Entering Epcot for Dinner Only?

[Lynn CC]

DH and I would like to go to dinner at Epcot and enter around 6pm through international gateway since we are staying at the Yacht Club. Since we are not going to a park that day(we are meeting my son's family the next day for a week to do the parks with our grandsons). Do I need to buy a ticket for Epcot for us to go to dinner? My guess is yes, of course but maybe someone knows a tip about this that I don't!

Can't wait for this trip, it's like a dream come true with the grandkids!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Unfortunately, you need admission to dine at any in-park restaurant.

There are many dining options near your resort though.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Yes, as you suspected, dinner at Epcot (or any park) requires park admission. If you're already doing a week in the parks, the per day price progressively decreases the more days you add, but it would still work out to a ~$50-60 "cover" charge for each of you for dinner (& maybe fireworks). There are a lot of non-park options around your resort as JerseyJanice mentioned above and also I'd offer Disney Springs as a potential dinner location (no admission required) - can catch a bus from Yacht Club or drive - many restaurant options and shopping, bowling, movies etc. Personally I think Disney Springs can make for a nice evening (although Friday and Saturday nights are very crowded). Or another option is to drive or Uber/Lyft/Taxi to another resort. Animal Kingdom Lodge could be fun for the kids to see the animals etc.

Hope you enjoy your trip! I'm sure it really will be a dream come true seeing your grandkids enjoy it. Have a great time!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As PP's have mentioned, yes, you'll need a ticket. If you already have a multi-day ticket for your park days with your grandchildren, you may want to investigate the cost of adding another day so you can enter EP that evening. Otherwise, there are a ton of great restaurants at YC, BC, BWI, Swan and Dolphin, entertainment on the Boardwalk plus you can see some of the fireworks on the bridge between BC and BWI.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do I need to buy a ticket for Epcot for us to go to dinner?

1) Florida residents used to be able to buy a VERY reasonably priced "Epcot Dinner Only" annual pass.
2) They could enter Epcot for the purpose of dinner (after 6:00pm).
3) They needed to show a dining receipt to prove they ate.
4) These were eventually discontinued when WDW saw people entering the park, and also doing rides and not eating.
5) Another good idea spoiled by greedy-selfish people.

 

[Farro]

DH and I would like to go to dinner at Epcot and enter around 6pm through international gateway since we are staying at the Yacht Club. Since we are not going to a park that day(we are meeting my son's family the next day for a week to do the parks with our grandsons). Do I need to buy a ticket for Epcot for us to go to dinner? My guess is yes, of course but maybe someone knows a tip about this that I don't!

Can't wait for this trip, it's like a dream come true with the grandkids!

As said, you do need a ticket.

Also, are you getting park hoppers? Staying at Yacht Club, I strongly suggest (if it's in the budget) to get park hoppers on your ticket. That way you can pop in and out of Epcot as often as you want regardless of the number of parks you went to that day!

 

[Lynn CC]

It's the evening before we meet my son so I made reservarions at the German Reastaurant in Epcot I thought DH would get a kick out of this since he was born in Germany & he's never been to DisneyWorld! This is the only night we can do this on our 8 day trip...the rest aside from the last night will be doing things with the grandkids! so I think i'll just buy an extra day for Epcot tickets for us to go.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It's the evening before we meet my son so I made reservarions at the German Reastaurant in Epcot I thought DH would get a kick out of this since he was born in Germany & he's never been to DisneyWorld! This is the only night we can do this on our 8 day trip...the rest aside from the last night will be doing things with the grandkids! so I think i'll just buy an extra day for Epcot tickets for us to go.

I hope you mean you will upgrade your existing ticket by one day so you can enter EP? If you have multi-day tickets that you will be using when you tour the parks with your grandchildren, you can simply add a day to those tickets to enter EP this night.

 

[Lynn CC]

Can I add a day at the Resort or at the gate to Epcot? Or does that have to be done ahead of time. My son got the tickets for DH & I (4 days), so I won't have them ahead of time. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[dachsie]

Can I add a day at the Resort or at the gate to Epcot? Or does that have to be done ahead of time. My son got the tickets for DH & I (4 days), so I won't have them ahead of time. Thanks for the suggestion!

As long as you have your magicband with your tickets linked to it, you can go to any guest services and add a day during the trip

 

[Shanti]

DH and I would like to go to dinner at Epcot and enter around 6pm through international gateway since we are staying at the Yacht Club. Since we are not going to a park that day(we are meeting my son's family the next day for a week to do the parks with our grandsons). Do I need to buy a ticket for Epcot for us to go to dinner? My guess is yes, of course but maybe someone knows a tip about this that I don't!

Can't wait for this trip, it's like a dream come true with the grandkids!

The Yachtsman Steakhouse is at the Yacht Club, and is one of WDW's best restaurants. Or if you want something casual, Beaches & Cream is nice, and is at Beach Club, which the Yacht Club is attached to.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Here is some info on ticket upgrades from the Theme Parks Board. Just remember that you have to add your 5th day before the end of your 4th. Have fun!!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-tickets-upgrades.3570721/#post-56958170

 

[JerseyJanice]

Can I add a day at the Resort or at the gate to Epcot? Or does that have to be done ahead of time. My son got the tickets for DH & I (4 days), so I won't have them ahead of time. Thanks for the suggestion!

The ticket booth at the International Gateway entrance of Epcot is a great place to upgrade. It’s never crowded there.

 

[BuffaloJim]

Instead of entering Epcot for dinner, why not visit one of the restaurants at the various hotels around there? There are some very good places to choose from at the Yacht & Beach Clubs, the Boardwalk, and the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The ticket booth at the International Gateway entrance of Epcot is a great place to upgrade. It’s never crowded there.

Yes, this. From YC, you will be entering EP at the International Gateway location. Simply bring your magic bands with you and stop at guest services prior to entering the park. They will be able to help you upgrade your 4 day ticket to a 5 day ticket and then you can enter and enjoy your dinner!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

1) Florida residents used to be able to buy a VERY reasonably priced "Epcot Dinner Only" annual pass.
2) They could enter Epcot for the purpose of dinner (after 6:00pm).
3) They needed to show a dining receipt to prove they ate.
4) These were eventually discontinued when WDW saw people entering the park, and also doing rides and not eating.
5) Another good idea spoiled by greedy-selfish people.

I don’t think the after 6 pass was never intended as “you can only eat dinner” pass


And it was probably discontinued for the same reason other things have been, Disney wanted more $$$$$

To the OP, rather than spend more money adding days try a restaurant at Swan/Dolphin. Better food!

 

[Lynn CC]

ok, so it sounds like we should forgo upgrading just for the sake of dinner in Biergarten. Maybe to make it worth it we should add the day at the park guest services. Then go to Epcot for the DAY before we meet the grandkid, they are 5,2 & 1 )
. Im sure there's plenty to do that day for the two of us that we wont be able to do with the grandkids. Does that sound like a good idea?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

ok, so it sounds like we should forgo upgrading just for the sake of dinner in Biergarten. Maybe to make it worth it we should add the day at the park guest services. Then go to Epcot for the DAY before we meet the grandkid, they are 5,2 & 1 )
. Im sure there's plenty to do that day for the two of us that we wont be able to do with the grandkids. Does that sound like a good idea?

There is a ton for you to do without the grandkids! I think it sounds like a great plan!

 

[Allison]

ok, so it sounds like we should forgo upgrading just for the sake of dinner in Biergarten. Maybe to make it worth it we should add the day at the park guest services. Then go to Epcot for the DAY before we meet the grandkid, they are 5,2 & 1 )
. Im sure there's plenty to do that day for the two of us that we wont be able to do with the grandkids. Does that sound like a good idea?

Sure. Spend a leisurely day there together.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) A day at Epcot can be GREAT for the kiddies.
2) They atop at each country in the "KidCot" station
. . . have their passport stamped
. . . meet country locals
. . . learn a few country language phrases (ie: hello, goodbye, etc)
3) When young, our grandkids loved it.