One day at EPCOT and POP

[JAMJAM]

We are planning just a one day visit to EPCOT in August, with just one night stay at POP. Plan is to drive from Tampa in the AM after booking our virtual queue, LL, and individual LL right at 7, which probably gets us there by 9. We could leave earlier but the designated driver is also the designated planner, and the virtual queue is a must for Guardians (need to ride this twice!), and a bit more sleep and not pulling over on the highway is what I am thinking, since we will buy Genie+.

Question - would you drive right to EPCOT, or would you park at Pop and take the Skyliner? Do we get free parking at EPCOT if we use virtual check-in that day? And would you try for early entry anyway?

We plan on doing a pool break, so we could drive over after our morning touring and take the Skyliner back in the evening, though I would prefer to just park at the resort and Skyliner all the way. We don't have a lot of touring priorities other than GG and dinner at Via Napoli, we are skipping Remy this time (unless there is a short wait or a last minute LL available), but we would like to do Test Track and Frozen, with Frozen being the LL priority.

 

[GBRforWDW]

We are planning just a one day visit to EPCOT in August, with just one night stay at POP. Plan is to drive from Tampa in the AM after booking our virtual queue, LL, and individual LL right at 7, which probably gets us there by 9. We could leave earlier but the designated driver is also the designated planner, and the virtual queue is a must for Guardians (need to ride this twice!), and a bit more sleep and not pulling over on the highway is what I am thinking, since we will buy Genie+.

Question - would you drive right to EPCOT, or would you park at Pop and take the Skyliner? Do we get free parking at EPCOT if we use virtual check-in that day? And would you try for early entry anyway?

We plan on doing a pool break, so we could drive over after our morning touring and take the Skyliner back in the evening, though I would prefer to just park at the resort and Skyliner all the way. We don't have a lot of touring priorities other than GG and dinner at Via Napoli, we are skipping Remy this time (unless there is a short wait or a last minute LL available), but we would like to do Test Track and Frozen, with Frozen being the LL priority.

There’s a few ways I would approach this and mostly it’ll be based on what happens on the drive.

Looks like early entry is from 830-9 so you may just miss it. If traffic is better than you thought and you can all make it there in time for ETPE, then definitely drive straight to the park.

If you want to start at the front of the park or you get a lower BG for GotG, I’d drive straight there. Skyliner is fun, but like you said, you’ll go to the resort in the afternoon, so you’ll get 3 opportunities to ride. You might as well save some walking by doing front of the park stuff and parking in the lot. And yes, free parking should start on your check in day.

If you get to the parks area and you’re just not feeling it yet, then head to the hotel and rest a few minutes before hitting the park. Sometimes driving just makes you not want to be in a crowded spot right away!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Personally, as you're asking about August I would try my best to go to Pop first and check your luggage. The heat of the car in August in FL can do a lot of damage to make-up, food, etc.

And, riding the Skyliner is great too!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Personally, as you're asking about August I would try my best to go to Pop first and check your luggage. The heat of the car in August in FL can do a lot of damage to make-up, food, etc.

Absolutely agree - would not want our luggage sitting in the car for hours on the EPCOT parking lot in August.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We do trips like this on occasion with only 1-2 nights and drive in but we aren't as close. If it were me, I prefer to have my car at the resort from the start and not have to mess with it. I would park at POP, drop my bags at bell services and skyliner over to the park. If you do decide to park at Epcot then yes, you do get free parking with your resort stay at Epcot. Unless you leave earlier to guarantee you'd arrive for ETPE, I don't think it's necessary to park at the park.

 

[Skippyboo]

I would park at the hotel instead of the hinterlands Epcot parking lot. Bell Services can hold your luggage if you don’t want to leave it in your car. Plus your designated driver is free to not be the designated driver anymore. One thing to watch out for is afternoon thunderstorms can shut down the Skyliner so it will be buses.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I would park at the hotel instead of the hinterlands Epcot parking lot. Bell Services can hold your luggage if you don’t want to leave it in your car. Plus your designated driver is free to not be the designated driver anymore. One thing to watch out for is afternoon thunderstorms can shut down the Skyliner so it will be buses.

Good call it's August, it's not a matter of if it will go down, it's just when will it go down. We go every August and it's usually always down at some point in the PM for scattered storms.

 

[WDWOswald]

Oarkin

We are planning just a one day visit to EPCOT in August, with just one night stay at POP. Plan is to drive from Tampa in the AM after booking our virtual queue, LL, and individual LL right at 7, which probably gets us there by 9. We could leave earlier but the designated driver is also the designated planner, and the virtual queue is a must for Guardians (need to ride this twice!), and a bit more sleep and not pulling over on the highway is what I am thinking, since we will buy Genie+.

Question - would you drive right to EPCOT, or would you park at Pop and take the Skyliner? Do we get free parking at EPCOT if we use virtual check-in that day? And would you try for early entry anyway?

We plan on doing a pool break, so we could drive over after our morning touring and take the Skyliner back in the evening, though I would prefer to just park at the resort and Skyliner all the way. We don't have a lot of touring priorities other than GG and dinner at Via Napoli, we are skipping Remy this time (unless there is a short wait or a last minute LL available), but we would like to do Test Track and Frozen, with Frozen being the LL priority

Parking is free for resort guests- just show the gate attendant your reservation or have them scan your magic band. I’d recommend using the skyliner- it will be quicker and it’s a lot of fun to ride.

 

[JAMJAM]

Thanks all! Great advice, I love the Skyliner too, I prefer it some attractions. We will do that, unless I get a really early virtual queue.