How does Epcot rope drop work for BW area guests?

[Ashlotte]

I posted this on one of the other boards, but I think maybe this might be a better place for it.

We are staying at the BWV and I know there is no bus service to the main entrance of Epcot and we would need to walk in through the International Gateway entrance. My question is, if Future World opens at 9 and the World Showcase doesn't open until 11, do they have you walk through that portion of the world showcase (even though it is closed) at 9 to reach Future World? If they do, do they wait until 9 to drop the rope near the entrance of the International Gateway, or is the rope drop closer to Future World, giving us a reasonable chance a getting to the rides at the same time as the main entrance guests? The whole thing has me really confused and wondering if I should just rent a car.

 

[BCV23]

When we've entered through the IG first thing in the morning, the guards have waited until 9 to start checking bags. People at the front will beat you to Soarin or TT but not by that much.

Others have reported being able to get through the entrance and being held near the bridge until rope drop. Maybe we've just not been lucky.

Regardless, you do stroll through England and Canada. You can not walk across the bridge toward France.

I would not rent a car just to enter from the front of Epcot. The IG entrance is one of the best parts of staying at the Epcot resorts. You willmjust miss the first rush and that's not bad at all.

 

[Robert P]

The IG rope drop is confusing, and we've found inconsistent as well.

Usually, we have the same experience. 80% of the time, the IG gates open at 9:00, usually with that tiny cattle area between security and the turnstiles packed to the gills. This was the case during our October 2008 visit.

20% of the time, we have been let in a few minutes early, but are stopped near the top of the hill, at the bridge, and an actual 'rope drop' occurs right at 9:00. Not much benefit to this, it's only another 75 yards into the park, but it does help clear the gate area. Though, that decision doesn't seem to be based on crowd levels around the IG gate. Weird.

You definitely will be behind the front gate crowds to the attractions, but not horribly so. The empty queu areas seem to absorb alot of those people, so you never even see them at all. I agree with BCV23, I would not rent a car. The IG is a great 'plus' for staying at BWV, and the early morning stroll through England and Canada without the usual crowds is a nice experience.

 

[marlower]

You could get a taxi that morning to go to the front of the gate at Epcot--that is what I have done and it worked just fine. Best of Luck

 

[MickeyNicki]

The many times we have stayed at the Epcot resorts we have been able to get in the back entrance before 9am (usually 5 or 8 minutes before hand)...the CM's drop the rope early to give you a fair chance at getting Soarin FP's