7 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Walt Disney World’s Epcot

Epcot is definitely worth a day or more of your vacation. The park is divided into two main sections; Future World and World Showcase. Those are divided even more. Spaceship Earth is not only the park’s icon, it’s a family ride that allows you to travel back in time. You will want to use FastPass+ at the park, since Epcot is home to Soarin’, Test Track, and Frozen Ever After. Here are seven tips to help you to get the most out of your time at Epcot.

7. Visit During a Festival

If you really want to see Epcot at its finest, visit during a festival. In late winter Epcot offers the Festival of Arts which hosts beautiful presentations of the arts through paintings to masterful food. The spring season offers the International Flower & Garden Festival. The park comes alive with color, and there are topiaries of your favorite Disney characters. Each fall the International Food & Wine Festival is held. It features dishes and beverages from around the world that you can’t usually find in the park. Most recently, Epcot will also feature an early winter festival called the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This will be a perfect time to take in all the holidays from around the world! These festivals include seminars, demonstrations, free concerts, and event merchandise. The festivals are included with park admission, although there is a fee for some of the extras.

6. Stay All Day

There is so much to see and do at Epcot that you can easily spend an entire day there and not hit everything. Most days the Future World section of the park opens at 9:00am, and World Showcase will open two hours later. The park usually closes at 9:00pm, after IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Most of the rides are found in Future World, so show up early and hit those immediately. You’ll then have plenty of time to explore World Showcase. If you’re worried about finding a good viewing area for IllumiNations, don’t. You will be able to see it well from most places along World Showcase Lagoon.

5. Be Prepared for Character Pictures

There are plenty of characters to be found at Epcot, so be on the lookout. This is a great place to get pictures with some princesses. You will find several all around World Showcase. Epcot Character Spot has some of the classics, and you can meet some harder to find characters there as well. If you want to know who will be appearing, where, and when, just download the My Disney Experience App. That will make it easy to find your favorites.

4. Watch the Live Entertainment

Epcot is filled with “Streetmosphere”, live acts that seem to pop up on the side and quickly gather a crowd. The performances are incredible! Whether you’re watching Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in China, Serveur Amusant in France, or the JAMMitors in Future World, you are sure to be amazed. There are plenty of other acts to choose from as well. Not all acts perform daily, so check your Times Guide or the My Disney Experience App to see who will be there and when on the day that you visit.

3. Really Explore World Showcase

World Showcase features 11 countries from across the planet. You can walk through the gardens, watch a film, purchase authentic merchandise, study the architecture, and meet Cast Members from the host country. World Showcase may be known as a great place to find international cuisine, but it is more than just that. Don’t hurry through, take the time to explore and enjoy each of the pavilions.

2. Take Care of Yourself

Epcot is huge. If you’re spending a day at the park, you will do a lot of walking. That is why you and every member of your party needs to wear comfortable walking shoes. Florida is hot, so make sure your clothes are comfortable (and appropriate for a family atmosphere). Drink plenty of water so that you don’t get sick. Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy. If you take care of yourself you will have more fun, which will help you to get the most out of Epcot.

1. Plan to Eat!

One of the best things about Epcot is the food, so bring your appetite! In World Showcase you will find authentic favorites from all 11 countries. Where else will you have a chance to enjoy Pain au Chocolat for breakfast, Fish and Chips for lunch, and Couscous M’Rouzia Fassi for dinner? Don’t forget to cool off at some point during the day with gelato. Not only can you dine on food and beverages from around the world, you will also find seafood, locally grown produce, character dining, and much more. There is something at Epcot for even the pickiest eater in your party, so come hungry. A day at Epcot is not the time to try to save a few dollars on food. Go ahead and splurge.