Epcot International Gateway Entry

[Timon]

We've always entered the main entrance of Epcot but this time we will be staying at BCV and will be entering via the International Gateway entrance and I had a few questions for those of you have entered that way.

Do they usually open a little early??
(Usually we enter Epcot and we're already ON Test Track by 9 am by entering the front way)

Are there CM's the whole way there to Future World??

On the EMH (morning) days, what time do they open? 8 am sharp or a little before so you can make the long trek to Future World??

I'd love to hear some of your experiences with this!

Thanks!

 

[betterlatethannever]

We've always entered the main entrance of Epcot but this time we will be staying at BCV and will be entering via the International Gateway entrance and I had a few questions for those of you have entered that way.

Do they usually open a little early??
(Usually we enter Epcot and we're already ON Test Track by 9 am by entering the front way)

Are there CM's the whole way there to Future World??

On the EMH (morning) days, what time do they open? 8 am sharp or a little before so you can make the long trek to Future World??

I'd love to hear some of your experiences with this!

Thanks!

That is the one problem with staying at an Epcot resort. You are at a great disadvantage first thing in the morning.

They don't even start checking bags until opening time. Before opening, there is a single file line that forms in front of the security checkpoint. There MAY be two bag checkers. So unless you're one of the first few people in line, there is no chance of beating the crowd to FW. You're best shot is Soarin' but unless you almost run, you won't beat the crowd.

There are maybe three CMs along the path to FW.

Ed

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I totally agree with Ed. In June they would not start checking bags until around 9am (or 8am for EMH). By the time we got to Test Track the lines were already long. I don't know why management doesn't open the International Gateway something like ten minutes before the main entrance. This would be a nice perk for everyone using this entrance. It is hard to imagine how far the IG is from TT until you try to get there in a hurry!

 

[Timon]

WOW! Really?? I didn't know about that! Boy that really does put you at a disadvantage huh?

That is so silly! You would think that Disney, knowing that all the guests who enter via IG are Disney Resort guests, would open it up early to give them a chance to get to FW with the rest of the guests! I know how long it takes to get from the gate to FW and even at a quick pace, it's about 10-15 minutes, by that time, there will be lines already!

Hmm, might have to rethink my plan of attack. This may be a silly question but is there a bus to Epcot from Beach Club that drops you off at the main entrance???

 

[dcgrumpy]

This may be a silly question but is there a bus to Epcot from Beach Club that drops you off at the main entrance???

No there isn't

 

[Simba's Mom]

However, if you don't need to rush to FW, the IG is wonderful in the morning. No there aren't CMs all the way to FW, so they don't send you into FW. They have a rope across the bridge to France, so it's lovely to just sit in UK or Canada and listen to the music in the morning. And it's the emptiest you'll see that area! Last trip I just brought a book one morning, and sat on a bench. Lovely!

 

[mrslur]

We're going to take a taxi to the front gate the morning we're doing Future World.

 

[slp87]

In June they would not start checking bags until around 9am (or 8am for EMH).

This is going to drive me crazy! When we were there in '02 & '04, they checked our bags, let us through the turnstiles, and stopped us at the entrance to the UK. I wonder why they quit doing that??

 

[betterlatethannever]

This is going to drive me crazy! When we were there in '02 & '04, they checked our bags, let us through the turnstiles, and stopped us at the entrance to the UK. I wonder why they quit doing that??

Trying to remember when they stopped letting people in up to UK. I thought it was in 2003, but you got through in 2004.

Ed

 

[Robo]

Or...

Take the boat to D/MGM Studios.
Take the connecting Disney bus from the Studios to the Epcot front gate.

 

[Schmeck]

If the connecting bus is up and running that early in the morning...

 

[Schmeck]

I made it to Soarin' in plenty of time from IG last month. No waits when I got there - takes me all of 7 minutes to walk quickly.

 

[Robo]

If the connecting bus is up and running that early in the morning...

The buses run WELL before the parks are open.
If the boats are running, the buses are running.

There are a lot of folks going and coming to all the parks and resorts for various early activities (think character breakfasts) all over WDW.

The stated "one hour before" is very conservative.
We have taken buses LONG before those stated times to get from another resort to MK and then to the Poly for a very early ressie at Ohana for breakfast.

 

[betterlatethannever]

The buses run WELL before the parks are open.
If the boats are running, the buses are running.

There are a lot of folks going and coming to all the parks and resorts for various early activities (think character breakfasts) all over WDW.

The stated "one hour before" is very conservative.
We have taken buses LONG before those stated times to get from another resort to MK and then to the Poly for a very early ressie at Ohana for breakfast.

This is true from the resorts to the parks but between the parks, the busses don't run that early.

The boat will get you to MGM only about 10 minutes before MGM opening. So, for it to work, MGM has to be on early morning.

Ed