Rope drop International Gateway from AKL

[Tbiafore]

We are staying at AKL and are trying to determine at what time should we be at the bus stop in order to be at the international gateway by 9:30am (early entry time)? Is it 90 minutes before that 9:30am time? The route we seem to be taking is the bus to Hollywood studios, then the Skyliner to Epcot.

Thank you,

 

[NYCgrrl]

We are staying at AKL and are trying to determine at what time should we be at the bus stop in order to be at the international gateway by 9:30am (early entry time)? Is it 90 minutes before that 9:30am time? The route we seem to be taking is the bus to Hollywood studios, then the Skyliner to Epcot.

Thank you,

The bus ride will take approx. 1/2 hour so I would arrive around 8:30 to 8:45.
This gives you enough time to Skyline, Friendship boat or walk from HS to IG.

Have fun.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We are staying at AKL and are trying to determine at what time should we be at the bus stop in order to be at the international gateway by 9:30am (early entry time)? Is it 90 minutes before that 9:30am time? The route we seem to be taking is the bus to Hollywood studios, then the Skyliner to Epcot.

Thank you,

EP is opening at 10am your day? I’d keep an eye on that, it would be rather strange as it usually opens at 9am.

I would leave AKL 90 mins before EEH. IG has a tendency to let people in quite early for EEH, like 20 mins sometimes and they stage people inside the park for Remy.

 

[CarolMN]

Consider walking from DHS to the IG. It's faster than the Skyliner. Walk from Bus stops should take 15 -25 minutes and you won't get stuck at CB with all the other people trying to get on the Skyliner to EPCOT.

Skyliner is an enjoyable ride, though.

 

[georgina]

I don't see any 10 AM opening times on the Epcot calendar.

 

[Tbiafore]

I don't see any 10 AM opening times on the Epcot calendar.

 

[elvispursley]

View attachment 865230

The official WDW calendar doesn't even go out that far (that's over 6-mo away) so wouldn't count on that time as when Epcot opens. Always go by the official calendar (I can't even see my dates and my trip is in Aug)!

 

[Tbiafore]

The official WDW calendar doesn't even go out that far (that's over 6-mo away) so wouldn't count on that time as when Epcot opens. Always go by the official calendar (I can't even see my dates and my trip is in Aug)!

The site uses historical data. We have gone during this time in the past and it has opened at 10am before.

That being said, I know Disney always adjusts hours, even on their own calendar. So those can change and be off as well, until your trip is close. I will be watching as we get closer to our date, but its easy to adjust as needed, just trying to get an idea how much time I need in order to get to RD at IG in EPCOT.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The site uses historical data. We have gone during this time in the past and it has opened at 10am before.

Ditch it for this. It’s taking Covid into account. Go look at the January 2024 historical data here for the best idea of what your park hours will be for 2025. The only day with a 10am EP opening was 1/7 due to the marathon. I would anticipate the same for your Jan ‘25 trip.

 

[georgina]

OK, whatever. That is MLK Day, which is a holiday in some places.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We are staying at AKL and are trying to determine at what time should we be at the bus stop in order to be at the international gateway by 9:30am (early entry time)? Is it 90 minutes before that 9:30am time? The route we seem to be taking is the bus to Hollywood studios, then the Skyliner to Epcot.

Thank you,

Rule of thumb that many have had great success with is to arrive at your transportation 90 mins before ETPE begins. Any later and you will likely arrive to a long line of guests in front of you and be behind many other guests when ETPE begins.

90 mins has been the recommended standard since ETPE began in Oct 2021.

 

[MickeyMice]

if you're dead set on entering through IG, presumably to rope drop remy, you should uber to beach club. counting on the bus + skyliner means a lot could go wrong, and it won't take much to make you wish you just took the bus to the front entrance.

 

[Smugpugmug]

if you're dead set on entering through IG, presumably to rope drop remy, you should uber to beach club. counting on the bus + skyliner means a lot could go wrong, and it won't take much to make you wish you just took the bus to the front entrance.

Problem with that is that you will be turned away unless you are staying at Beach Club or have an ADR there. The OP can take a ride share to the Swan/Dolphin though.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Problem with that is that you will be turned away unless you are staying at Beach Club or have an ADR there. The OP can take a ride share to the Swan/Dolphin though.

Correct. Ride shares will be turned away from Disney resorts without an ADR or staying at that resort.

 

[MickeyMice]

didn't think of that. swalphin is a bit of a hike, relatively speaking

 

[CarolynFH]

didn't think of that. swalphin is a bit of a hike, relatively speaking

Yes, but OP could take the boat if the walk is too long.

 

[AttheParks]

I would Uber to Swan or Dolphin and take boat to EPCOT. Most direct and I think will be quickest.

 

[brockash]

I would Uber to Swan or Dolphin and take boat to EPCOT. Most direct and I think will be quickest.

The boat won't get you to the front of rope drop. They'll need to uber to Swalphin about 90 mins prior and walk to Epcot if. they want to be towards the front of IG rope drop.

 

[SoloJim]

Correct. Ride shares will be turned away from Disney resorts without an ADR or staying at that resort.

Is that a recent policy? Year before last I Ubered right up to the door of Boardwalk, walked through the resort and around to IG for rope drop.

 

[mommyk8]

Yes too many people were doing Uber to beach club and walk.