There's a back entrance at EPCOT???

[JakeDog]

We've been to Disney approximately 10 times, but I've just recently heard that there is a back entrance to EPCOT :hammer: . Where is this entrance (between which countries)? I've heard good things about the Cape May Cafe - is this within walking distance through this entrance? Which resort?

Thanks

 

[PhilharMagician]

Since we are on the subject of the IG. Was it used for another reason at one time. It appears that there is a turn around and a loading arrea for trams on the resort side of the gate.

 

[Eyekimore]

If you're thinking parking might be an issue- park at Swan or Dolphin- they don't have "Parking Police". Last time I was there- noone checked as you entered lots and it was super easy.

BTW- We stay at one of the EPCOT resorts every year for New Years Eve. It's great to watch the fireworks and walk back to your hotel (via the back entrance) without the overcrowded buses.......

 

[PhilharMagician]

Here is a picture of what I am talking about. To me it looks like a load/unload area for trams.

 

[Nemo14]

If you're thinking parking might be an issue- park at Swan or Dolphin- they don't have "Parking Police". Last time I was there- noone checked as you entered lots and it was super easy.

BTW- We stay at one of the EPCOT resorts every year for New Years Eve. It's great to watch the fireworks and walk back to your hotel (via the back entrance) without the overcrowded buses.......

I believe they charge for parking now (even for their own guests) at both the Swan and the Dolphin. This is probably why!

 

[freediverdude]

Philharmagician,
Back when the Yacht/Beach club first opened, they did have a tram that stopped at each resort and picked you up and drove you to the International Gateway entrance, in addition to the boats. The trams were similar to the parking lot trams. This is the reason for that load/unload area there. That's probably also why those sidewalks along the Epcot resorts are so wide. I think they went ahead and stopped using the trams because most people were just walking over to the entrance.

 

[parker kim]

could anyone tell me how long it take to walk for epcots IG to MGM and how long on the boat ? And where do to catch the boat and how often do they run? anyone have pictures of IG and the pathways to boardwalk and epcot?

 

[Nemo14]

could anyone tell me how long it take to walk for epcots IG to MGM and how long on the boat ? And where do to catch the boat and how often do they run? anyone have pictures of IG and the pathways to boardwalk and epcot?

You catch the boat just outside of the gates at IG. It's very well marked. It takes 30 - 40 minutes to take the boat since it stops at Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Swan/Dolphin first. It's a welcome break from all the walking you do in Epcot.

 

[shoppingnut]

It takes 10 mins or less to walk to Epcot from the Boardwalk hotel.

 

[shoppingnut]

that's what i was thinking
the guests of 5 hotels really can't sustain that area

Maybe I wasn't clear in my post, I was referring to the lack of bus transportation from the Boardwalk hotel to other resorts without having to go through DTD, not that you couldn't park there. You would think with two night clubs & ESPN they would have some sort of bus transport to/from other resorts.

 

[Ralphlaw]

Early Morning at World Showcase

One of the highlights of our last trip was the International Gateway when it 1st opened in the morning. It was my job to run, and I mean run, to Soarin' to get fast passes. It was great to see UK and Canada with no one else there. For a minute, I had World Showcase to my self.

Also, the CM's opened the IG at the same time as the front gate; they were communicating by walkie talkie to assure simultaneouity. I assume Extra Magic Hours are observed as well.

By the way, the Boardwalk is great at night. There are jugglers and other street entertainers, the restuarants stay open fairly late, and the atmosphere is wonderful. Even if you're not staying at an EPCOT resort, you should try it after Ilumminations. Then, splurge and take a Taxi back to your hotel.

The Boardwalk during the day is also unique. Try one of those bicycle/cart things that hold up to four people. A workout, but fun.

 

[Jekyll Baker]

Don't forget about Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. It is yet another little known gem in the Epcot resort's crown.

Mmmmmmmmmmm - Kitchen Sink ! (even if I've been defeated by one or two)

 

[Darwin]

could anyone tell me how long it take to walk for epcots IG to MGM and how long on the boat ? And where do to catch the boat and how often do they run? anyone have pictures of IG and the pathways to boardwalk and epcot?

I think it would take you about the same time to walk from EPCOT to MGM as it would the boat, maybe longer. I did it once and it didnt' seem too long. Maybe I was just in good company or maybe I'm a fast walker. But if your with kid, I wouldn't do it. Also you're walking around a park all day, you'll probably want a rest. Nevertheless it is a good exercise and it's not a very populated side walk so you could be with your thoughts if you're alone and soak in some Disney spirit.

 

[maelstrom]

Since we are on the subject of the IG. Was it used for another reason at one time. It appears that there is a turn around and a loading arrea for trams on the resort side of the gate.

Once upon a time, there was a pink & teal tram that ran from the Epcot resorts to the International Gateway. My mom and I used it frequently when we stayed at the Dolphin in 1993. The load/unload area for the trams is still there at the IG with the sign covered. I think the building of the Boardwalk (the hotel; the boardwalk itself was already there) had something to do with the discontinuation of the trams. I wish I had pictures of it, but alas, my seven year old self never thought that one day those trams would not be operating and people would want to see pictures of it.

 

[Blizz]

Once upon a time, there was a pink & teal tram that ran from the Epcot resorts to the International Gateway. My mom and I used it frequently when we stayed at the Dolphin in 1993. The load/unload area for the trams is still there at the IG with the sign covered. I think the building of the Boardwalk (the hotel; the boardwalk itself was already there) had something to do with the discontinuation of the trams. I wish I had pictures of it, but alas, my seven year old self never thought that one day those trams would not be operating and people would want to see pictures of it.

When the other resorts were built it became too crowded to allow the trams. Boat service was seen as a more effective means of transportation.

 

[Rob562]

Here is an aerial photo of the area. I've marked in a not-very-steady red line the fastest walking route from the IG (at the top of the photo) to the Studios' turnstiles (at the bottom of the photo).

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b84/steerr/CrescentLakeArea.jpg

The trick is to cut through the pool area by the Keister Coaster slide. Otherwise, you loop way up and around the end near Atlantic Dance.

And for those staying at the Swan & Dolphin, there's a walkway on their side of the canal, starting just past the Swan's bus stop rather than backtracking to pick up the Boardwalk path near Atlantic Dance. The Swan pathway follows the canal, and then you have to go up and over the Lake Buena Vista Blvd bridge and back down again to join up with the other pathway. (Don't worry, the walkway across the bridge is very heavily separated from the road)

About the only time I actually take the boat is if a) I'm too tired to walk, or b) the boat is sitting at the dock when I arrive and I'm not in a hurry.

-Rob


-Rob

 

[Nansafan]

We stayed at the YC this April due to a conference my brother was attending. We usually stay at MK resorts. We decided to walk from MGM back to the YC and for 2 adults, mid-40's, strolling, not power-walking, it took us 22 minutes (we always time things on my bro's stop watch, ride length, queues etc.) to get to the door of our room from the MGM boat dock. It was a beautiful day with a gentle breeze. We got to see a lot of things we had never seen before. I do not think I would do the walk in mid-July through August but in April it was wonderful. We decided to walk since we had just missed a boat. We made it back to the YC before the next boat would have gotten us there.