Epcot Planning Tips & Tricks

Here are lots of Disney World Planning advice for families headed to Epcot. Learn what there is to do at Epcot, Epcot planning tips, the best Epcot restaurants, and Epcot touring plan.

Updated January 2019

Grab your passport because today you are headed to Disney’s Epcot where you will  travel through 11 different countries and get a chance to tinker with some cool innovations, learn a little history, explore outer space, and of course ride some amazingly themed rides in the process.

You really need 1 full day to see it all. Sadly many people overlook this wonderful park. But those that go are always impressed with the rides, dining, character interactions, and beauty of this special Disney World Park.

Note: Characters are in teal below.

Epcot Planning Tips & Tricks

What Epcot Fastpass+ to Get

First, learn about Disney Fastpass+. Second, make sure you reserve them up to 60 days in advance for hotel guests and 30 days in advance for all other ticket holders. Finally, here are our recommended Animal Kingdom Fastpass Selections in order of best first:

• Frozen Ride – this whimsical family friendly ride is a favorite with kids. Although it seems strange to use a Fastpass on it, it will get over 60 minute wait all day long!
• Test Track – for everyone who meets the 40″ height requirement this ride is a must. First kids will design their own car, then they will get to put it to the test during the ride and compete against other guests designs. NOTE: If you don’t get a fastpass head hear first for a shorter wait….you can also go single rider for a shorter wait.
• Soarin – this amazing ride will take you soaring over landmarks around the globe! Truly an amazing ride for the whole family 40″ and taller. They recently added another track which has helped some with wait times which is why it is #3 on our list. Still… it will get a 45 minute wait so head here early in the day too
• Other than that…. the Fastpass+ don’t really matter. Pick up whatever is left to shave 15 minutes off your wait time to the other attractions available

EPCOT has the most amazing restaurants. So plan to use your dining credits at this park; make sure you have reservations as far in advance as you possibly (See dining recommendations here).

Epcot is 300 acres so there is a lot of walking. You want to be strategic since you will not be able to do a lot of cutting back and forth with the large lake in the middle.

The following is my suggested Epcot touring Plan:

Epcot Touring Plan

 
Princess Storybook Breakfast at Akershus – I highly recommend this character meal. Not only is the building beautiful and the food delicious, this is THE BEST place to see all the Princesses without spending all day waiting in various lines! I highly suggest making reservations 180 days in advance and snatching up the slot for 1 hour before the park opens to not “waste” any park time.

You will meet 5 princesses including Belle. The other princesses are subject to change but usually include Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel with human legs.

Depending on the age of your children, you will want to start at the Frozen Ride (which gets a LONG line) or Test Track (which also gets long lines).

The new Frozen Ride is a cute, fun boat ride (set on the exact track of the previous Norway ride). You will get to see your favorite characters from the movie including Sven, Olaf, the Trolls, Kristoff, Marshmallow, Snowglies, and of course Anna and Elsa!

The line itself is fun to wait in (especially Oakens)! You may want to know the ride is dark, it goes backwards at one point, and Marshmallow is a little intimidating right before the drop.

NOTE: Epcot’s Fastpass+ System is set-up so you can only pick ONE of the major attractions: Soarin, Test Track, or Frozen Ride. (ugh!) So depending on the age of your kids I’d pick Frozen or Test Track so you can ride it again in the afternoon.

Test Track

Living with the Land Ride – I wasn’t sure that I was going to care for this 14 minute boat ride, but I actually thought it was very interesting and would do it again next visit.  You will sail through various different habitats and then into my favorite part – Disney’s own greenhouse. They have some very unique and interesting way of growing things that was very cool. And if you are planning on eating at one of my recommended restaurants (The Garden Grill) the food for that restaurant is all grown right in this greenhouse!

Journey Into the Imagination with Figment – My kids love this silly ride and ask to go on it 3x in a row! You will be stretched to use your imagination with the help of the friendly purple dragon Figment. Everyone is welcome to ride although smaller kids may get a little frightened by the dark or loud music.

Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot  (Fastpass 12:30 pm) – This is my favorite place to meet Mickey and friends. The reason I like it so much is you will get to meet 3 (formerly 5) classic characters all at once; plus while you wait in your air conditioned line you get to watch cartoons.

At this point it is about 1 pm and I bet you are hungry! I suggest you eat a little something in each country as you make your way around the world (Snacking Around the World at Epcot). Don’t forget to make reservations for one of Epcot’s fabulous restaurants for dinner.

Hint: You can meet Chip and Dale and Goofy just outside under the awning.

Canada – As you walk by Canada you will see larger than life Totem Poles and have the opportunity to see O Canada!, an 18-minute, 360-degree film.

United Kingdom –  You’ll know your in the United Kingdom by the cobblestone streets and red telephone booths. Your kids may enjoy the short hedge maze.

Hint: You can meet Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh in this area.

France – Enjoy some quiet places to sit around the fountain area in France. The small meandering streets lead to shopping, Impressions de France movie, and some delicious food.

Hint: Belle and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty can be seen in this area.

Morocco – Get lost in the stunning architecture, wander through the market for a truly unique experience. Both the table service and quick serve meal in this area offer a delicious, unique food for a memorable meal.

Hint: Aladdin & Jasmine are found in Morocco, but be warned they have VERY long lines.

Italy – Now stroll through the replica of Venice, see the gondolas along the lake, and make sure to enjoy a delicious Gelati by the fountain. You may also catch the Italian clowns performing on the ‘streets’ in Italy.

Norway –  You may have already walked by this beautiful area to eat with the princesses, but if not you will want to make sure and take in the beauty. Previously this was home to the very popular ride Maelstrom, but is now home to the new Frozen Ride that opened in 2016.

Mexico – The Aztec pyramid itself is gorgeous to look at and grab a picture by. There are various dining options including snacks and either sit-down or table service restaurants. Around the pyramid you will find a 12-piece Mexican Mariachi band playing on and off throughout the day and Mexico Donald. Inside you will find Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, a fun boat ride for everyone in the family that shows clips from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros. It is a fun silly ride.

It is probably around 4pm and it is time to make sure you get over to Ellen’s Energy Adventure if you are planning on riding as it closes at 5pm. This attraction about fossil fuels combines a movie featuring Ellen Degenerous and a Jeopardy dream with a ‘ride’ seeing some non-threatening dinosaurs; it takes 45 minutes. I think it is cute and worth doing once, but if you are pressed for time you aren’t missing too much. Closed August 13, 2017. They are building a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction coming in 2021.

Innovations – If you have time before your dinner reservations you may want to take some time to play with some really cool innovations. There are lots of cool things and fun buttons to explore.

Epcot Touring Plan for Families

And just in case you don’t want to print of this whole page to get a balanced 1 day at Animal Kingdom Schedule for families. Includes at a glance attraction list, suggested order, height requirements, character locations, and helpful tidbits.