EPCOT is over twice the size of Magic Kingdom but it’s still possible to tackle in one day. Just follow the tips below!
- Plan on arriving at the EPCOT parking lot no later than 8:00am. You want to arrive at the gates before 9am.
- Once you pass through the gates, go under Spaceship Earth and veer to the right toward Future World West. Save Spaceship Earth for later in the day when the lines tend to be shorter. Note: Look for the information boards in both Future World West and East. You can check this throughout the day for updated information about queue length and wait times. Also, there are some handy WDW apps that you can check on your phone. My favorites are My Disney Experience and Undercover Tourist.
- Soarin’ and Test Track are the two most popular attractions in EPCOT’s Future World section. Go first to Soarin’ (Future World West) and obtain FastPasses. Then, go to Test Track (Future World East) and wait in the regular queue. This queue is much more interesting, making the wait more tolerable. (Of course, if you are a Disney resort guest make these selections ahead of time and plan accordingly.)
- Other popular attractions in Future World East are: Mission Space and Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Helpful tip: Ellen’s Energy Adventure is 45 minutes long. Mission Space was designed to mimic true space conditions. There are two versions of the ride available now, with a less intense option. Heed the warnings and know how your body may respond. The effects of the more intense version could last for hours later.
- Once you have completed everything you can in Future World East, head over to Future World West. Be mindful of the return time for your Soarin’ Fastpass. Highlights in Future World West include: Living with the Land, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Turtle Talk with Crush.
- World Showcase: Typically opens at 11am and closes at 9pm. Eleven country pavilions circle a 40 acre lagoon. Countries include: Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, United States, Italy, Germany, China, Norway and Mexico. Attractions are found in: Canada, France, United States, China, Norway and Mexico.
- I recommend having lunch at one of the counter service restaurants in World Showcase. Our family favorites are: Tangierine Café (Morocco), Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway) and Yakitori House (Japan).
- EPCOT is over twice the size of Magic Kingdom. Pace yourselves! There are interesting films in China, France, Canada and Norway. This is a way to take a breather and get away from the crowds and heat.
- Later in the day is the best time to experience Spaceship Earth. The lines tend to be shorter, so if you passed this attraction up on your way in, now is the time to ride.
- Illuminations is an amazing lightshow/fireworks display. Absolutely worth staying for if you still have the energy. Show times are typically at 9pm around the lagoon in World Showcase.
Always check parking opening and closing times and show times at the information boards or at your resort before you leave for the day. Disney adjusts start times to accommodate seasonal attendance.
Have a magical time!
