Guests who visit Walt Disney World love to spend time in Epcot, thanks to its amazing attractions and unique experiences. Guests who spend time in Epcot can enjoy traveling the world, traveling back in time, diving into the seas, hang gliding over beautiful locations, and stepping into the design studio. With so many amazing experiences to enjoy in Epcot, guests want to make the most of each moment while spending time in the park. While it is impossible to see it all in one day, guests can make the most of it by following a few tips designed to save time. Here are the ten best time-saving tips to make the most of a day in Epcot.
1 – Considering Lightning Lane Paid Access
While it’s not right for everyone, you may want to consider paying for Lightning Lane access. There are two Lightning Lane paid options that include different attractions. First, you can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the day of your visit. This costs anywhere from $15-39 per day, per person. With Multi Pass, you can access the Lightning Lane at select attractions at each park.
A second option is to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass. There are attractions at each park that are NOT included with your Multi Pass purchase and must be purchased separately. Prices range between $10-$25 per attraction, per person. Keep in mind that you do not have to purchase either of these options to enjoy these attractions. However, if you want to skip the line and get more done, this may be a good option for you and your family. Learn more about the Lightning Lane by clicking here.
2 – Be Ready at 6:55 am to Join the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Do note that at this time, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has no standby queue available for the attraction- you can’t simply get in line to ride it. You’ll need to join the Virtual Queue in the My Disney Experience app. You have two chances to join either at 7:00 am (can be anywhere) or at 1:00 pm (have to physically be in the park). If you are a guest at a Disney Deluxe Resort, you’ll also have another chance at 6:00 pm if EPCOT is hosting Extended Evening hours that day. The attraction is extremely popular, and the Virtual Queue fills up quickly each day. Be ready to go and be quick right when the clock hits 7:00 am).
3 – Arrive Early in the Day
The easiest way to kick off a fantastic day in Epcot is to arrive early in the morning, especially if you are a Disney Resort guest. Disney now opens the park thirty minutes early to resort guests, allowing them to jump ahead and get in line right away for the most popular attractions, such as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After (see #5). It may allow you to skip paying for Lightning Lanes. Note that wait times at official opening are now much longer than they used to be because of the early entry of resort guests. However, wait times will get longer as the day goes on, so even if you are not a resort guest, the earlier you arrive, the lower the wait times will (usually) be.
4 – Go Back to Spaceship Earth
The first attraction that guests encounter when heading into Epcot is Spaceship Earth. The attraction is housed inside a massive geodesic sphere and invites guests to travel from the beginning of time to the modern day to celebrate the history of communication. While Spaceship Earth is a must-do attraction in Epcot, guests should opt to skip it when first entering the park. Many guests automatically get in line for Spaceship Earth when entering the park, making the line longer than normal and creating a bottleneck. Guests who head back to Spaceship Earth at a later point in the day can enjoy the attraction while avoiding the initial rush.
5 – Head Straight to Frozen Ever After or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Do you have Frozen fans or Remy fans in your party? Both attractions are extremely popular with guests and have long wait times during the day. You’ll want to choose which attraction to head to based on what your party might enjoy most. A summer celebration with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven? Or a fun-filled rat-sized chase through a Parisian restaurant. You can’t go wrong with either option since both are a lot of fun for the whole family.
6 – OR – Go Straight to Soarin’ Around The World
One of the most popular attractions in Epcot can be found on the lower level of The Land Pavilion. Soarin’ Around the World invites guests on an epic hang-gliding adventure over some of the most beautiful locations in the world, including the Great Wall of China. Guests can let their feet dangle and enjoy unique vantage points and sights on this unforgettable attraction. Since Soarin’ Around the World is so popular with guests, it tends to have long wait times on busy days in the park. If you’re not a huge Frozen fan, you’ll want to head straight to this attraction. Guests who want to enjoy the experience without losing tons of time to the standby line should line up early for the attraction.
7 – Single Rider Test Track Presented by Chevrolet
Editor’s Note: Test Track is currently closed for retheming. It will reopen in 2025.
Another top-rated attraction in Epcot’s Future World invites guests to learn all about automobiles. Test Track Presented by Chevrolet, invites guests directly into the design studio where they can create their very own SIM cars and then test them on the track in Efficiency, Power, Responsiveness, and Capability. Guests can check out how their designs hold up and enjoy a thrilling outdoor loop at top speeds. Since Test Track Presented by Chevrolet, is particularly popular with guests, those who want to save time should opt to wait on the Single Rider Line for the attraction. The Single Rider Line offers the exact same experience as the standby line but typically with a much shorter wait time so long as guests don’t mind being split up at the loading platform.
8 – Leave Plenty of Time for World Showcase
The rear of Epcot is home to the World Showcase, which features eleven pavilions that are filled with beautiful details and culture. Guests who explore World Showcase can take in the architecture, unique shopping and dining experiences, entertainment, and wonderful details that will leave them feeling as though they have truly traveled the world. The best way to make the most of the time spent in World Showcase is by making sure that guests have enough of it to explore! Since the area is so massive and each pavilion is amazing to explore, guests should be sure to leave plenty of time to enjoy World Showcase.
9 – Enjoy The Attractions in World Showcase
In addition to dining, shopping, and entertainment, some pavilions in World Showcase feature amazing attractions that can’t be missed on a day in Epcot. Guests who are enjoying time in the park should be sure to experience The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion, Reflections of China in the China Pavilion, the American Adventure in the America Pavilion, Impressions de France in the France Pavilion, and Canada Far and Wide in the Canada Pavilion.
10 – Line Up Early for Luminous the Symphony of Us
At the end of the day, you can enjoy the brand new nighttime spectacular, “Luminous the Symphony of Us.” The show brings guests together around World Showcase Lagoon and shines a light on the shared experiences that connect people across the globe. With a dazzling display of fireworks, fountains, lights, and music, the new show is the perfect finale for a memorable day at EPCOT.
Editor’s Note: DisneyLists author Katy also contributed to this article.
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.