How to Tackle Epcot Like a Pro: Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Day at Disney’s Best Park

Travel

Nov 15

Written By TBD

While heading to Disney World for the pending nuptials of our friends, I got to thinking about how often we’ve been to Disney since getting a home in Jacksonville 3 years ago (it’s an alarming amount and far too embarrassing to put on paper). As we are set to go to Epcot (by far the best park) 2 days in a row, I thought it might be helpful to write up a little guide and some tips/tricks for people who’ve never had the chance to go.

Epcot is a unique blend of futuristic attractions, cultural experiences, and culinary delights, and with so much to see and do, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We’re here to help prevent you from making the same mistakes we have and tips to navigate a little better. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney-goer, these tips will help you maximize your Epcot experience.

Why Epcot is a Must-Visit at Disney World

What makes Epcot so unique stems from its origins, Walt Disney had originally intended for Epcot to be an experimental planned community that would showcase new innovations and technology becoming the city of the future. The name stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Following Disney’s passing they decided to pivot to showcasing modern innovation through entertainment and to highlight the diversity of human cultures through the World Showcase (aka drinking around the world).

Epcot is also home to some of the most anticipated annual events like the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the Festival of the Arts, and the Flower & Garden Festival. There’s always something extra happening here, making it a dynamic park for repeat visits. But how do you handle it all without feeling like you’re missing out?

Plan Ahead: The Best Time to Visit Epcot

The first thing you need to know about visiting Epcot like a pro is that timing is everything. Epcot can get incredibly busy, especially during festivals and holiday seasons. To avoid the heaviest crowds, aim to visit on weekdays, and if possible, in the early morning or late afternoon. Arriving early lets you knock out popular rides before the crowds pick up, while evenings are perfect for leisurely strolling through the World Showcase and watching Epcot’s fireworks show.

Pro Tip: Always bring a poncho just in case, the rains in Florida can role in quick and it’s always good to have some protection from a downpour.

Prioritize Popular Attractions

Your best bet for riding the attractions you want to do is arriving early in the morning. With the revised Lightning Lane (I’ll explain further here), unless you want to pay an arm and a leg, it’s extremely hard to get all the best rides without spending hours in line. Prioritize the rides you want to ride first thing when you get into the park. I would

Important Note: In order to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind you will need to join one of the virtual queues at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. If you don’t make it into one of these, you’ll need to buy a single ride Lightning Lane which usually costs around $30.

Here’s the rides you won’t want to miss:

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind :
If you’re going to ride one at Disney World in general this is the one you need to prioritize. Similar to the movies the music is on point (7 different songs possible) and the comedy enhance this ride that could stand on it’s own without it. Won’t spoil some of the secrets of this ride, but anywhere you sit is a good ride.
Frozen Ever After:
Located in the Norway Pavilion of World Showcase, this boat ride based on the hit movie Frozen is incredibly popular, especially with families. With all your favorite songs from the first film, this is a must for any lovers of the movie. The lines can grow quickly, so if you can’t get to the ride early you might want to get lightning lane.
Soarin’ Around the World:
This flight simulator takes you on an exhilarating journey over some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. It’s a guest favorite, and even with a Lightning Lane the wait time tends to be about 30 minutes. I personally would just keep an eye on wait times with the current Lightning Lane structure.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure:
Located in the France Pavilion, shrink to the size of a rat and race through Gusteau’s restaurant alongside Remy. With immersive sights, sounds, and scents, this thrilling adventure is perfect for all ages and brings the magic of Ratatouille to life! Wait time is generally over an hour, so your best bet to get on this without Lightning Lane is entering by the France Pavilion at rope drop and heading straight there.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the parks most popular new ride

Test Track would normally make this list, however it is currently undergoing renovations due to be finished in 2025. Honestly, this was much needed and it should draw a ton of attention when it reopens.

There are plenty of other rides and experiences throughout Epcot you get on without much of a wait, most of the day. Some favorites of ours include:

· Moana’s Journey of Water

· Three Caballeros

· Finding Nemo and the Aquarium

· Living with the Land

Discover Te Fiti in Moana’s Journey of Water

Learn and take in the fish of the ocean by exploring the aquarium after the Finding Nemo ride

Lightning Lane

To make the most of your time, especially if you’re visiting during peak season, utilize Disney’s Lightning Lanes. They’ve recently rehauled the process for Lightning Lane, you’re now able to book 1 of the 4 premier rides (Frozen, Remy, Soarin’, and Test Track) and up to 3 of the show type rides like Nemo, Spaceship Earth, Figment, etc.

For the premier rides make sure you book them early because they will book out quickly. If you are staying at one of any Disney Resort, the Swan/Dolphin, or Shades of Green Resort you can purchase and book Lightning Lane 7 days out. All other guests can purchase 3 days out. You will select an available time slot and books your rides based on availability.

There’s also a Premier Pass now that allows you to join the Lightning Lane whenever you want. However, the price is pretty steep, anywhere from $129 to $449 per pass. If it was up to me I’d just pay the $20 or so for Guardians of the Galaxy and call it a day, but that’s just me.

For more information check here

Exploring the World Showcase Like a Pro

By late morning, the World Showcase will be opening up, and this is where you can slow down and really savor the park’s cultural offerings. World Showcase features 11 different pavilions, each representing a different country, complete with authentic architecture, food, and entertainment. It’s like traveling around the world without leaving Orlando!

Here’s how to explore the World Showcase like a pro:

Start in Mexico: You must begin your journey at the Mexico Pavilion, on the left side of the showcase. It’s pretty much sacrilegious if you start on the other end by Canda, especially if you’re drinking around the world. Inside the giant pyramid, you’ll find the classic Three Caballeros boat ride(our daughters favorite ride), a marketplace, and the fan-favorite La Cava del Tequila, which serves up some of the best margaritas in Disney World. You could have to endure a long line but it’s worth it, our favorite is the Wild One(see details below).
Savor Every Country’s Signature Dish: One our favorite things to do when traveling in general is experience a country’s culture through food. Epcot does an excellent job of capturing some of these signature dishes from across the globe. While the permanent showcases have some great options(check out favorites here), the best dishes are usually from the rotating countries for the festivals.
Time Your Walk for Performances: Many pavilions offer live entertainment throughout the day. Be sure to check the daily schedule for performances like the Japanese drummers, the Voices of Liberty in the American Pavilion, or the talented acrobats in China. Check the schedule in advance as well the American Pavilion has some surprising acts, when we were there recently Hanson was performing.
Stay for the Nighttime Fireworks: Epcot’s fireworks show is a beautiful blend of lights, music, and pyrotechnics that celebrates the park’s past and future. It’s a magical way to end your day in the park. Stake out your viewing spot at least 30 minutes before showtime.

Insider Tips for Epcot’s Festivals

Epcot hosts several major festivals throughout the year, each offering unique experiences, entertainment, and of course, food. These festivals are beloved by Disney fans and add extra magic to your visit.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival:
If you’re visiting in the fall, the Food & Wine Festival is a must. You’ll find food booths representing countries from around the globe, each offering small plates and drinks. Plan ahead by checking out menus online and making a list of must-try dishes. Use a festival passport to keep track of where you’ve been and what you’ve eaten. Crowds will be much larger here on the weekends, so if you plan on going during this time make sure to go earlier in the week.

Pro tip: Check the passport for the featured dishes, if you purchase and collect 5 of them you get a treat at the end.

Dine on the signature dishes for the fan favorite Food & Wine Festival

A highlight of the Garden Festival is all the characters made out of flowers

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival:
Held in the spring, this festival features gorgeous topiaries, flower displays, and gardening workshops. There are also food booths with seasonal fare to enjoy.

Pro tip: take time to explore the butterfly house!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts:
This winter event celebrates all forms of art, from visual to culinary. You’ll find unique food presentations, artist demonstrations, and live performances, including Disney’s Broadway Concert Series.

Take in work from many different artists from across the globe at the Festival of the Arts

Dining Like a Pro at Epcot

Epcot is a foodie paradise, and you can’t visit without indulging in some of its fantastic dining options. We prefer to stay mobile and indulge at the quick stop spots along the way, however the sit-down restaurants have some good food it just takes a little longer. Some of the most popular options include Le Cellier Steakhouse, Via Napoli, La Hacienda de San Angel.

Here are some of our go-to items:

Wild One (Mexico Pavilion): This awesome way to start your journey through the World Showcase. Inside the pyramid at La Cava del Tequila, make sure you try the Wild One. This drink is a blend of spice and sweetness, it’s a perfect first drink to start with and one of the best you’ll have all day. If you have time, you can sit inside and a get a dip trio with chips (only offered for dine in).

School Bread (Norway Pavilion): One country over, in Norway at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, is one of our favorite sweet treats of the park. A sweet bread roll filled with vanilla custard and topped with coconut flakes. Honestly, all the pastries we’ve there are very good. Another nice little treat here is the Viking Coffee, a frozen coffee with Bailey’s and chocolate liqeur. While it’s a little thick for a second drink if you plan to drink around the world, but worth a try.

Caramel Apple and Caramel Corn (Germany Pavilion): At the Karamell-Küche, you can find a variety caramel treats the best of which is the caramel corn and caramel apple. This is no ordinary caramel it’s Werther’s Original, the popcorn is especially great fresh, and the apple is a top 3 caramel apple for me. Further inside there’s also a place to purchase traditional German pretzels and bratwursts.

Frozen Kirin (Japan Pavilion): This beer is more for show than anything. You get a beer with frozen beer on top. Very photographable, but also very refreshing in the Florida heat. Make sure to pop into the gift store in Japan as well they have some really unique snacks and a bunch of fun toys. Also they have an interactive experience where you can purchase a ticket to pick out an oyster and get a pearl!

Orange Grand Marnier Slush (France Pavilion): This is a highlight of every trip to Epcot for us, served at the Les Vins des Chefs de France. Every time we go, no matter what, we get one of these. This frozen drink featuring Grey Goose and Grand Marnier, with a refreshing orange flavor. It is the perfect combination of sweetness and citrus. For the full french experience pop into Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie for a fresh baked French baguette.

Fish and Chips (Great Britain Pavilion): Right next to the famous Rose and Crown, you’ll find the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. This incredible beer battered fish is fried fresh and a nice hearty meal for the long day spent at the park. If you’re feeling frisky, pop into the Rose and Crown for an Irish Car Bomb or any British pint.

Pro Tip: For any big bourbon lovers at the Spice Road Table you can get a double Eagle Rare for $18. There’s also a nice little dessert/drink spot next door that has a really good frozen mint tea and a really good deal on Moroccan desserts(3 for $6).

Final Thoughts: Epcot Like a Pro

Epcot offers an experience like no other Disney park. With a little planning and these insider tips, you’ll be able to navigate the park like a pro and make the most of your day. From tackling top-tier attractions in the morning to leisurely exploring the World Showcase and indulging in world-class cuisine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

So, are you ready to visit Epcot like a pro? Pack your walking shoes, and prepare for an unforgettable journey of innovation, culture, and culinary wonders at Disney’s most unique theme park!