Increased foot traffic at Epcot's International Gate...

[winstongator]

As far as the gondola traffic goes it will be a steady stream of guests and not a deluge like occurs when the Monorail docks or ten to fifteen busses unload all at once at Epcots main entrance.
Besides, IMO, Disney is implementing the gondola to relieve some of the congestion in the parks since thousands of people will be in them art any given time.
At least until the novelty wears off..........

Numbers I've seen are like 5,000/hr. Say it takes 15 minutes. That's at most 1250 on at once. I think it is to reduce car & bus traffic around the resort. As well as allow an up-charge for those hotels.

 

[Willmark]

Disney has set up the Deluxe Resorts in particular as destinations in themselves. I don't see how this is any different than the monorail resorts right now. Or even AKL to a slightly lesser extent. Now people staying in the gondola resorts will have an easy way to enjoy the Crescent Lake area

I think that’s the salient point: with a Deluxe you’re paying for location. I’m hard pressed to list any other advantages that a Deluxe has compared to a moderate or value. Obviously if they reduce the one feature (only feature?) that makes a Deluxe attractive, what’s the point?

 

[clarabellej]

Is anyone else concerned about the future crowds at Epcot's International Gate? What was once a laid-back, sparsely-populated entrance (during most times) may soon be much more crowded with the gondola's dropping off guests. Think all of the increased foot traffic will affect the Boardwalk or the near-by resorts (Beach, Yacht, BoardWalk)?

Cannot imagine. I think the bag check at the front of the park is a mess. I feel like back check is so inconsistent. Sorry. I know you are speaking of International Gateway changing, but just have to add that TSA at MCO, when we were leaving after Spring Break, was just horrible.

 

[bayoubelle]

It's not simply the IG entrance that some of us are concerned about, it's the increase in foot traffic and day guests that will potentially be wandering about the resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk). For those of us who regularly vacation there, an increase in crowds isn't a positive thing. More people taking a side diversion to wander around the resort grounds will also mean more people in line at the eateries and hanging in the lobbies.

Totally understand this. The monorail stations are supposed to be a great attraction to the CR, Poly, and GF but with all of the people going to the restaurants and visiting the resorts, it gets really crowded. The only one of the 3 we will stay at anymore is the CR because we can walk to the MK.

 

[Willmark]

Totally understand this. The monorail stations are supposed to be a great attraction to the CR, Poly, and GF but with all of the people going to the restaurants and visiting the resorts, it gets really crowded. The only one of the 3 we will stay at anymore is the CR because we can walk to the MK.

Nah it’s for classist/elitist reasons according to some /sarcasm.

 

[Cado603]

Couldn't Disney just make the gondola for those staying at the resorts? Magic band would say if your a hotel guest. If you had a dining reservation couldn't the band have that info too?

Yeah but it all about money. And seggregate groups. There still are no magic band requirement to enter the pools there except at the Beach and Yacht. No they don't care if they get their money. No wonder they just added a charge for parking at the hotel. I see nothing good coming from this. I just made my decision. This Nov will be my last booked Nov trip at BWV and maybe ever.

 

[spock8113]

I think because it is such a quiet area, they are setting up the landing stations near things, but still far enough away.
If anyone remembers the MK gondolas: they were spaced about 100 feet apart and moved slowly.
This is a controlled release of guests, kinda like those red light/green light traffic controls set up on on-ramps in congested areas.
Only now, Disney controls when you merge rather than cutting in at the end of the on-ramp like most New Yorkers do.

So far, IMHO, this is the best idea they've implemented amidst all the other construction chaos.
Hopefully, they build in future expansion within the existing system because there's alot of expansion possibilities.

 

[Lets Respect]

Sorry. I know you are speaking of International Gateway changing, but just have to add that TSA at MCO, when we were leaving after Spring Break, was just horrible.

The checks at MCO are the worst I have ever seen, and we fly in and out of some of the supposedly worst airports in the country. It's amazing that a city that runs on tourist dollars lets it get that bad

 

[Goofyernmost]

The checks at MCO are the worst I have ever seen, and we fly in and out of some of the supposedly worst airports in the country. It's amazing that a city that runs on tourist dollars lets it get that bad

When I lived in Vermont I occasionally flew into Orlando. On the way back out, I was causing the sensor to sound. I wasn't aware of any metal on my being. Anyway I got patted down by a nice person and wanded repeatedly. They located the area of concern which was the breast pocket on my shirt. The very place that I had put my Drivers License ID as I went through the detector. Turns out that my license had a chip in it that I had the option of having there and it was triggering the alarm. Since I lived so close to the Canadian border we could have a chip installed that acted as a passport. Back in the days when we weren't such sniveling cowards and afraid of everything that some person tells us to be afraid of, had an easy access for border crossing. That really is the only time I ever had any delays. That being said, it was about 10 years ago. I'm sure that with the cluster fudge that Homeland Security has to deal with now... it is much worse. Another reason to load up the car and hit the road.

 

[Lets Respect]

When I lived in Vermont I occasionally flew into Orlando. On the way back out, I was causing the sensor to sound. I wasn't aware of any metal on my being. Anyway I got patted down by a nice person and wanded repeatedly. They located the area of concern which was the breast pocket on my shirt. The very place that I had put my Drivers License ID as I went through the detector. Turns out that my license had a chip in it that I had the option of having there and it was triggering the alarm. Since I lived so close to the Canadian border we could have a chip installed that acted as a passport. Back in the days when we weren't such sniveling cowards and afraid of everything that some person tells us to be afraid of, had an easy access for border crossing. That really is the only time I ever had any delays. That being said, it was about 10 years ago. I'm sure that with the cluster fudge that Homeland Security has to deal with now... it is much worse. Another reason to load up the car and hit the road.

That's crazy. You think they would figure that out

I was referring to the security lines at MCO. They are totally out of control. If only we lived close enough to drive!