EPCOT guests have encountered yet another change to the guest entry procedure, marking the third alteration in less than a month. The entrance has gone through multiple updates since the modifications began this summer.
In early August, Walt Disney World Resort introduced large metal gates at the EPCOT entrance, specifically at several of the tap-style entry points. The new gates, which swung open and closed, aimed to help direct guests and streamline entry into the park. They also prevented any accidental exits through the World Celebration entrance area.
However, just a few weeks after their installation, Walt Disney World Resort made an unexpected move: on August 20, the metal gates were removed. Guests were left puzzled as the support poles for the gates remained standing, but Disney opted to hang ropes between them instead. It wasn’t long before the gates reappeared.
On September 2, BlogMickey confirmed that the metal gates had returned to EPCOT, but this time, there was a twist. The gates were no longer closed by default; instead, they stayed open, unless Disney cast members moved them. While Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t officially explained the reasons behind this shift, it’s clear that the park is experimenting with different systems to improve the guest experience.
More construction work has been happening around the EPCOT main entrance, with additional gates being installed and barricades popping up around the plaza. Some areas are still blocked by temporary stanchions, indicating that Disney may be working on more permanent modifications to the entrance in the near future.
This shift in entrance protocol comes amid other ongoing changes at EPCOT. The parking lot area is currently undergoing a repaving and repainting project, with the Moana section closed to Disney Park guests until further notice.
Have you visited EPCOT through the main entrance recently? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
