Top 10 Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot. Epcot is one of the four Disney World theme parks you can visit in Orlando, Florida. This Disney World theme park is dedicated to technological innovation and international culture. One may think it is more educational and is not really for the kids but to the contrary, it is both.

I thought my 2 daughters would only enjoy the princessy stuff like the Frozen ride and meeting Elsa and Anna but I was wrong. For our eldest (7 yr old), the highlight of our visit to Epcot was the Living with the Land Boat Tour at The Land Pavillion. For the youngest, it was watching the Dragon Legend Acrobats at the China Pavillion. Follow our 10 Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot to maximize your visit to the theme park.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot:


1. Wear comfortable shoes – it’s a huge theme park and attractions are spaced apart.

Disney World EPCOT is twice the size of Disney World Magic Kingdom. Unlike Disneyland or Magic Kingdom where you walk a little bit and there’s already another ride or activity you can do, at EPCOT, things are housed in huge buildings that are spaced apart especially at the Future World area. The World Showcase area features one country next to another but it was still a long walk as there are 11 countries to loop around a giant water lagoon.

I picked EPCOT as our first Disney World theme park to visit because it’s nothing like Disneyland or Disney California Adventure but it sure was tiring and overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect when you arrive.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot


2. Explore the 2 Epcot areas – Future World and World Showcase

The layout of Epcot is like a number “8”. The bottom of the “8” is the Future World while the top of the “8” is the World Showcase.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot

Epcot Future World – here you will find attractions featuring state of the art technology starting with the iconic Spaceship Earth that you see all the time in pictures that resembles a giant golf ball. The kids favorite at Epcot Future World were:

  • Living with the Land
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Epcot World Showcase – here you will find 11 countries around a huge lagoon. The 11 countries are – Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Each area will have a ride (not all), shows, food, souvenirs, photo opportunities, and shopping.

You won’t find any thrill rides in this area but there are boat rides and shows that are a must see. You will also enjoy the food each country has to offer.

You’ll be surprised to hear cast members talk in their national language as you visit each country in the world showcase. And if you love souvenirs, you will find things here that are really from the country it represents. The girls had a lot of fun opening fans at the China Pavillion as though they were Mulan.

Note: If your child loves Frozen, the Norway Pavillion is a must visit for the Frozen Ever After ride and to meet Anna & Elsa.


3. Don’t eat a heavy breakfast to try the food around EPCOT’s world showcase

With eleven countries to choose from, you cannot possibly say you can’t find anything to eat at Epcot.  Grab some arancini in Italy, margarita in Mexico, poutine in Canada, and school bread in Norway. I wish I live close by!

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot


4. Get a Fastpass for these Rides ahead of time

#4 on our Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot is getting the Fastpass ahead of time. You can shorten your wait time to some rides and attractions using a Fastpass+. You can reserve as early as 60 days out if you’re a Disney World Resort guests, and 30 days out for anyone staying off-property. You can get 1 Fastpass+ for a tier 1 attraction and 2 Fastpass+ for Tier 2 attractions. After you’ve used your 3 Fastpass+ during your visit, you may get another one via the My Disney Experience App or at the Fastpass Kiosks at Disney World Epcot. Then another one after you’ve used that as well – if there’s still FastPass available at the time you’ve used your 4th, of course.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot

Before we went, I really don’t know which Epcot ride or attraction to book for our Epcot Fastpass+. I did an extensive research to make sure we get on the right attractions. Follow these Fastpass Tips and prioritize it when booking your Disney World vacation as the more popular attractions may run out.

Tier 1: I would suggest getting either Frozen Ever After, Soarin’ and Test Track.

Tier 2: Choose Mission Space, Epcot Character Spot, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

The FastPass+ I booked coz’ my girls are quite young for Soarin’ and Test Track is Frozen Ever After, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot. Note that the lines for Fastpass+ may also be quite long during the holidays. We went the week before Christmas and it was as you guessed it – still long even with a FastPass+! I can only imagine how that will be like without it.


5. Go inside each building at Disney World Epcot

Explore every building at Epcot. We initially didn’t go inside the Mayan Temple in the Mexico Pavillion because we didn’t know there was a boat tour inside and we were trying to get to the Frozen area (Norway) that early morning when we visited. When we went back to Epcot that night after a nap back at our Disney Resort, we were amazed at how beautiful the Mayan Temple was inside. If you’ve seen the Coco movie, which we love, you will see it here. And there’s a nice restaurant just beside the boat tour.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot


6. Watch the Dragon Legend Acrobats show and the Reflections of China at China Pavillion

The Dragon Legend Acrobat show is just outside the China pavillion, do check times so you don’t miss it. But also, make sure to watch the 14-minute 360-degreee film about China inside the Temple of Heaven replica. It was my favorite at Epcot.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot


7. Make time for a Disney Character Meet & Greet at Epcot

You will only be able to do a character meet & greet with Anna, Elsa, Joy, Sadness, and Baymax at Epcot, you won’t find them at the other Disney World theme parks. Here’s a complete listing of the Disney Character Meet & Greet available at Epcot.

  • Meet Anna & Elsa and Joy and Sadness
  • Meet Baymax at Hiro’s Workshop
  • Meet Disney Pals at Legacy Plaza West
  • Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
  • Meet Joy and Sadness at Headquarters
  • Meet Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhaus
  • Meet a Wonderful Friend and Mary Poppins in the United Kingdom
  • Meet Belle in France
  • Meet Donald Duck in Mexico
  • Meet Mulan in China
  • Meet Princess Jasmine in Morocco
  • Meet Snow White in Germany

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot


8. Grab some pastries at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe.

If you love bread and butter, visit Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in the Norway Pavillion to grab some School Bread. I liked it. The girls ordered something else but it was good too! This should be #1 on our 10 Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot.

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot


9. Visit EPCOT when there’s a festival

Make your visit even more special by visiting Disney World Epcot when there’s an ongoing festival. Here are some of them:

  • Epcot International Festival of the Arts
  • Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – Feb to May
  • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival


10. Find the best spot to view IllumiNATIONS: Reflections of Earth

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a nightly light and fireworks show at the World Showcase Lagoon. You can see it anywhere around the lagoon but try to get to any of the best IllumiNATIONS viewing spots hours before it starts for the best chance of seeing it well especially if you want to take a video of it. Here are some of the spots:

Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot

  • La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico
  • Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom
  • World Showcase Plaza
  • Benches in China
  • Second Floor terrace at Tokyo Dining
  • International Getaway Island pedestrian bridge
  • Gondola Landing in Italy.

DISNEY WORLD DISCOUNT TICKETS:

10 Tips for Planning a Disney World Vacation

4-PARK MAGIC SELECT TICKET

Admission to 4 theme parks – one park per day, only one admission per theme park. Tickets are valid from January 18, 2019 – March 14, 2019, March 27, 2019 – April 9, 2019, April 27, 2019 – May 27, 2019 and August 19, 2019 – September 30, 2019.

Disney World Ticket Price:

  • $379.14 per adult
  • $357.84 per child

Disney World Discount Tickets:

  • $361 per adult ($18.14 savings), check HERE
  • $341 per child ($16.84) savings, check HERE

4-PARK MAGIC SUMMER TICKET

Admission to 4 theme parks – one park per day, only one admission per theme park. Tickets are valid from January 18, 2019 – March 14, 2019, March 27, 2019 – April 9, 2019 and April 27, 2019 – September 30, 2019.

Disney World Ticket Price:

  • $404.70 per adult
  • $383.40 per child

Disney World Discount Tickets:

  • $385 per adult ($19.70 savings), check HERE
  • $365 per child ($18.40) savings, check HERE

4-DAY BASE TICKETS

For visiting 4 theme parks ( can be 1 park per day or 2 days at this park, 2 days at the other) & for dates not included in the Magic Select, & Magic Summer Ticket, choose this option. Below is the breakdown for an October 1 visit:

Disney World Ticket Price:

  • $416.13 per adult
  • $398.24

Disney World Discount Tickets:

  • $403 per adult ($13.13 savings), check HERE
  • $385 per child ($13.24 savings), check HERE

4-DAY PARK HOPPER PLUS TICKETS

Hop from one theme park to another for 4 days plus get 4 days to play at the 2 water parks, golf courses, and ESPN Sports Complex.

Park Hopper is ideal for those who wish to take advantage of Disney’s Extra Magic Hours program. Every day, one theme park is open for an extended time either in the morning or evening. Park hopper ticket holders visit one park during the day and switch to another late in the day to take advantage of the less crowded “extra” hours.

I do not recommend the “Park Hopper” ticket to families traveling with young kids as it would be more work going from one theme park to another but the “Park Hopper Plus” will work as it is bundled with the water parks and the other fun activities.

Park Hopper “Plus” not only lets you go from one park to another, but the number of days you purchase gives you extra days to play at the golf course, the 2 water parks, and the ESPN Sports Complex.

Here’s a price comparison for March 2, 2019:

Disney World Ticket Price:

  • $530.80 per adult
  • $512.91 per child

Disney World Discount Tickets:

  • $519 per adult ($11.80 savings), check HERE
  • $500 per child ($12.91 savings), check HERE

Note: Taxes are included in the price indicated. Deals on Park Hopper Tickets and Hotel + Ticket Packages are also available. We try our best to give you accurate numbers, but please check the websites for accuracy as it may change especially as if you book close to date of visiting. Kids 2 and under are free. Thanks.

See the complete listing of Disney World deals.

Purchase Disney World Discount Tickets


Looking for more Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot? Check out these related posts:


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2 thoughts on “Top 10 Tips for Visiting Disney World Epcot”

  1. Reading this was very nostalgic for me. I haven’t been to Disney World since I was a kid, and I would like to go again soon as an adult. Epcot was one of my favorites to visit. I enjoyed all the delicious food!

  2. My family went to Disney one time. We bought a four day pass, one day at each park. During those days we rode every ride we wanted to ride and met with every princess as well as other characters that my daughter wanted to meet. We also left early one day so we were able to visit another attraction, all in all I found planning to really be on my side. I saved so much time and money due to extensive research and planning but now it has been awhile, we need to visit again. Thanks for sharing these tips, so many people need that nudge to take some time away, well I did anyway!

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