Epcot strategy from IG

[kclark9830]

We'll be in WDW in less than 2 wks. Yay! Our first Epcot day will be a Sunday, day before Labor day. Predicted crowd level of 7.

We're staying at the Boardwalk, so entering from International Gateway. Due to some personal stuff, we will not be entering the park until around 9:30am.

I'm not sure how to work our strategy to get the most done in the least crowded morning hours. I've currently got FP's at 9:05 for Mission Space, 10:05 for TT, and 11:05 for LwtL. Then plan to eat at Sunshine Seasons and hope for a Soarin' FP, FEA FP, or something else (however it works out at that point) while we work in The Seas, Figment, and Pixar shorts.

But is this a good plan? Would it be better to start at Soarin' standby, then do LwtL, and move our MS and TT FP's a little later? If so, should we do the Seas, ect., before those other FP's, or backtrack after the FP's?

Any thoughts on which strategy is more efficient?

 

[pitpat]

I wouldn't move your FPs later - it will work nicely to hit Mission Space near the end of the window and TT at the beginning. Then work your way across and hit some low waits until LWTL. Soarin is pretty easy to get as a 4th FP and you can probably modify it earlier to still be convenient for that side of the park. FEA can be gotten as a FP for later on too. You should be fine.

 

[kclark9830]

I wouldn't move your FPs later - it will work nicely to hit Mission Space near the end of the window and TT at the beginning. Then work your way across and hit some low waits until LWTL. Soarin is pretty easy to get as a 4th FP and you can probably modify it earlier to still be convenient for that side of the park. FEA can be gotten as a FP for later on too. You should be fine.

Thank you for the input. I originally had things all planned out and tidy, but we've recently had some stuff come up that changes when and where we arrive. It makes me second guess all my plans! I appreciate the help.

 

[gharter]

Not sure if you could get a FP for Soarin now or not. I would leave your FPs .
Once World Showcase opens, the line for Soarin usually drops.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Have a great stay the BW is our favorite!!

Agree with above posters, leave your FP as they are.

 

[kclark9830]

 

[NH-to-FL]

We have stayed at the Boardwalk many times and made many trips through the International Gateway. It is a easy walk from the Boardwalk and a pleasant way to enter Epcot.

I would normally recommend heading right to Soarin'. However I have seen the wait climb to 30 minutes pretty quickly in the morning. And I suspect that it might be a bit worse on a holiday weekend. So with your 9:30a arrival I don't think you would be able to standby Soarin' before your MS FP expires.

I think your plan is about the best I can think of. The holiday weekend might make the Soarin' FP's a bit harder to come by as a 4th but keep refreshing and one might show up. After TT you could standby Seas on your way back to the Land for LwtL. The wait for the Pixar movie is never more than the length of the movie. It is a nice break from the afternoon heat.

We enjoy the lunch at Sunshine Seasons. It can be a bit noisy and crowded at the peak of lunch time. Our current favorite dish is the pork loin with the rotisserie chicken a close second. It is a hearty meal for a quick service. Also know that you can go 'off menu' and ask for one of the other sides.

 

[splash327]

We usually stay at Beach Club. IG is really nice way to enter the park.

I agree with other posts, don't change the fastpasses until you get to the park. Here's what I would do:

1) Go to space once you enter.
2) Once you tap the band for the fastpasses try and move up your test track. You'll be able to do this now because there is no fast pass for space blocking you from an earlier time. This maybe difficult because you'll be close to the start time already and test track is popular. But it's worth a try while you wait to get in Space (I waited 20 minutes with a fast pass a couple weeks ago)
3) Go to test track.
4) Once you tap in for Test Track try and move the living with the land fast pass. This should be very easy at 10 am because most fast passes will be booked for either Soarin' or Test Track.
5) Goto LwtL once off test track with the new fast pass
6) Once in LwtL fast pass queue, now try for either Soarin' or one of the other rides close by (Nemo, Crush, Figment).
7) keep repeating fast pass, get new one. Note if you get a Soarin' for like 2pm say, keep trying to modify it. You may get lucky and get one for that time.

With this strategy a couple weeks ago, I did all the rides in Epcot by 1pm. This includes Test Track, Soarin' and Frozen.