What time do Epcot countries open?

[mrsjoannh13]

I read somewhere that the countries part of Epcot (for lack of a better explanation) don't open until noon. Is that true? We wanted to visit Epcot primarily to stop at each of the different countries and planned to go in the morning. Are only the rides up front near the entrance open in the morning? I assumed the bakeries in the world showcase area would be open for breakfast and I thought Akershuhs in Norway was as well. We were also hoping to do the pick a pearl in Japan. Would we have to wait until noon to do all of this in world showcase?

Sorry for the dumb question - I haven't been to WDW in a very long time and really never spent any time in Epcot.

Thanks!

 

[chartle]

Everything in World Showcase opens at 11:00 AM. Though some things are open earlier for breakfast type items.

Traditionally guests would take a few hours to work their way back to the WS so they started to open it later. conversely things in FW start to close at 7:00 PM since most guests have worked their way to the WS.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I really wish it opened earlier than 11am, especially during food and wine.

 

[ghtx]

World Showcase opens at 11am every day. The only things that will be open in WS before 11 are the bakery in France and Akershus. I don't think that pick-a-pearl will be open. Maybe there's something else that opens before 11 that I'm forgetting about.

 

[avic77]

Odd question but is WS open to walk back and take pictures of the structures even if the shops are not open? Or is it roped off unless you have a reservation?

 

[shortnsassy730]

It is usually blocked after France and after Norway.

 

[chartle]

Oh and OP since you are new here, the front is Future World (FW) and the Counties are World Showcase (WS).

 

[tomatecerise]

Les Halles Boulangerie open at 9

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Oh and OP since you are new here, the front is Future World (FW) and the Counties are World Showcase (WS).

Hmmm... Future World and World Showcase. I don't know if I really like that. I think it would have sounded better if they would have called the areas "the front part" and "the countries". Both have a nice ring to them. Yeah... I'm sticking with "the front part" and "the countries". NEWBIES RULE!!!!! DOWN WITH YOUR DISNEY JARGON AND ACRONYMS!!!!! NEWBIES WILL NO LONGER BE SUBJECT TO THE TYRANY OF HAVING TO GOOGLE THINGS LIKE ADR, WS, TTL, FP+, R&C, BOG, CRT, HDDR AND 7DMT!!!! VIVA LA "FRONT PART" AND "THE COUNTRIES"!!!!!

 

[WEDWDW]

Odd question but is WS open to walk back and take pictures of the structures even if the shops are not open?

You can do that in Norway,Mexico,Canada,United Kingdom and France-GREAT time to take pictures!

There is a rope between France and Morocco and a rope between Norway and China until 11:00.

 

[itchin2go]

Hmmm... Future World and World Showcase. I don't know if I really like that. I think it would have sounded better if they would have called the areas "the front part" and "the countries". Both have a nice ring to them. Yeah... I'm sticking with "the front part" and "the countries". NEWBIES RULE!!!!! DOWN WITH YOUR DISNEY JARGON AND ACRONYMS!!!!! NEWBIES WILL NO LONGER BE SUBJECT TO THE TYRANY OF HAVING TO GOOGLE THINGS LIKE ADR, WS, TTL, FP+, R&C, BOG, CRT, HDDR AND 7DMT!!!! VIVA LA "FRONT PART" AND "THE COUNTRIES"!!!!!

Well, if you ask a CM where the "countries" are, they'll probably know what you mean. If you ask them which way to the "front part", you may get some blank looks. Then again, they've probably heard everything.

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh and OP since you are new here, the front is Future World (FW) and the Counties are World Showcase (WS).

I wonder if Disney would ever consider adding new counties. Personally I'm hoping for Hazzard.

 

[chartle]

I wonder if Disney would ever consider adding new counties. Personally I'm hoping for Hazzard.

ok got it

 

[chartle]

Well, if you ask a CM where the "countries" are, they'll probably know what you mean. If you ask them which way to the "front part", you may get some blank looks. Then again, they've probably heard everything.

And if you stay at the Boardwalk or the other hotels outside the IG its backwards. @mrsjoannh13 back to Google.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I wonder if Disney would ever consider adding new counties. Personally I'm hoping for Hazzard.

I'm sure "the boys" would love it!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

And if you stay at the Boardwalk or the other hotels outside the IG its backwards. @mrsjoannh13 back to Google.

International Gateway. BOOM! That's how me and Google roll.

 

[MrKnight]

WC has traditionally always been an area that is most enjoyed in the afternoon into evening hours (with Illuminations, etc.) as most guests spend the morning in FW and then make their way to WC for the second half of the day, this is why WC does not open until 11:00am. As stated by PP, the only parts of WC that are open before 11:00am are the bakery in France and Akershus in Norway, everything else is closed.

You can technically walk through the outside of Mexico, Norway, UK, Canada, and France and snap pictures of the outdoor scenery but that is about it. Morocco, Japan, USA, Italy, Germany, The Outpost, and China will all be closed and roped off so you cannot walk into those areas.

Why not arrive to Epcot in the early afternoon and enjoy the afternoon and evening in WC? Besides, why would you not want to stay and see Illuminations? IMO, the BEST firework show at WDW!

 

[itchin2go]

International Gateway. BOOM! That's how me and Google roll.

No. It's "the back way"!

 

[itchin2go]

I wonder if Disney would ever consider adding new counties. Personally I'm hoping for Hazzard.

Can you imagine the meet and greet for Daisy?