extra magic hours question

[djgrab]

my next trip , I will be staying at BWV. Can I use the back entrance to epcot for the morning extra magic hours or do I have to enter from the front?:idontgeti
it would be a convient walk from the back but the front I'll have to use their transportation.

[Carol]

You can enter EPCOT through the International Gateway for EMH. Keep your Resort ID handy though, as they may ask to see it.

FYI, there is no Disney transportaiton to the front entrance of EPCOT from the EPCOT resorts.

[TW1]

good question.

Yes, I believe you can use the International Gateway entrance. But, if one objective is to get to to Soarin' or Test Track and grab a fastpass, you will be closer at the main gate. Plus there is that little rope drop ceremony at the fountain you'll miss, but that's hardly a consideration, imo.

Last summer we drove to the main entrance and the crowd control was very impressive. We were at the front of a huge wall of humanity all aimed at Soarin, easily 2/3rds of the morning crowd. CM's kept us well herded and heading to Soarin at a comfortable walking pace, though you could feel the wave of anxious folks at your heels, each looking for that one-person space advantage to make it to the front of the Soarin line. I feared for my 9 year olds life in that crowd. If he stumbled, he'd be trampled for sure.

Within 20 minutes (the time it took us to get our FP for a return trip and ride Soarin once) the wait time was already 45 mintes and FPs were being distributed for noon.

Not sure this really answers your question, just thought I'd share. (and I'm on my lunch break, so what the heck, I'll type for a bit.)

[tomandrobin]

Yes, you can use the Internation Gateway for EMH.

There is no transportation from EPCOT resorts to the front gate of EPCOT

[NorweJenNY]

my next trip , I will be staying at BWV. Can I use the back entrance to epcot for the morning extra magic hours or do I have to enter from the front?:idontgeti
it would be a convient walk from the back but the front I'll have to use their transportation.

I hope you mean they'll check resort id for EMH purposes.

You don't have to be staying at BWV to take the boat to the back entrance of Epcot, right? I've done it before and intend to do it again... even if I don't stay at BWV because I still gotta try Spoodles breakfast some time. Doing Epcot after just makes sense.

[JimP]

I hope you mean they'll check resort id for EMH purposes.

You don't have to be staying at BWV to take the boat to the back entrance of Epcot, right? I've done it before and intend to do it again... even if I don't stay at BWV because I still gotta try Spoodles breakfast some time. Doing Epcot after just makes sense.

Yes... you will be fine :)

/Jim

[burcs]

good question.

But, if one objective is to get to to Soarin' or Test Track and grab a fastpass, you will be closer at the main gate. Plus there is that little rope drop ceremony at the fountain you'll miss, but that's hardly a consideration, imo.

Last summer we drove to the main entrance and the crowd control was very impressive. We were at the front of a huge wall of humanity all aimed at Soarin, easily 2/3rds of the morning crowd. CM's kept us well herded and heading to Soarin at a comfortable walking pace,

so, if you go through IG are there also CM's leading the way to Soarin' "at a comfortable walking pace"? in other words, while the main gate will be closer, might a sprint from IG be faster?

paul

[Niki]

We always use IG to go to Epcot when we stay at Boardwalk. We have gotten to TT or Soarin just as quickly as when we go through the main gate. Even though it is a longer walk, we have been able to cut through the rose garden area and get to Soarin fast. There were no CM guiding us, and it was not crowded at all. I would really suggest it.

[burcs]

We always use IG to go to Epcot when we stay at Boardwalk. We have gotten to TT or Soarin just as quickly as when we go through the main gate. Even though it is a longer walk, we have been able to cut through the rose garden area and get to Soarin fast. There were no CM guiding us, and it was not crowded at all. I would really suggest it.

thanks; exactly the info i was looking for. i'm surprised at TT, however, which begs the question what season do you usually travel in, or have these experiences rung true all year around?

paul

[Niki]

I have been in October, November, December and June. It is a little trickier in June, but doable. Our strategy has always been to send the fastest person to Soarin, cutting through the rose garden via the sidewalk, and get FP. The rest of the party high-tails it around world showcase and crosses the bridge next to the Odessy building. This will take you behind TT and if you move fast enough will get there right about the same time as the front entrance people. This has worked for us several times. We then ride TT, MS and then go back for our FP at Soarin. Good luck.

[burcs]

I have been in October, November, December and June. It is a little trickier in June, but doable. Our strategy has always been to send the fastest person to Soarin, cutting through the rose garden via the sidewalk, and get FP. The rest of the party high-tails it around world showcase and crosses the bridge next to the Odessy building. This will take you behind TT and if you move fast enough will get there right about the same time as the front entrance people. This has worked for us several times. We then ride TT, MS and then go back for our FP at Soarin. Good luck.

excellent strategy, thanks for the tip. i think i'm going to try this next time.

paul

[NorweJenNY]

It makes sense... thanks for confirming...

Going in from the back... you probably don't deal with anything like the crowds coming in from the front.

Can you get in through IG for early EMH?