Rope Drop from International Gateway?

[SA mom]

The last time we entered through the IG (2010), they let us go all the way up to Innoventions where they held us until rope drop.

How is rope drop handled more recently? We want to go to the Character Spot and it was so easy to go up to the rope and a few steps later we were in line for characters. Everyone else made a beeline Soarin'. I've heard they are holding you at the entrance to Future World or even at the IG for rope drop.

 

[wishtdream]

I am interested in this info also. Thanks for asking a great question op.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I've heard they are holding you at the entrance to Future World or even at the IG for rope drop.

Yes.

 

[Robo]

I've heard they are holding you... the IG for rope drop.

They open the IG (approx.) in sync with the front gate opening time.
(If the CM's bother to communicate with each other.)

There is no longer ANY "internal" Rope Drop holding area for guests entering via either entrance.

 

[itchin2go]

Any major disadvantage to entering Epcot this way? I know it's a bit further to FW than the main entrance, but if entering this way is more convenient for us, is there any real reason to try to enter through the main entrance instead?

 

[siskaren]

Any major disadvantage to entering Epcot this way? I know it's a bit further to FW than the main entrance, but if entering this way is more convenient for us, is there any real reason to try to enter through the main entrance instead?

You can only enter this way if you're staying at an Epcot resort because the resort buses go to the main entrance. The only way you could get to this entrance if you're not staying at an Epcot resort is to take a taxi to one of the Epcot resorts because you're not supposed to park at a resort for theme park access.

 

[itchin2go]

You can only enter this way if you're staying at an Epcot resort because the resort buses go to the main entrance. The only way you could get to this entrance if you're not staying at an Epcot resort is to take a taxi to one of the Epcot resorts because you're not supposed to park at a resort for theme park access.

Thanks, but that wasn't my question.

Would it be a disadvantage to enter through here at rope drop time? Or is it a wash?

Per Josh as easywdw.com, it was pretty much a wash (slightly longer walk, but less people at rope drop = wash), but his last account of this was back in 2012, I think. I was wondering if anyone had any more recent experience.

 

[siskaren]

Thanks, but that wasn't my question.

It just seems to me it would be too much of a hassle to get to it if you're not staying at an Epcot resort. And I can't imagine why it would be any less of a wash now then it was 2 years ago.

 

[Gilrond]

December 2013: was at RD twice. Communication with main entrance was good for sync. Once we went a early through turnstile and were held where walkway from IG joins main walkway at bridge between France and UK. I think that was on a morning EMH day.

 

[itchin2go]

It just seems to me it would be too much of a hassle to get to it if you're not staying at an Epcot resort. And I can't imagine why it would be any less of a wash now then it was 2 years ago.

It's not a hassle for me. I've done it before, but not when I was so anxious about how crowds are being affected by FP+, and not at such a busy time (Thanksgiving). Thanks for your concern, though.

A lot has changed in 2 years. FP + for one thing. For all I know, RD is done differently now. They could have gone back to holding you at FW. Crowds could have really picked up at IG. How do I know? That's why I asked the question. Did I do something wrong?

December 2013: was at RD twice. Communication with main entrance was good for sync. Once we went a early through turnstile and were held where walkway from IG joins main walkway at bridge between France and UK. I think that was on a morning EMH day.

Thanks for this information!

 

[siskaren]

That's why I asked the question. Did I do something wrong?

No, I just don't understand why someone who isn't staying at an Epcot resort would want to use that entrance. I could maybe see it when Anna and Elsa were meeting in WS (although Norway isn't close to the IG), but I don't see how there could be an advantage for getting to FW.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

When we stayed at the BC last year, they wouldn't even start the bag check until 9am. At one time, there were reports that they were letting people into Epcot before 9 am. I don't think there would be any advantage to using the IG entrance.

 

[dotcomgirl18]

No, I just don't understand why someone who isn't staying at an Epcot resort would want to use that entrance. I could maybe see it when Anna and Elsa were meeting in WS (although Norway isn't close to the IG), but I don't see how there could be an advantage for getting to FW.

We are planning to use the IG entrance and we aren't staying at an Epcot resort. We are staying at AoA and are doing RD at Epcot, lunch on the Boardwalk, and finishing night out at HS. We don't want to park out front of Epcot just to walk backwards to our car. So we will valet at Boardwalk in the morning before Epcot RD and get our car from valet late at night after HS. So there are reasons for people to use the IG entrance other than just being an Epcot resort guest.

 

[itchin2go]

No, I just don't understand why someone who isn't staying at an Epcot resort would want to use that entrance. I could maybe see it when Anna and Elsa were meeting in WS (although Norway isn't close to the IG), but I don't see how there could be an advantage for getting to FW.

I think it's unlikely that this gets me an advantage as far as accessing FW faster. I'm just trying to make sure it doesn't put me at too much of a disadvantage when trying to make it to Test Track, Soarin, etc. after rope drop.

As I said, per easywdw circa 2012, it was pretty much a wash. Still just looking for more recent reports.

 

[itchin2go]

When we stayed at the BC last year, they wouldn't even start the bag check until 9am. At one time, there were reports that they were letting people into Epcot before 9 am. I don't think there would be any advantage to using the IG entrance.

Thanks for this. I was just hoping it wouldn't put me at too much of a disadvantage. If it pushes back my time too much as far as accessing Soarin/Test Track, we'd enter at the regular entrance. We've done both before.