EPCOT International Gateway: A Guide for 2024
Have you heard of the EPCOT International Gateway? If you haven’t, not to worry! In this post, I will cover everything you need to know, including the best tips and tricks to use the International Gateway during your trip to Disney World!
The International Gateway is an entrance into the park located at World Showcase. It’s the gate used by the EPCOT resort hotels, and it’s also the location of the Skyliner station and the Friendship boats, making it easy to travel between resorts and Hollywood Studios.
If you’re heading to EPCOT, the International Gateway is worth a visit, so let’s take a look at what this entrance has to offer!
What is the EPCOT International Gateway?
The EPCOT International Gateway is an EPCOT park entrance which connects World Showcase to the BoardWalk and EPCOT resort hotels.
Like all other Disney park entrances, it has security checks, ticket gates and guest relations.
The benefit of using the International Gateway is that it’s usually quieter and has shorter queues than the main entrance. It’s also handy if you’re staying in one of the hotels in the EPCOT resort area!
EPCOT International Gateway Entrance
The International Gateway entrance is between World Showcase and the EPCOT resort hotels.
If you’re entering EPCOT through the International Gateway, the pathway is by Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
If you want to access the International Gateway from EPCOT, the pathway is between the France and UK pavilions. The path is by the bridge, on the UK side, and there is a little signpost pointing you in the right direction.
EPCOT International Gateway Hours
The International Gateway opens and closes at the same time as EPCOT, and therefore times can vary throughout the year. This includes early entry and extended evening hours.
You can check the latest EPCOT opening hours here.
The International Gateway stays open a bit later than the stated closing time to allow everyone to exit the park, such as those using transport options and staying at the EPCOT resorts.
EPCOT International Gateway Tip: Use the International Gateway to rope drop Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Frozen Ever After, as they are located in World Showcase. This means you will likely reach these rides before those using the main entrance.
Guest Relations Lobby at International Gateway
Like most Disney park entrances, the International Gateway has a guest relations point. However, unlike most others, this one is outside of the park!
Its location is likely because the International Gateway is a buzz of activity, with the Skyliner, FriendShip boats and access to the resorts and BoardWalk close by.
You can find the Guest Relations lobby by the Disney Skyliner station, next to the ticket windows. It’s in a beautiful building with a green roof, and the entrance can easily be spotted by its large archway underneath a small clock. It’s a small lobby, but it has everything you need from a guest relations point, including guide maps, dining reservations, lost and found and other general assistance and information.
Wheelchair, ECV and Stroller Rentals
Wheelchairs, ECVs and strollers are all available to rent at the International Gateway. It’s worth noting that are available on a first-come, first-served basis and quantities are limited.
EPCOT International Gateway tip: Use the International Gateway to visit the BoardWalk during the evening. There are some good places to eat, drink and relax outside the busyness of the park.
Lockers at EPCOT International Gateway
Lockers are available to rent at the International Gateway, and you’ll find them by World Traveler.
Prices for lockers are:
- Small: $10 per day
- Medium: $12 per day
- Large: $15 per day
The lockers are on a first-come, first-served basis and may have limited availability.
Disney Skyliner at International Gateway
EPCOT’s International Gateway is where you will board or exit the Skyliner system.
The Skyliner connects EPCOT to Hollywood Studios and four Disney Resorts. These resorts are Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century and Art of Animation.
The Skyliner travels from EPCOT International Gateway to the Riviera Resort and then on to Caribbean Beach. If you want to travel to Hollywood Studios, Pop Century or Art of Animation, you must switch at the Caribbean Beach resort. This means you’ll have to leave the gondola and board another. It is the same in both directions, as Caribbean Beach is an “end of line” station which means you must exit your gondola at this station.
EPCOT Skyliner Tip: If you’re using the Skyliner to get to EPCOT and are transferring at Caribbean Beach, you can grab a Joffrey’s coffee! The Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea kiosk is located at the Skyliner station and has a full menu, including pastries.
EPCOT Friendship Boats
EPCOT is well-connected when it comes to transport. As well as the monorail and Skyliner, you also have the option to travel by boat! The Friendship boats run between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, stopping at Swan and Dolphin Hotel (includes Swan Reserve), Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
Shopping at World Traveler
EPCOT International Gateway is home to World Traveler. The store sells a range of Disney souvenirs, including Mickey ears and MagicBands. It also has a selection of cold drinks if you need to grab one on your way in or out of the park. The store is located in EPCOT just after entering through the gates.
Resorts at the International Gateway
There are several resorts located within walking distance of the International Gateway.
They are:
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel
They are a 5-15 minute walk depending on the resort. The walk to the International Gateway is a scenic one, with beautiful views of Crescent Lake and sandy beaches. And if you don’t fancy walking, you can always take a Friendship boat instead!
If you stay at a resort on the Skyliner system, you will also enter EPCOT through the International Gateway.
The resorts on the Skyliner system are:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
EPCOT International Gateway FAQ
Here are some answers to common questions! If you don’t find what you’re looking for, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
Yes! All guests can enter through the International Gateway, even if they aren’t staying at a Disney resort.
Yep, but you’ll need an EPCOT ticket to cut through the park. You enter the park between the UK and France Pavilions. Head towards Canada and make your way to World Celebration and the main entrance. It can feel like a trek in the Florida heat, but it will take around 20 minutes or so.
Yes, you can walk from the International Gateway to the main entrance, where the monorail is located. You will need a valid EPCOT ticket to cut through the park, and it is roughly a 20-minute walk.
Yes. The International Gateway entrance works just like the main entrance and is open for early theme park entry.
No, there is no vehicle traffic at the International Gateway. However, you can get dropped off at one of the resorts. Beach Club is the closest, but it’s likely you will run into issues at the gate and may get turned away, especially without dining reservations. The Swan and Dolphin don’t have gates, so drop-off may be easier at one of these resorts. The alternative is to use the Minnie Van service.
You use the International Gateway like any other Disney theme park entrance! It includes security and everything else you’d expect to find at a Disney Park gate.
Yes, you can buy Disney tickets at one of the ticket counters located near the Skyliner station.
It’s roughly a 20-minute walk between the International Gateway and the front of EPCOT. If you’re heading to the International Gateway from the EPCOT’s front gate, enter World Showcase from the Canada pavilion and head towards the pathway between the France and UK pavilions. If you want to get to the front of EPCOT from International Gateway, exit World Showcase from the Canada pavilion and head towards Spaceship Earth and the front of EPCOT.
Yes, the International Gateway opens at the same time as EPCOT’s front entrance.
You can take the monorail but this requires you to walk through EPCOT and exit at the front gate. Alternatively, you can use the bus service from one of the Disney resorts at the International Gateway.
No. The Skyliner station is located at the International Gateway at the back of EPCOT. Buses and the monorail arrive at the front of EPCOT for entry via the main entrance.
Yes, you can enter through EPCOT’s back entrance at the International Gateway. It’s just like any other Disney park gate and has access to the Skyliner, FriendShip boats and multiple resorts.
EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are well connected! You can take the Skyliner or Friendship boats between parks. If you feel up for a leisurely stroll, you can also walk! There’s a pathway through the International Gateway via the BoardWalk.
The Beach Club is the closest resort to the International Gateway. In less than 10 minutes you can walk between the two.
If you have any questions about the EPCOT International Gateway, comment below!
Lindsey is the creator and writer for Mouse Trip Magic. When she’s not walking down Main Street, she likes to bring the Disney magic home with Disney movies, fun recipes and cute Disney finds. Her love of storytelling and cinematography led her to pursue a degree in film and media, which means she loves to research and take a deep dive into all things Disney!
