International Gateway disadvantage?

[lelder]

Are we at an Epcot disadvantage if we are staying at Beach Club? I know the commute can't be beat, but I have kids that want to do either Frozen or Test Track at rope drop and I'm afraid we're too far away to make it quickly for good line placement. We're going a Christmas, so crowds will be high.

 

[Robo]

Are we at an Epcot disadvantage if we are staying at Beach Club? I know the commute can't be beat, but I have kids that want to do either Frozen or Test Track at rope drop and I'm afraid we're too far away to make it quickly for good line placement. We're going a Christmas, so crowds will be high.

I wouldn't worry too much.
It can vary by whomever is staffing that gate (and/or managing the opening of Epcot) on any given day.
There will likely not be enough difference to matter.

The guests entering the front gates are now held at an internal rope until they are released at a given time.
Guests from the IG may or may not be "held" at another position, so the timing of either
may be nearly the same.
Even if that is not the case on your particular Epcot days, the difference should not be
so much as the do much to slow you down significantly.

 

[uccats97]

I'm sure you'll be fine. I'd use FP+ for Frozen and head to Test Track at rope drop. Test Track will be "old news" compared to Frozen and even Soarin'. You probably won't have any trouble at all!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

No, we've never had any trouble getting to rides quickly from IG.

 

[Aliceacc]

We've never had a problem.

Sure, its a bit further a walk. But there are many fewer people in you way.

 

[bashuck]

Can we activate our annual pass/purchase TIW at the IG entrance?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

The IG is one of the best things about staying at Yacht and Beach Club. I don't think I would ever put it in the same sentence with "disadvantage." Such a calm, beautiful, peaceful way to start a day at Epcot.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Robo]

Can we activate our annual pass/purchase TIW at the IG entrance?

Yes. There is a ticket booth and a Guest Relations just outside the IG.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

You may be a bit behind the time it takes you to walk from IG to the rides compared to others. I have heard of IG people being let in early but we've stayed at Epcot resorts a lot and that has yet to happen for us. I don't walk fast so the lines are usually pretty busy by the time we get to either Soarin' or TT. However, I still wouldn't go to the front, it's not THAT big of a difference.

 

[CMNJ]

You may be a bit behind the time it takes you to walk from IG to the rides compared to others. I have heard of IG people being let in early but we've stayed at Epcot resorts a lot and that has yet to happen for us. I don't walk fast so the lines are usually pretty busy by the time we get to either Soarin' or TT. However, I still wouldn't go to the front, it's not THAT big of a difference.

Where do they hold you when they let you in? We were at Epcot about 2 weeks ago and they let us in early but had cast members holding ropes at the entrance to future world east (we were held near the fountain area). At 9 (or whenever they "opened" the park) we were then allowed into future world east to head to TT. Do they not do the same for IG? I'm curious as we will be staying at BWV in Oct and want to hit the new Frozen ride and Soarin (obviously can only FP one)

 

[Donald Duck888]

We went last year in December and went to get on TT from IG one morning at opening. We basically arrived at TT about 20 seconds before the people from the front entrance did so it worked great for us.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Generally, International Gateway folks will have a slight advantage over those from the front entrance. But very little.

 

[TSR6]

I much prefer the international gateway... always. It's so much easier than using the front entrance. It feels like your own private entrance to EPCOT.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Where do they hold you when they let you in? We were at Epcot about 2 weeks ago and they let us in early but had cast members holding ropes at the entrance to future world east (we were held near the fountain area). At 9 (or whenever they "opened" the park) we were then allowed into future world east to head to TT. Do they not do the same for IG? I'm curious as we will be staying at BWV in Oct and want to hit the new Frozen ride and Soarin (obviously can only FP one)

They didn't hold us after letting us in because they didn't let us through the turnstiles until park opening. However, I have heard reports of people being let in before park opening from IG but it's never happened for us as we've stayed in the Epcot resort area our last 3 trips.

 

[NH-to-FL]

We have stayed at the BWI many times and only once did the message to open the gate come in a bit late. And even then it was only a few minutes and had only a minor impact to our position in the Soarin' line.

 

[vicb]

We have gone through many times over the years and only once or twice were we let in early. I remember being let in but a rope just inside... I think it was to let people go through security before rope drop. Anyway it never seems to be a problem for us. Last time we FP+ Soarin and headed for TT, it was a walk on when we got there, rode, came out and got back in line which was less than 15 min and rode again before heading over to MS.

 

[crazymomof4]

Here is a nice video of the walk from YC, past BC and to the IG entrance to Epcot

 

[fly girl]

I love IG entrance! Much more calm and relaxed. It may the tiniest disadvantage for getting to a ride in FW, but really nothing worth trekking over to the main gate for.

 

[oufpat]

There are NO disadvantages to IG entrance!

 

[Enna]

Tangent: We are staying at Beach Club but need to be at the front entrance to Epcot at 9 am for a tour. How would that work?