Fastest way out of EPCOT?

[DisneyOct05]

What's the fastest way out of EPCOT after Illuminations? I have heard about the International Gate. We need to get to Animal Kingdom Lodge ASAP after Illuminations.

 

[stacy6552]

Fast or easy? After Illuminations, I just don't think there is a fast way.

You wont get back to your resort quickly via the international gateway, because you will have to walk to a resort, then take a bus to DD and then take your resort bus back. Neither fast nor easy.

It may not be the quickest, but I would not race to the busses out front of Epcot. We always hang for a bit and then stroll slowing out to the front of the park. By doing this, we usually walk right out and onto a bus.

If you are going to turn back into a pumpkin at the stroke of 9, and you have to see Illuminations, then grab your spot very early along the lagoon at the very front of the WS. Its your easiest point to bust out of there afterwards, but you will be navagating a mass wave of people and jockying for position in the bus line.

Good Luck!

 

[singitalto]

There are only 2 exits out of Epcot. The Main gate and International Gateway.

If you take the Gateway then you would have to take 2 busses to AKL. A bus from Beach Club (or Yatch club, Boardwalk, Swan or Dolphin) to another park and then a bus to AKL. There are no busses that run directly from hotel to hotel. Unless you opt to take a taxi from Beach Club, this would not be a good option.

You could watch the show from by the fountains and then run to the bus stop for AKL.
I can't think of anything else to suggest.

 

[thelionqueen]

take a cab. That would ensure you get to AKL as quickly as possible. Or, what we learned from a Valet guy is to use Valet parking @ Beach or Yacht club ($7 per day), take the Int'l Gateway to Epcot via foot or boat, then return same way, get car from valet and you're off. If you don't have a rental car, then the taxi would be best. Hope that helps.

 

[lark]

take a cab. That would ensure you get to AKL as quickly as possible. Or, what we learned from a Valet guy is to use Valet parking @ Beach or Yacht club ($7 per day), take the Int'l Gateway to Epcot via foot or boat, then return same way, get car from valet and you're off. If you don't have a rental car, then the taxi would be best. Hope that helps.

Depending on the time of year, you may need a legitimate reason to be there to be allowed to park at the BC or YC -- like an ADR at one of the restaurants. I'm pretty sure you're allowed to self-park at the BWI just to use the boardwalk, so if all else fails, you can park at the BWI, enter Epcot throught the International Gateway, and then leave the same way at night.

 

[pooh2001]

We have done a taxi when we had to be somewhere fast/on time.
Most we have paid is $15 with tip - but it was worth it when our kids were younger to see Mickey for breakfast at 9 am.

We did the same for an 8:30 am Cindy breakfast.

All deluxes have taxi's waiting for anyone who wants a ride, just outside the door. No taxi there ? - just ask the CM by the resort front door for one.

 

[Wendy1953]

We were staying at BCV last week and DD came to visit. The CM at the gate advised her to have us get a parking pass for her car or it would be towed. So I wouldn't advise you to park at BCV or YC, because having your car towed and then retrieved wouldn't be the fastest way out at all.

 

[greg126]

I'd go with the drive (self or cab) from Beach Club. You can have good position for viewing Illumninations whilst being in the immediate vicinity of the International Gateway exit. First time we did the bus thing we were at the Contemporary and it worked ok, but subsequent experience leads me to think that for elsewhere what you gain in avoiding the EPCOT entrance you lose in bus/transfer time.