What time does the International Gateway open?

ConnieB · Mar 27, 2015

We'll be staying, for the first time, at the Swan in August.....so we'll be able to go to EPCOT by boat, yipee!!!

But...it just occured to me that when we enter the FRONT of the park, Future World is open at like 9am.....but World Showcase doesn't open until 11am. So can I enter World Showcase before 11am if I'm coming on the boat through International Gateway? Can I wander around WS (though nothing will be open), or do they have ropes up to herd you to FW?

jaysmom4285 · Mar 27, 2015

The International Gateway opens at the same time as the front gates. You won't be able to enter the World Showcase, unless you just want to go to the bakery in France for breakfast. There will be a rope, staffed by a CM, at the bridge to France. You'll have to walk past the UK and Canada to Future World if it's prior to the WS opening time.

Robo · Mar 27, 2015

ConnieB said:
We'll be staying, for the first time, at the Swan in August.....so we'll be able to go to EPCOT by boat, yipee!!!

But...it just occured to me that when we enter the FRONT of the park, Future World is open at like 9am.....but World Showcase doesn't open until 11am. So can I enter World Showcase before 11am if I'm coming on the boat through International Gateway? Can I wander around WS (though nothing will be open), or do they have ropes up to herd you to FW?

The Friendships don't pass through the Int'l. Gateway.
There are Friendships that run between the Int'l. Gateway area (outside Epcot's WS ticket gates) and DHS (with interim stops at the resorts between.)
There are OTHER Friendships that criss-cross World Showcase Lagoon.
They are not the same boats, nor are the routes connected.

BellsFam · Mar 27, 2015

ConnieB said:
So can I enter World Showcase before 11am if I'm coming on the boat through International Gateway? Can I wander around WS (though nothing will be open), or do they have ropes up to herd you to FW?

No... You can enter at IG but walk through canada and UK to go to future world... If you pause too long a CM will usher you politely along... Unless you enter after 11am...

WEDWDW · Mar 27, 2015

There will be a Rope between France and Morocco and a Rope between Norway and China until 11:00.

Guests can walk through France,United Kingdom,Canada,Mexico and Norway and take pictures,etc.,but the only things open until 11:00 are World Traveler,the Bakery in France,the Merchandise shop adjacent to the France bakery,Akershus and the front part of Puffin's Roost.

Also,"sometimes" the Merchandise carts in United Kingdom and Canada will open before 11:00.

winthropf · Mar 27, 2015

Just to add, it's probably faster to walk to IG than take the boat.

WEDWDW · Mar 28, 2015

Here is where the Ropes are located.

itchin2go · Mar 28, 2015

winthropf said:
Just to add, it's probably faster to walk to IG than take the boat.

I agree. You can take the boat to right outside IG or just walk. I always think walking is faster, but maybe just because I hate waiting for the boats!

We entered through the International Gateway every morning we went to Epcot on our last trip. It worked out great. There are FAR fewer people there than at the main entrance.

Hezzy04 · Mar 28, 2015

I wasn't aware we could get in at all before 11! So does this mean I should try to get in early if I hoping to have my girls meet Belle at 11 in France!? Is that possible!?

happymommy · Mar 28, 2015

I was just there a week ago, and actually the store right inside the IG opened at 8:00am (I walked over from the Boardwalk one morning), even though Future World didn't open until 9:00am, and World Showcase opened at 11:00am. So, you can go in at 8:00 to the store, but nothing else that I knew of was open (maybe some breakfast spots I guess, so honestly it may open earlier than 8:00).

Robo · Mar 28, 2015

Hezzy04 said:
I wasn't aware we could get in at all before 11! So does this mean I should try to get in early if I hoping to have my girls meet Belle at 11 in France!? Is that possible!?

If Belle actually comes out at 11, yes, you could do that.

Simba's Mom · Mar 28, 2015

BellsFam said:
No... You can enter at IG but walk through canada and UK to go to future world... If you pause too long a CM will usher you politely along... Unless you enter after 11am...

I've never had a CM usher me along, and I've entered IG many times before 11:00. Often I enter around 10:00, then just sit on a bench in front of the R&C, soaking up the atmosphere as I watch people rush by and I listen to the music.

BellsFam · Mar 28, 2015

Simba's Mom said:
I've never had a CM usher me along, and I've entered IG many times before 11:00. Often I enter around 10:00, then just sit on a bench in front of the R&C, soaking up the atmosphere as I watch people rush by and I listen to the music.

We were herded like cattle to future world last time! Polite enough just don't stop... Please keep moving... Sounds like an anomaly though maybe there was something going on?

WEDWDW · Mar 28, 2015

happymommy said:
I was just there a week ago, and actually the store right inside the IG opened at 8:00am (I walked over from the Boardwalk one morning), even though Future World didn't open until 9:00am, and World Showcase opened at 11:00am. So, you can go in at 8:00 to the store, but nothing else that I knew of was open (maybe some breakfast spots I guess, so honestly it may open earlier than 8:00).

Was that an AM EMH morning?

To my knowledge,that is the only time ,the IG and World Traveler open at 8:00 AM.

WEDWDW · Mar 28, 2015

Hezzy04 said:
So does this mean I should try to get in early if I hoping to have my girls meet Belle at 11 in France!? Is that possible!?

Yes,Guests wanting to meet Belle use this "strategy" all the time.

Belle's first set is at 11:00 and her Greeting location is a very short distance to the left of the France Rope.

I would be standing at the France Rope 10 minutes or so before 11:00 and you will be among Belle's first Guests of the day and possibly her first.

happymommy · Mar 29, 2015

WEDWDW said:
Was that an AM EMH morning?

To my knowledge,that is the only time ,the IG and World Traveler open at 8:00 AM.

No, that week there were no morning EMH's. World Traveler was open at 8:00 every morning! I walked over to pick up my bottle of vodka I had bought the day before in Norway (it wasn't over there when we left the day before, as we hadn't given it enough time but were hot and tired so I picked it up next morning while I had a nice walk). PS: One liter bottle of nice vodka for $20 was a BARGAIN at Disney! And, sadly, I finished it all along with many other things...

WEDWDW · Mar 29, 2015

happymommy said:
No, that week there were no morning EMH's. World Traveler was open at 8:00 every morning! I walked over to pick up my bottle of vodka I had bought the day before in Norway (it wasn't over there when we left the day before, as we hadn't given it enough time but were hot and tired so I picked it up next morning while I had a nice walk). PS: One liter bottle of nice vodka for $20 was a BARGAIN at Disney! And, sadly, I finished it all along with many other things...

So the IG Mickey Readers opened an hour before the Main Gate on a 9:00 AM opening?

Interesting!

bsbrady · Mar 29, 2015

Walking is faster.

MBurns · Feb 23, 2017

Anyone that has gone to the World Traveler at 8am, do you go through the turnstiles to get into the store, meaning your park hopper ticket has been activated for the day? We are will be there March 11-17, 2017.

Robo · Feb 23, 2017

MBurns said:
Anyone that has gone to the World Traveler... do you go through the turnstiles to get into the store, meaning your park hopper ticket has been activated for the day?

Yes.

What time does the International Gateway open?

My girls with Anthony Daniels, SW Convention 2012

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