Guests visiting Epcot have more than one way to get into the theme park.

Tucked away in the back of the park between France and the United Kingdom is the International Gateway, a secondary entrance and exit for the park.

The International Gateway opened in 1990 just before Disney’s Swan Hotel opened and was planned so guests of the soon-to-be opened Epcot deluxe resorts would have a “special” entrance in the same way the Monorail provided a unique entrance for guests at the Magic Kingdom deluxe resorts.

Those deluxe resorts include the BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.

In addition to providing a special entrance for resort guests, the area also provided a completed waterway going all the way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests arriving to the International Gateway will go through bag check just as they would at the main entrance. Strollers, wheelchairs, and some ECV’s can be rented at the entrance. There is also a locker rental area just inside the gates.

Restrooms are located just before the entrance at the International Gateway, and there is also a ticket booth. The dock for the Friendship boats is located before the entrance to the Gateway and guests arriving on the boats have a short walk to Epcot.

The International Gateway is a perk when you’re staying in the Epcot resort area. Guests can avoid the hustle and bustle of the main entrance of Epcot in the morning (after enjoying a leisurely walk from their hotel), and they also have an easy exit to the Boardwalk area and the resorts after IllumiNations ends.

If you don’t want to stay on the monorail during your Walt Disney World vacation but would still like to be in the center of the action, you may want to snag a room in one of the Epcot Area resorts.

Epcot Area Resorts Include:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Resort & Boardwalk Villas
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

These resorts here are located around the beautiful Crescent Lake and make for an exciting tourist area.  Easy water transportation and covenant walking paths connect all of the Epcot area hotels offering easy access to both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios.

Epcot resort hotels do not offer direct access to the front gate of Epcot.  Instead, because of their close proximity, guests are directed to the “back entrance” of Epcot at the International Gateway located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions.   The International Gateway entrance provides the full services of the front park entrance including, park exit, ticket windows, locker rentals, wheelchair (no ECVs), stroller rentals, and a gift shop.  Complimentary bus service is provided between the Epcot Area resorts and other Disney theme parks such as the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

All Epcot area resorts provide deluxe accommodations and full services for their guests.  Dining options on Crescent Lake are plentiful and it’s just a short walk or boat ride to explore the options available at all of the resorts or to World Showcase.  Amongst the Epcot area resorts you’ll find Character Meals, Sports Bars, Signature Dining, Dancing, Romantic Settings, Full Service Spas and fun Boat Rentals.  Some of their large guest rooms can accommodate five people with relative ease, however you will have to note that you need a room with a daybed at the time you make your reservation.

This great hub of activity is a wonderful place to check-in for people who want to make the most of every moment.  Next time you make a reservation for a wonderful Orlando Vacation, be sure to consider the deluxe resorts of the Epcot Area to indulge you in your travel needs.

Do you have a favorite Epoct Area Resort?  Leave us a comment and let us know what your favorite thing about this great area!