EPCOT Entrance

[buzz1523]

Hi all! So this will be my husband's first trip to Disney World this spring. We are staying at POP (my first time back at Disney since 2010) and I've noticed that the Skyliner does not drop you off at the front of the park, but in the middle of the world showcase. I really don't want to "ruin" my husband's first impression of Epcot. It seems strange to me being dropped off right in the middle of the world showcase... like there's almost no flow to it...

My questions are: would you suggest I just put my own emotions aside and just take the Skyliner into the world showcase? Or should I give him that "full entrance" experience and take a bus from AoA (as I've heard they have buses to Epcot there) to the front of the park? I know this may seem like a strange topic, but I'd like to hear others opinions as I'm not used to the "new" setup.

 

[Mle8308]

I believe the only option to get to Epcot from any of the Skyliner resorts (AoA included) is the Skyliner. They only run busses when it is not operating. You are dropped off at International Gateway, which is basically between the UK and France. You could bus to the MK then take the monorail to the TTC and transfer to the Epcot monorail, which will leave you at the front of Epcot. Or drive (you can park for free as a resort guest). If no car, Uber or Lyft.

 

[Kazi7]

I was there in February, so it could look a little different when you go, but the front half of Epcot is a hot mess with all the construction. Yes, you see the "big ball" when you first enter from the main gate, but after you pass that, all you see are construction walls. If you enter from the IG and walk left through England and Canada, you get a very nice view of the "big ball" from the Showcase Plaza area. And the flowers on the banks of the water there are spectacular.

Will you be taking advantage of the Early Theme Park Entry and do you want to ride Remy? If so, then entering through the IG is better than the front.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Honestly, the front of Epcot is a mess right now so he’ll get a much better impression entering through IG.

 

[taterheads]

Yep, all of the above. Wait til night and then bring him up to watch the Colors of the Wind show on Space Ship Earth. It will be prettier that way and all the construction less visable.

 

[RoseGold]

Yea, the giant construction zone at the main entrance isn't the most magical anyway. And it's really cool to fly over all of it in the Skyliner. I wouldn't sweat it. The Skyliner is a really cool way to arrive.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm not sure but does AoA have buses? If so, you could walk over there from Pop if you really want to enter through the front. Like others, I actually think the WS entrance is a lot prettier and a lot less crowded than the front entrance. I'm actually staying a couple of days at ASMO before switching to Dolphin and I'm sad I'll have to go in the front entrance my first day. Not that I mind the construction walls, because I don't, I just like the WS entrance better.

 

[gharter]

Honestly, the front of Epcot is a mess right now so he’ll get a much better impression entering through IG.

So true and it has been for quite a while.
I think its going to be really nice when it is all done, but its just painful getting there.

 

[IndyToThere]

Like the others above said, you're getting a better first impression by entering via the International Showcase. Otherwise, his initial take would be... lots of construction walls. Not a good first look.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Also, the skyliner drops you off outside of Epcot. You then go through security like every other park and enter through the International gateway (IG). There are only a few tapstyles so things can be backed up a bit at park opening.

 

[DisneyFive]

Even with the walls, I think the front entrance is still more grand than the International Gateway. The walls don't start right away. You can get all the way up to Spaceship Earth before you hit them. The new prism and new entrance is beautiful, and that close-up walk to Spaceship Earth is far more impressive IMO. Just warn your husband that there is a lot of construction going on just past Spaceship Earth.

You could Uber or taxi there. That may be the easiest to get you to the entrance.

Dan

 

[gharter]

Even with the walls, I think the front entrance is still more grand than the International Gateway. The walls don't start right away. You can get all the way up to Spaceship Earth before you hit them. The new prism and new entrance is beautiful, and that close-up walk to Spaceship Earth is far more impressive IMO. Just warn your husband that there is a lot of construction going on just past Spaceship Earth.

You could Uber or taxi there. That may be the easiest to get you to the entrance.

Dan

Currently, I will still gladly walk through the IG instead of navigating around all of the walls they have up in front. Its much better than it was 6 months ago, but still a mess. Clearly, it will be really nice when they are done.

 

[DisneyFive]

Currently, I will still gladly walk through the IG instead of navigating around all of the walls they have up in front. Its much better than it was 6 months ago, but still a mess. Clearly, it will be really nice when they are done.

I agree, but we have been many times. When considering someone’s first visit I would still recommend the front entrance

 

[StageTek]

Hi all! So this will be my husband's first trip to Disney World this spring. We are staying at POP (my first time back at Disney since 2010) and I've noticed that the Skyliner does not drop you off at the front of the park, but in the middle of the world showcase. I really don't want to "ruin" my husband's first impression of Epcot. It seems strange to me being dropped off right in the middle of the world showcase... like there's almost no flow to it...

My questions are: would you suggest I just put my own emotions aside and just take the Skyliner into the world showcase? Or should I give him that "full entrance" experience and take a bus from AoA (as I've heard they have buses to Epcot there) to the front of the park? I know this may seem like a strange topic, but I'd like to hear others opinions as I'm not used to the "new" setup.

I'm 100% with you on this. Entering Epcot from the main entrance is important to me so this is what I do when I stay at POP:

I take the bus to MK. Then I take the Ferry to the transportation center. Then I take the Monorail to Epcot.

I love the journey! In the morning you pretty much get the Ferry all to yourself and traveling around on the Monorail Spaceship Earth is magical.

 

[buzz1523]

Thank you all for the amazing insight! I thought I was weird with asking this question! It seems that majority say entering through the IG is just as magical. And then a couple of you are saying that you still prefer the main entrance.

I was also thinking that if we decide to do the main entrance to take a bus to MK and then monorail to EPCOT; however, it does take time and I heard that the IG drops you right off at Remy's and to take advantage of that.

 

[RoseGold]

Epcot opens a lot later than MK, so you could take a bus with enough time to get around on the monorail. If this is the first time on the monorail, that might be a neat detour.

lyft would be much faster.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Epcot opens a lot later than MK, so you could take a bus with enough time to get around on the monorail. If this is the first time on the monorail, that might be a neat detour.

lyft would be much faster.

That used to be true, but lately Epcot is actually opening before MK. This week, for example, MK opens at 9am and Epcot at 8:30am.

 

[bffdisney]

Thank you all for the amazing insight! I thought I was weird with asking this question! It seems that majority say entering through the IG is just as magical. And then a couple of you are saying that you still prefer the main entrance.

I was also thinking that if we decide to do the main entrance to take a bus to MK and then monorail to EPCOT; however, it does take time and I heard that the IG drops you right off at Remy's and to take advantage of that.

If Remy is a priority at rope drop, definitely sacrifice the "Wow factor" since the IG gate is SO much closer to Remy!

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

Hi all! So this will be my husband's first trip to Disney World this spring. We are staying at POP (my first time back at Disney since 2010) and I've noticed that the Skyliner does not drop you off at the front of the park, but in the middle of the world showcase. I really don't want to "ruin" my husband's first impression of Epcot. It seems strange to me being dropped off right in the middle of the world showcase... like there's almost no flow to it...

My questions are: would you suggest I just put my own emotions aside and just take the Skyliner into the world showcase? Or should I give him that "full entrance" experience and take a bus from AoA (as I've heard they have buses to Epcot there) to the front of the park? I know this may seem like a strange topic, but I'd like to hear others opinions as I'm not used to the "new" setup.

The arrival experience via the Skyliner to the International Gateway at Epcot is actually quite nice.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

If you decide to stick with taking the Skyliner to the IG entrance, you can also spin it as being the "secret VIP" entrance for those arriving by the exclusive Skyliner.