Epcot resorts have major disadvantages getting to Epcot

[MaryKatesMom]

We just returned from a near perfect trip. 9 nights at the BWV in a beautiful one bedroom. This was our first time at the resort and liked it. We usually stay at GF or BC. It was our first experience at the villas. My sister stayed at the Dolphin and loved it there.

The crowds were non-existent. Every park we went to, being one of the first families at the turnstiles, we walked on every major attraction and were able to ride 3-5 times in a row. Space mountain then Splash Mountain, Mount Everest then Safari, RNR then TT. Every day we were done with what we wanted to accomplish by mid-afternoon.

The only exception to this was EPCOT, my favorite park. That is why we stay at EPCOT resorts. The heavenly walk back at the end of the day is priceless.

Having stayed there in the past I knew that the International Gateway had a severe disadvantage getting to Soarin' but our last trip they let us in about 10 minutes early and we got to Soarin' at the same time as everyone else. Not this trip.

We got to the gate 45 minutes early and were the first people there by far. Had a great time chatting with the guards, they started checking our bags 10 minutes before 9AM, we got to the rope drop at the bridge but we got no further. I wasn't particulary concerned because up until this morning, everything had been a walk on and we didn't need fast passes for anything but BTMRR one afternoon. I figured there wasn't much of a crowd (there weren't that many people at the International Gateway either), so even if we aren't the first people at Soarin', maybe we'd have a 20 minute wait and grab a fast pass.

At exactly 9AM the guard dropped the rope. A couple of people sprinted to Soarin' but that's OK we were still about the first 10-15 people headed that way. As we turned the corner toward FW I literally gasped. There were hundred's of people already streaming into Soarin'. We got to the Standby line and it reads 45 minutes. Maybe if I hadn't been the first one at the gate, I'd blame myself but I was first in line and still had to wait 45 minutes.

I had thought they took care of this problem but apparently they changed it again.

I spoke to the manager who was extremely dismissive. He told me "You have fast passes." . I explained that I was first in line and had gotten there 45 minutes early so that we could ride the ride and then use our fast passes. He told me everyone was walked to the ride and I said, no the rope dropped at the bridge at 9AM. He said "Well you have fast passes". Uh. I know I have fast passes. Is this how WDW treats it resort guests? I get to wait an extra 45 minutes for paying for a deluxe? We're not DVC so I paid nightly through CRO. I've worked in customer service my entire life and was calmly speaking while this guy was being a jerk. After the third time he said "You have fast passes don't you." it was obvious he trying to make me mad but I wan't biting.

My sister leaned over and said let's just go, he's just stalling to waste your time and really aggravate you. We went over to test track and rode it, no line, 3 times in a row then walked back to Soarin'. Had an excellent lunch at San Angel Inn, saw most of the WS Holiday Storytellers, and then dinner at Le Cellier.

So, if you want to see Soarin' first thing (which is what every touring plan says to do) pay for a cab and go to the front gate.

 

[cfknight]

Sounds like you had a great trip, why let one ride put you in a sour mood? Look at ALL the good experiences you had. We just got back from the BC Sat. and it was the same thing, but we grabed a fast pass and went to a couple shops first. You have to remember only half the park is open that early, but you still have all the people. It was 50 min wait for soaring right off the bat, but when the World Showcase opened up the wait went down to 20 min.

 

[eliza61]

The only exception to this was EPCOT, my favorite park. That is why we stay at EPCOT resorts. The heavenly walk back at the end of the day is priceless.

Having stayed there in the past I knew that the International Gateway had a severe disadvantage getting to Soarin' but our last trip they let us in about 10 minutes early and we got to Soarin' at the same time as everyone else. Not this trip.


At exactly 9AM the guard dropped the rope. A couple of people sprinted to Soarin' but that's OK we were still about the first 10-15 people headed that way. As we turned the corner toward FW I literally gasped. There were hundred's of people already streaming into Soarin'. We got to the Standby line and it reads 45 minutes. Maybe if I hadn't been the first one at the gate, I'd blame myself but I was first in line and still had to wait 45 minutes.

I had thought they took care of this problem but apparently they changed it again.

I spoke to the manager who was extremely dismissive. He told me "You have fast passes." . I explained that I was first in line and had gotten there 45 minutes early so that we could ride the ride and then use our fast passes. He told me everyone was walked to the ride and I said, no the rope dropped at the bridge at 9AM. He said "Well you have fast passes". Uh. I know I have fast passes. Is this how WDW treats it resort guests? I get to wait an extra 45 minutes for paying for a deluxe? We're not DVC so I paid nightly through CRO. I've worked in customer service my entire life and was calmly speaking while this guy was being a jerk. After the third time he said "You have fast passes don't you." it was obvious he trying to make me mad but I wan't biting.

My sister leaned over and said let's just go, he's just stalling to waste your time and really aggravate you. We went over to test track and rode it, no line, 3 times in a row then walked back to Soarin'. Had an excellent lunch at San Angel Inn, saw most of the WS Holiday Storytellers, and then dinner at Le Cellier.

So, if you want to see Soarin' first thing (which is what every touring plan says to do) pay for a cab and go to the front gate.

Huh? I'm trying to work with you here. By your own admission you said the resort was great and that the walk back to the resort from international gateway is "Priceless" but now disney is mistreating it's guest because you couldn't ride Soarin' immediately upon entering? The Epcot resorts guarantee that you will be able to walk to Epcot. They don't guarentee that the ride will be clear. Once again by your own admission you say there were hundreds of people there, so it was a crowded day. I'm not sure what the manager is supposed to do. Paying for a deluxe does not mean you get first access to a park or a ride. I do feel your disappointment but I'm not sure how this is the resorts fault.

 

[disnut8]

Sorry you had the expectations of riding Soarin' first with a minimal wait and then using your FastPasses for a second ride. However, the Cast Member wasn't trying to be rude to you. You were there, you had a reasonable standby wait time and you had a FastPass. It wasn't like you were never going to ride at all that morning.

Soarin', for some reason, is a very popular ride. Everyone who has read a guide book or goes on the internet for touring help will go there first. It's something to be lived with. I would not like to see Disney go back to the mad stampeding that used to accompany rope drops.

Was this your only day to ride Soarin'?

 

[sassyat30]

So are you complaining because you had to wait? Sorry, that's all part of the Disney experience.

And are you trying to say you shouldn't have had to wait, because you paid for a deluxe??

 

[dcgrumpy]

So you get a fastpass and do something else while waiting. You still got to ride it. Does it really make a difference that you didn't get to ride it first?

I spoke to the manager who was extremely dismissive. He told me "You have fast passes." . I explained that I was first in line and had gotten there 45 minutes early so that we could ride the ride and then use our fast passes. He told me everyone was walked to the ride and I said, no the rope dropped at the bridge at 9AM. He said "Well you have fast passes". Uh. I know I have fast passes. Is this how WDW treats it resort guests? I get to wait an extra 45 minutes for paying for a deluxe? We're not DVC so I paid nightly through CRO. I've worked in customer service my entire life and was calmly speaking while this guy was being a jerk. After the third time he said "You have fast passes don't you." it was obvious he trying to make me mad but I wan't biting.

What did you expect to accomplish by talking to a manager? Did you think he would let you cut in front of everyone waiting?

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

I'm not sure if I understand what you are saying. This is all over one ride?

I think there are lots of pros and cons about each resort and it would be hard to make everything exactly equally fair for everyone.

And international gateway isn't a private entrance for deluxe guests. Besides, being deluxe doesn't get anyone in early.

 

[Desnik]

Sorry but I agree with the other posters here. Just because you paid for a deluxe doesn't give you special privileges to be the first people on a ride. I shelled out thousands of dollars to be a DVC member and I don't expect special treatment. You had a perfect trip and you were so lucky to ride everything, multiple times with no waits! You said the resort was great and yet you are complaining about this? I agree with the manager you spoke to. You got a fast pass and you could've waited in the standby line so you could've rode twice. What's the problem with that?

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I'm not getting your complaint either. Are you saying that just because you chose to take the walking path to the WS entrance, you should be permitted in the park earlier than the other people waiting at the front entrance?

Regardless of whether you got some pixie dust and an early opening on a previous trip, the rules were followed by opening the park at the designated start time.

Maybe you don't mean to, but you are coming across here like you feel that you deserved to get in earlier because of how much you paid and where you stayed. How much you paid, whether you stayed deluxe or not, etc., doesn't matter.

If you want to get on Soarin' earlier, go to the front entrance. Aren't there resort busses that can take you there?

 

[GeorgeY]

MaryKatesMom, I see what you are saying, and I agree with you. I just don't think the other posters are really reading what you posted.

The Op is not asking for a special advantage because she is staying at the BC, she just wants equal footing. Because she is staying at the BC, there is only one way to Epcot, and that is through international gateway. Both Rope drops should be equal distance from the Soarin line, or they should start walking the Epcot Resort guests early so they meet up with the guests that enter through the main gate.

I recommend you complain to the Beach Club, and tell ask them why their guests are put at a disadvantage at rope drop, repeat that you are not asking for anything special (Apparantly many people automatically assume you want that, as apparant from this thread).

George

 

[dcgrumpy]

The Op is not asking for a special advantage because she is staying at the BC, she just wants equal footing. Because she is staying at the BC, there is only one way to Epcot, and that is through international gateway. Both Rope drops should be equal distance from the Soarin line, or they should start walking the Epcot Resort guests early so they meet up with the guests that enter through the main gate.

Before there Soarin' most people went to TT first.Are they going to move the rope drop every time a new ride opens? That's just silly

 

[gardenia]

Next time, you could take a taxi to the front gate of Epcot. What you'll probably find is that you STILL have to wait 45 minutes for Soarin', and you have to go through the hassle of the crowds at the park's front turnstiles as well.

 

[GeorgeY]

Not silly at all, there should be equal ability to reach any ride, or they need to walk people to the main entrance before rope drop. Simple as that.

George

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

MaryKatesMom, I see what you are saying, and I agree with you. I just don't think the other posters are really reading what you posted.

The Op is not asking for a special advantage because she is staying at the BC, she just wants equal footing. Because she is staying at the BC, there is only one way to Epcot, and that is through international gateway. Both Rope drops should be equal distance from the Soarin line, or they should start walking the Epcot Resort guests early so they meet up with the guests that enter through the main gate.

I recommend you complain to the Beach Club, and tell ask them why their guests are put at a disadvantage at rope drop, repeat that you are not asking for anything special (Apparantly many people automatically assume you want that, as apparant from this thread).

George

If this is what she was saying then I did understand. I just don't think this is a big enough deal to worry about it so much.

Maybe I just hate thinking of it so much as a competition. That would ruin my trip.

And I still think there are pros and cons to all of the resort and for all the wonderful pros those resorts have this is just one teeny tiny con.

You could always take a bus to the TTC and ride the monorail over if it is really important to you.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Because she is staying at the BC, there is only one way to Epcot, and that is through international gateway.

The BC map shows bus stops, so I would think that taking a resort bus - to the front entrance - is still an option.

ETA - upon further research, it looks like the busses don't take BC guests to Epcot, only to other parks, etc. There is a boat option, but I would imagine that it would also go to the WS entrance.

I still think that by mentioning how much she paid makes the OP come across in a poor light (no pun intended).

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

The BC map shows bus stops, so I would think that taking a resort bus - to the front entrance - is still an option.

I'm thinking that there is no bus from the BC to EPCOT's front entrance. Maybe I'm wrong, it's been a year and a half since I stayed there.

You can always like I said get a bus to the TTC and ride the monorail though.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I'm thinking that there is no bus from the BC to EPCOT's front entrance. Maybe I'm wrong, it's been a year and a half since I stayed there.

You can always like I said get a bus to the TTC and ride the monorail though.

You're right - I must have been editing my post while you were typing.

 

[pwrflpills]

I must also agree with the other posters that your expectations were a bit unreasonable (and am relieved to see that most people share that sentiment).

What is the "problem" that you are alluding to? You were trying to get an advantage on other guests yourself. Your plan didn't work. C'est la vie!

I cannot share your zeal to be at the gates 45 mins before opening, but regardless, that and the hotel you're staying in doesn't guaranty you anything. It's hard to control if the CM at the main gate's watch is 3 mins faster than the one at the back, or whatever...

I too don't know what you thought the manager was supposed to do for you. It sounds like you subscribe to the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" theory. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

 

[clkelley]

You can also walk over to the Studios and get a bus to the front entrance of Epcot (but Studios would probably need to have early EMH to get to the entrance early enough).

I agree with the OP, they should set up the rope drop so that folks from both entrances have equal distance and time to the attraction entrances.

 

[clkelley]

Oops, duplicate post