Getting to World Showcase

[TNRMMP]

This is my first time on this forum so I hope that this question doesn't seem too ridiculous. I will staying at Pop or POFQ this and daughter wants to go to the World Showcase. Is there a way to go directly to the World Showcase without trekking through Future World. I keep hearing about the International Gateway, where is it? It sounds like leads directly to World Showcase. Is there Disney transportation that I can take from Pop or POFQ? TIA

 

[karly05]

The International Gateway links Epcot to the Epcot area resorts (Yacht & Beach Clubs/Boardwalk/Swan & Dolphin). You can't get there directly from Pop or POFQ - BUT - you could take the bus from your resort to DHS and catch the boat there that goes to Swan/Dolphin, YC/BC, Boardwalk, then Epcot Int'l Gateway. It'll take longer (I think the whole boat route from DHS to Epcot is about 25 min?), but it's a nice ride, and the IG brings you into Epcot between the UK and France pavilions.

True story, this was my Dad's "favorite ride" when we stayed at the Poly. He met Sis & me for dinner in Epcot a couple of times, and took the Poly bus to DHS then rode the boat to Epcot.

Oh, and while I'm here, I want to put in a plug for POFQ. I stayed there for the first time this year and enjoyed it so much I'm staying there again next year. It's quaint and pretty and charming and the smaller size makes it easy to get around.

 

[guppy1013]

The walk from HS to Epcot is nice too, if you aren't in a hurry. If everyone is in Disney walking shape, its almost the same time because you avoid the stops at the Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, and Y&B Clubs. AND, my favorite, stop and get a margarita along the Boardwalk (maybe not such a great plan in the early morning.....but hey, it's vacation, I won't judge). You could always ride to Boardwalk and walk from there also if you want to check out the action.

 

[ArmyVet80]

I'm also going to plug POFQ. I think that you and your dd would really enjoy it. Small in comparison to other moderates and even some of the values. If you stay at POFQ then you can take the boat to Downtown Disney then hop a bus to one of the Epcot resorts (Yacht club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn/Villas) or to DHS. Once at any of the mentioned resorts above and/or DHS you can take the boat or walk to the International Gateway. Just remember that the World Showcase does not open until 11 am so if you get there earlier then you will have to wait. They may let you go to get something for breakfast at the France Bakery but I'm not entirely sure how that works.

It's about a 1.2 mile walk from DHS to the International Gateway but it's a very very nice walk. The boat ride from DHS to the International Gateway will take about 30-45 minutes because it stops at the resorts to pick up people. The walk itself takes about 25-30 minutes at a pretty leisurely pace.

 

[karly05]

Admittedly, my experience is limited, but every time I've had any involvement with the words "bus" and "DTD" in the same sentence, it has been a major pain.

In other words, do everything in your power to AVOID taking a bus to or from DTD. (And my experiences were all from before the current construction mess.)

 

[ArmyVet80]

Admittedly, my experience is limited, but every time I've had any involvement with the words "bus" and "DTD" in the same sentence, it has been a major pain.

In other words, do everything in your power to AVOID taking a bus to or from DTD. (And my experiences were all from before the current construction mess.)

Hahaha.. I completely understand. I have always had good luck while taking a bus out of DTD but very rarely have had good luck making it to DTD via bus. That's one of the reasons we like POFQ that much more than other resorts. Take the boat and you have a nice relaxing ride to DTD and you get to see the Treehouse Villas which my wife loves to look at.

 

[tjmw2727]

Honestly the walk from the front gate to WS really isn't long enough IMHO to warrant the extra time and effort to get to the IG from POFQ. Much easier and quicker to just take the bus to Epcot and walk then to take two buses/ a bus and a boat or a bus and then a much longer walk (HS to IG) to get to the International Gateway.

 

[TNRMMP]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I like the plan of taking the boat from DHS. I may or may not be traveling with someone besides my DD that is not in the best Disney walking shape so while the boat may be out of the way it seems doable. Besides, I have been secretly wanting to go to the BC to look around. Or, we may have a late breakfast at Cape May before heading to WS.

 

[NancyIL]

Most of World Showcase doesn't open until 11 a.m. Therefore, I wouldn't go out of my way to enter Epcot through the International Gateway unless you plan to arrive on or after 11.

 

[goofy4tink]

The boat takes 25 mins. You may face a wait for the boat to get there, but once on the boat, it's only 25 mins. The walk is about 20 mins. I've left WS at the exact same time as the boat, walking to DHS. I got there as the boat came around the corner, so it took me about 20 mins to get between the two parks. And I was walking at a pretty normal pace.
As noted, WS doesn't open until 11, so no big rush. You can take the bus from POFQ to DHS, and then either walk or boat to the IG.

 

[karly05]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I like the plan of taking the boat from DHS. I may or may not be traveling with someone besides my DD that is not in the best Disney walking shape so while the boat may be out of the way it seems doable. Besides, I have been secretly wanting to go to the BC to look around. Or, we may have a late breakfast at Cape May before heading to WS.

Word of warning: Once you start looking around the BC, you'll want to stay there. I'm totally happy with POFQ, but if money were no object, I'd have a hard time staying away from the BC.