After years of renovations, EPCOT’s walls are down, and the park looks fantastic again—but it’s still a big walk, and how you plan your day has continued to shift. These EPCOT Tips and Tricks are time-saving notes we use to stay ahead of the crowds and still snack our way around World Showcase.
Don’t skip EPCOT
Yes, Magic Kingdom is the classic, but EPCOT is the grown-up playground: big-ticket rides, festivals most of the year, and proper food. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is my pick for best ride at Walt Disney World—miss it and you’ll kick yourself later.
If you have previously visited EPCOT pre-2020, you will find a very different experience. Different, but not necessarily better in all areas.
You can probably do most of EPCOT in one day.
As a rule, I don’t call any Disney park a “one-day park,” but EPCOT is possibly the nearest thing if you don’t want to meander around World Showcase. With a sensible plan, you can clear the headliners and a slice of World Showcase in a single day.
First-timers or festival-grazers will get more out of two days.
Check park opening times.
Park opening times vary daily throughout the year. Check My Disney Experience for the latest information.
Have access to the park Wi-Fi.
Online access is essential when visiting Walt Disney World. Don’t even consider entering EPCOT without access to Wi-Fi. Most guests will use their phone, but any device will do.
Having access to Wi-Fi allows you to access My Disney Experience. My Disney Experience is a free online guide to Walt Disney World that assists guests in planning their vacations. Through this free service, you can:
- Keep track of your plans & reservations, including those of your family & friends.
- Make Lightning Lane Multi Pass Reservations.
- Order food in advance at select Quick Service Locations. Mobile Ordering is a great time saver.
- Access maps, wait times, showtimes, park hours, and essential information via the App.
- Plus more
Walt Disney World encourages all guests to download the latest version of My Disney Experience on their mobile devices before entering the parks.
Know height requirements before you visit EPCOT.
Disney does enforce height restrictions. Height restrictions in place at EPCOT are:
- Mission Space Orange at least 44″
- Mission Space Green at least 40″
- Test Track at least 40″
- Soarin at least 40″
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is at least 42″.
If the kids are too small, you can use a rider switch to allow the rest of the party to ride.
Consider carefully whether to buy a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
Walt Disney World now has three paid skip-the-line options: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass. They’re faster than standby, but they’re not free, and costs can quickly add up.
You don’t need to buy any of these, but if you do, you may ride more attractions. However, if you decide to buy a Multi Pass or a Single Pass, do not leave it too late, as the best reservation slots go quickly. Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay, for their length of stay (up to 14 days). Guests staying elsewhere can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.
EPCOT has a number of the biggest rides at Walt Disney World. So if time is tight, or in peak periods, there might be advantages in buying Lightning Lanes.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the only Single Pass attraction at EPCOT. It does attract very long waits, but late evening waits can be shorter, and as long as you join the line before closing, you will get on. However, if time is tight, it often pays to pay.
You must understand all about the Lightning Lane options as soon as possible. Read our Guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass to learn more.
Take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.
Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours greatly benefit onsite guests; both are available at EPCOT.
Early Theme Park Entry is the replacement for Extra Magic Hours. All Walt Disney World Resort guests and guests at other select hotels can gain 30-minute early entry to any theme park each day.
Extended Evening Hours are only available for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts. Guests at one of these resorts can enjoy extended evening hours in EPCOT on select nights.
Extended evening hours are typically held at EPCOT most Mondays. Try to complete some of the resort’s most popular attractions during these periods.
Eat at EPCOT
EPCOT is the center of Walt Disney World Cuisine. With restaurants from all around the world, there is something that will appeal to everyone.
There is a 60-day Advance Dining Reservation window at Walt Disney World. Make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible, as they book quickly. There are no guarantees you will get a reservation on the day.
There are also some excellent quick-service locations and carts throughout EPCOT. Plus, if you visit during one of the festivals, there are fantastic kitchens around EPCOT.
Be ready for every type of weather.
Don’t be unprepared for the weather. EPCOT is massive, and it will take time to return to your resort. Sunscreen, a hat, and waterproofing might be needed any day.
Read our Guide to the Orlando Weather for more tips.
Only pack essentials in your park bag
There is a lot of walking at EPCOT, and you’ll carry it all day: portable charger, refillable bottle, meds, ponchos, snacks, a couple of kid-bribes, and not much else.
We have created a guide to what we think you should include in your Walt Disney World park bag.
Visit during an EPCOT Festival
There are four festivals held annually at EPCOT:
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
- EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
All these festivals have great entertainment, special events, music, and unique food kitchens. Dates shift yearly, so check before you lock plans.
Also, if you are using the Disney Dining Plan, most items can be paid for using a snack credit.
Kids love EPCOT
Anyone who says otherwise hasn’t tried Kidcot (free activity cards in every pavilion) and mixed in Figment, Nemo, Frozen, and Remy between the “grown-up” bits.
Ride Test Track early in the day
Summer afternoon storms are frequent in Orlando. Storms will mean Test Track will close. Ride the attraction early in the day. Plus, the new theming has made Test Track a top attraction again.
Walk past Spaceship Earth on arrival.
Spaceship Earth is the first attraction you hit when you arrive through the main entrance, and it attracts big crowds first thing. Usually, I’d say “save Spaceship Earth for the last hour.” However, it’s temporarily closed for refurbishment from August 25, 2025, with a return expected later this year. When it’s back, the old rule applies: ride late when the queue melts.
International Gateway rope-drop tactic
If you’re on the Skyliner route or staying near Crescent Lake, aim for the International Gateway entrance. The Skyliner starts one hour before Early Theme Park Entry, which puts you steps from Remy and Frozen before the front-gate crowd arrives. Head to Remy first and then head to Frozen.
Use Test Track Single Rider
When wait times spike, use the Single Rider line at Test Track. Your party will be split, but the time saved can be huge.
Experience EPCOT at Night
All Disney parks look great at night. EPCOT perhaps looks the best of them all. Make sure you schedule some late-night exploring during your visit.
Don’t miss Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Unless you suffer from motion sickness, you do not want to miss Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. It is the best ride in Walt Disney World. If you disagree with me, you’re wrong!
Do you have any other EPCOT Hacks? Why not leave us a comment below?
More Disney World
- To learn more about Walt Disney World, visit our Guide to Walt Disney World.
- Read our Guide to EPCOT to learn more about the park.
