Last Day and Epcot Morning

[Koz]

Good morning. I'm looking to see whether you think it's worth the effort.

On our last day @ WDW, we have a 3PM departure out of MCO, which means that our Magical Express pickup is probably close to 12, if not at 12PM.

We need to return our Alamo rental car at the Car Care Center the same day. Our plan right now is to go to Epcot for most of the morning. Presently, I have a 9:10AM FP for Soarin and a 10:10 FP for Spaceship Earth.

Also, we are at Epcot another day during the trip, and at that time we'll be using our FP for TT following PPO breakfast- point is that we aren't going on the trip without hitting up TT.

So, given the fact that we have both FP set for the last day, is it doable to get to the International Gateway say around 8:15AM, and as soon as the gates open we hoof it over to FEA, to be in the first wave, to still make our windows for Soarin @ 9:10-10:10 and Spaceship Earth from 10:10 to 11:10? Our goal is to be walking out of Epcot no later than 11AM so as to ensure that we make it back to the hotel (POR) with enough time to spare? How much of a crowd should we expect @ FEA if we make it through the international gateway with the beginning of the herd and what kind of a wait would that translate into @ FEA? I realize that the PPO group will be ahead of all of us from the onset.

Originally we wanted to take it easy the last day but I'm trying to give my daughter that last great experience before we head home. Thank you for any advice.

 

[Koz]

Sorry I just realized that the thread title could be misleading as we are NOT attending the marathon- just a regular park day. Perhaps a mod can change it?

 

[ghtx]

That would be a tight fit. How are you getting to the international gateway entrance in the morning? Where will you park?

I would expect that you could do FEA and one of your two FP rides, but if you managed to fit them both in that would be great.

 

[Koz]

That would be a tight fit. How are you getting to the international gateway entrance in the morning? Where will you park?

I would expect that you could do FEA and one of your two FP rides, but if you managed to fit them both in that would be great.

Thanks for your response. Alamo opens at the CCC @ 6AM. We will get there at around 7:30 and they provide direct shuttle bus service to anywhere on property, including the parks.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Sorry I just realized that the thread title could be misleading as we are NOT attending the marathon- just a regular park day. Perhaps a mod can change it?

Hi Koz ~ From "Thread Tools" above your initial post, you can reword your title.

A suggestion ~ Can you call Alamo and ask if you can drop off your car at Dolphin? Then, you can enter through IG and then return to POR by bus from the front of Epcot.

 

[Koz]

Hi Koz ~ From "Thread Tools" above your initial post, you can reword your title.

A suggestion ~ Can you call Alamo and ask if you can drop off your car at Dolphin? Then, you can enter through IG and then return to POR by bus from the front of Epcot.

Hiro- thanks! Done!

I had planned on returning via bus or Uber if it didn't look like we'd catch a bus in time. That's a good idea about returning @ Dolphin, but I'd have to check their hours to see if they could receive the car at around 8AM.

My biggest concern now is whether I can fit everything in. I'm determined to get my daughter on FEA before we leave.

 

[Xennia]

Thanks for your response. Alamo opens at the CCC @ 6AM. We will get there at around 7:30 and they provide direct shuttle bus service to anywhere on property, including the parks.

Take the shuttle directly to the park.
Ride soarin. Then just head over to that giant ball of fun and you will probably be able to walk on faster than waiting for your fast pass. Mornings are a great time to get in that park and ride and get done. I've made it back to my room on a bu and was eating lunch by the pool by 11:30 am this past trip. It's all about getting there early and taking advantage of time.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Hiro- thanks! Done!

I had planned on returning via bus or Uber if it didn't look like we'd catch a bus in time. That's a good idea about returning @ Dolphin, but I'd have to check their hours to see if they could receive the car at around 8AM.

My biggest concern now is whether I can fit everything in. I'm determined to get my daughter on FEA before we leave.

If Alamo did allow you to drop it at Dolphin, all you do is pull up to the Valet staff and they'll give you a receipt when you hand over the keys. It's the easiest location to pick up/drop off Alamo/National cars.

 

[Koz]

Take the shuttle directly to the park.
Ride soarin. Then just head over to that giant ball of fun and you will probably be able to walk on faster than waiting for your fast pass. Mornings are a great time to get in that park and ride and get done. I've made it back to my room on a bu and was eating lunch by the pool by 11:30 am this past trip. It's all about getting there early and taking advantage of time.

Thanks for your reply! Do you think getting in FEA is also doable?

 

[Koz]

Also, how far of a walk are you talking from the Dolphin to the IG?

 

[hiroMYhero]

The walk would be similar to walking from the front of Epcot to IG. It's still dependent upon whether Alamo would allow you to drop off at Dolphin.

 

[Xennia]

Thanks for your reply! Do you think getting in FEA is also doable?

I really don't know.
That frozen ride is a hit or miss. My friend went at rope drop and stood in the regular line. Took 30 mins.

 

[Koz]

I really don't know.
That frozen ride is a hit or miss. My friend went at rope drop and stood in the regular line. Took 30 mins.

OK, so thinking that one out. Arrive @ Frozen and on ride by 9:30. Off ride by 9:45. Gives us about 20 to 25 minutes to make closing window for Soarin by 10:10. Ride Soarin and finish by 10:30. Hop off Soarin and right to Spaceship Earth, by 10:45, off ride by 11:15. At front gate by 11:30 and en route to POR. In theory, it should work, but it's cutting things awfully close.

 

[AngiTN]

OK, so thinking that one out. Arrive @ Frozen and on ride by 9:30. Off ride by 9:45. Gives us about 20 to 25 minutes to make closing window for Soarin by 10:10. Ride Soarin and finish by 10:30. Hop off Soarin and right to Spaceship Earth, by 10:45, off ride by 11:15. At front gate by 11:30 and en route to POR. In theory, it should work, but it's cutting things awfully close.

Too close for ME
The pick up time may be 12:00, may be even earlier and you need to be there by 11:45, if it's 12. No way to do that leaving Epcot at 11:30.
Have you considered Uber back to the airport from Epcot? We do this every trip.

 

[Koz]

OK, so after all that, we decided to rent from MCO and have access to a car for the entirety of the trip, which means now that we will be parking our vehicle @ Epcot our last day there and just returning to the airport directly to the parks. In an attempt to best manage the crowd, are we better off parking at the maingate to Epcot and hoofing it back to FEA, or instead parking somewhere else (if so, where) close to the IG and walking in that way?

 

[AngiTN]

OK, so after all that, we decided to rent from MCO and have access to a car for the entirety of the trip, which means now that we will be parking our vehicle @ Epcot our last day there and just returning to the airport directly to the parks. In an attempt to best manage the crowd, are we better off parking at the maingate to Epcot and hoofing it back to FEA, or instead parking somewhere else (if so, where) close to the IG and walking in that way?

Because you have to walk all the way around to get to Norway you gain no advantage entering through IG
Not to mention, unless you plan to valet park, you can't leave your car for the day at any of the Epcot resorts if you aren't a guest there.