EPCOT Rides open before and during Illuminations??

[msr709]

Does anyone know if there are any rides open in EPCOT b/w 8:00 and 9:00? I was wondering if we could get on some of the more popular rides while people were lining up for Illuminations?

 

[WDSearcher]

Everything in the park stays open until the park closes. So ... if IllumiNations is at 9pm, and the park closes at 9pm, then the rides remain open until 9pm.

I've had several friends stake out their IllumiNations spot -- which someone holds for them -- and then go off and ride Test Track or whatever. One caveat though ... the Rides folks will take a look at lines and may cut off entry when they have enough people to fill the queue until 9pm. So, even if you rush up to Test Track at five till 9, you may not be able to get on. It will depend on how many people are already in line. (Hope that makes sense!)

 

[msr709]

GOTCHA! Thanks

 

[kandmwedding]

Also keep in mind that Future World usually closes an hour before World Showcase, so you'll want to plan the rides according to their hours, not the Illuminations times. Rides like Maelstrom will still be open until 9 though.

 

[Carrieberry]

Future World as a whole closes earlier, but we have always been able to ride Test Track after the rest of Future World closes. The last few times we have been they have kept it open and we have ridden during Illuminations. Are they doing this with MS now too?