Getting to the Yuletide Fantasy tour at 8:45AM at Epcot from BCV??

[momtofour]

My daughter and I will be taking the Yuletide Fantasy tour on December 15th at 8:45AM. We are staying at the Beach Club villas. There does not appear to be early morning magical hours at Epcot or the Magic Kingdom. Is my only choice going to be to take a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then hop on the monorail? I am concerned that I will not have enough time. I have rented a car just in case but prefer to skip that if possible!

 

[joelkfla]

You should be able to just walk in thru the Int'l Gateway.

Other DISers have reported that they were allowed to enter and walk through Epcot to get to their early tour meeting place at the front of the park.

Just to set your mind at ease, confirm that this will be allowed with the BC concierge or IG Guest Relations a day or 2 before.

 

[momtofour]

Thanks so much for the reply. I am not using a park ticket for this tour. (not required) Would I still be allowed to walk through?

 

[goofy4tink]

If you don't plan on using park passes, then you won't be allowed to enter the park, anywhere.
I have taken this tour, and been staying at BWV. BUT...it was actually an EMH morning at Epcot, so not an issue.
You may very well have an issue..even if you do choose to use park passes to enter. You would have to enter the park, via the Intl Gateway, no later than 8:25. It will take you about 20 mins to walk through the entire park!!! And I doubt there will be anyone at the Gateway at that time to let you in!!! When I have arrived at the IG about 20 mins prior to park opening (8:40am-ish), the CMs haven't arrived yet!!!
So, I would either change to a day that is EMH morning at Epcot, or keep your appt and get a cab over to the front of the park.

 

[joelkfla]

So it sounds like the tour is actually meeting outside the park.

You may be best using the rental car or a taxi.

The monorail would not work, as it opens at 8:30. The boats start around 8 a.m. The first boat would get you to DHS around 8:15, and from there you should be able to get a bus to Epcot, but it would be kinda close.

 

[goofy4tink]

So it sounds like the tour is actually meeting outside the park.

You may be best using the rental car or a taxi.

The monorail would not work, as it opens at 8:30. The boats start around 8 a.m. The first boat would get you to DHS around 8:15, and from there you should be able to get a bus to Epcot, but it would be kinda close.

Yep, this tour meets outside the front gates. It's kind of a pain to get to from the Epcot resort area if it isn't an EMH morning. A cab is going to be the best idea.
I guess they could walk to DHS and take the first bus, but that seems like a lot of work to avoid a small cab fare.

 

[DebbieB]

We did an 8:30 Segway tour in Epcot in May. They let us in around 8:00 at the IG, they had our names on a list. But we had to use our tickets.

 

[goofy4tink]

We did an 8:30 Segway tour in Epcot in May. They let us in around 8:00 at the IG, they had our names on a list. But we had to use our tickets.

Now that I think of it, there is usually one lone CM at the IG to let people in early. There has to be since there are early ADRs at Akershus!! But, you do have to use a park pass to get in. The thing with the Segway tour is that it is inside the park. I'm not sure they will allow you to just walk through the park to exit via the front of the park. I could be wrong though.