What time does the International Gateway open?

[mla2177]

Hi! Does anyone know what time they let people through the gate?

 

[Robo]

Generally it is synced to the opening of the front gates.

So the Int'l Gateway opens at 9am (sometimes a few minutes earlier) on "regular" mornings,

And on EMH mornings, the Int'l Gateway opens at 8am (sometimes a few minutes earlier).

But, since World Showcase attractions and countries are NOT OPEN until 11am, guests are only allowed to walk via the WS walkway in front of the still-closed UK and Canadian Pavilions on the way to or from the Future World entrance.
Only the FW attractions are open before 11am.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I often enjoy that early morning walk, nice and quiet, the early AM CM's out, prepping WS, the beginning of another day at the World.

 

[mlill]

I often enjoy that early morning walk, nice and quiet, the early AM CM's out, prepping WS, the beginning of another day at the World.

I agree! That early morning walk is almost as nice as walking around World Showcase after the park closes! (almost!) Have a great trip, Dan! We'll just miss you by a few days - our first day is Dec. 14th! Maybe I can get all of us to attend a Chicago/Indy meet next year...

-Michelle

 

[julsmom]

I agree, 11 a.m.

 

[canron]

it opens at 11.am

 

[ReggieB]

Everything in WS is closed until 11am, but the turnstiles are open from 9am to let guests from the Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach get in. Most of WS is roped off, except an area through UK and Canada to get round to the main entrance, as Robo mentioned. It's a great opportunity to get some photos in those countries without anyone else around.

 

[disnut8]

I think this thread is getting a bit confusing. The International Gateway begins to let people into Epcot at 9:00. However, you can only go to the attractions in Future World until 11:00. After you go through the turnstyle, the bridge over to France will be roped off and a Cast Member will direct you through the United Kingdom and Canada. After Canada, you will not be able to continue around World Showcase, you will be directed to Future World only. At 11:00, World Showcase will be open to everyone.

So, if you enter via the International Gateway before 11:00, the only part of Epcot that will be open is Future World through United Kingdom and Canada (which won't be open until 11:00).

 

[boBQuincy]

Actually the International Gateway opens before park opening. You can enter Epcot and walk up to the rope, across the walkway at the corner between U.K. and the bridge to France.

When the park officially opens the CMs drop the rope and it's off to "Soarin", where you round the corner by "Inventors Circle" and run into the crowds that entered at the main gate!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Ah, yes-to me this is one of the hidden perks of staying at the Epcot resorts: getting to experience the UK and Canada area of WS when no one's there. Yes, there's a rope in front of the bridge, so you can't go to France and beyond, and yes, the attractions and shops in UK and Canada are closed. However, the music is playing, the streets are empty and quiet. On several pleasant mornings, I've entered IG around 9:30, sat on a shady bench by R&C, listened to the music ("Play the sunset", for anyone who's ever seen Mr. Holland's Opus-what is the real name of the tune?), and watched families rush by to start their day. One of my favorite "little moments" at WDW.