Epcot entrance????

[coasterbob]

When you enter Epcot thru the International Gateway (we will be staying at the BCV), before the Future World opening time, will they let you walk to the bridges to enter Future World at 9AM? We were hoping to get to Soarin as quickly as possible! Thanks, Bob

 

[krdisneybound]

I'm sure someone will pop in and add some information BUT

you can go thru the International Gateway and as you walk up the ramp, go to the left and then you can walk right over to Soarin'. Should not be a problem at all

 

[erikthewise]

They used to let you in early at International Gate and hold you at a rope just before the UK pavilion. But the last time we did this, they didn't even let anyone through security until precisely 9:00. This gives the people at the Main Gate a 5-15 minute jump on you, depending on how fast you walk through World Showcase and how far back in the line you are. Unfair! We are also staying at BCV and I am seriously considering driving to the Epcot main gate one morning. Any recent experiences?

 

[coasterbob]

They used to let you in early at International Gate and hold you at a rope just before the UK pavilion. But the last time we did this, they didn't even let anyone through security until precisely 9:00. This gives the people at the Main Gate a 5-15 minute jump on you, depending on how fast you walk through World Showcase and how far back in the line you are. Unfair! We are also staying at BCV and I am seriously considering driving to the Epcot main gate one morning. Any recent experiences?

That is unfair..... ! Oh well, I thought we might get a lil jump ourselves. I hope some recent Epcotgoers can chim in here. I guess we could just drive around to the front, but I would prefer to walk it...

 

[WDW LOVR]

I think erikthewise is correct although we're never out of bed early enough to be at the gates at 9:00 (it is vacation you know).

 

[disvaclub92]

Erikthewise is correct. But even still when you get there that early the wait is not bad. We arrived at Soarin at 9:30 during the Summer and the wait was not that bad - 10 minutes if that. After 10:00 am then you have a problem. Good Luck.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

So if the 5-10 minute delay means so much, drive (or take a cab) to the FRONT of Epcot and go in that way. We did that one day.

 

[GAKoch]

We were there last week and stayed at BC. We went on Thursday morning (11/17) and were at the IG entrance at 8:30 - way too early! They did let us in about 8:45 and up to right before UK. We headed straight for Soarin' but missed the first left hand turn and went over the main bridge to Future World. As it turns out, there was a rope on the short-cut path so the people going that way ended up with us. We were right behind the first group from the front gate and practically walked right on.
We went back on Saturday - we decided to ride Soarin' again first thing and then go get the monorail to MK - the kids wanted to ride the monorail. Again the rope was by the UK. We were first ones in, took the shortcut (no rope anywhere), we weren't running - I was walking fast but the kids (8 and 10) were ahead of me - and we actually beat the front gate crowd. A CM told the kids they had to wait for the CMs bringing the crowd and join in. We were on the first ride. In the first row, too. We were going to be in the third row but DH mentioned that the kids would like to try the front row so they just told us to go to the next section. It was awesome.
I would not take the trouble to get to the main gate. It really isn't that far from IG. I figured by walking fast I was burning off some of the food I ate the day before!

 

[erikthewise]

We were there last week and stayed at BC. We went on Thursday morning (11/17) and were at the IG entrance at 8:30 - way too early! They did let us in about 8:45 and up to right before UK. We headed straight for Soarin' but missed the first left hand turn and went over the main bridge to Future World. As it turns out, there was a rope on the short-cut path so the people going that way ended up with us. We were right behind the first group from the front gate and practically walked right on.
We went back on Saturday - we decided to ride Soarin' again first thing and then go get the monorail to MK - the kids wanted to ride the monorail. Again the rope was by the UK. We were first ones in, took the shortcut (no rope anywhere), we weren't running - I was walking fast but the kids (8 and 10) were ahead of me - and we actually beat the front gate crowd. A CM told the kids they had to wait for the CMs bringing the crowd and join in. We were on the first ride. In the first row, too. We were going to be in the third row but DH mentioned that the kids would like to try the front row so they just told us to go to the next section. It was awesome.
I would not take the trouble to get to the main gate. It really isn't that far from IG. I figured by walking fast I was burning off some of the food I ate the day before!

Well that is welcome news! I was hoping they would go back to that method. Let's hope they continue!

Just for planning purposes, when DS and I got there at 8:35, we were the second group in line. Even starting at 9:00, we made it to Test Track by 9:07! (We were moving pretty fast though.)