EPCOT Exit Strategies: Getting Out After Fireworks
Today, we'll continue our series on getting out of the parks after the last show. But first, some news...
We posted on our Facebook page some important FastPass news for Disney Hollywood Studios that goes into effect Feb 20th. For rides starting Feb 20th (so for booking now), Smuggler's Run will now be a tier 1 FastPass. Also, the Studios has changed tiers and are now presenting only TWO tier 1 rides - Smuggler's Run and Slinky Dog Dash, starting Feb 20th. All other rides are tier 2.
As a reminder, when booking FastPass plus, you can book only one Tier 1 ride, but you do not have to book any Tier 1 rides.
I'll be very interested to see how this impacts wait times for both rides. Many are saying this change will make FastPasses for Slinky Dog Dash even harder to get, and I agree.
But, back to our regularly scheduled program! Before we dive in, if you have not yet read last week's blog post, you should. It provides a good introduction to what we are trying to accomplish and what we mean by "exit strategies".
Once you've read that, let's dive into exit strategies for the end of the night at EPCOT.
Use the following tactics as only one, or combine them into a strategy. Most importantly, though, do what works for you. And before I break down the tactics for the EPCOT, the most important tactic I can recommend applies to all parks. Ready for it?
Primary Tactic: Mentally Prepare
Resign yourself to the fact that it's not going to be pretty after those fireworks. The fireworks will likely be worth it, yes, but right after, it's not going to feel like it for a little bit. Discard any dreams of walking freely out of an almost empty park to your waiting bus and sitting down to rest your tired feet while you arrive at your resort within a half hour of leaving the park. Can this happen? Yes. Is it likely? No. Prepare for the worst. Prepare for crowds, lines, and standing on your mode of transportation (OR... and this is very important... advocating for yourself if you or your family member cannot stand due to age or a physical issue by asking someone to give up their seat. If you do not advocate, some people will not do it, so ask ask ask).
Now that you are mentally prepared, here are some other tactics you may choose to deploy at EPCOT.
Tactic 1: Know your park exit
Unlike the other parks, EPCOT has two entrance/exits in two totally different parts of the park. There is the main gate, and then there is the international gateway. Use the international gateway if your resort is served by Skyliner, or you are staying at the Yacht & Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan, or Dolphin. Use the main entrance/exit for all other resorts, and if you parked your car at EPCOT or the TTC. Do not get this wrong. You can't easily get back to the front of the park or to the parking lot, if you accidentally exit at the international gateway and vice versa.
Tactic 2: If DHS is open later, take to the sea or sky
Disney Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are just a moderate walk away from each other, and are served by boats that run between the two parks and now the Skyliner. If Disney Hollywood Studios happens to be open later than EPCOT (because of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge or Extra Magic Hours, usually), consider beating the crowds by making your way to Disney Hollywood Studios by foot, boat, or Skyliner, and then using transportation from that park.
Tactic 3: Position yourself in the front of the house
If your exit is the main entrance, then consider watching the nighttime show from what is considered the "front of the house". It might be a little more crowded, but usually not unmanageable. EPCOT's nighttime shows are some of the best for dispersing crowds over a large area so everyone can have a good view. The front of the house is where the World Showcase meets FutureWorld. Since the show is around World Showcase, and the exit is in FutureWorld, this will position you to be among the first to exit and the first in line for whatever transportation you need at the main entrance.
Tactic 4: Or do the opposite and mosey on out
This is the opposite of the above tactic. Consider, if you still have some energy and don't mind a leisurely stroll, positioning yourself at the back of the house, as far back in World Showcase as you can go. I prefer Japan by the Torii gate. You still get a great view, and a somewhat quieter view. You will be at the back of everyone exiting, but this means you can walk at your pace and stay in back, in relatively uncrowded peace, enjoying world showcase's colors as you slowly exit the park. You'll likely encounter some crowds again at FutureWorld, but far fewer crowds than when the show first ended. And because EPCOT is so large and exiting will take a while with this strategy, the lines for buses should have gone down considerably.
Basically, if you can't be first, consider being last.
Tactic 5: Monorail, if you can
If you are using the main entrance to get out of the park, then you have a choice between bus or monorail. If the monorail will get you where you need to go via the TTC, consider taking the monorail over the bus. It's a capacity thing. The monorail comes twice as often as a bus and holds twice as many people.
Do you think we covered it or do you have more exit strategies to share? Share your thoughts in our comments and we'll see you next week.
