EPcot 101
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Celebrating human connection, nature, space and technology.
Epcot is divided into four main themed areas, known as "neighborhoods":
World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase.
The World Showcase is made up of 11 pavilions from around the world which tell a story through cuisine & culture.
Here is a quick breakdown of what to find in Epcot:
World Celebration:
Entry into the front of the park with Spaceship Earth (that big silver golfball), Connections Cafe, Coca-Cola’s Club Cool - try the Beverly!, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival and a great spot to meet Mickey and Minnie!
World Discovery:
Home of the more thrilling attractions at the park: Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, and Mission Space. Guests can also enjoy a delicious meal in orbit at Space 220, and a Play zone for smaller kids to climb.
World Nature:
Celebrating the natural world with Moana Journey of Water - an interactive water play experience, Soarin’ - a hangliding tour of the world, The Seas with Nemo and Friends featuring the 2nd largest aquarium in the US, Turtle Talk with Crush and our favorite - Living with the Land.
World Showcase:
Travel the world through the 11 Pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, UK, Canada – Fun Fact: each pavilion is operated by Cast Members from that country!
Fast Tips:
• World Showcase opens at 11am, later than the main gate. Park hours can change, be sure to check park hours prior to visiting here.
• Festivals are frequent throughout the year - largely consist of Festival booths and special events throughout the park
• Get to Epcot via Bus, Skyliner, Monorail, Rideshare, or FriendShip Boats from Boardwalk Resort Area.
• There are two entrances: The Main Gate and the International Gateway (at the France Pavillion in World Showcase. Access to Skyliner & Boardwalk area hotels)
• Need an activity for the kids? Pick up a ‘Passport’ at the gift shops near the park entrance. Stop by the Kidcot station at every world pavilion to get it stamped, fill your passport with stickers, drawings and even get a special note written in different languages.
• Epcot serves alcohol throughout the park
• Each park offers lockers for storage located near Spaceship Earth
• Stroller & wheelchair rental is available at both the Main Entrance and the International Gateway entrance
Rides & Attractions
Epcot has everything from thrills like Guardians of the Galaxy, Test Track and Mission Space, to more family friendly options like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Check out ride height requirements here!
Most Popular Rides & Attractions:
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - Thrilling omnicoaster *Must join a Virtual Queue on My Disney Experience App
• Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (74 min) - Trackless 4D experience where you race along from the POV of Remy
• Frozen Ever After (63 min) - Boat ride that goes forward and backwards!
• Test Track (62 min) - Design your own car and then put it to the test racing against your opponents! - currently being refurbished reopening TBD
• Soarin' (43 min) - Hang gliding flight simulator over the globe
• Meet Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhaus (31 min)
• Mission: SPACE (23 min) - Space simulator
*Main Street 101 Tip: this is intense, not for the motion sensitive, but there is a fun kids play area within the exit of Mission:SPACE. You can enter through the gift shop.
• Spaceship Earth (18 min) - Ride in the EPCOT ‘ball’ and explore the history of human communication
• Living with the LAND (14 min) - Calm educational boat ride through greenhouses
• Journey into the Imagination with Figment (13 min) - Musical ride through learning about the senses
• Moana Journey of Water - Walk through interactive water experience – Great to cool off during hot days
Rope Drop Priorities:
• Remy's Ratatouille Adv. (74 min)
• Frozen Ever After (63 min)
Best Rides and Attractions for Little Ones:
• Frozen Ever After (Norway Pavilion)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (France Pavilion)
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment - meet him right after in the Imagination! Pavilion (World Celebration)
• Spaceship Earth (World Celebration)
• The Seas With Nemo & Friends (World Nature)
• Turtle Talk with Crush (World Nature)
• Living with the Land (World Nature)
*Main Street 101 Tip - We love this ride but little ones might find it slow.
• Moana Journey of Water (World Nature)
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (Mexico Pavilion)
• Space Base (Playground inside Mission: SPACE)
• Beauty & the Beast Singalong (France Pavilion)
Dining
There are so many options for cuisine in EPCOT, you literally have the world at your fingertips! Try different snacks and drinks from countries you’ve never been to or sample the specials during festivals. Whatever you may be looking for EPCOT has it all!
★ Check out our Favorites!
Best Table Service Dining $$-$$$$:
★ La Hacienda de San Angel - (Mexican Pavilion) Mexican cuisine
★ Biergarten Restaurant - (Germany Pavilion) Buffet, beers, live music & entertainment
• Via Napoli Ristaurante e Pizzeria - (Italian Pavilion) Pastas & pizzas
• Le Cellier Steakhouse - (Canadian Pavilion) Steaks & seafood
• Space 220 (World Discovery) - Panoramic views of space, Innovative meals *Very tough to get a dining reservation
Biergarten Restaurant - Germany Pavilion
Sommerfest - Pretzel Bread Pudding
Best Character Dining $$$$:
• Garden Grill (Land Pavilion - Chip & Dale, Pluto & Mickey Farmers) - Farm fresh, straight from the garden at Living with the Land
• Akershus Banquet Hall (Norway Pavilion - Snow White, Aurora, Ariel & Cinderella) - All-you-care-to-enjoy family style platters, Scandinavian cuisine as well as standard American staples
Best Quick Service $:
★ Festival Booths! If a festival is taking place, we recommend snacking your way around the world…we mean park!
★ La Cava del Tequila - (Mexico Pavilion) Get the Aguacate, the Avocado Margarita with the Hibiscus salt rim – delish!
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse - (America Pavilion) Some of the best BBQ on property!
• La Cantina de San Angel - (Mexico Pavilion) Mexican fare with a waterside view
• Pizza al Taglio - (Italy Pavilion) Via Napoli Pizza window when you just need a slice
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop - (UK Pavilion) Fish & Chips!
• Boulangerie Patisserie - (France Pavilion) French pastries
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe - (Norway Pavilion) Sweet treats & coffee - Try the School Bread and Frozen Viking Coffee
Food & Wine Festival Griddled Greek Cheese
Avocado Margarita La Cava del Tequila - Mexico Pavilion
Where to Meet Characters!
Check the My Disney Experience App daily to see who is in the park & where!
• Mickey (and sometimes Minnie) - Communicore Hall
• Joy - Imagination! Pavilion
• Figment - Imagination! Pavilion
• Moana - Near Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
• Anna & Elsa - Royal Sommerhus
• Asha - Near Mexico Pavilion
• Pluto, Minnie, Goofy - Check My Disney Experience app for daily locations
• Donald Duck - Mexico Pavilion
• Winnie-the-Pooh - UK Pavilion
• Mary Poppins - UK Pavilion
• Alice in Wonderland - UK Pavilion
• Aurora - France Pavilion
• Belle - France Pavilion
• Jasmin - Morrocco Pavilion
• Snow White - Germany Pavilion
• Mulan - Great Hall of China
• Daisy - International Gateway
• Character Dining: Chip & Dale, Pluto & Mickey Farmers - Garden Grill
• Character Dining: Snow White, Aurora, Ariel & Cinderella - Akershus Banquet Hall
Our Top Picks:
• Love plants? Check out the Behind the Seeds Tour in the Land Pavilion to get a tour of the Living with the Land greenhouses. Reservation required.
• Outside the Mexico Pavilion is a fantastic ring carver. These hand carved rings make fun personalized gifts and keepsakes.
Must try treats!
• Hit up the Boulangerie Patisserie at the France Pavilion for some out of this world French pastries.
–Fun Fact: each pavilion is operated by Cast Members from that country!
• RUN to get the School Bread at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway Pavilion. Pair it with the Frozen Viking Coffee!
• Check out Karamell-Küche for some tasty caramel treats.
• Cruise over to the Regal Eagle’s Outdoor Bar at the American Adventure Pavilion, try the Moonshine Sour – Blackberry Moonshine, Blood Orange, Blackberry Lemon, delish!
• Stop by the Les Vins de Chefs de France kiosk and try the Orange Slush - Grey Goose L’Orange, Rum, Grand Marnier & orange juice
• Look for the sea urchins with mini Mickey hats at the aquarium!! So cute :)
