Epcot Openings?

[Dan Stephens]

In August, we'll be staying at an Epcot resort and entering at the International Gateway. When Epcot opens at 9:00, what time will we be allowed entry at the Gateway? How crowded will Future World be by the time we get there? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Robo]

In August, we'll be staying at an Epcot resort and entering at the International Gateway. When Epcot opens at 9:00, what time will we be allowed entry at the Gateway? How crowded will Future World be by the time we get there? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

to the DISboards!

The Int'l gateway usually opens to allow guests to enter a few minutes before the scheduled opening time (EMH or regular).

Guests can walk in past the (still-closed until 11am) UK pavillion up to a rope-drop area (CM's are there) near Future World.

At opening time (or very near) they will allow you to enter FW.
Many times the CM's will "walk" you to a popular attraction (Soarin' and/or Test Track).

Int'l. gateway guests usually make it to the entrance of a popular attraction a bit behind those who enter at the main gates... but not really enough later to matter.

In Aug. expect very large crowds.
BUT there will be FAR FEWER guests in the early mornings than a bit later in the day.
Its always good to go early... always.

 

[DarthVader92]

with these facts in mind what time should you be able to get to the entrance of Soarin. If, you get to IG FIRST thing in the morning (aka as soon as Epcot opens).

darthvader92

please reply asap!!!!!!

 

[ImagineEar]

If you are through World Showcase and waiting at the rope drop for Future world it should only take you 5 - 7 minutes with a brisk walk - so if opening was at 9am - say 9:05ish.

That is if you are not escourted by CM's - than it could take slightly longer.

Hey - I see you're in Bergenfield - I'm just 2 towns north of you here in NJ!
Have a nice trip!

 

[DarthVader92]

how much longer would you say it would be with cms' guiding you?

DV92

 

[kirbsam]

you will be a good minute or so behind the crowd that enters from the main gate. no matter if you are led by a cm or not. at the end of october we were first in line at ig, and by the time we could see the front walk to soarin the crowd was already pretty large. a minute does not sound like much but that can translate into several hundred people.

 

[The Sweetness]

Sounds like thats a dangerous job~ *walking* anxious guests to one of the most popular rides. I would be afraid of a stampeede a-la Lion King!

 

[Robo]

Sounds like thats a dangerous job~ *walking* anxious guests to one of the most popular rides. I would be afraid of a stampeede a-la Lion King!

Most guests are very good about FOLLOWING the CMs, but if a couple of folks "break from the herd" and try to charge ahead (they are usually "late arrivals" who can't see the CM's up front, and figure that everone else is just "SLOW")... the CM's make sure they get the message and for them to "get back in the group".

Happens virtually every day at Epcot, DAK, and MGM.

MK is usually a "let 'em go" situation.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think there's a need to run if you are there at 9:00. We entered the IG around 9:30 last Thursday morning, went straight to Soarin. Got a fastpass for 10:50. We then did standby for The Land, about 20 min, walked over to the Living Seas and looked around (Crush was about a 40 min wait, so we didn't do it), came back in time for our fastpass. My niece liked it so much, we grabbed another fastpass for 2:30 (it was probably around 11:15). By the time we came back at about 3:00, the fastpasses were gone and the standby was 110 minutes.