Do’s And Don’ts For Walt Disney World’s Epcot

Walt Disney World’s second gate opened in 1982, and has since grown to be one of the best loved and most visited parks in the world. Looking to up your Epcot game? Here are do’s and don’ts for getting the most out of Epcot.

9. Do Visit During a Festival

Epcot hosts several festivals during the year. Flower and Garden and Food and Wine festivals are two prominent ones. But there’s also International Festival of the Arts and Festival of Holidays. Spice up your Disney vacation by visiting during a festival.

8. Do Try New Foods

World Showcase features pavilions themed around eleven countries from around the world. Each pavilion has unique and delicious meals, snacks, and drinks to try. If you visit during a festival, there’s even more to choose from! You never know if you love a food until you try it!

7. Don’t Drink Around the World Alone

I could also say, don’t drink around the world without a plan. Drinking around the world, or enjoying an adult drink in every World Showcase pavilion, is a popular activity. But doing so willy nilly could get you in trouble. I suggest going with a few friends and sharing some drinks. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water, and eat a filling meal. If you do drink around the world, do so responsibly, remembering that you’re in a family environment. You don’t want to end up on Mickey’s bad side!

6. Do Make Fastpass+ Reservations

Epcot has a few incredibly popular E-ticket attractions like Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After. For your best chance to score elusive Fastpasses, make your reservations as soon as you can (60 days out for on property guests, 30 days out for guests not staying on property). The Fastpass system at Epcot is tiered, so you will not be able to make fastpasses for all three of those attractions in one day.

5. Don’t Try To Do It All In One Day

Epcot has a lot to offer from attractions, sights, characters, and food. There’s way more to do than you can fit in one day. If you vacation is long enough, spread Epcot into two days to take advantage of all the Fastpasses, restaurants, and character experiences that you can!

4. Do See Characters

The little ones can get a little bored by Epcot (even though their parents might love learning about the technology and culture!) so keep them entertained by meeting some characters. You’ll find Mickey and friends, Anna & Elsa in Norway, plus a rotating group of characters. World Showcase is home to Donald, Mary Poppins, Alice, Snow White, Belle, Mulan, and so many more!

3. Don’t Rush Through World Showcase

Plenty of folks breeze through World Showcase, only focusing on attractions, food, and stores. While those things are great, you’re missing out if that’s all you pay attention to. There is so much design and architectural detail in every pavilion. Look for those details as you venture all the way to the back of each pavilion. You may just forget you’re in Florida!

2. Do Make Dinner Reservations With a View

Several restaurants along World Showcase Lagoon offer amazing views of EPCOT fireworks. Rose and Crown, Monsieur Paul, Spice Road Table, Tokyo Dining, La Hacienda de San Angel all offer waterfront views. To up your chances of dinner with a view, make your Advanced Dining Reservation for 60-90 minutes before show time, and tell the host that you’re willing to wait for a window/patio table. The best part is you won’t have to vie for a viewing spot, and you can finish your meal while the crowds rush for the buses.

1. Don’t Forget the Stroller

Epcot is a huge park. Adults and kids alike will get tuckered out from walking through it. This is definitely a park to bring a stroller, even if your kids are older and don’t always need a stroller (even if they don’t always need a stroller at Disney!). The great thing about Epcot is that it has wide, flat sidewalks.