Early Entry at EPCOT is a perk for on-site resort resort company at Walt Disney World, which presents a minimum of a 30-minute head begin on the official park opening or rope drop crowds. This presents step-by-step technique for conducting as many rides as attainable with minimal waits through the morning hours when arriving through the entrance entrance of the park.
We’ve performed Early Theme Park Entry at EPCOT many instances…however normally from the Worldwide Gateway entrance. That’s as a result of we favor staying on the Crescent Lake Resorts inside strolling distance of World Showcase or the Skyliner Resorts that present gondola entry.
In actual fact, we routinely do (and advocate!) cut up stays at Walt Disney World resorts, selecting a kind of lodges on your EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios days, and elsewhere on your park days in Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. Bus transportation is simply as environment friendly for the 2 ‘kingdoms,’ so it doesn’t actually matter the place for the opposite half of your trip. (We just like the Magic Kingdom space in case your finances permits.)
To that time, for those who’re planning on staying at one of many aforementioned Crescent Lake or Skyliner resorts on your park days in EPCOT, this put up is just not for you. As a substitute, seek the advice of our Skyliner Technique for Early Entry at EPCOT & Hollywood Studios and EPCOT Early Entry through Worldwide Gateway Itinerary. Not one of the suggestions for 2023 are materially totally different from what’s lined there, so we gained’t be sharing new stories on these approaches till after Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind drops its digital queue.
One factor many readers have requested is whether or not they need to exit of their approach to arrive through Worldwide Gateway even when not staying at a kind of resorts. It’s true that being nearer to Remy’s Ratatouille Journey is advantageous, and the strolling distance disparity is insurmountable for these arriving from the entrance entrance of EPCOT.
Regardless of this, our reply is not any. It’s not price the additional effort to reach through Worldwide Gateway. From the entrance entrance, you might have a bonus for each Check Observe and Frozen Ever After, and the trio of headliners has wait instances which might be normally inside 5-Quarter-hour of each other.
We’ve been capable of save about as a lot complete time when arriving through the entrance entrance as through Worldwide Gateway. The latter normally does provide a slight benefit, however not an insurmountable one. As long as you modify your technique accordingly, both entrance works simply positive.
The subsequent factor it’s essential to know is that Park Hours at EPCOT are not as favorable for Early Entry as they had been final yr round this identical time. Presently, EPCOT opens to most of the people at 9 am, as in comparison with 8 am or 8:30 am for a lot of final yr.
Which means that Early Entry presently begins at 8:30 am at EPCOT. That’s been true even for weekends, peak season dates, and holidays. Even on days when the group stage has been 10/10, EPCOT has opened at 9 am to most of the people and at 8:30 am for the Early Entry arrivals.
As we’ve mentioned elsewhere, Early Entry is much less advantageous when it begins later. In a nutshell, there are a ton of individuals partaking within the 8:30 am Early Entry as a result of it’s comparatively simple to be out of the resort room and to EPCOT by that point. It’s a unique story fully when transferring that ahead by an hour–particularly for the households with babies.
Anyway, thought all of that was price addressing up entrance because it was a scorching matter within the feedback. All of that is going to alter once more when Walt Disney World retires the digital queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Then, it’ll be Crescent Lake company questioning whether or not they need to Uber to the entrance entrance. (Similar reply applies: No.)
This specific morning, I left my room at All Star Sports activities at 7:25 am and made it to the bus cease by round 7:30 am, with the primary bus arriving a couple of minutes later.
From there, it was off to EPCOT.
Bag verify and the tapstiles had been each already open once I arrived at them. After getting dropped off and making it by safety (together with a secondary screening resulting from my digicam bag), I made it to EPCOT’s entrance entrance at 7:58 am.
Nonetheless about half-hour to go earlier than Early Entry formally began.
On the far proper facet of the entrance entrance plaza at EPCOT, there’s a row of Forged Members scanning MagicBands, resort room keys, or no matter acceptable identification you may need if staying at one of many collaborating third celebration lodges.
The remainder of this courtyard is open to all company, proper as much as the central fountain with the prismatic pylon fountain. That is the place off-site company are held till official park opening, and it’s roped off up right here (therefore the time period “rope drop”) till the clock strikes 9 am.
Right here’s a have a look at the rope drop crowd already forming as of ~8 am.
I perceive that not everybody needs to be up on the daybreak on trip, however those that do ought to actually keep on web site. I’m a robust believer that point is cash at Walt Disney World. These folks have primarily arrived a minimum of an hour forward of once they’ll be capable to do something, and will likely be ‘pressured’ to observe Early Entry company (together with many who arrived after they did) bypass them. By the point rope drop rolls round, a lot of the headliners at EPCOT will have already got lengthy waits.
I additionally perceive that staying on-site is just not cheap or for everybody. Nonetheless, as famous above, I stayed at All Star Sports activities for this journey. The nightly charge was solely barely costlier than Flamingo Crossing or different close by lodges, and that’s earlier than factoring in the price of transportation or parking (which was “free” for me) or on-site perks.
In different phrases, for those who’re an early-riser who would in any other case be rope dropping the parks, it is best to actually attempt to crunch the numbers and see if there’s a approach to make staying on-site give you the results you want.
From the entrance entrance, there are a number of locations the place company are held previous to continuing to the primary attraction of the day.
Checkpoints are close to Membership Cool, Creations Store, and Moana’s Journey of Water. Respectively, these are the perfect beginning factors for Check Observe, Frozen Ever After, and Soarin’ Across the World. The latter two are roughly equal for these making the lengthy haul to Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, however once more, you shouldn’t try this.
After making a fast lap to scope issues out and seize some photographs, I headed again over to Membership Cool.
I’ve tried a number of strategies from the entrance entrance of EPCOT for Early Entry, and located that beginning with Check Observe is the optimum strategy. That’s, assuming you wish to expertise Check Observe, gained’t buy Genie+ or Particular person Lightning Lanes, will keep in EPCOT for the rest of the day, and don’t have a low Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind boarding group.
To that final level, I’ve truly been burned by the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind digital queue previously, so I opted in opposition to even making an attempt for it at 7 am.
As a substitute, I did the 1 pm entry time and simply secured a spot. It was nonetheless an earlier callback time than I’d’ve appreciated, however I wasn’t keen to attend longer to try becoming a member of since this was the height of spring break season at Walt Disney World. (On regular days, I’ve discovered that becoming a member of the digital queue shortly earlier than 2 pm Park Hopping begins is about supreme for me. I’d not advocate that gamble to a first-timer or rare customer who has by no means performed Cosmic Rewind.)
Anyway, I arrived on the Membership Cool holding space at round 8:20 am. Had I gone right here immediately, I’d have arrived at 8:10 am or so, which might’ve saved me time in line for Check Observe.
Early Entry began about 5 minutes later, and I’d estimate that 60% of company headed for Check Observe. Roughly 20% headed for Mission House and 20% headed for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Frankly, I used to be shocked that the quantity heading to Check Observe was so low, and I’d attribute this a minimum of partly to it being a peak vacationer season, which normally brings with it much less skilled Walt Disney World guests.
Don’t get me incorrect, I’m glad 40% of company had different plans, however they’re objectively unhealthy ones. Mission House wouldn’t have an extended wait time later and even for those who’re within the very first boarding group for Cosmic Rewind, you might have a minimum of an hour to return. Spend that point doing rides through standby whereas wait instances are low!
As soon as the road fashioned for Check Observe, about one other dozen or so company referred to as audibles and headed elsewhere. That is additionally objectively unhealthy technique. For one factor, this line is just not unhealthy in any respect. It simply seems that method as a result of the attraction entrance had not but opened and not one of the inside queue was full. Until there’s a trip breakdown (which does occur typically with Check Observe), it is best to stick along with your preliminary resolution irrespective of how “unhealthy” the road seems. Will probably be worse later.
As soon as the road after began filling within the switchbacks and moved contained in the constructing, it was clean crusing and virtually always transferring.
My complete expertise time (forgot to time once I bought into the SIM Automotive Design Heart or onto the trip) was simply over 20 minutes. For Check Observe, that’s actually good. I would’ve been capable of shave 5 minutes off that point had I been on the entrance of the pack, however not far more than that.
Norway for Frozen Ever After was subsequent on the agenda, and I arrived there at 8:57 am. I used to be fairly happy with this, because it nonetheless put me forward of the rope drop crowd coming from the entrance entrance of EPCOT by about 10 minutes.
Nonetheless, given the “trajectory” of the group, I used to be behind lots of people who arrived from Worldwide Gateway and had completed up Remy’s Ratatouille Journey. There’s a particular benefit to ranging from there, however not an insurmountable one. This line nonetheless moved shortly and never all the switchbacks inside had been in use.
It additionally helped tremendously that the Lightning Lane was solely a sluggish trickle of company at this hour, which means standby was far more environment friendly. Had I arrived 10-Quarter-hour later, I think the story would’ve been very totally different.
Frozen Ever After took about half-hour from the time I entered the outside queue till I exited the attraction again into the identical courtyard. That was truly considerably much less time than the 45 minute posted wait time.
Though it was solely 9:30 am at this level, I used to be primarily at a crossroads.
One choice would’ve been returning to the entrance of the park, doing Soarin’ Across the World, Dwelling with the Land, Spaceship Earth, Journey into Creativeness, Mission House, and so on.
There’s going to be a robust temptation to go this route, as there are such a lot of sights on the entrance of the park and plenty of nonetheless have comparatively low wait instances at this hour. Nonetheless, that’ll even be true later within the afternoon and wait instances are shortly rising at this a.m. hour. (To that time, I did stroll up and take a look at the Soarin’ line–it was too lengthy for my liking!)
The opposite various can be to stay with World Showcase, both racing to Remy’s Ratatouille Journey or having fun with the environment, sights, and character meet & greets with shorter strains.
The overwhelming majority of individuals will doubtless choose the primary choice, however we’d advocate selecting the second. As lined in our Journey Information for Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, there’s normally a mid-morning lull for the Rat Journey as Early Entry and cord drop demand subsides. Late arrivers balk on the larger wait time, not desirous to be caught in line at lunch. That is when to pounce–or later within the night because the crowds begin to subside. Not proper after the largest wave of the morning crowd.
There’s nothing incorrect with slowing down and having fun with World Showcase. It could really feel unproductive, however for those who can knock out the Royal Sommerhus Anna & Elsa Meet & Greet and different lower-profile sights whereas additionally experiencing World Showcase earlier than the crowds arrive in full pressure, that’s an enormous win. The entrance of the park can wait till later within the day when strains begin to subside. In actual fact, that is the very technique we advocate in our customary 1-Day EPCOT Itinerary.
As mentioned in our different posts about Early Entry at EPCOT, this strategy compares very favorably to purchasing the Genie+ service. With paid FastPass, you possibly can normally rating Lightning Lanes for two of the three headliners–similar to you possibly can with Early Entry.
That has been our constant expertise in utilizing Genie+ since Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey had been added. Nonetheless, you’re virtually actually going to be topic to the 120 minute rule for a minimum of the second choice, which means your third trip reservation gained’t come till round 1 pm or later until you get extremely fortunate. By then, all three are normally gone.
Furthermore, you possibly can’t select your Lightning Lane return instances, so that they is perhaps inopportune or require loads of backtracking. That’s not the case with this Early Entry plan, as going from Check Observe to Frozen Ever After to the remainder of World Showcase earlier than doubling again to the entrance of the park is a traditional about of backtracking for EPCOT.
Whereas Early Entry requires being out the door on the daybreak and means hustling across the park to start out your day, you’d additionally have to get up to have a shot at all the headliners through Genie+ at EPCOT. After that, you’d should be in your telephone and doubtlessly refreshing all through the day. You’ll additionally need to pay additional for Genie+ at EPCOT, which may imply spending one other $25 or so per individual in your celebration (it was $29 plus tax on this specific day).
Because of this Early Entry is superior to Genie+ at EPCOT for anybody who’s staying on-site. It’s much less irritating, extra environment friendly, cheaper, and simply typically extra pleasing.
To that final level, there’s additionally a sure sense of serenity being at EPCOT because the park is waking as much as begin the day. I’ve talked about this beforehand, but it surely’s actually price reiterating. Seeing the solar reflecting off the panels of Spaceship Earth or glistening on the crisp and clear floor. Watching horticulturists water vegetation, experiencing people-less World Showcase pavilions glow within the morning mild. (Simply have a look at the photographs right here–a small fraction of the 300+ I took this morning at EPCOT!)
Listening to the background music and savoring the small print. Relating to environment or “person expertise,” Early Entry completely trounces Genie+ at EPCOT. One entails having fun with the crisp ambiance of a pristine park…the opposite entails burying your face in your telephone, making an attempt to navigate a counter-intuitive app. It’s no contest.
Finally, we extremely advocate making the most of Early Theme Park Entry at EPCOT. Even when the whole lot doesn’t go completely and you need to wait a bit longer than what’s mirrored right here or if Check Observe or a unique trip is damaged down, Early Entry continues to be far and away the superior choice to paying for Genie+ and Lightning Lane entry.
Genie+ is considerably improved at EPCOT now that Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey have been added to the lineup, which may make EPCOT an intriguing choice for “stacking” Lightning Lanes for a day arrival. Accordingly, we now advocate Genie+ at EPCOT to off-site company or those that gained’t arrive very first thing within the morning. Nonetheless, anybody who’s staying on-site ought to as a substitute reap the benefits of Early Entry. It’s the best way to go.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on Early Theme Park Entry at EPCOT? Have you ever skilled this 30 minute jumpstart to the day? Choose ranging from Worldwide Gateway or the entrance entrance of EPCOT? Do you agree that Early Entry at EPCOT is superior to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes? What’s your most well-liked strategy to mornings at EPCOT? How would you might have performed issues otherwise? Another suggestions on arriving early to the Walt Disney World theme parks? Agree or disagree with our recommendation or strategy? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!