Walt Disney World Resort

EPCOT

EPCOT_® has more range than any other theme park at Walt Disney World_® Resort. Four neighborhoods spread across the park. World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase each have their own rides, food, and vibe. Add in 11 country pavilions and you have a full day.

In one day you can ride a coaster through space, eat your way around the world, and watch fireworks over the lagoon. The first three neighborhoods sit near Spaceship Earth by the entrance. World Showcase wraps around a 40-acre lagoon behind them.

The four neighborhoods

EPCOT is bigger than Magic Kingdom_® Park and feels like a different world. You will find gentle dark rides and high-speed coasters. The three front neighborhoods (once called Future World) have a modern, open layout with wide walkways. World Showcase, the back half, is a 1.2-mile loop around a lagoon. Each pavilion has local food, shops, and Cast Members from that country.

World Celebration

World Celebration is the area around Spaceship Earth. You see it as soon as you walk through the gates.

• Spaceship Earth. The giant silver sphere is both an icon and a ride. The slow-moving journey traces the history of human communication from cave paintings to the internet. Lines build during midday, so ride early or late, or add it to Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
• CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza. These spaces host rotating exhibits and character meet-and-greets. CommuniCore Hall is air-conditioned and a good place to cool off.
• Dreamers Point. A garden area with a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Nice for photos on your way around the park.
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment. A gentle dark ride with the playful purple dragon Figment. It has a loyal fan base, and the wait is short most of the day.

World Discovery

World Discovery sits to the right of Spaceship Earth. It has two of the park’s biggest rides.

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. An indoor roller coaster that spins and launches you backward. It’s one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world. Each ride plays a different song from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. Waits can be long, so consider a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
• Test Track. A high-speed ride where you design a virtual car and test it on a track at highway speeds. It reopened in July 2025 with new queue scenes. Waits can be the longest in the park. Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass or ride in the last hour of the day.
• Mission: SPACE. A centrifuge simulator that replicates a launch to Mars. The Orange Mission is intense; it uses real G-forces. The Green Mission is a gentler version for younger kids and anyone who gets motion sick. 44-inch height requirement for Orange and 40 inches for Green.
• Space 220. A table-service restaurant themed as a space station. The elevator on the way in simulates a trip 220 miles above Earth. Reservations are hard to get. Book early.

World Nature

World Nature sits on the opposite side of Spaceship Earth from World Discovery. Its rides focus on oceans, land, and flight.

• Soarin’ Around the World. A flight simulator that lifts you in front of a giant screen and carries you over landmarks around the globe. Wind, scents, and mist add to the ride. It is one of the most popular in the park. In May 2026, the film changes to Soarin’ Across America, with landmarks across the United States.
• Living with the Land. A gentle boat ride through greenhouses where Disney grows real produce. Some of that food ends up in EPCOT restaurants. Waits tend to be short. It is a calm break from the bigger rides.
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends. A slow ride through an undersea scene that ends at one of the largest saltwater tanks in the world. After the ride, walk through SeaBase to see sharks, rays, sea turtles, and dolphins.
• Turtle Talk With Crush. An interactive show where the sea turtle from Finding Nemo talks live with the crowd. Kids love it. Crush responds to real questions from the audience.
• Journey of Water Inspired by Moana. A walk-through outdoor attraction where kids play with water in environments inspired by the film. It is free-flowing with no line or wait. Bring swimsuits or a change of clothes, as kids will get soaked.

World Showcase

World Showcase is the back half of EPCOT and what sets this park apart. Eleven country pavilions circle a lagoon with local food, shops, and culture from each nation.

The pavilions from left to right:

• Mexico
• Norway
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• The American Adventure
• Japan
• Morocco
• France
• The United Kingdom
• Canada

The full loop is about 1.2 miles. Most families take 3–4 hours at a relaxed pace, longer with meals and rides mixed in.

• Frozen Ever After. In the Norway Pavilion. A boat ride through Arendelle with Anna, Elsa, and the Frozen cast. Waits often top 60 minutes. It received upgraded Audio-Animatronics_® figures in early 2026.
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. In the France Pavilion. A trackless dark ride that shrinks you to the size of a rat and sends you through Gusteau’s kitchen. Fun for all ages.
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. In the Mexico Pavilion. A gentle boat ride inside the pyramid. Wait times are almost always short.
• The American Adventure. In the American Adventure Pavilion. A sit-down Audio-Animatronics show tracing American history. The air-conditioned theater runs about 30 minutes, making it a good midday rest stop. Regal Eagle Smokehouse next door serves barbecue in a Muppets-themed quick service location.
• Every pavilion has at least one place to eat. The food in World Showcase is one of the biggest draws at EPCOT, even more so during the annual festivals.
• Kidcot Fun Stops. Each pavilion has a stop where kids can pick up an activity card and stamp it at each country. It gives children a goal as they walk the loop and keeps them engaged between rides.
• Pavilion films and shows. Several pavilions have short films or live acts. Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along share a theater in France. Reflections of China is a 360-degree film in the China Pavilion. Canada Far and Wide plays in the Canada Pavilion. The America Gardens Theatre stage hosts concerts during EPCOT festivals.

How to plan your day

A full day at EPCOT starts with rides and shifts to food and sights by the afternoon. The day ends with fireworks over the lagoon.

Start with the busiest rides

Test Track, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, and Soarin’ Around the World draw the longest waits. Ride one or two in the first hour while crowds are thin.

If you have Early Theme Park Entry, head straight to Test Track or Frozen Ever After. Disney Resort hotel guests and select partner hotel guests get into the park 30 minutes early.

For Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, ride early or late in the day when standby waits are shorter. A Lightning Lane Single Pass is worth considering if the posted wait is long.

Use Lightning Lane for the midday rush

Standby lines peak between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when Lightning Lane Multi Pass saves the most time. EPCOT uses a tier system:

• Tier 1. Choose one.
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Test Track
• Tier 2. Choose two.
  • Journey Into Imagination With Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk With Crush

Book your Lightning Lane Multi Pass as early as your window allows. Disney Resort hotel guests can book seven days before arrival at 7 a.m. Eastern. All other guests book three days before their park visit.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind uses Lightning Lane Single Pass only. You buy a pass for a set ride time.

Explore World Showcase in the afternoon

After riding the big rides in the morning, head to World Showcase for the afternoon. The front of the park gets busy midday, but World Showcase stays calmer on most days. Check the crowd calendar for busy weekends.

Take your time. Stop at food booths during festivals, browse shops in Japan, and let your kids stamp their Kidcot cards. World Showcase is better at a slow pace than as a race.

Stay for the fireworks

Luminous The Symphony of Us is the nighttime show at EPCOT. It uses fireworks, fountains, lasers, and light on the water. The show plays over World Showcase Lagoon, so you can watch from almost anywhere on the loop.

The best viewing spots are near the Japan and American Adventure pavilions. They face the center of the lagoon. Claim your spot 20-30 minutes early on busy nights.

After the fireworks, ride lines at the front of the park drop fast. Walk back to Test Track or Soarin’ for short waits.

Dining at EPCOT

EPCOT has the best dining of any park at Walt Disney World Resort. World Showcase alone has more sit-down spots than most theme parks in total.

Quick service favorites

• Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. In the France Pavilion. French pastries, sandwiches, and soups. One of the most popular quick service spots in the park.
• Katsura Grill. In the Japan Pavilion. Sushi, udon noodles, and teriyaki. A quieter spot with covered outdoor seating.
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse. In the American Adventure Pavilion. BBQ platters and craft beer. Indoor and outdoor seating.
• Connections Café. Near the front of the park in World Celebration. Burgers, pizza, and salads. The largest quick service restaurant at EPCOT.
• La Cantina de San Angel. In the Mexico Pavilion. Tacos, nachos, and margaritas with a view of the lagoon.

Table service restaurants

Table-service dining reservations open 60 days before your visit. The most popular restaurants fill up fast.

• Space 220. In World Discovery. A themed dining experience where the elevator simulates a trip to a space station. The atmosphere is the main draw. One of the hardest reservations to get at EPCOT.
• Via Napoli. In the Italy Pavilion. Wood-fired pizza made with water imported from Italy. Many families rank it among the best restaurants in World Showcase.
• San Angel Inn Restaurante. Inside the Mexico Pavilion pyramid. Mexican cuisine in a dimly lit, atmospheric setting beside the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride.
• Biergarten Restaurant. In the Germany Pavilion. A buffet-style meal with live Oktoberfest music. The festive vibe is a hit with kids.
• Chefs de France. In the France Pavilion. Classic French cooking with onion soup, duck confit, and crème brûlée. A sit-down meal with the feel of a Parisian bistro.
• Garden Grill. In World Nature inside The Land Pavilion. A character dining spot with Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. The restaurant rotates past scenes from Living with the Land. Some of the produce served here comes from the greenhouses below.
• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. In the Norway Pavilion. A princess character dining spot with Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, Belle, and Tiana. Reservations fill up fast.

EPCOT festivals

EPCOT hosts four festivals each year covering most of the calendar, so there’s almost always one during your visit. All festivals are included with park admission. No extra ticket needed.

Festivals add outdoor food and drink booths around World Showcase along with live acts and seasonal decor. The booths turn World Showcase into an open-air food crawl.

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. January through February. Live painting, performance art, Disney on Broadway concerts, and food inspired by art from around the world.
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. March–June. Character topiaries, garden displays, outdoor kitchens, and a garden-themed concert series. The topiaries are huge and full of detail.
• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Late August through November. The most popular festival. Dozens of food booths serve small plates and drinks from around the world. Live cooking demos and the Eat to the Beat concert series round it out.
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Late November through December. Holiday food booths and decor fill each World Showcase pavilion. The Candlelight Processional is a celebrity-narrated retelling of the Christmas story with a full choir.

Characters at EPCOT

EPCOT has fewer character meet-and-greets than Magic Kingdom Park, but the ones here draw long lines.

• Mickey and friends. CommuniCore Hall in World Celebration. This is a newer meet-and-greet location.
• Anna and Elsa. Royal Sommerhus in the Norway Pavilion. Dedicated meet-and-greet in a cozy Norwegian cabin. Waits can be long. Go early.
• Disney Princesses. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion doubles as a princess character dining experience. You can meet multiple princesses during your meal.
• Character dining at Garden Grill. Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale visit your table during the meal. A good way to see characters without waiting in a separate line.

Character lineups change without notice. Check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for current times and locations.

Tips for your visit

• Wear comfortable shoes. EPCOT involves more walking than any other park. The World Showcase loop alone is 1.2 miles. Check our packing list for shoe recommendations.
• Bring a portable charger. Between the My Disney Experience app, Lightning Lane purchases, and photos, your phone battery drains fast.
• Use the International Gateway entrance. Guests at a Disney Resort hotel on the Disney Skyliner route or near the Boardwalk can enter between the France and United Kingdom pavilions. This puts you in World Showcase and skips the main entrance crowds.
• Ride during fireworks. While the crowd watches Luminous at the lagoon, ride lines at the front of the park thin out. If you have seen the show before, this is some of the best ride time of the day.

Getting to the park

EPCOT has two entrances with different transit options. Free buses run from every Disney Resort hotel to the main entrance. The EPCOT Monorail connects to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

The International Gateway at the back of World Showcase links to the Disney Skyliner. Resorts on the line:

• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort

FriendShip boats and walking paths also reach the International Gateway. They connect to:

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

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