International Gateway at EPCOT

[AdriansMom]

We are planning on having dinner at WS one night around 8:00 p.m. and taking the boat to the boardwalk for a stroll after. Do you know what time they close the gates? We are leaving the car at the EPCOT parking lot and I am afraid they won't let us take the boat back from the Boardwalk.

 

[Harley-Mouse]

The gate is open till after the fireworks. Later if the night you go is extra magic night. hope this will help you. If not you can get a bus from the board walk back to epcot.

 

[tc]

They will not allow you back in after 9:00, unless it's EMH. You can exit the park for a long time after the fireworks, but cannnot come back in. If it's not EMH at Epcot, then Park at MGM. It's a pleasant walk from the Boardwalk to MGM, and you don't have to enter the park to get to your car.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

There is no bus service from any of the Epcot resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin) to Epcot. Boat service is available via the Friendship boats that travel between the Epcot International Gateway and the Disney Studios. The boats make three stops along the route at the Epcot resorts. Most people just walk to and from Epcot from this area since it is so close.
The International Gateway has the same hours as the Epcot main entrance. If you do this on a non-EMH evening this entrance will be closed when Illuminations ends, around 9:20pm or so. This would be easier to do if you pick an EMH night for either Epcot or the Studios. You can easily get to the Epcot resort area from either park. If driving you should park at the theme park closing at the latest time. If using Disney transportation you can get a bus back to your resort from either park.
I just noticed that your meal in WS is around 8:00 pm. If it is not an EMH night you will not have any time to exit the International Gateway and return since the park will surely be closed by that time.

 

[AdriansMom]

Thanks!

 

[CDizney]

Hi! I had a late planned dinner at France one night and didn't leave until 10:30 or so and was able to exit out the back International gateway but had to walk back to the Boardwalk since the boats weren't running then but the walk was romantic.

 

[AdriansMom]

I think I might change my dinner plans for 7 p.m. instead. I was thinking of parking at MGM and walking to EPCOT from there. Afterwards, taking the boat to the Boardwalk for a stroll and walking back to MGM to pick up car. Since you don't have to enter the park it really does not matter what time we can pick up the car right?? Sorry if I am just confusing all of you!

 

[disnut8]

Why not just park at the Boardwalk when you get there? You can easily do that. Then enter Epcot via the International Gateway and exit the same way. Keep all your original plans, just alter where you park your car. The Boardwalk is open all day long and an explanation of wanting to visit it is valid for parking at the resort. I would advise to go over to the overflow parking and leave the other spaces for the guests but that would solve all your problems.