If staying at BCV/BWV where do you wait for rope drop at International Gateway?

[disneygal55]

Where do we wait for rope drop at Epcot when we come in through International Gateway? At the front of the park they let the crowd gather near Innovations and walk us up to Soarin. Is there an area where we can wait closer than at the gateway? Does anyone lead us up to Soarin like at the front entrance?

 

[CarolAnnC]

The only time I was there prior to opening about a year and a half ago was for our reservation just prior to opening time at the Princess Breakfast in Norway. They did not even let anyone through the ticket turnstyles. In fact, a guard had a list of those of us with ADR's for the breakfast, and only we were allowed in about 5 mins prior to our reservation time.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We do this often at EPCOT through the IG. They let people through the turnstiles and you go to the top of the hill to your left just past the entrnace to the gift shop. The rope is located where if you turn right you would go across the bridge to France and if you go left you go down to England. They have a rope across the path right at that point and drop it at the same time as they drop it at the front of the park. There's usually not too many people there but it can get deep during the holiday seasons. No one leads you and often a few sprinters take off to be first at an attraction.

HBC

 

[bobbiwoz]

Last Fall, we were let in through the turnstiles, but we had to wait by the hill that's just past the shop. There was a rope across the path, right where there's a bridge to the right that would take you to France, so you weren't really in the park, this is before you get to Great Britain.

Bobbi

 

[jamstew]

We do this often at EPCOT through the IG. They let people through the turnstiles and you go to the top of the hill to your left just past the entrnace to the gift shop. The rope is located where if you turn right you would go across the bridge to France and if you go left you go down to England. They have a rope across the path right at that point and drop it at the same time as they drop it at the front of the park. There's usually not too many people there but it can get deep during the holiday seasons. No one leads you and often a few sprinters take off to be first at an attraction.

HBC

It seems to me that it's a lot further from that point to Soarin' than from the front entrance? Is that correct?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Yeah, it's further to Soarin'. Dem's da breaks for staying at Beach Club. Keep in mind, though, that you'll still be in the "first wave" to Soarin' (and its fast passes). You'll only be a minute or two behind, and it's less crowded. Plus, you can sprint--or have your DH sprint for the Fastpass machines while you schlep 4 kids and a stroller, as the case may be!

If you really feel that you need that extra 2-minute advantage, you COULD hire a taxi to get you to the "front" of the park. I find the minor time disadvantage to be worthwhile. That being said, I will be having DH do wind sprints while we're at the school track doing our "Disney conditioning" walking this spring and summer!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It seems to me that it's a lot further from that point to Soarin' than from the front entrance? Is that correct?

While it may be a bit further, the crowds are A LOT less which allows you to walk a much brisker pace. We are pretty fast walkers and usually get to Soarin at about the same time the masses from the front of the park arrive.

HBC

 

[CapeCodFam]

What I like about the IG rope drop is that you can spend the time having conversions with CMs from other countries.

Also, we love going through IG a little after 9am too. The whole of England and canada are empty and you have the serenity all to yourself.

 

[jamstew]

Yeah, it's further to Soarin'. Dem's da breaks for staying at Beach Club. Keep in mind, though, that you'll still be in the "first wave" to Soarin' (and its fast passes). You'll only be a minute or two behind, and it's less crowded. Plus, you can sprint--or have your DH sprint for the Fastpass machines while you schlep 4 kids and a stroller, as the case may be!

I guess I'll just have to take my chances since this solo traveler can't even walk really fast (legs are too short), let alone sprint

 

[gmboy95]

You people need to get some sleep in the morning!!

 

[disneygal55]

Thanks for all of your info. The problem with Epcot is that the fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track go fast and we really want to ride these. We only have a 3 night trip this time (only DH and me this time) so we want to do so as much as we can.

 

[ead79]

Thanks for all of your info. The problem with Epcot is that the fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track go fast and we really want to ride these. We only have a 3 night trip this time (only DH and me this time) so we want to do so as much as we can.

Don't stress too much about the fastpasses. Though the return time might be later in the day, you would have NO problem getting fastpasses if you use the IG entrance instead of the main one. It's not like the fastpasses run out for Soarin' and TT in a matter of minutes. Thankfully!

 

[castleri]

Don't know when you are going but we were there March 5 and got fast passes at 11 am for noon. We then ate and went on the Land boat ride - sat out in the sun for a few minutes and rode Soarin at 12:10. If you are there early in the am you should have no problem.