if you keep your head straight and just look straight ahead, it’s better, and that worked for me, although sometimes I still close my eyes during the heavier parts.

I could live without it but it is a fun ride (I love the movie series) and the family really likes it so I stick it out.

Thanks for the update on wait times going in through the IG. We haven’t done that since our last stay at the Dolphin and much has changed since then.

 

[Grotto]

I was just kidding about the throwing up, but I usually do leave the big coasters nauseous these days