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

[ThunderRebel]

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)?

 

[wdwfan757]

They'll certainly need to change the baggage check setup. As is, it'd be a huge bottleneck. Maybe move it to before the gondola stop for those staying at BW hotels and then have the gondola passengers do it before they board. I don't think it'll be too problematic other than though. If they change baggage check and then let people scan in and hold somewhere near UK, then all will be well. I'd like to see some consistency with rope drop procedures there though. You never know whether you're going to be let in early enough to have a chance to make it over to soarin/test track or whether you might as well just go to frozen because the hoard at the front gate was let in at the same time with a huge distance advantage.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I haven't read up on the Gondola's too much other than the track and that they are being built. I'm hoping that there is a pre-check before boarding at POP and CBR and that loading/unloading would be inside the gates at DHS and EPCOT. This would minimize the impact somewhat. But somehow I don't think that is what is going to happen.

 

[disney4life2008]

Unfortunately, this will become an attraction. So yes, people will go out of their way to ride on it. And it will impact foot traffic

 

[DisDadWoz]

The entrance gets super backed up when the Friendship boats unload so unless they change something, it's going to irritate anyone coming from Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin. And yes, I will be one of those irritated people

 

[EOD K9]

I stayed at BCV last month after our cruise and it was great to walk right up to the gate and be let in. It vaguely reminds me of the set up at the Grand Californian. Like as @Pooh.sHoneyHuntTDL said, it is not going to be the same.

 

[PeakSeason]

It's never going to be the same. The boardwalk area and International gateway is like this big secret that alot of park goers don't know about.

This was my first thought when the gondola project was announced. I'm not happy about it at all.

 

[Mickey5150]

There shouldn't be any problem adding more security to the gateway since they wouldn't need as much up front if 3 of the largest resorts are now entering thru the gateway.

 

[PeakSeason]

There shouldn't be any problem adding more security to the gateway since they wouldn't need as much up front if 3 of the largest resorts are now entering thru the gateway.

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.

 

[Bronson55]

Think about it, when completed Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts , Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Beach and Yacht Club resorts, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin resorts, Friendship boats plus Gondola joy riders and main gate folks trying to enter quicker will all converge at that tiny two or three point entry gate. I'm one of those that rationalized the large expense of staying at the beach club because of the proximity to the international gateway. I suspect the beach club lobby will also become a pass thru for guests busing over to access the IG also. I guess it may all work put after the initial curiosity settles down. If not I may rethink my resort preferences . Imagining the first food & wine after gondola opening...yikes !

 

[breesus]

Bronson, you are spot on. We have always stayed at Y&BC for easy and unpressured access to Epcot, a quiet night on the Boardwalk, short lines at Ample Hills, and just the relaxing feeling the whole area seemed to provide. No reason to pay the premium price anymore IMHO. I still remember when we would just walk in and get a table at Beaches and Cream.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

I'd like to see some consistency with rope drop procedures there though. You never know whether you're going to be let in early enough to have a chance to make it over to soarin/test track or whether you might as well just go to frozen because the hoard at the front gate was let in at the same time with a huge distance advantage.

Well guests entering through International Gateway will certainly have a leg up on riding the future Ratatouille ride once it opens so there's a plus!

~edit~ I still think the Mouse should have considered creating another entrance for the Skyliner over by the Outpost!

 

[ryguy]

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?

 

[UncleMike101]

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..........

 

[larryz]

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.

Except at opening. Or closing.

 

[DisneyRoy]

Think about it, when completed Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts , Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Beach and Yacht Club resorts, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin resorts, Friendship boats plus Gondola joy riders and main gate folks trying to enter quicker will all converge at that tiny two or three point entry gate. I'm one of those that rationalized the large expense of staying at the beach club because of the proximity to the international gateway. I suspect the beach club lobby will also become a pass thru for guests busing over to access the IG also. I guess it may all work put after the initial curiosity settles down. If not I may rethink my resort preferences . Imagining the first food & wine after gondola opening...yikes !

This. And in the morning, it will be spread out a bit as people show up over the course of a couple or a few hours. At night though after Illuminations...imagine all those people trying to get through there and waiting for the Sky Liner. It will be a nightmare. Disney Dish podcast was just talking about this on yesterday's episode. Apparently Disney forgot to think about it too and is now freaking out.

 

[Minthorne]

If the gondolas aren’t in the security bubble (which I hope they are) could they move the touchstiles up beyond the store, closer to the bridge in the park, opening up more entrance space for security?

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

I've always wished they would have built a monorail station back there so imagine how much more traffic THAT would probably cause.

 

[correcaminos]

Yes, very much so. To the point that when we decided to add on for our DVC, we chose not to pick BCV or BWV. I'm very concerned about that entrance

 

[wombat]

Looks like most of the comments are from people who are treating the International Gateway (IG) as their own personal entrance to Epcot. If your schedule is so packed that you cannot spare a few extra minutes getting through IG, then you need to revisit your schedule. You are on holiday so slow down and enjoy it. Or is it that you don't want to mix with hoi polloi