Epcot strategy - EMH morning/using the IG

[SpaceMtnGirl]

I just realized our Epcot day (Thursday, October 6) is EMH morning. I'd rather visit on non-EMH morning, but it is the only day that really works for us to visit Epcot. We will be staying at BC so using the international gateway.

The only rides we care to do at Epcot, really, are Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Sum of All Thrills, and we definitely want to do the new Frozen ride. We don't care for Test Track, or character meet and greets. The rest of our day we planned to spend in the world showcase.

Any thoughts on how I should plan my morning and what crowds will be like during EMH hour? I've never done Epcot EMH or used the IG, so this is unfamiliar territory! Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Frozen first.

Soarin' next.
Either LwtL or SE next.

Sum is not open during AM EMH.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Hopefully someone will come through with a more recent experience because WDW changes its opening procedures depending on crowds and other factors. One week they will let everyone in early and then do a rope drop, another week they will let everyone in exactly at 8AM. I can tell you my past experience in March wasn't all that great. I've sent multiple emails complaining to WDW about this which I think they listened to for about a year and then went back to business as usual. By the time we walked to TT the line was huge and the SB wait time at 8:50 (for a 9AM opening) was 60 minutes. We were the first people through the tap-stiles at IG. We didn't care we had a FP+ and the single rider line was fine.

The problem with the IG is that the walk to the attractions from the IG puts you behind almost the entire front gate crowd by the time you walk through the park to either TT or Soarin'. Maybe now if they open the the new Frozen attraction at opening (Maelstrom did not open until 11AM) there will be a new level playing field but previously coming through the IG to hit an attraction at opening is a distinct disadvantage regardless of how early you get to the tap-stiles.

To me, it is worth the $10 to take a taxi to the front gates for opening if I want my day to be stress-free. My husband used to think it was ridiculous to pay the money for a deluxe, and still take a taxi (now probably UBER) but he's been with me when after waiting an hour at the IG, being the absolutely first family through and then watch as hundreds pour into Soarin' ahead of us from the front entrance.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

Frozen first.

Soarin' next.
Either LwtL or SE next.

Sum is not open during AM EMH.

Thanks! I guess we could do this, and save our FP for later in the day. Multiple rides on Soarin' is always a good thing.

Hopefully someone will come through with a more recent experience because WDW changes its opening procedures depending on crowds and other factors. One week they will let everyone in early and then do a rope drop, another week they will let everyone in exactly at 8AM. I can tell you my past experience in March wasn't all that great. I've sent multiple emails complaining to WDW about this which I think they listened to for about a year and then went back to business as usual. By the time we walked to TT the line was huge and the SB wait time at 8:50 (for a 9AM opening) was 60 minutes. We were the first people through the tap-stiles at IG. We didn't care we had a FP+ and the single rider line was fine.

The problem with the IG is that the walk to the attractions from the IG puts you behind almost the entire front gate crowd by the time you walk through the park to either TT or Soarin'. Maybe now if they open the the new Frozen attraction at opening (Maelstrom did not open until 11AM) there will be a new level playing field but previously coming through the IG to hit an attraction at opening is a distinct disadvantage regardless of how early you get to the tap-stiles.

To me, it is worth the $10 to take a taxi to the front gates for opening if I want my day to be stress-free. My husband used to think it was ridiculous to pay the money for a deluxe, and still take a taxi (now probably UBER) but he's been with me when after waiting an hour at the IG, being the absolutely first family through and then watch as hundreds pour into Soarin' ahead of us from the front entrance.

This is kind of what I was afraid of! Thanks for the advice.

 

[goofy4tink]

I routinely stay at BWVs, so use the IG a lot. Is it 100% equal to the front of the park opening? No. But, I've always been allowed into WS by park opening time, and usually a bit earlier. It depends on the CMs on duty it seems.
When I've gotten to the fountain area, everyone is being held there..from both entrances. There does seem to be a much larger group from the front entrance, but that's not surprising..there are a lot more people entering there to begin with. Are there people in front of me, running to Soarin'? Sure, but it's really not a big deal. I've seldom waited more than 10 mins at park opening to get on Soarin'.

 

[gatorskin76]

Hopefully someone will come through with a more recent experience because WDW changes its opening procedures depending on crowds and other factors. One week they will let everyone in early and then do a rope drop, another week they will let everyone in exactly at 8AM. I can tell you my past experience in March wasn't all that great. I've sent multiple emails complaining to WDW about this which I think they listened to for about a year and then went back to business as usual. By the time we walked to TT the line was huge and the SB wait time at 8:50 (for a 9AM opening) was 60 minutes. We were the first people through the tap-stiles at IG. We didn't care we had a FP+ and the single rider line was fine.

The problem with the IG is that the walk to the attractions from the IG puts you behind almost the entire front gate crowd by the time you walk through the park to either TT or Soarin'. Maybe now if they open the the new Frozen attraction at opening (Maelstrom did not open until 11AM) there will be a new level playing field but previously coming through the IG to hit an attraction at opening is a distinct disadvantage regardless of how early you get to the tap-stiles.

To me, it is worth the $10 to take a taxi to the front gates for opening if I want my day to be stress-free. My husband used to think it was ridiculous to pay the money for a deluxe, and still take a taxi (now probably UBER) but he's been with me when after waiting an hour at the IG, being the absolutely first family through and then watch as hundreds pour into Soarin' ahead of us from the front entrance.

Happened to us today. I was sitting there thinking that surely Disney would give a minor edge to their resort guests and then I saw the swarm of people heading to Soarin and we were let loose to fill in behind the large group. Silly in my opinion, and frustrating. It's not even equal footing.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We'll be staying at YC and using the IG. We wanted to RD Soarin' on a non EMH day, so what time should we plan to arrive? Earlier than 8:30? I'm confused as to the route.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Happened to us today. I was sitting there thinking that surely Disney would give a minor edge to their resort guests and then I saw the swarm of people heading to Soarin and we were let loose to fill in behind the large group. Silly in my opinion, and frustrating. It's not even equal footing.

How long did you wait for Soarin'?