Strategy for getting from EP to MK before Illuminations

[JJ2017]

When we are at EP next weekend, it closes at 9 and MK is open until midnight. How best can 2 adults get to MK to avoid Illuminations crowds and HEA crowds? What time would you shoot to leave EP, but not get to MK too early with HEA occuring? I hope I posed that clearly!

 

[subtchr]

What time is HEA that night?

 

[JJ2017]

What time is HEA that night?

I think 8:55??? This is for 4/28. I can’t figure out on the app how to see future dates nighttime shows.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

When we are at EP next weekend, it closes at 9 and MK is open until midnight. How best can 2 adults get to MK to avoid Illuminations crowds and HEA crowds? What time would you shoot to leave EP, but not get to MK too early with HEA occuring? I hope I posed that clearly!

So you don’t want to see either, right?

Since Illuminations is at 9PM and HEA that weekend is at 8:55PM, I’d probably recommend leaving Epcot well in advance of closing. Like maybe be aiming to leave 7:30–8ish?

Not sure if you’re also asking ‘how to get there’, but if you are.... take the monorail to the TTC then transfer to either the Express or Resort monorail line. Express will be quickest and shouldn’t have much of a line at that point in the day. Going from Epcot to MK like that you won’t need to go through security again, so that’s a plus.

 

[sharonabe]

When we are at EP next weekend, it closes at 9 and MK is open until midnight. How best can 2 adults get to MK to avoid Illuminations crowds and HEA crowds? What time would you shoot to leave EP, but not get to MK too early with HEA occuring? I hope I posed that clearly!

I agree with GADisneyDad, probably 7:30-8:00 time frame. With that time, you'll get to MK before HEA starts, but you will be walking into a VERY crowded and packed Main St. Can you give us a better idea of what your goal is here?

 

[twolittletinkerbells]

I would leave Epcot at 845. You will miss the Illuminations crowd that way. You will be traveling during HEA, so you should arrive as most of that crowd has left.

 

[Alesia]

I would leave Epcot at 845. You will miss the Illuminations crowd that way. You will be traveling during HEA, so you should arrive as most of that crowd has left.

I agree with this. I wouldn't want to arrive at MK until HEA is over.

 

[Moliphino]

Not sure if you’re also asking ‘how to get there’, but if you are.... take the monorail to the TTC then transfer to either the Express or Resort monorail line. Express will be quickest and shouldn’t have much of a line at that point in the day. Going from Epcot to MK like that you won’t need to go through security again, so that’s a plus.

If you're closer to the International Gateway when you're ready to leave, you could also walk to Beach Club and take a MK bus. That will require going through security at MK, though.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I don’t know, swimming upstream as the HEA crowds are leaving the park seems like the greater of two evils to me. Not that arriving in the hour(ish) before HEA is a cupcake either, but I think I’d rather make my way deep into wherever in the park you’re going before HEA and take advantage of that period of lower ride waits while everyone else is watching the show - get a jump start on your evening MK plans.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As PP's have noted, there are two ways to approach this. Either leave EP quite early and get to MK before people start waiting for HEA, or leave EP quite late and travel to MK while the HEA crowds are funneling out.

If you want to be in MK before the crowds hit the hub, I would get to MK no later than 8 pm, so would be at the EP monorail station no later than 7:30 pm. As others have said, that would give you a chance to get deep into the park to avoid the HEA crowds and simply use the perimeter paths behind and to the side of the hub and castle to move around MK.

Or, if you want to stay in EP as late as possible, I would be at the loading area of the EP monorail at 9:10 pm. Illuminations is a little less than 15 minutes long, so if you are at the loading area by 9:10 pm, you will beat the crowds. HEA should be over by 9:15 pm, so you will be traveling while the crowds start heading out of MK. You should get to MK a good 20 minutes after HEA ends. If you want the least crowds, go with option 1.

 

[JJ2017]

Ok everyone! Thank you so much!

Leaving EP to go to MK is Plan B. Plan A is to enjoy EP and watch Illuminations and leisurely stroll the boardwalk back to Dolphin. But, if we are feeling adventurous and want the night to continue, MK is a very attractive option. But we have experienced the sea of people during HEA and would want to avoid it as much as possible.

Our strategy would be to get deep into Adventureland/Frontierland as HEA is going on. If we arrive before HEA starts, what is the path to follow to get into Adventureland? Our ride priorities would be Pirates, BTMRR, HM, Small World and Peoplemover.

 

[Jewel3k]

The path to follow would be to walk through the stores on the left, exit through Casey's and turn left into Adventureland. If they have the extra path gates open on the left you may be able to take that path as well.

 

[JJ2017]

The path to follow would be to walk through the stores on the left, exit through Casey's and turn left into Adventureland. If they have the extra path gates open on the left you may be able to take that path as well.

Just to confirm - you are saying to walk INTO Casey's, through the front entrance and find a different back exit out of the restaurant? (have never been in Casey's). Thanks!

 

[Jewel3k]

When you enter the gates go left. Pass the City Hall and you should see the Main Street Emporium straight ahead. Enter the store. You should then be able to walk through all the stores that line the left side of the street. As you reach the end of the stores, start to head to the back left and there is an opening to Casey's Corner. Exit Casey's Corner through the doors on the far left side and turn left. You should see First Aid and the Crystal Palace before you get to the bridge that crosses over into Adventure Land.

 

[JJ2017]

When you enter the gates go left. Pass the City Hall and you should see the Main Street Emporium straight ahead. Enter the store. You should then be able to walk through all the stores that line the left side of the street. As you reach the end of the stores, start to head to the back left and there is an opening to Casey's Corner. Exit Casey's Corner through the doors on the far left side and turn left. You should see First Aid and the Crystal Palace before you get to the bridge that crosses over into Adventure Land.

oh wow!!!! did not know all the stores are connected! thank you!