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8 Things You Should Definitely Do When You Arrive At Disney’s Epcot

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Credit: Jill Bivins

Trying to decide what the very first thing you should do after arriving at Epcot can be difficult, and a matter of personal preference. We’ve put together a list of 8 things that you should definitely do when you arrive at Disney’s Epcot that include something for everyone, those who want to head to attractions first, eat, or see some characters.

8. Have Your Picture Taken in Front of Spaceship Earth

Even before officially entering Epcot, it’s almost impossible not to notice the giant golf ball that is Spaceship Earth. Once you walk through the front gates you have one of the best and most iconic photographic opportunities right in front of you. There will be PhotoPass Photographers there ready to take your photo, and they’ll even use your own camera or phone to take the photo for you. A picture in front of Spaceship Earth is must when visiting Epcot and definitely the very first thing you should upon your arrival.

7. Head to the France Pavilion

The majority of the World Showcase doesn’t open until 11am, but there are few places in the pavilions that do open earlier, and Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France pavilion is one such place. Les Halles is a quick service location and bakery that specializes in traditional French pastries making it the perfect breakfast destination. Indulging in a delicious croissant, tart, or pastry and coffee while taking in the beautiful surroundings of the pavilion is one of the best ways to start off your day at Epcot.

6. Soarin’ and Test Track

Future World has some of the best rides and attractions at Epcot, two of them being Test Track and Soarin’ Around the World. These two rides get very busy as the day goes on with long waits, and one of the best ways to avoid waiting in a long standby line is to head over to one of these two rides first thing upon your arrival at Epcot. Making these attractions a priority in the morning may also mean that you can ride them multiple times with or without a FastPass+ reservation.

5. Grab a Park Map

There is a ton of things to see and do at Epcot, in both Future World and the World Showcase. There are characters to meet and amazing shows and performances to see, and the best way to make sure you see everything on your must do list, is to grab a park map and a show times guide to find out exactly when and where everything is happening. The China pavilion is one of the only places to see and meet Mulan, it would be a shame if you missed out on meeting her, or other classic characters, just because you missed picking up a map and guide at the front gate. A park map is also a great way to help you navigate the park when you’re rushing to get to your dining reservation or your FastPass+ that is about to expire.

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4. Get Some Mouse Gear

If Epcot is your first stop during your Disney vacation you may not have had the opportunity to do some shopping and pick up a few things to help you show your Disney side, such as a pair of ears or a t-shirt. When you arrive at Epcot head to Mouse Gear in Future World for all your Disney souvenir and shopping needs. Mouse Gear is one of the largest stores at Epcot and has everything from apparel to housewares and plush toys. Early in the morning when you arrive is a great time to stop in at Mouse Gear if you like to browse leisurely.

3. Take the Friendship Boats

If you’re not in a rush to get to an attraction, but instead you want to soak in all the details and the atmosphere of Epcot, the Friendship Boats are a fantastic way to do that. The Friendship Boats take guests on a short and relaxing ride across the World Showcase Lagoon with ports in Morocco and Germany. These boats are not necessarily a faster way to travel from one area to another, but they are a fun way to travel and you’ll get a different view of the World Showcase.

2. Behind the Seeds Tour

Next to Soarin’ in The Land pavilion, you’ll find a kiosk where you can sign up for the one hour walking tour, Behind the Seeds. This is an inexpensive tour at Epcot that takes guests behind the scenes of the Living with the Land attraction, into the four greenhouses and fish farm that make up the attraction. If you love Living with the Land, you will love this tour. Head to The Land when you first arrive at Epcot to sign up for this fun and informative tour. There may even be a few hidden Mickeys to find along the way.

1. Frozen Ever After

A new attraction always has a lot of hype and excitement surrounding it, and Epcot’s newest attraction Frozen Ever After is no exception. Whether you’re a big Frozen fan or not, this new attraction in the Norway pavilion is a must do, and that makes it a smart choice as your first destination when arriving at Epcot. If you were unable to secure a FastPass+ reservation or you think you might want to ride Frozen Ever After more than once, you best bet is to make it you very first stop at Epcot.

What do you like to do as soon as you arrive at Epcot?

About Ryan Miller

Ryan loves all things Disney: from the smallest details to the biggest surprises and all of the magic in between. He loves the fireworks of Wishes, the thrill of Tower of Terror and of course, the dining at Disney Restaurants. As of yet, however, he has been unable to replicate his favourite dishes and snacks at home. In between trips, you can usually find him reading about the history of the parks and attractions when he’s not at work for his local public library in Burlington Ontario. Ryan’s favourite Disney moment was proposing in front of Cinderella’s Castle to his (now) fiancée, Lauren.