Epcot strategy with late open?

[orangecuse]

I guess I totally missed the memo that Epcot isn't opening until 11am? I thought in the past WS opened at 11 but FW and the Frozen ride opened earlier (like 9). Could someone confirm that I am reading correctly and NONE of Epcot is open until 11am?

We have two young kids who are early risers so would it make more sense to change our Epcot reservation day to MK or HS, and then just park hop to Epcot at 2?

Any thoughts and tips are appreciated!

 

[wiggy500]

You're right both about what they used to do and what they are doing now. It sounds like they're doing a rope drop around 10:40 a.m., so a little earlier than advertised. I believe the late start was put into place to help stagger their resources with busing everyone around.

You could do as you are suggesting with park hopping to extend your day or you could do something like head to the Boardwalk area and book a reservation for breakfast, and then head into Epcot when you are done.

 

[Heather07438]

It is weird they’ve continued opening at 11.
I’m gonna do just like you and hop over. Then we can gain an extra 2 or 3 park hours with other 8 or 9am openings.

We have 6 days and no reservations at EP, instead we’ll open the other 3 parks twice each and hop to Epcot 3 days.

 

[soniam]

Yep, late opening. We have been doing breakfast at a hotel before or did it our last day if we have a late flight. Gives you time to pack in the morning. I don't know what waits look like in the afternoon for Frozen. They might be better at night, but it usually has long lines most of the time.

 

[orangecuse]

It is weird they’ve continued opening at 11.
I’m gonna do just like you and hop over. Then we can gain an extra 2 or 3 park hours with other 8 or 9am openings.

We have 6 days and no reservations at EP, instead we’ll open the other 3 parks twice each and hop to Epcot 3 days.

Thats what ww were thinking to! We actually have no AK start right now so maybe we will add that since we have 2 MK and 2 HS.

 

[Heather07438]

Thats what ww were thinking to! We actually have no AK start right now so maybe we will add that since we have 2 MK and 2 HS.

AK often opens an hour earlier than any other park. It’s a good park to match with EP hopping if you’d like to take a nice midday break too!

 

[Southernmiss]

We were there in mid June and hopped to Epcot at 2 pm. Frozen had a long line with about an hour wait. We waited. We closed the park.

We really did 2 full parks that day. But we are all adults.

 

[SL6827]

Wonder if this will be the new normal opening time for Epcot now? Never go back to 9:00.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Wonder if this will be the new normal opening time for Epcot now? Never go back to 9:00.

Oh I hope they go back to 9:00….
Maybe by October 50th celebration?

 

[Disneyfan754321]

It made a great park for arrival day and for days we were out late the day before. Being there at lunch time is great ... think about how many people hop to it late afternoon/ night. In those first 3 hours you can accomplish a lot.

 

[gharter]

In April, EPCOT officially opened at 11, but we were on a ride by 10:20. Not sure if they are still opening 45 minutes ahead of the posted times.
During our trip, every park was about 45 minutes earlier than posted.

 

[JCornell]

We were there last week and they opened somewhere around 30 minutes early.

 

[disny_luvr]

We are staying at BC and will be entering through IG. I’m guessing those entering at the front of the park will beat us to TT. Should we start at Frozen? What’s a good strategy when entering through IG at rope drop?

 

[DisneyFive]

Our EP days are our “catch up on some sleep” days.

With how things are now and having to get to rope drop to ride main attractions with short waits, I loathe the idea of getting up so early each morning. Epcot really provide some relief to that

Dan

 

[JCornell]

We are staying at BC and will be entering through IG. I’m guessing those entering at the front of the park will beat us to TT. Should we start at Frozen? What’s a good strategy when entering through IG at rope drop?

Honestly our strategy is to grab breakfast in France. There aren't that many rides in Epcot that we can usually hit them all without trouble anyway (as long as they don't go down).
But yeah, we walked in from the front at 10:40-ish last week and TT already had a huge line.

 

[blbrodger1]

I really miss the Garden Grill breakfast! That was the best part of Epcot mornings. Those sticky buns!

 

[yorkieteacher]

We found the end of June that most Epcot lines at the big three-Test Track, Frozen and Soarin' were very long at park opening. If you entered the park at 2, you should be able to ride those with an average 45 minute wait each.-average, I know it varies! The other rides were all less than 30 minutes, many walk ons. We found the wait times to be inflated even on those rides as well. The Seas was listed as 25 minutes-we walked on. Spaceship Earth listed as 35 minutes and it took about 15. Imagination listed as 25 and it took maybe 5. Test Track is the one that usually keeps the longest lines.

 

[Eastern]

I would still get to Epcot 1 hour before opening to get on a couple of short lines. It's a nice 'late rope drop'. (ymmv)

Otherwise, a late opening is a good opportunity to have a TS breakfast, make it a transfer day if you are doing a split stay, or catch up on sleep.

 

[asumom]

Do all the attractions stay open until closing time or do they shut down future world early?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wonder if this will be the new normal opening time for Epcot now? Never go back to 9:00.

I hope not! I miss the French Bakery for breakfast. When I stayed at BCV, I'd go in thru the IG and go over to the French Bakery for breakfast. It would be too late to wait until 11:00.