How to use Epcot front entrance from WDW Swan?!

[JustinS]

I'm wondering is there a practical way to go to the front entrance of Epcot from staying at the WDW Swan? I'm thinking that on a day where my goal is to run to Soarin' at rope drop the front entrance is closer to Soarin' than the International Gateway. Is there a practical way to avoid this? I'm not renting a car.

Also, I know I could FP Soarin' and go to Test Track first, but I'm trying to do one day where I FP Test Track and run to Soarin' and on the other I FP Soarin' and run to Test Track.

 

[hsmamato2]

well I don't think it's much farther from the IG.... and there's no way to get to the front gate without a car to go around....maybe arrive a few minutes earlier? IDK I don't RD or run to get to rides....

 

[JacknSally]

No, you can't get to the front from the Swan, unless it's a day that they're running a bus to EPCOT for some reason (we had a few like that when we stayed at the Dolphin in October)... but it's not really any different than going through the IG. There's also usually a smaller crowd trying to get in at IG, by default. If you get there early enough to be at the front of that group it may serve you better.

 

[Jestocost]

Soarin' currently is closed for rehab and is supposed to reopen in "Summer" 2016, so it's possible that getting a Soarin' FP in June/July may be a moot issue. That said, there is no real practical way to get from S/D to the Epcot main gate. You could go to HS (provided it's open) and catch a bus from there, but that seems awfully inconvenient to get to the main gate which is not significantly closer to Soarin' that the IG. What's more, I believe they may have restarted an actual rope drop at Epcot, in which case guests from the IG and main gate would be held in essentially the same place until they are allowed to go to the rides at the same time.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

When I was at the Boardwalk over Christmas, they were having buses to the front of Epcot from the bus stop. It kind of seemed weird to me, but I will state based on where you may be dropped off in front of Epcot, the walk from the IG may be shorter than from the spot the bus drops you off.

 

[bbjunkie]

Uber or cab.

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't count on Soarin' being open during your trip.

 

[graychef]

Does IG open when the front opens? I thought it opens and WS is roped off so you cannot stop off at a country, and only walk to FW. I could be mistaken.

 

[JacknSally]

Does IG open when the front opens? I thought it opens and WS is roped off so you cannot stop off at a country, and only walk to FW. I could be mistaken.

It opens at regular park open. You can go to the bakery in France but that is all that is accessible before WS opens at 11.

 

[KathyNY76]

Josh at easywdw did a RD from IG one day and found he got to Soarin' at the same time as people who had lined up at the front gate at 8:20. There are so many less people from IG, it's a longer but quicker walk.

This was during the paper fastpass era, but I don't think that would change things much in terms of the walk from IG.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ep...n-expect-to-do-in-the-first-four-hours-31512/

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm wondering is there a practical way to go to the front entrance of Epcot from staying at the WDW Swan? I'm thinking that on a day where my goal is to run to Soarin' at rope drop the front entrance is closer to Soarin' than the International Gateway. Is there a practical way to avoid this? I'm not renting a car.

Also, I know I could FP Soarin' and go to Test Track first, but I'm trying to do one day where I FP Test Track and run to Soarin' and on the other I FP Soarin' and run to Test Track.

When are you going? Soarin' is closed until June for a refurb, in case you were unaware.

 

[wilkeliza]

It is 2,700 feet from International Gateway to the Land Pavilion. It is 1,600 feet from the front gate. So about double the distance but still not that terrible. Just make sure you cut through the rose garden.

 

[DSLRuser]

twice we have done rope drop from the IG specifically to get to soarin. Both times we arrived at the entrance to the land just ahead of the line coming from the front. The difference is, there is no one from the OG to "pace" your walk. SO you could walk or run to be up front. Those comming from the main gate have to walk behind the cast members.

One time in 2007, we were leaving the beach club for a disney cruise. My daughter and I went just to ride soarin at rope drop. we were chosen to be the riders of the day and opened the ride. only 2 in the theatre center car, center row. it was awesome.

 

[Boski]

twice we have done rope drop from the IG specifically to get to soarin. Both times we arrived at the entrance to the land just ahead of the line coming from the front. The difference is, there is no one from the OG to "pace" your walk. SO you could walk or run to be up front. Those comming from the main gate have to walk behind the cast members.

One time in 2007, we were leaving the beach club for a disney cruise. My daughter and I went just to ride soarin at rope drop. we were chosen to be the riders of the day and opened the ride. only 2 in the theatre center car, center row. it was awesome.

this +1

 

[maloned]

I agree with @DSLRuser. Just go to the International Gateway and try and beat the crowd coming in from the front entrance.

 

[DebbieB]

When I was at the Boardwalk over Christmas, they were having buses to the front of Epcot from the bus stop. It kind of seemed weird to me, but I will state based on where you may be dropped off in front of Epcot, the walk from the IG may be shorter than from the spot the bus drops you off.

What time of day was it? They have been using Epcot as the hub for water park busses after 2:00.

 

[sharonabe]

When are you going? Soarin' is closed until June for a refurb, in case you were unaware.

Do you have information that it is definitely going to be open in June? All I've seen is "Summer 2016" and that can mean anytime in the summer, even all the way to Aug/Sep.

 

[scrapquitler]

Do you have information that it is definitely going to be open in June? All I've seen is "Summer 2016" and that can mean anytime in the summer, even all the way to Aug/Sep.

I'm not sure, I thought I saw the "June" somewhere, but who knows.

 

[Planogirl]

If you look at Google Earth, you might just see that Soarin' is just as close to the IG if not closer than the front. That is if Soarin' is even open by then.

 

[Dan Murphy]

About 500 feet longer, a minor amount, from IG rather than front. From IG, it is 2,068 feet, from front, 1,553. I would prefer the IG route.