world showcase in the morning?

[NYCMom21]

I have never done Epcot where I have visited the World Showcase first. Usually we hit the rides and do WS in the afternoon and then settle somewhere for dinner.

My DD is almost 5 and I thought all the princess meets would be fun, so I'm thinking we should plan on doing them 1st thing and fast passing the rides in the afternoon. I already changed my dinner reservation to eat in Mexico so we wouldn't have too much walking back to WS after the front of the park rides.

Any way to get transportation to the entrance to Epcot that is in the World Showcase?? We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Robo]

I have never done Epcot where I have visited the World Showcase first. Usually we hit the rides and do WS in the afternoon and then settle somewhere for dinner.

My DD is almost 5 and I thought all the princess meets would be fun, so I'm thinking we should plan on doing them 1st thing and fast passing the rides in the afternoon. I already changed my dinner reservation to eat in Mexico so we wouldn't have too much walking back to WS after the front of the park rides.

Any way to get transportation to the entrance to Epcot that is in the World Showcase?? We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge.

In general, WS does not open to guests until 11AM (except for the bakery in France and the breakfast in Norway.)

 

[Laketravis]

Personally, I'd just take the bus to Epcot and walk thru FW to WS - I've never really found it to be that long of a walk. But you could take a bus to Hollywood Studios and then take the boat to Epcot. It will just take longer.

 

[NYCMom21]

ok, we were hoping to get to France for the 11am Belle meet. So we should plan on getting to the front entrance by 10:30ish??

 

[Laketravis]

ok, we were hoping to get to France for the 11am Belle meet. So we should plan on getting to the front entrance by 10:30ish??

In that case, I'd want to be one of the first in line at the WS entrance (not the front EP entrance) prior to WS opening.

Which means you should probably take a bus to HS by 9:30, then the boat from HS to Epcot after it stops at all the resorts on the way. Would put you at the international entrance to WS at around 10:30-10:45 for an 11am opening.

If it's REALLY important, take a cab ($15) or Uber ($6-$8) from WL directly to Beach Club and walk over to the International entrance.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you want to do the Belle meet, get to the front entrance maybe by 10:15 (have a time cushion). You can go over to DHS and take the boat but it will actually be faster to just walk around Epcot. Walk up to WS, go through Canada, Britain and cross the bridge into France. There will be a rope across the walkway just past the Chefs de France restaurant. Belle meets just past that rope. Go through the rope as soon as they release it, and get into line for her meet.

The only things open in WS prior to 11 AM are the French bakery and Akershus. Everything else will be closed. You can walk as far as France on one side and as far as Norway on the other, the rest of the WS will be blocked to guests until 11.

 

[Robo]

ok, we were hoping to get to France for the 11am Belle meet. So we should plan on getting to the front entrance by 10:30ish??

As I said above, you can get to France anytime between 9AM and 11AM.

Bus or boat to MK, then bus from MK to Beach Club.
From Beach Club is just a short walk to Epcot's International Gateway.

 

[sharonabe]

In that case, I'd want to be one of the first in line at the WS entrance (not the front EP entrance) prior to WS opening.

Which means you should probably take a bus to HS by 9:30, then the boat from HS to Epcot after it stops at all the resorts on the way. Would put you at the international entrance to WS at around 10:30-10:45 for an 11am opening.

If it's REALLY important, take a cab ($15) or Uber ($6-$8) from WL directly to Beach Club and walk over to the International entrance.

There is no "line" at the International Gateway entrance waiting to get into WS at the 11:00 opening. You can enter through here from the beginning of park opening at 9:00.

 

[NYCMom21]

Taxi to Beach Club is a great idea. Did not think of that, thanks!!

unless we try and rope drop TT, then head over. I'm thinking my husband will want to sleep in a bit this day since I'm dragging him to MK the day earlier for a BBB reservation at 8am.

 

[NYCMom21]

So, taxi picks us up around 10am at WL, drops us at Beach Club, we can walk through the international gateway entrance and have enough time to grab coffee at the France Bakery before lining up to meet Belle. I think that's the plan.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There may be a line at the bakery, so plan for that if your intent is to go through the rope at 11 and go straight to Belle.

 

[NYCMom21]

There may be a line at the bakery, so plan for that if your intent is to go through the rope at 11 and go straight to Belle.

ok, will do. Thanks!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I don't know how soon you are traveling. We are going to be there part of the holiday time when WS opens at 10. It sounds like if you know the princess greeting times then you probably know other times as well; but it surprised us to see WS listed as opening at 10 during the holidays.
We love International Gateway entrance to Epcot.

 

[NYCMom21]

Just bumping this as I just realized we are going over Marathon Weekend. This will be the day of the Half Marathon. Maybe I should forget the Taxi to Beach Club idea and take Bus from WL to the main entrance??

 

[Ronda93]

No. The taxi to BC is still a good idea. The last mile of the half marathon goes in through the front entrance of Epcot, down to the world showcase plaza, pops a u-turn and exits out the front of Epcot. The time of day you are planning to arrive, the runners will have all finished. There may be some crowd/stuff remaining.

Net, I think no effect to your Saturday morning.

Now Sunday, with the full finishing along the walkway from BC to international gateway, it will be busy.

 

[NYCMom21]

Ok, thanks!! We will do that. We have HS planned for Sunday. Thanks

 

[Ronda93]

Not to discourage you from HS on Sunday, but know the marathon course goes through the park.

http://as1.wdpromedia.com/media/rundisney/pdf/wdw-marathon/2014/Marathon14_Map.pdf

This is the 2014 route, but it's from the runDisney link, so likely still the path. Mile 23 is mostly in HS. The race begins at 5:30 a.m. The winner will be coming through around 7:35. There will continue to be runners in HS until noon. There are crossing points and CMs will serve as crossing guards.

Someone else may be able to chime in with touring experiences.

The WL will have the scoop on attractions/parks affected by the races, too.

 

[WEDWDW]

Here is the France Rope mentioned in another Post.

The Belle M&G is a short distance to the left just past the Rope.

If you are there when the Rope drops,you will "most likely" be the first or among the very first Guests to line up for Belle.

I have never seen more tham a couple dozen Guests waiting for the France Rope Drop and most of those were not going to meet Belle.