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How to Have the WORST Day in EPCOT at Walt Disney World

How to Have the WORST Day in EPCOT at Walt Disney World
Credit: Disney Dining

If you’ve come across this article, chances are you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Maybe you’re seeking planning information or helpful tips and tricks to maximize your vacation time. Although we will only be a little help today in telling you what you should do at Disney World, we will spot you some advice on what to avoid. Disney has so many offerings, but not all are created equal, and some should be flat-out avoided. So, today we will start my new series, “How to Have the Worst Day at Walt Disney World.”

Disney World consists of four central Theme Parks, Water Parks, and several resorts with lots of fun activities for visiting Guests. One of Disney World’s most popular Parks, especially for adults, is its Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, or as Walt famously coined it in 1966, EPCOT.

EPCOT consists of several different lands geared towards education and innovation. You’ll find fan-favorite attractions at EPCOT like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Soarin’, and Test Track. As EPCOT is home to the World Showcase, you’ll also find authentic food and beverages from all over the world during any of the many festivals the Park hosts yearly.

However, much like any Theme Park, not everything at EPCOT is a win for Guests, and today we’re going to highlight some different rides, shows, food, and drinks that you should probably stay away from unless you’re trying to have the Worst Day ever. 

Sleep-in and Don’t Worry About Virtual Queues

guests in front of guardians of the galaxy cosmic rewind, epcot

Credit: Disney

To start your worst EPCOT day, you will want to ensure you have no alarms set. You’re on vacation, after all. Although one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World calls EPCOT home, you don’t need to maximize your chance of experiencing it. Although other Guests will be up bright and early trying to secure a virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you’ll be well rested and can try again inside the Park at 1 p.m. anyhow.

Even if you don’t get a virtual queue for the ride at 1 p.m., just spend the extra dough on an Individual Lightning Lane. You’ve already spent a ton of money on food and Park tickets; what is $25? Better yet, don’t worry about riding it; spend your day drinking around the World Showcase, and then head back to World Discovery to experience a different kind of trip to space. 

Pro-tip: Don’t check wait times on the My Disney Experience app, instead just wander and hope you get lucky. 

You Have to Ride Mission Space: Orange (Not Green)

mission SPACE

Credit: Disney

There’s more than one way to get to space at EPCOT. Instead of jumping from planet to planet with Rocket and Starlord, take a thrill ride to Mars. Not far from the Connections Cafe, you’ll find Mission Space. If you’ve ever wanted to be shaken in a shoe box, this is the ride for you. Make sure you first stop by and have a pretty heavy coffee at Connections Cafe. This is a guide to the worst EPCOT day, after all. 

When approaching the queue for Mission Space, you’ll be prompted to pick a side. Orange or Green. If you’re looking to have the best EPCOT day ever, definitely don’t ride, but for this article, you’ve got to try Mission Space: Orange.

This intense space mission to Mars spins Guests at nearly 35 miles per hour. You’ll feel G-forces of about 2.5. While this is nothing compared to a real space mission, it’s enough for Disney to ensure the ride is equipped with vomit bags.

Pro-tip: For the worst, Worst EPCOT Day, ride Mission Space after having poutine from The Refreshment Port in the Canada pavilion. 

Wash It All Down With Beverly

Club Cool EPCOT

Credit: “Lee, Flickr”

Riding Mission Space will make you thirsty. Luckily for you, there’s a nice air-conditioned spot not far from the ride that has cold Coca-Cola products ready to go, and it’s free!

At Club Cool, Hosted by Coca-Cola, you’ll find refreshing beverages from around the world prepared to quench your thirst. Among the options are Cucumber Sprite from Russia, Country Club Merengue from the Dominican Republic, and Spareberry from Zimbabwe. However, for your worst EPCOT day, you’re going to want to give the shining star of Italy a try.

Marketed as a non-alcoholic apéritif, a drink served before a meal to stimulate appetite, the bitter beverage won’t quench your thirst. Still, it’ll ensure you’re having a pretty bad day. Although some enjoy Beverly, most find it extremely off-putting. You’ll walk away with a dry, bitter feeling in your mouth, and you may even need to go back to Mission Space for one of those vomit bags.

Pro-tip: After you leave Club Cool, head into Creations Shop, but everything, and DO NOT use mobile checkout.

Purchase ILL for Figment and Nemo

figment EPCOT

Credit: Disney Dining

Most people think that EPCOT doesn’t have much to offer regarding rides, but that is far from true. Among fan-favorite attractions like Frozen Ever After, Test Track, and Ratatouille, you’ll find two other gems requiring an Individual Lightening Lane purchase. Over in World Nature at EPCOT, you’ll find The Seas With Nemo and Friends.

A short walk will lead you over to Journey Into Imagination With Figment. Although old, outdated, and rundown, these two rides are a must-do for the worst EPCOT day ever. 

Don’t worry about the five to ten-minute posted standby wait time. Instead, ensure you’re first to ride as you bypass the other 20 people standing in line by purchasing an Individual Lightening Lane. As these are must-do attractions for your worst day, you’ll want to ensure you spend extra cash to ride them. 

Pro-tip: When riding either, ensure that whoever your with does not adhere to flash photography warnings issued by Cast Members.

Forget All The High Dollar Spots, Eat at Sunshine Seasons

Sunshine Seasons sign

Credit: Disney Dining

EPCOT is home to some of the best food options in Walt Disney World. Many of the pavilions house their own spectacular dining locations. Many of these include table service and quick service options. Chefs de France in the France pavilion, Le Cellier in Canada, and Spice Road Table in Morocco are a few notable picks for top spots to enjoy a unique meal at EPCOT.

As there is constantly a festival in the Park, several cart options for authentic food will tickle those taste buds scattered around World Showcase. There’s no excuse for filling your belly with standard Theme Park fare at EPCOT. 

However, we’re talking about the worst EPCOT day, so all options are off the table. Instead, head over to Sunshine Seasons. We’re not saying the food is terrible, but it’s consistently voted one of the worse places at EPCOT, and if you’re looking to have the worst day, it fits the bill compared to the other excellent food options available. Fish, chicken, and pizza rolls fill the menu, and you should have this instead of a nice steak or authentic Moroccan food to ensure your day is as terrible as possible. 

Pro-tip: Skip the fantastic selection of drinks around the World Showcase and have chocolate milk at Sunshine Seasons instead. 

It’s Hot, Don’t Stay Until the Sun Goes Down

EPCOT Forever

Credit: Disney

I’ve always been a strong advocate for Disney Parks after dark. The astonishing nighttime spectaculars and overall feel of the Parks after the sun goes down is quintessential Disney for me. Experiencing Test Track or the World Showcase in the dark is like being in an entirely different Park. There’s a completely different vibe.

However, when the sun goes down, the crowds grow at EPCOT. As Disney adults from all over show up to stuff their guts with alcohol and make poor decisions, you won’t want to participate in that nonsense. Instead, head back to your hotel and nurse that sunburn because it’s the worst EPCOT day; you probably didn’t wear sunscreen. It’s not like Luminous – The Symphony of. Us is a fantastic way to end your day. Fireworks are loud, and your feet hurt because you decided to wear brand-new shoes. So get out of there before the crowds get heavy and go wait for the bus instead. 

Pro-tip: If the weather is sketchy, you should still wait in line for the Disney Skyliner to get you back to your resort. 

Any day at EPCOT is better than sitting on your couch, right? Maybe that’s true, but these are sure ways to ensure your EPCOT day goes as badly as possible. A few honorable mentions are don’t fully charge your smartphone, stand in line for every Magic Shot, skip the festival offerings, and skip the World Showcase.

The worst thing you could do is spend the day without a clear plan or goal. Instead of figuring out what you want to ride and where you want to eat, just wing it. Follow these helpful hints to ensure you have the worst EPCOT day possible at Walt Disney World.

Keep an eye out for our other Worst Park day advice coming soon!

About Michael Arnold

Michael is a father, husband, and an Army Veteran. Michael spends his weekends at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando checking out new merchandise and food. Michael is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has an education background in Public Health. You can find Michael riding Pirates of the Caribbean over and over again or binge watching new Marvel and Star Wars content. Han shot first. Thor is the strongest Avenger. Roll Tide and Wash Your Hands!