10 Rookie Mistakes at Disney’s Epcot

Epcot is a big theme park to tackle. There never seems to be enough time to do everything in the park, but to help you get the most out of your trip to Epcot, we have put together a list of ten rookie mistakes to try to avoid.

10 – Calling it a Big Golf Ball

We will admit that the visual icon of Epcot does resemble a large golf ball, but it has nothing to do with golf and is so much more than just a big ball. The ‘ball’ is actually a geosphere consisting of 11,324 triangular panels, and inside, it houses one of the most classic attractions at Epcot, Spaceship Earth. This attraction takes guests back in time and traces the history of human communication from cavemen up to present day. It features wonderful Audio-Animatronics and a narrative delivered by Dame Judi Dench. Next time someone calls it a big golf ball, you can tell them it’s actually a geosphere called Spaceship Earth.

9 – Skipping Living with the Land

There are some pretty spectacular attractions at Epcot, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, and the Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway pavilion in the World Showcase. But don’t let these big, new attractions overshadow some really terrific, classic attractions at Epcot. Next time you head to Soarin’ Around the World in The Land pavilion, don’t forget to ride Living with the Land. It’s a lovely, relaxing boat ride that teaches guests about food production in a fun and interesting way. You will also get to glide through the greenhouses and see hydroponic growing techniques, 9-pound lemons, and even some fruits and vegetables in the shape of Mickey!

8 – Not Using the Single Rider Line

Editor’s Note: Test Track is currently closed for reimagining.

Test Track is one of the few attractions at Disney that offers a single-rider line. It is much shorter than the standby line. The single-rider line is a great option if you want to ride Test Track a few times and don’t mind being separated from your party.

7 – Visiting the Food & Wine Festival on a Weekend

The Food & Wine Festival at Epcot is an annual festival that happens each fall. It’s a hugely popular event with many wonderful things to offer guests, such as various food and beverage options, demonstrations, concerts, and seminars. If at all possible, try to avoid the festival on the weekends. This is when many locals visit, and the crowds are very high, so wait lines for attractions and food can be very long. This festival is much more enjoyable if you can visit during the week.

6 – Sleeping In

Just like any park, it’s a good idea to arrive early at Epcot. Arriving early will allow you to ride many popular attractions before lineups get long, and you can explore the park before the big crowds arrive. You can also head into the World Showcase and have breakfast at Akershus in Norway. Visit the France pavilion and stop by Les Hall Boulangerie-Patisserie for a morning pastry.

5 – Overlooking Food in the Front of the Park

Epcot has some of the best food at Disney World. The World Showcase definitely has amazing food at both quick-service locations and table-service restaurants. It offers a large variety of cuisine, but don’t forget to check out some of the culinary offerings in the front of the park. The Coral Reef is an excellent restaurant for seafood lovers, and the restaurant features a beautiful aquarium full of coral, sea turtles, and fish. The Garden Grill is a fun character dining experience in The Land pavilion, and if you’re looking for quick-service dining,  Sunshine Seasons is a great option to consider.

4 – Not Researching

Researching Epcot might sound intimidating or boring, but we really mean just checking out the basics before heading to the park. Find out the park hours, look at which attractions you’d like to visit, find out what time the fireworks are showing, and see which characters you can meet where. You’ll also want to decide whether to purchase Lightning Lane Attractions while at Epcot. Having some basic information ahead of time will help you plan your day at Epcot. It is a very large park, and if you have an idea of where to avoid backtracking through this enormous park.

3 – Orange Vs. Green

Mission: SPACE is a great ride and can be fun for the whole family, but you do need to heed the warnings when it comes to the level of intensity you choose when riding Mission: SPACE. Orange is the expert level, and green is the less intense experience. Orange really is quite a bit more intense than the green option. If you are in doubt at all, choose the green team. The less intense option is better than feeling ill for a portion of your day at Epcot.

2 – Missing Characters

Epcot has so many Disney characters to meet, many of whom you can meet in their homeland. Guests can meet Jasmine in Morocco, Belle can be found in France, and Mulan in China. Don’t miss Figment in the Imagination Pavilion! Check the My Disney Experience app to see when and where the characters appear. It’s a great experience being able to meet the princesses and other characters in their ‘home.’

1 – Only for Adults

A big misconception about Epcot is that it isn’t as much fun for kids as it is for adults, but that’s just not true. There is so much for children at Epcot. The Seas is a pavilion full of terrific attractions for kids. There’s Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush, and the aquariums. There are activity stations throughout the World Showcase, rides in Mexico and Norway, and street performers throughout the pavilions, which are very entertaining for children. The attractions are different in theme from those at Magic Kingdom, but there is always something magical and fun to do at Epcot for children and families.