What Time to Arrive for Rope Drop at International Gateway?

[Shanti]

We're going to Epcot from the Beach Club Villas to rope drop Soarin' this summer. At what time should we be at the International Gateway to make good use of rope drop at Epcot?

 

[Dan Murphy]

30 minutes before opening time.

 

[ciera321]

I was going to ask this, too. We always rope drop, but we're staying at BWV and I'm sure about that entrance. Does anyone know if we'll have tons of people that beat us to Soarin?

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

If you are walking from International gateway, definately yes people from the front park entrance will beat you to Soarin.
International gateway is a long walk to Soarin...much further then the walk from the park entrance.

 

[finnster77]

I was going to ask this, too. We always rope drop, but we're staying at BWV and I'm sure about that entrance. Does anyone know if we'll have tons of people that beat us to Soarin?

In my experience last June, not tons, but the front of the pack from the main gates definitely gets there first.
We were there 20ish minutes early and waited about 15 minutes for Soarin.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

30 minutes?? Would the Soarin line be 30 minutes longer if you arrived AT rope drop??

MG

 

[ciera321]

That's what I was afraid of. I thought maybe they let the IG folks in a little early.

 

[Alesia]

30 minutes?? Would the Soarin line be 30 minutes longer if you arrived AT rope drop??

MG

Yep. And while you were waiting, every other line would be getting longer, too. arriving early saves at least a couple of hours of waiting throughout the day.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yep. And while you were waiting, every other line would be getting longer, too. arriving early saves at least a couple of hours of waiting throughout the day.

Don't understand that at all. Blows my mind. Sleep trumps everything for me, including food and the woo-hoo woo-hoo.
That said, we have been to Disney waaayyy too many times to plan a commando trip.

MG

 

[Nancyg56]

Don't understand that at all. Blows my mind. Sleep trumps everything for me, including food and the woo-hoo woo-hoo.
That said, we have been to Disney waaayyy too many times to plan a commando trip.

MG

Those lines seem to multiply by the minute, especially the slow loading attractions. WE don't go commando, but we do try to get to the parks earlier rather than later.

 

[BLLB]

If you are walking from International gateway, definately yes people from the front park entrance will beat you to Soarin.
International gateway is a long walk to Soarin...much further then the walk from the park entrance.

We enter Epcot from IG every year. It has been my experience that they do let you through the turnstiles before the park opening time. You walk to the fountain area where they "hold" both the front entrance guests and the IG guests. Then the park "opens".