When it comes to Disney World, there are a few things that fans argue about.
EPCOT
Which Magic Kingdom fireworks show is best? What’s the proper order to do the Disney World parks? Monorail or ferry boat? But by far the most popular debate we’ve heard over the years has to do with EPCOT. Should you start your World Showcase trip in Canada or Mexico?
For years, people have debated the best strategy for eating and drinking “around the world” in EPCOT. Start in Mexico with margaritas and tacos? Or start in Canada with poutine and beer? It’s the age-old argument. However, one big addition in the EPCOT area has changed the whole debate!
Mexico pavilion in EPCOT
International Gateway has long been considered EPCOT’s “secret” back entrance that was used mostly by people staying in the EPCOT resort area. Those hotels include Yacht Club, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts. However, in 2019, the International Gateway got a big change that significantly increased traffic!
International Gateway
In 2019, the Disney Skyliner station opened at International Gateway, meaning that now, hotel guests from the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Art of Animation Resort could all enter the park through the back gate easily. This update means that most people from those hotels are starting midway through World Showcase instead of at the front of the park.
Disney World Skyliner
For those hotel guests, it’s no longer a debate of whether you should start in Mexico or Canada — it’s a debate of whether to turn left out of International Gateway and start in the UK Pavilion or to turn right and start in France! And for many, the decision is more obvious.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
The France Pavilion is home to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which is an incredibly popular ride, so it’s beneficial to head there first thing in the morning before the line gets long. France also has the delicious Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie and Crêpes a Emporter, which are great choices for breakfast. So nowadays, we’re seeing more and more people kicking off their World Showcase adventures in France!
France Pavilion in EPCOT
If you’re hoping to eat and drink around the world and you’re starting from International Gateway, some of the more popular choices in France are treats from Les Halles (like the baguette, the lobster bisque, or a delicious pastry) and the Grand Marnier Orange Slush from Les Vins de Chefs de France. If Les Vins isn’t open for the day yet, there are several beverage options at both Les Halles and Crêpes a Emporter.
Grand Marnier Slush
Now that the Skyliner has changed things up a bit, do you think we’ll see this classic EPCOT debate change? Where do you start in the World Showcase? Make sure to tell us in the comments! In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the EPCOT news and tips.
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I pretty much always go through the international gate. It’s a tough decision to go left or right. Going right, you have France and an equally spaced amount of food booths along the way. However, if you go left, there are more booth closer together….
I make my choice on how hungry you are! LOL If you go left, you can get more quicker, if you go right, it is more spread out and you can pace yourself.
You can’t eat them all in one day anyway, even if you split them with someone, so if you are really hungry, go left and start at UK and hit world showcase place booths, and then the next time you come back to Epcot, go right and hit France first, because chances are you were too full to get to it the last time! lol