What time to be go epcot parking lot?

[jgperkin]

We are rope drop people. However we have never driven into epcot before. What time should we get to he parking lot? What time does it open for parking?

 

[Robo]

We are rope drop people. However we have never driven into epcot before. What time should we get to he parking lot? What time does it open for parking?

At least 8AM (and earlier) for a slated 9AM open time.


Because…

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings:

Only MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15-20 min. "early."
But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.)

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, to WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "flower Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes or so and starts 6-7 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes.
There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute.
Which one you will see can be tough to guess.

----------------------------------

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head
for their attractions of choice at that time.

Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW,
AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area.
There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello"
to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.")
Epcot gates (including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy... as much as 30 minutes early.)

DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW.
DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.)

AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park.
(Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

 

[jgperkin]

Robo! You are the best! We are here now. We always stay on property but this time ventured off site. Do you think 8am will land us a decent parking spot or should we shoot for 7:30 or earlier?

 

[Robo]

Robo! You are the best! We are here now. We always stay on property but this time ventured off site. Do you think 8am will land us a decent parking spot or should we shoot for 7:30 or earlier?

The problem is, nobody can truly predict exactly what the crowd will be on any given date,
nor can "traffic delays" be known.

At WDW, one of the truest philsophies is,
"It's better to arrive far too early than it is to arrive a minute too late."

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Went to Epcot on a Wednesday in June of 2012. Pulled into the lot at 7:55 a.m. and parked in the very first row. We were first in line at the turnstyles, but got bored & took a monorail ride. So, the line was backed up a bit more when we got back, but still not terrible :0

 

[jgperkin]

Thanks everyone. We are going to plan to arrive between 7:30 - 7:45. ;-)