Epcot Test Track Rope Drop - Skyliner or Bus from Art?

[MinniWiz]

My girlfriend and I are going to WDW in May. I am a (pre-COVID) vet, she is a complete newbie. Anyway, we are staying at Art of Animation and I was planning for us to take the Skyliner on our Epcot rope drop morning, but I am now wondering if that isn't a good idea and we should take a bus so we can get to Test Track quicker. Do they let International Gateway guests in at the same time as the main entrance these days? Do you think it will hurt our chances of getting to Test Track quickly?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

My girlfriend and I are going to WDW in May. I am a (pre-COVID) vet, she is a complete newbie. Anyway, we are staying at Art of Animation and I was planning for us to take the Skyliner on our Epcot rope drop morning, but I am now wondering if that isn't a good idea and we should take a bus so we can get to Test Track quicker. Do they let International Gateway guests in at the same time as the main entrance these days? Do you think it will hurt our chances of getting to Test Track quickly?

Thanks for any advice!

You’ll be fine taking the skyliner. I’d be to the CBR station by 930am for an 11am opening.

 

[KristaZ]

I would actively recommend NOT taking the bus from AoA. When we went in December, we thought taking the bus might be a better strategy for Test Track. The first bus didn't pick up until 10:30. By the time we made it over to test track, the line was already 70 min. In contrast, every other trip we've come from the international gateway (it does open at the same time) and gotten there around 10 or so (make sure you're in line super early - the CBR line can be insane to get to Epcot for rope drop - it's genuinely been worse than any time I've tried to get to HS for rope drop. If it's insanely long when you get there, you're probably better off walking to the Riviera station if it's around 9:30 or earlier). Be prepared to walk really fast/take a bit of run if you need to in order to beat those coming in from the front - even as one of the first ones in at international gateway, and definitely the first from back there to make it up to Test Track, we've had about a 20-30 minute wait (still better than any other point in the day though).

 

[MinniWiz]

Thanks, that is kind of what I was thinking. I guess the other aspect to this that I forgot to mention is that since she hasn't been before, would it be better for her to walk into Epcot from the front for a more magical experience? Or is Skyliner just as magical?

 

[Calee]

The front of Epcot isn't super magical right now (IMO). There is a lot of construction and walls up. I actually think riding the skyliner and coming in that way is prettier right now.

 

[MinniWiz]

The front of Epcot isn't super magical right now (IMO). There is a lot of construction and walls up. I actually think riding the skyliner and coming in that way is prettier right now.

Makes sense. Thanks! Sounds like we should do Skyliner!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

The front of Epcot isn't super magical right now (IMO). There is a lot of construction and walls up. I actually think riding the skyliner and coming in that way is prettier right now.

I agree! Future World is a mess right now.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks, that is kind of what I was thinking. I guess the other aspect to this that I forgot to mention is that since she hasn't been before, would it be better for her to walk into Epcot from the front for a more magical experience? Or is Skyliner just as magical?

I agree with PPs - coming in from IG you walk uphill and can see the France pavilion, then you get up to the top of the hill and have that great view of World Showcase. Far more impressive than the construction walls in the front!

 

[wdwrule]

My girlfriend and I are going to WDW in May. I am a (pre-COVID) vet, she is a complete newbie. Anyway, we are staying at Art of Animation and I was planning for us to take the Skyliner on our Epcot rope drop morning, but I am now wondering if that isn't a good idea and we should take a bus so we can get to Test Track quicker. Do they let International Gateway guests in at the same time as the main entrance these days? Do you think it will hurt our chances of getting to Test Track quickly?

Thanks for any advice!

Last week we took the skyliner to rope drop Epcot. However, since HS opened 2 hours earlier than Epcot, we actually took the skyliner to HS then took a relaxing stroll from there to Epcot and grabbed a coffee along boardwalk. This avoids the long skyliner line at the CBR hub if you go 15 minutes or so after HS official opening time. When we went, official HS opening was 9:00 and Epcot official opening was 11:00. (So we hopped on the skyliner around 9:15). Not sure if that’s the case for when you are going.

Also, test track doesn’t always open before the park’s official opening. They often announce ‘delayed opening for technical difficulties’. This was our case last week so we sat near the entrance of TT (we could hear they were running the cars) and people-watched, then they opened the ride close to the official park opening time... 11:00. We were glad we hung out there though as it was a walk-on then.

IG entrance is beautiful though! Amazing topiaries and ambiance.

 

[MinniWiz]

Last week we took the skyliner to rope drop Epcot. However, since HS opened 2 hours earlier than Epcot, we actually took the skyliner to HS then took a relaxing stroll from there to Epcot and grabbed a coffee along boardwalk. This avoids the long skyliner line at the CBR hub if you go 15 minutes or so after HS official opening time. When we went, official HS opening was 9:00 and Epcot official opening was 11:00. (So we hopped on the skyliner around 9:15). Not sure if that’s the case for when you are going.

Also, test track doesn’t always open before the park’s official opening. They often announce ‘delayed opening for technical difficulties’. This was our case last week so we sat near the entrance of TT (we could hear they were running the cars) and people-watched, then they opened the ride close to the official park opening time... 11:00. We were glad we hung out there though as it was a walk-on then.

IG entrance is beautiful though! Amazing topiaries and ambiance.

This sounds awesome! I love the Boardwalk and, although I wanted to, we weren't going to have time to check it out on this trip. This sounds like such a relaxing nice morning walk to get coffee and see it quickly. I've never walked from HS to Epcot, how long did it take you? What time do you think you got to IG?
On my schedule (I have a huge spreadsheet, yes I am that type), I have it so we are to CBR hub by 9am. It does look like HS's opening is 9am on our Epcot day (May 28) so this could work well. Thanks for sharing the idea!

 

[wdwrule]

This sounds awesome! I love the Boardwalk and, although I wanted to, we weren't going to have time to check it out on this trip. This sounds like such a relaxing nice morning walk to get coffee and see it quickly. I've never walked from HS to Epcot, how long did it take you? What time do you think you got to IG?
On my schedule (I have a huge spreadsheet, yes I am that type), I have it so we are to CBR hub by 9am. It does look like HS's opening is 9am on our Epcot day (May 28) so this could work well. Thanks for sharing the idea!

I didn’t time it but if I had to estimate I would say the walk took maybe 10 to 15 minutes at a slow stroll pace. While on the skyliner or even before, you could mobile order a coffee and or pastry from boardwalk bakery which will save some time even more. 10 minutes prior to picking up the coffee I would click ‘I’m here’ as sometimes it takes a while to prep the food/drink. (That goes with any mobile order). The parks will typically open the temperature check and security lines about 45 minutes to an hour prior to parks officially listed time.

 

[jbrinkm]

I just used G maps (it knows my walking speed!) and it told me 12 minutes to walk to TT from IG and 6 minutes to TT from the front entrance. Does that sound accurate to those of you who have been there recently, or does the construction cause significant walking delays from the front?

(Also, awesome strategy @wdwrule. I think my family may use it during our summer trip!)

 

[wdwrule]

I just used G maps (it knows my walking speed!) and it told me 12 minutes to walk to TT from IG and 6 minutes to TT from the front entrance. Does that sound accurate to those of you who have been there recently, or does the construction cause significant walking delays from the front?

(Also, awesome strategy @wdwrule. I think my family may use it during our summer trip!)

That sounds correct. Also keep in mind TT doesn’t always open during the pre-official park opening. I think it’s kind of hit or miss for when they open. In my only few experiences they opened it up around 15 minutes before park opening and once right at park opening. Either way, it’s great to hit that ride early.

 

[jbrinkm]

When it doesn't open, can you see that in the app, can you ask a CM, or do you need to go to the ride to find out?

 

[wdwrule]

When it doesn't open, can you see that in the app, can you ask a CM, or do you need to go to the ride to find out?

I don’t think they show wait times on the app before official opening but I could be totally wrong on that. A CM should be able to tell you though. I’d walk over to the ride though to double check.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I don’t think they show wait times on the app before official opening but I could be totally wrong on that. A CM should be able to tell you though. I’d walk over to the ride though to double check.

Correct - wait times don’t appear on the app until official park opening.

 

[herkyfan]

Generally what time have they been letting people in lately at Epcot. I have a Monday park reservation and was wondering...

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Generally what time have they been letting people in lately at Epcot. I have a Monday park reservation and was wondering...

Around 10:15am