Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center theme park is more than twice as large as the Magic Kingdom, and has lots of choices on what to do for all ages of guests. Getting the most out of your visit to Epcot Center will take a bit of planning, but with these tips you can have a fantastic day and see everything you want to see. The park can be a popular attraction, so use these tips to help make for a fantastic day!
#1. Be Early
Like most theme parks, the Early Bird gets the shorter lines. Check before your trip what time each park you want to visit opens. And remember to account for some time to park and process your tickets if you don’t already have them. If you have Extra Magic Hours from a Disney promotion for early entry into the park, you can beat a large amount of the crowds even in the busiest times of the year. But even the regular open times offer the best chance to see the most attractions. For the most popular attractions, being in the park from 9am – 11am can get more results than 3, 4, or even 5 hours during peak times in mid-day. During our trip during Spring Break / Easter Week this year, we did all the busiest attractions by 11:30am and had leisure time for the rest of the day to enjoy the World Showcase.
#2. FastPass Soarin’ First
By far the most popular attraction at Epcot is Soarin’ and the FastPasses for this attraction will start going fast from the start of the day. FastPass Soarin’ as soon as you enter the park. If you have not already heard, Disney is now requiring that FastPasses be used during the 1-hour window that is printed on your FastPass ticket. But remember that not everyone in your party needs to be present to get the FastPass as long as one member in your party has everyone’s park entrance ticket. Because Soarin’ is located inside and downstairs in The Land Pavilion, it can be a bit of a walk. Send one of your speedier walkers to get the Soarin’ FastPass while your party heads off to get in line at another attraction such as Test Track or Mission Space.
#3. Test Track Refurbish Plans
Another very popular attraction at Epcot is Test Track. Although this attraction was open up through April 2012, it is currently scheduled to be closed for refurbishment until the Fall of 2012. If Test Track is important to your visit plans, make sure you check with Disney on the dates scheduled for re-opening.
#4. Save Spaceship Earth for Later
Spaceship Earth is Epcot’s signature architectural structure and houses a continuous moving tour through the ages up inside the geospheric building. Due to it’s position front and center in the park, early to mid-day can see some long lines that dwindle considerably later in the day. Save Spaceship Earth for later in the day and you might be able to walk right on, saving 45-60 minutes of wait time.
#5. Hidden Secret Simulator Rides Housed inside one of the Innoventions buildings (right behind Spaceship Earth to the left), are several two-seat Simulator Rides where you can program and construct your own roller coaster before jumping into a simulator to try out your creation. Because these are inside the building and are small two-seat simulators, many guests never even know they are there. Stop in and get a real treat to a simulator that can flip you over and upside down. Not to be missed!
#6. Character Signings in Bunches
If you have little ones that love to see and have their picture taken with all sorts of Disney characters, Epcot Center has the absolutely best setup and chance to meet them. Housed inside the right-hand side of the Innoventions buildings, you can catch a half-dozen characters right in a row inside the air conditioned space. Epcot also has character times spread out throughout the day in the World Showcase, but nothing beats going down a line of characters in the A/C. I strongly recommend buying a souvenir autograph book for your visit and letting your kids collect character autographs. Most books come with a signing page opposite a page you can insert a photo, creating your own personalized memoire of the vacation.
#7. Chinese Acrobats
In the China Pavillion in the World Showcase there is a live performance of Chinese acrobats. It’s a short 20-25 minute show well worth the price of admission (which is zero once you are in the park). Just find a spot close to the action, kids normally line up in the front and just sit down on the pavement. All ages will enjoy this live performance. Check daily showtimes for performances.
#8. Famous Japanese Candy Sculpting
In the Japanese Pavilion a popular and amazing demonstration of the art of making candy sculptures is done by Miyuki, with several demonstrations per day. Taking suggestions from the crowd, Miyuki will sculpt all sorts of animals out of the maleable candy before it hardens. Ask her to make a Dragon, or Flamingo – they are amazing! (In years past Miyuki used to give the candy to the kids who gave her ideas. She no longer gives away the candy in the park but instead donates each piece to a local children’s hospital.)
#9. Kidcot FunStops and Kim Possible Missions
One of the absolutely best ways to see parts of the World Showcase for families with children is to incorporate the Kidcot Funstops or the Kim Possible missions into your day, depending on the age of your children. The Kidcot Funstops are stations set up throughout the World Showcase where younger children can do all sorts of crafts. For slightly older kids, the Kim Possible Missions are a fantastic scavenger hunt using wireless technology. Sign up for Kim Possible missions near Innoventions or at one of the KP kiosks in the World Showcase. Great fun for kids, they are given a special cell phone that provides them clues to hunt down in one of the countries. Both these activities are a great way for families to explore some of the World Showcase where the parents can enjoy some of the countries and cultures while at the same time the kids are entertained with crafts or clue hunting. Brilliant move here by Disney on this one.
#10. Plan Your Meal
If you are trying to enjoy one of the cultural tastes by eating in France, Japan, or any other country (the steak house in Canada – Le Cellier – was my personal favorite!) realize that you are probably going to have to plan way ahead and make reservations. Like months ahead prior to every leaving from home. Call Disney’s reservations hotline or book it online through Disney’s website (which let’s you easily search for open dates during your visit). Don’t wait until you are in the park as seatings can get limited.
#11. Illuminations
Okay. This was supposed to be a Top Ten List. But you can’t miss the nightly spectacle Disney puts on at Epcot called Illuminations. People will start lining up early all around the World Showcase for a good viewing spot for this show, but fortunately there is a lot of real estate around the park to see the show. Prime spots will get filled up though, so do some casual scouting out of areas during your daily walk around and when you see people starting to line up around the lake take your cue and grab a viewing area for you and your family. You won’t be disappointed!
I hope these tips are helpful. We could make a second ten tips as well but then again some adventure is all part of the experience. Enjoy your visit at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center!
