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Epcot at Disney World Orlando is named a park that focuses extra on schooling than thrill rides, and whereas that’s true, there are sufficient wonderful issues to do at Epcot to maintain everybody comfortable.
It’s house to our favorite Disney curler coaster, the most effective bars, an area station restaurant, plus reveals, music, festivals and extra. There’s all the time one thing new to find at Epcot.
Here we share our Epcot should do rides, sights, and eating places in addition to tricks to keep away from lengthy strains and profit from your go to.
Contents
Epcot Tips and Tricks
Be Prepared to Walk
Epcot is big—over double the dimensions of Magic Kingdom—so it requires much more strolling than the opposite Disney parks.
There are two foremost areas of Epcot. The entrance of the park (beforehand often known as Future World) is the place you’ll discover a lot of the greatest rides in Epcot in addition to attention-grabbing exhibitions. It consists of World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature.
The different space is World Showcase, a 1.25-mile loop round a lagoon with pavilions representing 11 international locations with reveals, retailers, eating places, and three rides.
The longer walks generally is a problem in the summertime warmth, so we’re much less prone to zigzag backwards and forwards throughout the park right here.
Our most well-liked technique is to begin on the Remy journey (in France in World Showcase) throughout Early Entry, energy stroll throughout the park (about 10 minutes) to Test Track then do the opposite close by rides within the morning.
We often take a break in the course of the day earlier than exploring the World Showcase within the late afternoon and night.
Make a Park Reservation
Reservations are required to enter Epcot and will be made on the Disney web site.
I like to recommend making a park reservation for every day of your journey whenever you purchase your Disney tickets (ideally at the least a month prematurely).
Epcot is unlikely to e book up, nevertheless it’s price doing to safe your plans.
Download My Disney Experience app
The Disney app is helpful to verify journey wait and present instances, make Genie+ choices, order meals, and extra.
Stay Onsite
If you keep in a Disney resort, you’ll be capable of enter each park half-hour earlier than official park opening.
This provides you an important head begin for common rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Test Track (we rode them each earlier than the park had formally opened).
We love staying within the Crescent Lake resort space in strolling distance of Epcot by way of the International Gateway (a again entrance to World Showcase)—excellent for driving Remy very first thing.
On our final journey, we stayed on the Yacht Club and actually loved it, however it’s costly. The least expensive lodges inside strolling distance are the Swan Resort and Dolphin Resort, that are run by Marriott however have all of the perks of a Disney deluxe resort.
Staying so shut made it simple to pop into Epcot for dinner after a day at one other park (so long as you purchase a Park Hopper ticket).
Arrive Early
The first hour of park opening is the quietest time of day, so it’s nicely price getting up early.
If you might be staying onsite and have Early Entry, arrive on the park 30-40 minutes earlier than Early Entry begins. At the International Gateway, they allow us to in half-hour early (i.e one hour earlier than park opening) though you might be then held within the areas exterior the headline sights. For Remy, we waited on the bridge exterior France.
If you don’t have Early Entry, arrive half-hour earlier than official park opening.
Below you possibly can see the three high Epcot rides. Lines at different sights at Epcot are often a lot decrease, so when you’ve ridden these three you possibly can expertise the park at a extra relaxed tempo.
Genie+ Usually Isn’t Necessary
There are solely three headline Epcot sights the place the line-skipping service Genie+ can be helpful, so you possibly can handle with out it by arriving early.
The exception could be if it’s a really busy vacation interval or you might be park hopping. See our information to Is Genie Plus price it? for an in depth clarification of the sophisticated system.
What to Do at Epcot: Our Top Picks
If you may have restricted time, these are our absolute favorite issues to do at Epcot:
- Ride Guardians of the Galaxy, Disney’s greatest curler coaster
- Create your excellent automobile and pace round Test Track
- Drink a margarita at La Cava del Tequila
- Dine in an area station at Space 220
- Stroll (and eat) across the World Showcase
Most Popular Rides at Epcot
The hottest and latest Epcot journey is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, however this doesn’t have a standby line and may solely be ridden by becoming a member of a digital queue (see beneath).
These are the sights at Epcot which have the longest strains with their common wait instances over a 12 months:
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – 76 minutes
- Frozen Ever After – 73 minutes
- Test Track – 62 minutes
- Soarin’ Around the World – 37 minutes
Best Rides at Epcot
These are the Epcot should do rides that you simply received’t wish to miss.
1) Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Type of Ride: Dark Thrill Ride
Minimum Height: 42 inches (107cm)
Lightning Lane: Individual ($14-17)
Location: World Discovery
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the most recent journey and undoubtedly the most effective issues to do in Epcot, particularly for thrill-seekers.
The darkish curler coaster is predicated on the favored Marvel films and takes you on an intergalactic chase via house and time.
The complete expertise is so nicely performed beginning with the attention-grabbing queue via the Galaxarium (examine Xandar and Earth’s galaxies) and the pre-story that includes the Guardians characters with numerous humour and elegance.
The journey itself is among the largest fully-enclosed coasters on the planet. On every journey, you get a unique Star-Lord-approved tune (“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is our fave), which actually provides to the pure enjoyable of this joyful coaster.
We all the time have big grins on our faces the entire means round—beginning with the distinctive reverse launch and persevering with as we pace previous the epic visuals that make this stand out from comparable (now dated) rides like Space Mountain.
While it’s an exhilarating journey, it’s smoother than most coasters and doesn’t have any main drops or inversions, so it’s appropriate for most individuals.
You can’t simply flip up at Guardians of the Galaxy as there’s no standby line. You should be part of the free digital queue on the Disney app, which opens at 7am and 1pm every day.
There’s additionally a 6pm time slot for visitors staying in deluxe resorts on Extended Evening Hours days (presently Mondays). This is the one strategy to be part of the digital queue twice in at some point.
Once you’ve joined the queue, you’ll be given a boarding group and notified by way of the app when it’s time to journey (you’ll have one hour to return). We discovered that the estimated journey time often got here down (on one excessive event a 6.30pm estimate got here right down to 2.30pm).
While the digital queue has grow to be simpler to entry (particularly at 1pm), I nonetheless advocate becoming a member of as quickly because the queue opens. Our information to Genie Plus has tips about pace reserving lighting lanes.
You might additionally pay for Individual Lightning Lane, however you’ll solely want this if you happen to solely have at some point at Epcot and wish to journey it twice (and actually, you may!).
Bonus Tip: Head proper whenever you enter the pre-story space to get out and on the journey extra rapidly.
2) Test Track
Type of Ride: Thrill Ride with Small Drops
Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm)
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Discovery
Test Track is among the most original and greatest rides at Epcot the place you design your individual automobile earlier than taking it for a high-speed check journey.
During the design stage, you’re employed along with your group to decide on the form, color and options of your automobile. Whether you prioritise energy, effectivity, or responsiveness will have an effect on your rating as every facet is examined on the observe when you enter your automobile.
The most enjoyable a part of the check is for energy whenever you head exterior to hurry across the race observe.
After the journey, there are extra interactive actions comparable to making an advert to your automobile.
Test Track is common so we head there early within the morning proper after driving Remy. If you don’t have Early Entry, journey instances peak within the morning, so if strains are lengthy, wait till late afternoon to journey.
There’s a faster single-rider line however you miss the design stage, so I’d solely use it for a repeat journey.
3) Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Type of Ride: Trackless Dark Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Showcase
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is among the high rides at Epcot. Located within the France Pavilion of World Showcase, this trackless 4D darkish journey is predicated on the Ratatouille film.
You really feel such as you’ve been shrunk to Chef Remy’s rat measurement as you whizz across the bustling kitchen and restaurant in Paris. You even really feel the warmth from the oven and water splashing from a mop.
It’s quite a lot of enjoyable, though it ends prior to we’d like. It’s appropriate for many visitors, therefore its recognition.
Lines are nearly all the time lengthy so it’s greatest ridden first throughout Early Entry after getting into via the International Gateway (which is far nearer to the journey than the primary entrance). Or when you’ve got Genie+, make it your first choice.
4) Soarin’ Around the World
Type of Ride: Gentle Flight Simulator
Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm)
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Nature
Soarin’ is a soothing hand-gliding journey the place you soar above the world.
On the gorgeous flight, you see (and even odor) well-known sights just like the Great Wall of China, Iguazu Falls, and Sydney Harbour, in addition to animals like whales and elephants.
This light journey is appropriate for most individuals and the strains don’t are usually lengthy (put it aside for later if they’re).
5) Mission: SPACE
Type of Ride: Intense Flight Simulator
Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm)
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Discovery
Mission: SPACE is an area shuttle simulator excellent for aspiring astronauts.
There are two simulators you possibly can select from. The Orange Mission is intense as you expertise the true really feel of an area launch as you rocket to Mars and dodge meteorites. The g-forces are extremely reasonable and in contrast to something we’ve skilled earlier than.
Unfortunately, it aggravates my movement illness, so I now follow the Green Mission, the place you orbit the Earth, because it doesn’t contain spinning.
It is a really small simulator, although (simply 4 individuals), so it’s not for the claustrophobic.
While the visuals are dated as of late, it’s nonetheless a worthwhile attraction and all the time simple to get on.
6) Frozen Ever After
Type of Ride: Dark Slow Ride with Small Drops
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Showcase
Frozen Ever After is ranked greater on most lists of sights at Epcot and it’s one of many high three rides with lengthy strains.
We prefer it however don’t assume it’s price an extended wait. For Frozen followers, it’s in fact a should do.
This took over the previous Norway journey and follows the identical route. You slowly journey a Norwegian vessel via the wintery world of the favored film with glorious animatronics of Elsa and co.
It’s principally light with just a few enjoyable drops and splashes.
This is greatest ridden early, late, or with Genie+.
If you’re a Frozen devotee, you may additionally wish to Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus.
7) Spaceship Earth
Type of Ride: Dark Slow Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Celebration
Spaceship Earth is an Epcot basic that takes place inside the enduring sphere.
This light journey takes you thru the historical past of communication from the Stone Age to the pc age.
After the journey, there are interactive video games and shows in Project Tomorrow.
Wait instances peak within the late morning, so journey Spaceship Earth within the night when it’s quieter. Lines are hardly ever too lengthy, although.
8) Living with the Land
Type of Ride: Slow Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Nature
We all the time benefit from the light cruise on Living with the Land via Epcot’s greenhouses the place they develop meals that’s used within the parks and experiment with environment friendly rising strategies.
Lines shouldn’t be lengthy. We journey this after Soarin’ which is in the identical pavilion, The Land.
9) The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Type of Ride: Dark Slow Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Nature
The final two Epcot rides are much less compelling for adults. Ride them when you’ve got time, however they’re skippable.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a cute shell boat journey via the Finding Nemo story. The characters are projected onto an actual aquarium on the finish, which you’ll go to after the journey to see clownfish, sharks, and extra.
10) Journey into Imagination with Figment
Type of Ride: Dark Slow Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: World Celebration
A mild darkish journey highlighting the ability of creativeness with Figment the playful dragon.
Other Top Things to Do at Epcot
11) Dine in a Space Station at Space 220
Epcot is among the greatest Disney parks for meals and there are many improbable eating places to select from.
The most original is Space 220, which is an expertise as a lot as a meal, beginning with a high-speed elevator journey to house.
You emerge in an area station and stroll via a tunnel, previous lettuce rising in a rotating cylinder, to the massive eating room.
One facet is dominated by the view of house with Earth beneath. It’s all the time altering as spacecraft, astronauts, and even an astro canine fly by.
The restaurant is a beautiful retreat from the park—actually like being in one other world.
The meals can also be glorious. At Space 220 it’s a must to order two programs at lunch or three programs at dinner. Our dinner took 90 minutes, so ensure that to permit time.
The starters have been the spotlight for us. We shared the Big Bang Burrata (so mild and refreshing) and the deep-fried Blue Moon Cauliflower.
Our vegan pasta foremost was tasty and big. The desserts have been additionally scrumptious together with a really wealthy chocolate cheesecake.
The cocktails are enjoyable. The server made my Atmospritz on the desk—pouring the Aperol combine over a glass of cotton sweet which melts away.
There are two downsides to Space 220. One is the worth—dinner is $79 per particular person and with drinks, tax, and tip, we spent over $200 for 2.
I believe lunch is a greater choice as you solely should order two programs for $55. Three programs have been an excessive amount of for us anyway.
The different subject is getting a reservation. Even reserving 66 days prematurely, we might solely get a 4pm dinner.
Reservations open 60 days forward, however resort visitors can e book 60 days earlier than checking right into a Disney resort, in order that they probably rise up to 10 further days. Be certain to e book as quickly as you possibly can (and for later in your journey if staying onsite).
We completely liked our time at Space 220 and assume it’s definitely worth the splurge for a novel expertise and good meals, particularly for house followers.
12) Enjoy an Epcot Festival
Epcot is known for its seasonal festivals which contain particular occasions, music, decorations, and meals stalls.
These are the 4 main festivals with approximate dates. All function particular meals cubicles with probably the most obtainable throughout the Food & Wine Festival.
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts – Mid-January to mid-February (meet artists and watch performers)
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – March to June (lovely decorations)
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August to early November (our favorite with numerous food and drinks stalls)
- Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – Late November to December (candlelit processional and storytellers)
The chances are high you’ll be visiting throughout one of many festivals so ensure that to look into the particular occasions and meals obtainable.
During the Food & Wine Festival, we additionally loved Eat to the Beat the place a full stage is ready up without spending a dime live shows by famend bands (we noticed Hoobastank).
Note that weekend evenings are actually busy at Epcot throughout Food & Wine (it’s common with locals), so go to on a weekday if doable.
13) Wander the World Showcase
Once you’ve performed the sights on the entrance of the park, afternoons and evenings at Epcot are greatest spent in a leisurely stroll across the worldwide pavilions of World Showcase.
You’ll discover shops, eating places, stay music, and some reveals and rides. You ought to stroll via all 11 international locations however some highlights embrace:
- Mexico – Inside the pyramid, it’s everlasting evening with a vibrant market and volcano views. The Gran Fiesta darkish journey is okay for a break.
- Mariachi Cobre – This mariachi band from Jalisco performs at varied instances all through the day on the streets of Mexico.
- Japan – One of the prettiest pavilions with a temple, serene gardens, and the considerably hidden Katsura Grill (we just like the veg sushi). The massive store is nice for souvenirs.
- Matsuriza – Look out for these spectacular taiko drummers in Japan.
- Morocco – Even on a busy weekend, we discovered a quiet retreat in a tiled courtyard with a fountain.
- China – The lantern-lit streets look particularly engaging at evening.
- Wine Walk – This isn’t all the time supplied however when it’s, it’s a enjoyable strategy to pattern six wines from three bars in France, Italy, and Germany. The $32 worth consists of two memento acrylic glasses.
- United Kingdom – Grab some fish and chips or a pint within the Rose & Crown.
Plus we go into extra element about a few of the greatest issues to do at Epcot World Showcase beneath.
14) Drink at La Cava del Tequila
Located contained in the Mexico pyramid, La Cava del Tequila is the most effective bar in Epcot (and second in Disney World solely to Oga’s Cantina at Hollywood Studios for us).
We couldn’t consider we have been at Disney on this cosy bar with an adults-only environment (though children are technically allowed).
The menu options an astonishing 200+ tequilas and mezcals in addition to scrumptious margaritas (don’t miss La Cava Avocado with contemporary avocado).
The pleasant servers are tequila specialists from Mexico and one took quite a lot of time to assist Simon choose a mezcal. Astonishingly, the shot got here with a facet of grasshoppers—not one thing you’d anticipate at Disney!
As La Cava del Tequila is small and common, there’s all the time an extended line (and no reservations), nevertheless it’s nicely price a wait. You may also get drinks to remove, nevertheless it’s higher to benefit from the environment of the bar.
15) Dine with a Volcano View in Mexico
Another spotlight inside the Mexico pavilion is the desk service restaurant, San Angel Inn.
Even in the course of the day, you possibly can take pleasure in a romantic candlelit meal overlooking the water with a view of Mayan ruins and a volcano.
The Mexican meals is fairly good and the margaritas (from La Cava del Tequila menu) are a spotlight.
This is among the greatest themed eating places at Epcot, so I like to recommend making a reservation.
16) Eat an Ice Cream from L’Artisan des Glaces
Our favorite candy deal with at Epcot is the scrumptious ice cream from L’Artisan des Glaces in France (surprisingly, it’s higher than the gelato on the Italy pavilion).
The salted caramel and white chocolate coconut flavours have been each glorious.
17) See a World Showcase Show
Several of the worldwide pavilions host reveals that spotlight the glories of their nation. Most of them are dated, however the surroundings is gorgeous and watching at the least one present is a should see at Epcot.
Check present instances within the app so that you don’t miss out.
Here are the reveals in our order of desire.
- The American Adventure Show – Unlike the opposite movies, it is a 30-minute present with spectacular animatronics that appears again at key moments in American historical past. It’s very patriotic however nicely performed.
- Impressions de France – This was filmed in 1982, and the massive 200º curved display is wanting dated, however the views are beautiful, and you actually do really feel like you might be on a journey over France (nearly like on Soarin’). It’s 22 minutes and makes break. It solely reveals within the final two hours of the day.
- Reflections of China – You don’t sit down for this 360º film so it’s much less good for a relaxation, however the countryside appears beautiful.
- Canada Far and Wide – Another standing 360º movie with sweeping views of Canada’s snowy mountains. It’s often closed throughout the Food & Wine Festival when it homes meals cubicles.
18) Try Soft Drinks from Around the World at Club Cool
Back on the entrance of the park is the considerably hidden Club Cool, the place you possibly can strive free samples of an array of soppy drinks. On our final go to, we loved a Fanta Watermelon from the Philippines and Minute Maid Joy Apple Lychee from Korea.
It’s good for a refreshing break throughout a morning of rides (it’s near Test Track and Mission: Space).
19) Laugh at Turtle Talk with Crush
Turtle Talk with Crush is low down our checklist of priorities for adults, however when you’ve got time after driving all the pieces on the entrance of the park, this 15-minute theatre present is price a glance.
It’s aimed toward children, who can sit on the ground on the entrance and ask inquiries to Crush the Turtle (dude…) from Finding Nemo, who seems on the display. The cute present is impressively managed and infrequently humorous.
20) End the Night with Fireworks
The basic strategy to finish an evening at Epcot is by watching the fireworks over the lagoon from one of many pavilions in World Showcase.
The present present is Epcot Forever earlier than a brand new Disney100 night spectacular launches later in 2023.
Whatever is exhibiting, anticipate fireworks, lasers, mild reveals, particular results, and basic Disney tunes.
The bridge between France and the United Kingdom is an efficient spot, however we often simply watch from wherever we occur to be.
If you’d desire to be seated, the Rose & Crown patio has a wonderful view, however you’ll should make a reservation for a eating package deal (and it books up rapidly).
Fireworks are often at 9pm or 10pm, however verify the app for that day’s present time.
Is Epcot Worth Visiting?
Epcot is unquestionably price visiting! It’s very completely different from different theme parks with its mixture of instructional sights and world pavilions, nevertheless it nonetheless has a few of the greatest rides at Disney, particularly Guardians of the Galaxy.
There are sufficient character interactions to maintain children comfortable, and loads of scrumptious meals and drinks for the adults. Add within the vigorous night environment and enjoyable road leisure and it’s actually a full-day park (at the least).
I hope this information has given you some concepts of what to do at Epcot for adults and children. Let us know when you’ve got any questions within the feedback beneath.
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