International Gateway entrance opening time?

[WRLeGrand]

What time does the back entrance to Epcot open each day? Is it the same time as the front of the park, or some point later?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Same time, but you’ll have a hike to get to FW as most all WS won’t be open yet

 

[CJN]

Same time, but you’ll have a hike to get to FW as most all WS won’t be open yet

But it’s a lovely short walk to France for breakfast

 

[MrKnight]

It is the same procedure as the main entrance.. With that said, WC does not officially open until 11am so you will be immediately directed towards FW upon entry.. The only exception to this is the bakery in France as stated by CJN..

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The only exception to this is the bakery in France as stated by CJN..

And FEA.

 

[Robo]

 

[WRLeGrand]

Ok I ask because we are staying at Boardwalk for the first time and people say it is a short trek from there to the International Gateway entrance. That seems most logical to enter the park, am I approaching that correctly?

 

[FCDub]

Ok I ask because we are staying at Boardwalk for the first time and people say it is a short trek from there to the International Gateway entrance. That seems most logical to enter the park, am I approaching that correctly?

That's a huge appeal for staying at the Boardwalk resorts. Definitely do it.

 

[BrianL]

Ok I ask because we are staying at Boardwalk for the first time and people say it is a short trek from there to the International Gateway entrance. That seems most logical to enter the park, am I approaching that correctly?

Yes. Look at Robo's map. It's basically the same distance if you are going to Frozen first thing, though Soarin's a different story. Still, if you enter at Rope Drop and are reasonably fast walkers you should be bale to join into the crowd in a decent place. Boardwalk is a super nice area. You will really enjoy it!

 

[Robo]

1. we are staying at Boardwalk for the first time and people say it is a short trek from there to the International Gateway entrance.
2. That seems most logical to enter the park, am I approaching that correctly?

1. See map below.
2. The IG was actually built specifically as the Epcot entrance/exit for the Epcot area resorts.
You can't actually get to Epcot's front gates from Boardwalk at opening time unless you drive or take a hired car.

 

[HydroGuy]

Yes. Look at Robo's map. It's basically the same distance if you are going to Frozen first thing, though Soarin's a different story. Still, if you enter at Rope Drop and are reasonably fast walkers you should be bale to join into the crowd in a decent place. Boardwalk is a super nice area. You will really enjoy it!

I have used IG more often than the main entrance because I generally stay at Swan/Dolphin.

We have had a mixed experience competing with the main entrance to get to Soarin and TT. Sometimes we have been led all the way up near the rides and held at a rope with the main entrance folks also having a rope on the other side of the walkway. Sometimes it seems more like a free-for-all with no rope. The last two trips we have tried to get to TT at rope drop and by the time we arrived the line was already like 30 minutes long.

I understand Epcot sometimes "opens" a few minutes before 9AM and sometimes does not. So maybe we came a little too late to TT on a day it effectively opened earlier than 9AM. I think we got to the IG gates at about 8:40AM.

I am not trying to say anything negative about the IG. I would still use and do the same. Just do not get your hopes too high you will be on a level playing field with the main entrance folks. You may or may not. Thankfully with FP+ it does not matter as much as it used to.

 

[Robo]

Just do not get your hopes too high you will be on a level playing field with the main entrance folks. You may or may not.

This.
And, it has been true for as long as there has been an IG.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’ve stayed at BW several times and I loved having the IG...sometimes it’s like having your own private entrance, it’s usually uncrowded. I do agree that it’s a pain walking all the way to the front of the park, but there’s not much you can do about that.

 

[NikkiDP]

So if you get breakfast in France are you allowed to hang around in the area (or UK and Canada) or do Cast Members move you along? We are trying to stay at BWV for the first time and are excited to use this entrance! I know nothing is open but it seems like sitting on a bench first thing in the morning while everyone else goes crazy going to rides would be perfect haha.

 

[Robo]

So if you get breakfast in France are you allowed to hang around in the area (or UK and Canada) or do Cast Members move you along? We are trying to stay at BWV for the first time and are excited to use this entrance! I know nothing is open but it seems like sitting on a bench first thing in the morning while everyone else goes crazy going to rides would be perfect haha.

You can sit on a bench, if you like.

 

[NikkiDP]

You can sit on a bench, if you like.

Yay! That is great to hear. I was afraid that since it isn't technically open that they would keep you moving. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Yay! That is great to hear. I was afraid that since it isn't technically open that they would keep you moving. Thanks!

It would cost them a lot of CM staffing hours just to keep guests from resting a bit or tying a loose shoelace.

 

[NikkiDP]

It would cost them a lot of CM staffing hours just to keep guests from resting a bit or tying a loose shoelace.

That is a really good point! They would have to hire out storm troopers to move people along!