Get me to Soarin'... quick!

[kimberlym4]

If we are staying at the Dolphin (or I guess anywhere on the Boardwalk) what is the quickest way to get to Soarin'? I understand that the boat or path takes you into the World Showcase entrance. But that part of the park isn't opened until later in the morning. Do they let you through to "race" over to Future World? How long does it take to get to Soarin' from that entrance?

 

[jamstew]

If we are staying at the Dolphin (or I guess anywhere on the Boardwalk) what is the quickest way to get to Soarin'? I understand that the boat or path takes you into the World Showcase entrance. But that part of the park isn't opened until later in the morning. Do they let you through to "race" over to Future World? How long does it take to get to Soarin' from that entrance?

You can enter the International Gateway at rope drop just like from the front of the park. They stop you just up the hill to the left after you go through the turnstiles. It takes about 3-4 minutes longer to get to Soarin' than from there than from the main entrance.

 

[kapoof]

i timed it last trip..we left in the afternoon to use of fast passes. from leaving our room at the dolphin to standing in line at soarin was about 25 minutes. that includes waiting for the elevator and walking thru the crowds, and being very very tired but still walking pretty fast.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have gotten in through the World Showcase on previous trips. Sometimes it depends when they let you through the turnstyles though. They will always let you in once the park opens though. If you head straight to Soarin, the lines shouldn't be that bad.

 

[spiceycat]

soaring from where they do stop you - it is just as quick as the ones let in the front gate.

that is when they let you in early.

if you have to wait until the park opens at the IG ticket area - then not sure - both the front gate and IG are not that close to Soarin'

if anything I think IG is closer than the front gate.

 

[BCV23]

We've always been stopped at the IG until 9am. In our experience, they don't even start bag check until then.

The folks entering from the front of Ecpot will beat you as it's a shorter walk and they don't wait until 9am to start bag check.

At least that's our experience. Things could change.

 

[lovemy2boys]

What is Soarin'? I am very interested to know! (this will be our first trip in a long time)

 

[BCV23]

What is Soarin'? I am very interested to know! (this will be our first trip in a long time)

It is a fantastic ride that simulates a hang glider experience over California. It is awesome. Almost everyone raves about it including people like me who have a fear of heights. Have fun!!!

 

[shellybaxter]

We've always been stopped at the IG until 9am. In our experience, they don't even start bag check until then.

The folks entering from the front of Ecpot will beat you as it's a shorter walk and they don't wait until 9am to start bag check.

At least that's our experience. Things could change.

BCV23 - You were probably there sooner than us, but this wasn't our experience in Jan of 2007. We were allowed through prior to 9:00AM and held by the rose garten until 9:00AM. We arrived at Soarin just after the front bunch did so it ws about even.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

When we have stayed at BW in the summer - they do bag check and let you through turnstiles about 8:50. Then they stop you up the hill before you get to the UK/France bridge. We waited there until exactly 9am. When the park opens they let you through. Definitely 3-4 min longer to walk from WS to Soarin then from the front gate - but not significant enough to warrant taking a cab to the front of Epcot. Don't think they offer bus service to front gate from Epcot resorts.

 

[BCV23]

BCV23 - You were probably there sooner than us, but this wasn't our experience in Jan of 2007. We were allowed through prior to 9:00AM and held by the rose garten until 9:00AM. We arrived at Soarin just after the front bunch did so it ws about even.

Glad to hear of this. I have read of others having different experiences but never dates. Nor can I remember exactly when our experiences were as we stay at BCV about 3 times/year but don't always make it to Ecpot for rope drop. But I'm sure that one of our experiences was fairly recent...maybe May of '07 or October'07. I remember it a little better because it was so annoying. The lady at the turnstiles was so busy chatting with another CM that the whole thing didn't open until a couple minutes after nine as the guy doing bag check waited for her to finish talking before he started security!

When we have stayed at BW in the summer - they do bag check and let you through turnstiles about 8:50. Then they stop you up the hill before you get to the UK/France bridge. We waited there until exactly 9am. When the park opens they let you through. Definitely 3-4 min longer to walk from WS to Soarin then from the front gate - but not significant enough to warrant taking a cab to the front of Epcot. Don't think they offer bus service to front gate from Epcot resorts.

Another better experience. I wonder what the norm is then? January would seem like a slow season and the summer a busy one so who knows. Maybe we've just been unlucky!

 

[kimberlym4]

If you opt for taking the boat over to EPCOT does anyone know what time it begins to set sail? We will be there next week so I'm sure it will be crowded and I don't want to waste time waiting for the "next boat". We still might walk (thanks for all of your estimates) but I'm worried about tiring out my family before we even get started.


lovemy2boys - here's a link to WDW info about Soarin'
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/parks/attractionDetail?id=SoarinAttractionPage

 

[BCV23]

If you opt for taking the boat over to EPCOT does anyone know what time it begins to set sail? We will be there next week so I'm sure it will be crowded and I don't want to waste time waiting for the "next boat". We still might walk (thanks for all of your estimates) but I'm worried about tiring out my family before we even get started.


lovemy2boys - here's a link to WDW info about Soarin'
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/parks/attractionDetail?id=SoarinAttractionPage

If no one here knows what time the boats begin, you might try on the Transportation forum. I'm not sure at all but think someone posed 8:30 once??

But after leaving S/D, the boats dock at Y&BC and then BW before going to the IG. So it's not a quick trip.

Here's a fellow DISser's post with an aerial shot and mileages included of the Epcot area.
http://mosa.unity.ncsu.edu/photos/misc/epcotdvc.html

 

[wood145]

When we stayed at the Dolphin in April they did the bag check and let us in at around 8:50. They we were held at the rose garden. I think we may have been let in before the front gate, my DS did a fast walk to Soarin and then was held there again. First in line for FP!

As far as the boat service, I know they are there before 8:30 but not sure how early. We just missed the boat to Epcot and walked to the Boardwalk, leisurely, and then caught it there for Epcot. The boat goes to BC/YC then to BW, so if you just miss it try walking over to the BW ramp.

Karen