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
Rides that are NOT Included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind* and Gran Fiesta Tour
*Offers Single Pass Lightning Lane
General Tips
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Guardians of the Galaxy is no longer using a Virtual Queue and it is easily the most popular attraction in Epcot. Other than Early Entry, there typically isn't a time of day that reliably has shorter waits, so you may want to consider the Individual Attraction Lightning Lane
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Test Track was recently reimagined and has become one of the most popular rides in the park. If this one is important to you, book the Lightning Lane early or, if possible, ride it during Early Entry.
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
Early Entry Tips
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This is the most popular Early Entry attraction by far and will get a long wait fairly quickly
2. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
Best if entering through International Gateway
3. Test Track
A popular second ride from the Main Entrance
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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 Frozen first thing when they come through the main entrance, you should also consider Soarin' – especially if you arrive a bit late and the Frozen 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. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The line may be long, but it is likely shorter than it will be later in the day
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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Guardians of the Galaxy will likely have a very long lines as you enter, but check the wait times in the app. You may get lucky. If the wait is less than an hour, go ahead and ride that first.
Lightning Lane Strategy
Multi Pass can help add time for World Showcase
Lightning Lane 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 it, make sure you get Test Track, Remy and Frozen booked quickly if they are on your must-do list because they will run out of Lightning Lanes pretty early in the day.
Most Popular Lightning Lanes
Visit our Lightning Lane deck page to see the latest rankings of the hardest-to-book attractions so you'll know what to book first.
Lightning Lane Tips for Epcot
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Try to pre-book Test Track, Remy or Frozen as your first Tier 1 Lightning Lane and be sure you have something booked for as close as possible to park open. This will allow you to try to book whichever of those you didn't pre-book as soon as you tap in at that first ride.
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Try to group together the Lightning Lanes at the front of the park so you can ride them one after another. It's a long hike to go back and forth between those attractions and World Showcase, which is where you are likely to spend the bulk of your day.