EPCOT Entrance Protocol Changed for All Guests Effective Immediately

For the third time in about a month, Walt Disney World Resort has changed the design of the main entrance at EPCOT. Here’s what Disney Park guests need to know.

In early August, Walt Disney World Resort installed large metal gates on several of the tap-styles at the main entrance to EPCOT. The swinging, heavy gates made it easier for Disney Park guests to distinguish which entry points were open and also ensured that guests leaving EPCOT didn’t try to exit through the entrance area.

On August 20, Inside the Magic reported that EPCOT had removed the large metal gates just weeks after they’d been installed. Disney didn’t say why the gates had been removed, but they left their support poles in place, hanging a rope between them instead of the permanent structures.

Now, BlogMickey has confirmed that the metal gates have returned to several tap-styles at the main entrance to EPCOT. They appear to be the same gates, but instead of defaulting to the closed position, the outlet reports that the gates now default to the open position. It’s unclear why Walt Disney World Resort made this change.

Walt Disney World Resort appears to be installing more metal gates at the EPCOT main entrance. There are currently two gates on both the right and left sides of the entrance plaza, but more tap-style areas have been blocked with temporary stanchion barricades, indicating that Disney cast members may soon install permanent metal gates in their place.

Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t made any public announcements about the changes to the World Celebration entrance at EPCOT. It’s unclear if Disney will eventually install the same gates at the International Gateway, EPCOT’s other entrance near the France World Showcase Pavilion.

Crews are also hard at work refurbishing much of EPCOT’s expansive parking lot. Much of the Moana section is currently closed for repaving and repainting.

Have you noticed any other changes around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!