Epcot
Park Guide, Tips & Strategy
The challenge at Epcot is balancing time to experience and enjoy World Showcase without missing out on all the amazing Epcot attractions including some of the newest additions to Walt Disney World. And that's before you add in all the fun stuff to do at the different festivals that happen throughout the year. If you only have one day, it's a good idea to watch some videos about the attractions and the festival that will be running when you are there to prioritize the things that look most interesting to you.
Key Details
Attractions that Require a Virtual Queue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Journey of Water Inspired by Moana
Rides that are NOT Included in Genie Plus
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind* and Gran Fiesta Tour
*Offers Individual Attraction Lightning Lane
General Tips
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Epcot is finishing up a massive renovation of the park that will include lots of new areas opening during the holiday season of 2023. Be sure to keep up with the news before your visit because a lot will be changing.
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Don't forget to book your Virtual Boarding Group for Guardians and/or Journey of Water. If you are starting your day in Epcot, you can book it at 7:00 am sharp. You can try again at 1:00 pm, but you need to have entered the park at least once to be eligible for that one.
Latest Epcot Videos
Early Entry Strategy
Two entrances mean two different strategies
Early Entry at Epcot gets tricky because there are two different ways you can enter the park and each entrance really needs a different strategy. If you plan to enter from the back near World Showcase (the entrance used by the Skyliner and Epcot Area Resorts), you'll want to check out our special video all about Early Entry using the International Gateway entrance.
Most Popular Early Entry Attractions
1. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
Best if entering through International Gateway
2. Test Track
Best if entering through main entrance
3. Frozen Ever After
Best done as your 2nd ride whichever way you enter
Early Entry Tips
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Frozen Ever After makes a great second ride during early entry because there are no other big ticket rides near it. While many folks will go straight to Frozen when they enter, most people choose a second ride based on what's nearby and that means the line at Frozen gets short as that first wave finishes riding. Just make sure you get there before regular rope drop because at that point the line will jump back up and stay that way all day.
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While most people choose to do Test Track first thing when they come through the main entrance, you should also consider Soarin' – especially if you arrive a bit late and the Test Track line is already backed up.
Rope Drop Strategy
No early entry? Do "rope drop" instead!
Rope drop is Disney slang for getting there when the park opens to regular guests, though you'll typically want to be there at least 20 minutes before the posted opening time because you'll want to be toward the front of the crowd that will form. Plus, they often "drop the rope" to let people in a tad bit early. While there are technically two entrances to Epcot, most people entering from the International Gateway are Disney hotel guests and are therefore eligible for Early Entry. For that reason, most people lining up for rope drop do so at the main entrance.
Our Recommended Rope Drop Attractions
For this list, we aren't suggesting a particular order. Depending on your situation (where you enter and posted waits at rope drop), you should pick the option that makes the most sense for you.
1. Frozen Ever After
Great if you are toward the front of the rope drop crowd
2. Soarin' Around the World
The perfect first ride if you are a little late
3. Remy or Test Track
Depending on where you enter
Rope Drop Tips for Epcot
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Many things in World Showcase will not open until later in the day. For this reason, it's a good idea to knock out as much as you can in the front of the park early in the day
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If you are among the first to be lined up for rope drop, strongly consider Frozen Ever After as your first ride. Most of the early entry crowd will have already ridden it and moved on. If you are toward the back of the crowd, though, you might be better off heading to Soarin'
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Remy and Test Track will likely have very long lines as you enter, but check the wait times in the app. You may get lucky. If the wait is low for the one that is near you (depending on where you enter), go ahead and ride that first.
Genie Plus Strategy
The Genie can help add time for World Showcase
While it definitely isn't necessary to use Disney Genie Plus at Epcot (there really aren't that many heavy hitter attractions that use it) it can be great to help cut down on the time you are in lines so that you can spend more time exploring World Showcase or enjoying the latest Epcot festival. If you do decide to use the Genie, make sure you get the big three done as quickly as you can (Remy, Frozen, Test Track) because they will run out of Lightning Lanes pretty early in the day.
Most Popular Genie Plus Lightning Lanes
Genie Plus Tips for Epcot
1. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
This one tends to run out of Lightning Lanes first
2. Frozen Ever After
And this is usually a close second
3. Test Track
This one runs out later, but return times get pretty late pretty quickly
4. Soarin' Around the World
Less urgent than the others, but good to grab next
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Try to get Remy or Frozen as your first Lightning Lane at 7:00 am and, if necessary, modify it to try to get the time as close as you can to park open. That way you can tap in as soon as possible and go ahead and book the other one.
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You may have a long wait for your second ride return time (assuming it's Remy or Frozen), but this can be a great time to knock out several of the attractions with shorter wait times or enjoy the parts of World Showcase that are already open (like taking a ride on the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico or grabbing a pastry from Les Halles in France). Just make sure you set an alarm for two hours after you book that second Lightning Lane so that you remember to book the next one.