Getting to Epcot restaurants during a downpour

[Tigsmom]

Last year when we were at Disney in September, there was one night that we had a terrible time getting to our ADR at San Angel Inn because there was a terrible thunderstorm downpour. We had come to the front Epcot entrance via monorail and had to go all the way across the park. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge this time, Since we also rent a car, do you think we could drive to one of the Epcot resorts and park there, then go through the International gateway and then to our restaurant if we find ourselves in a pickle when we have an ADR in Epcot and it is pouring/thundering/lightening? Would they let us park at an Epcot resort if we are staying at another Disney property?

 

[snowbunny]

Nope, they will not let you park at a resort to access a theme park, regardless of the weather. You can park at a resort for 3 hours if you have an ADR at a restaurant there.

 

[Lynne M]

The International Gateway is just as far from Mexico as the front entrance is, maybe even farther. So, depending on which country your ADR is in, it may not save you much time, or keep you from getting soaked.

They won't let you park in the guest parking lots at the Epcot resorts and then go to Epcot. There's a visitor lot at the Boardwalk, but it's really far away, and you'll be even more soaked by the time you get to the park. I've heard that there's no time limit if you use valet parking, but I can't honestly say whether that's true or not.

Even if you do valet park, say, at the Beach Club, and take the boat or walk to Epcot, you're going to get just as wet as you would have walking from the front entrance. There's really no quick, rain-free way to get to the restaurants.

 

[Laurafoster]

Not to mention you would have to wait for the boat in the rain!

 

[goofy4tink]

Since we go to WDW a lot during those times of year when massive thunder/lightening storms hit every day...we always have those cheap, $1 poncho's with us. As well as shoes that can get wet...sport shoes, Crocs, etc. We are never without our ponchos...ever!!

 

[Leota]

The International Gateway is just as far from Mexico as the front entrance is, maybe even farther. So, depending on which country your ADR is in, it may not save you much time, or keep you from getting soaked.

They won't let you park in the guest parking lots at the Epcot resorts and then go to Epcot. There's a visitor lot at the Boardwalk, but it's really far away, and you'll be even more soaked by the time you get to the park. I've heard that there's no time limit if you use valet parking, but I can't honestly say whether that's true or not.

Even if you do valet park, say, at the Beach Club, and take the boat or walk to Epcot, you're going to get just as wet as you would have walking from the front entrance. There's really no quick, rain-free way to get to the restaurants.

Yep - I'm afraid there is just no way to park close to the WS restaurants at all - main entrance or IG. Even if you could get away with parking at one of the Epcot resorts, it won't help you at all as far as weather goes. Sorry. Bring a poncho like goofy4tink suggested or some umbrellas.