The Epcot Resort Area (also known as the Epcot - Hollywood Studios Resort Area) is the area between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort which consists of six individual resorts, five of which are interconnected via footpaths and waterways surrounding a large central lake known as Crescent Lake.
A special feature and benefit for guests staying at any of the resorts in the Epcot Resorts Area (except the Caribbean Beach Resort) is access to an exclusive entrance to Epcot's World Showcase known as the International Gateway. The entrance is located directly north of Disney's Beach Club Resort and is accessible either by walking or via a short Friendship water launch that can boarded at any of the five resorts. The International Gateway entrance offers a full service park entry gate, park exit, ticket windows, locker rentals, wheelchair/stroller rentals, and a gift shop. The International Gateway and canal is located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions.
In addition to the special Epcot entrance, guests at the same resorts also have access to the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios by walking or Friendship boat. However, the walking and boating distances from the closest Deluxe Resorts (respectively, Disney's Boardwalk and the Swan and Dolphin) to the park are significantly longer and require walking a road bridge.