Our Guide to EPCOT for Beginners is essential for first-time visitors and experienced travelers to Walt Disney World. Our family-focused advice will ensure you have a great vacation. Our Guide to EPCOT has been updated and includes all the latest information for 2025 and 2026.
Jump Right Into Our Guide to EPCOT
A lot has changed in recent years at EPCOT. However, one thing that has not changed is the need to plan your time at EPCOT. Are you
- EPCOT: The Basics
- Planning Your Visit to EPCOT
- Helpful Information when visiting EPCOT
- EPCOT Tips to Have a Great Vacation
- World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery
- World Showcase
- Dining at EPCOT
- Seasonal Festivals at EPCOT
EPCOT: The Basics
To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome. EPCOT is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it
E. Cardon Walker, October 24, 1982instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.
EPCOT opened on October 1st, 1982, and was the 2nd park to open at Walt Disney World. The park covers 300 acres and is more than twice the size of Magic Kingdom.
Epcot was known as EPCOT Center until 1994, but is now commonly known as just EPCOT. Recently, the spelling EPCOT seems to have returned, rather than Epcot, which was used for several years. The park is represented by Spaceship Earth, a giant sphere that also serves as an attraction of the same name.
Why is it called EPCOT?
EPCOT is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It was intended to be a utopian city of the future, planned by Walt Disney to be built in Florida. After Walt’s death, his vision for EPCOT was not developed, but it became the name of the 2nd theme park. A model of Walt’s original vision can be seen riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority attraction in the Magic Kingdom.
EPCOT Facts
Like all the Disney Theme Parks, EPCOT has many interesting facts and statistics, e.g., did you know that more than 30 tons of fruits and vegetables are grown at The Land Pavilion each year, and are served in Walt Disney World restaurants?
We have created a selection of our favorite EPCOT Facts, which you can use to impress your friends.
Transformation of EPCOT
Before Walt Disney World’s closure due to the pandemic, a multi-year Transformation of EPCOT had started. Unfortunately, the ambitious plans were delayed, and several projects were postponed or downgraded. However, the transformation is now complete, and unlike the other Disney World Parks, there are no new attractions announced for EPCOT. As part of the redevelopment, Future World was transformed into three new neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery.
While the final transformation isn’t as grand as initially announced, it has still been an impressive transformation. The park looks fantastic and there are some top new attractions.
Planning Your Visit to EPCOT
To experience EPCOT, you should spend time planning your visit. Most guests will need at least two days to experience the whole park. Not having a plan could mean you miss your top attractions. If you are planning a shorter trip, you may manage to do most of the main attractions in one day, but you won’t be able to explore the World Showcase fully.
The planning process for EPCOT has undergone significant changes over the last few years. However, there is a set of tools that you must master: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours on select nights, mobile ordering, and Advance Dining Reservations. We will cover all these topics in this Guide.
EPCOT Park Hours
Park hours are typically published about 60–75 days in advance and are often extended closer to your dates. Click the link to get all the latest Walt Disney World Park Hours.
Disney Park Pass Reservation System
The majority of guests no longer have to make a Disney Park Pass Reservation. If you have a date-based ticket, you are no longer required to make a reservation.
If your ticket is not date-based, read our Guide to the Disney Park Pass System.
Additionally, if you plan to visit more than one park each day, we recommend reading our Guide to Park Hopping.
Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.
Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours are great benefits for on-site guests and select other resorts. Both benefits are regularly available at EPCOT.
Early Theme Park Entry is the replacement for Extra Magic Hours. All Walt Disney World Resort guests, and 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 on Mondays, but dates can vary, so check My Disney Experience.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
Walt Disney World currently offers three paid skip-the-line options: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass (à la carte for the top rides), and Lightning Lane Premier Pass (covers all Lightning Lane attractions once per day).
You don’t need any of these to have a great day, but they do reduce waits. Disney Resort (and select hotel) guests can buy and book up to 7 days before check-in for their entire stay (up to 14 days); off-site guests can book up to 3 days before their park day.
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.
Some of the most popular attractions at EPCOT are unavailable on Disney Genie+. An individual fee is required to access the Lightning Lane for these attractions.
There is currently only one EPCOT attraction sold as a Lightning Lane Single Pass:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Cosmic Rewind does attract long waits, so if time is tight, a Single Pass might be worth considering. However, if you are happy to join the queue at park closing time, you will always manage a ride.
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.
Single Rider Line at EPCOT
Want to avoid a long wait without buying a Multi Pass?
Test Track and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure have a single-rider line that can cut your wait if you are happy to ride alone. Read our Guide to the Single Rider Line to find out more.
Are you big enough to ride?
Don’t create a strategy that includes all family members riding to realize too late; not all of you can. 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.
Park Wi-Fi and My Disney Experience.
You will not be putting your phone away when you visit EPCOT! At EPCOT, you will use My Disney Experience all day for wait times, Mobile Order, Lightning Lane management, showtimes, and maps. Wi-Fi is available throughout the parks and is generally good.
Walt Disney World encourages all guests to download the latest version of My Disney Experience on their mobile devices before entering the parks. Additionally, they recommend enabling location services and notifications.
Banned at EPCOT
EPCOT has various rules you must follow. Click the link to find out more about what is Banned at Epcot.
Meeting Characters at EPCOT
EPCOT is one of the best parks at Walt Disney World for meeting characters. Character meals are available in the Land(Chip & Dale, Mickey) and Norway(Princesses), but plenty of characters are also throughout the park.
Characters that can only be met at EPCOT, for free, include Mulan, Star-Lord, Anna, and Elsa. Our Guide to Finding Characters at Walt Disney World has plenty of helpful hints.
Make sure you have access to the My Disney Experience App to find where all the characters are.
Disabilities at EPCOT
EPCOT provides extensive facilities for all disabilities, including visual, auditory, mobility & cognitive impairments.
Visit our Guide to Disabilities at Walt Disney World to learn more.
Planning Sheets
After your initial research, you will want to write down your vacation plans. Our Free Walt Disney World Planners are a great resource to help create a perfect EPCOT Plan.
Our Free Walt Disney World Planners will ensure you miss nothing when visiting EPCOT; make sure you download this free resource.
Helpful Information when visiting EPCOT
Sometimes it isn’t easy to find the answers to all your questions before you visit EPCOT. We have created a section on Modern Life Is Good that answers many of these questions on EPCOT and the rest of Walt Disney World.
Our Walt Disney World Useful Information, last updated August 2025, answers common queries and reflects current policies and prices. Information you will find includes Theme Park rules, stroller hire, locker hire, tours, baby care centers, first aid, and lots more helpful Walt Disney World information.
Epcot Tips to Have a Great Vacation
Anybody who has ever visited EPCOT will have a list of tips for a future visit. Here is a selection of ours that we have learned from previous visits.
- Here are our EPCOT Top Tips & Tricks
- Here is a list of mistakes we have made when visiting EPCOT.
- Although this post is a bit old, we previously considered what We Love & what We Hate at EPCOT.
World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature
This area was previously known as Future World and is now split into three lands:
- World Celebration offers new experiences that connect guests to one another and the world around them.
- World Discovery brings stories about science, technology, and intergalactic adventure to life.
- World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe, and balance of the natural world.
World Celebration
World Celebration is the redesigned park’s entrance. The various gardens do give the park a great new look. However, CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall are pretty disappointing. CommuniCore Hall is especially disappointing and is struggling to create its original description as the center of EPCOT festivals.
A side building of CommuniCore Hall is being used as the new location to meet Mickey Mouse and friends. This meet and greet is also a little disappointing, and you might find the experience in the other Disney Parks better.
Perhaps the best bit is Dreamers Point. This overlook features a statue of Walt Disney called “Walt the Dreamer.”
Spaceship Earth is one of the most recognizable structures in any theme park. Inside is a 15-minute ride that shows the advancement of human communication. A post-ride exhibit is called Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future. Spaceship Earth was to transform, but this transformation has been postponed. However, at the time of writing, it is undergoing a multi-month refurbishment, but no changes have been announced. GEO-82 is a new adult-only lounge that has opened at the exit of Spaceship Earth.
Figment, the mischievous cartoon dragon, stars in Journey into Imagination with Figment. This is a fun dark ride experience. However, my children have found Figment to be a little scary when young.
ImageWorks: The What-If Labs is an interactive area you can explore after the ride. The labs are an area most adults will happily skip, but kids do enjoy them. Figment currently meets in this area.
The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival is held in the former Captain EO & Honey I Shrunk the Audience Theatre. While these 3D films are pretty good, they can be seen elsewhere. Is this an excellent use of your Walt Disney World ticket money?
World Discovery
Test Track has recently been reimagined, and it is rather good. The finale hasn’t changed, and it remains the fastest ride in Walt Disney World, but the show scenes have been significantly altered. Test Track is great fun, and it remains one of the most popular attractions in the park. The ride has a Single Rider Line, which you should consider using to save time. Test Track also closes whenever there is inclement weather, and in storm season, it is advisable to ride early.
Mission: Space is a simulator ride that is meant to replicate what an astronaut might feel in space. I don’t get Mission: Space—It just feels a bit odd and not very enjoyable. I am happy to give it a miss if the time is tight.
Space 220 is a relatively new addition to the park adjacent to Mission: Space. I’m pleased to say the restaurant is significantly better than the ride, and you should not miss it.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, in the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, is my favorite current attraction in Walt Disney World. It was initially slated to open in 2021, but eventually opened on May 27, 2022. The indoor coaster stars the Guardians of the Galaxy cast, including Rocket and Groot. The fast-spinning coaster has fantastic effects and a sensational random soundtrack. The ride is popular for a good reason, and unless you want a lengthy wait, you might need to buy a Single Pass.
World Nature
Guests ride Clamobiles and take an underwater trip in The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The ride includes views of a massive aquarium, which you can explore further after the ride.
Turtle Talk with Crush is an interactive animated show where guests can ask questions to Crush from Finding Nemo. I find the animation of Turtle Talk very impressive, and the entire family seems to enjoy the show.
There are three attractions inside the Land Pavilion in the World Nature area.
Soarin’ Around the World is a hang gliding motion simulator that takes guests over various regions of the world. The attraction used to be one of EPCOT’s most popular, but waits are usually fairly manageable on most days.
Awesome Planet is a 10-minute film partly created by Industrial Light & Magic. The film explores the spectacular beauty, diversity, and dynamic story of Earth.
Living with the Land is a narrated boat ride where you will visit various greenhouses and learn about future agriculture innovations. Unfortunately, many of these future agricultural innovations have been highlighted for over 20 years. Presumably, the future should be here by now, or it just isn’t happening. Perhaps many of these innovations are the agricultural equivalent of the Sinclair C5? Actually, we did the Behind the Seeds Tour, and I now have a whole new perspective on this agrarian innovation.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, opened in 2023. This interactive outdoor trail offers a chance to play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. It isn’t the reasons why you visit EPCOT, but actually, it is great fun. Worth visiting during the day and after dark.
World Showcase
World Showcase is a permanent world fair containing 11 pavilions, each representing a country. The pavilions surround the World Showcase Lagoon, where the nightly Luminous The Symphony of Us occurs. The show features fireworks, fountains, music, and lights. I’m not a massive fan, but many people love it.
The pavilions contain architecture, attractions, shops, and restaurants you would typically find in that country. Cast Members are usually citizens of the respective countries.
Theoretically, there is space for a further nine pavilions at World Showcase, but despite rumors, there has been no confirmation of additions to World Showcase.
EPCOT’s International Gateway, between the United Kingdom & France, provides a less hectic additional entrance and exit for the park. It can be reached from the EPCOT Resorts by walking or by boat. In addition, there is a Disney Skyliner stop. It is a great entrance if you want to be one of the first guests to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Mexico
The Mexico pavilion includes the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, a “Small World-type ride” featuring Donald Duck. There had been rumors that this attraction might be updated with a new Coco theme, but it seems to have gone very quiet.
The majority of the pavilion is located inside the impressive pyramid. The central indoor area of the pyramid is themed as an outdoor twilight-lit Mexican village and marketplace.
Norway
The Norway Pavilion is the most recent nation to be added to World Showcase in 1988. The outside of the pavilion is a reproduction of Oslo’s Akershus Fortress.
Norway includes the popular Frozen Ever After dark ride. This ride is exceptionally popular, and waits can be long if you do not use a Lightning Lane.
Norway is also the only place at Walt Disney World to meet Anna & Elsa.
China
You enter this pavilion through a large triple-arched gate. An impressive replication of the Temple of Heaven is the dominant feature. China includes “Reflections of China,” a Circle-Vision 360° movie exploring China’s history. A new film called “Wondrous China” had previously been announced, but it seems to have been canceled.
The Outpost
The Outpost isn’t an official EPCOT pavilion but has been around since 1983. The original EPCOT plans highlighted a future Equatorial Africa Pavilion in this area, but it was never developed.
The Outpost contains some African-themed shopping and refreshment stops. However, there isn’t much to see here.
Germany
Germany is designed to look like a German town, but with architecture from various regions. When the pavilion was initially designed, the Unification of Germany seemed a remote possibility.
Many small shops sell traditional German goods. There is an impressive Model Village on the pavilion’s exit towards Italy.
Italy
Italy features a plaza surrounded by a collection of buildings inspired by hallmarks of Italian architecture. The centerpiece is the superb reproduction of St Mark’s Campanile, which is the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
The pavilion includes several shops that sell costly gifts, including Armani products, fine crystal, wines & porcelain.
The American Adventure
The United States pavilion is actually called The American Adventure. The highlight is an audio-animatronic show detailing American history. Overall, there is little to see in this pavilion, but the show is rather good, although perhaps a bit too patriotic!
Japan
Japan is made up of buildings surrounding a courtyard. The entrance to the courtyard features a 5-story Japanese Pagoda. Several Japanese gardens and pools decorate the pavilion. In many of the pools, you will find colorful Koi Fish.
It is home to the only remaining Mitsukoshi Department Store in the United States.
Morocco
You can’t haggle in Morocco, or I don’t think you can. Otherwise, this pavilion is laid out to look like a traditional Moroccan market.
It is one of my favorite pavilions in the World Showcase. However, the pavilion has undergone a sad decline in recent years after its operator hit financial difficulties. There are now few options, and the excellent Restaurant Marrakesh has been closed since 2020. Disney desperately needs to do something to revitalize this formerly brilliant pavilion.
France
France is themed to look like a Parisian neighborhood pre-World War 1. A replica of the Eiffel Tower is the highlight of the pavilion. The Eiffel Tower was reconstructed at a 1/10 scale of the original and stretches 103 feet into the air. Imagineers used forced perspective to make it look bigger than it is. There are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities in this pavilion.
A panoramic film titled Impressions de France can be viewed in the pavilion, which has been recently upgraded to 4k. Running in tandem in the same theater is a Beauty & the Beast Sing-Along.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened in Epcot on October 1st, 2021. The attraction is in 3D and uses a trackless ride system. During the ride, you shrink to the size of a rat and cause mayhem in Gustav’s kitchen. The ride is great fun, and a personal favorite since I first rode the Disneyland Paris version. However, it will become 2D in November.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is designed to look like a traditional English village, which never existed. There are some interesting gardens and several shops in the pavilion. In addition, there are usually some live bands entertaining guests. However, there is little to do in this pavilion apart from relaxing.
A future Mary Poppins attraction was planned but has now been canceled.
Canada
The Canada pavilion is designed to remind guests of the Canadian outdoors. The outstanding landscaping includes a canyon, a waterfall, gardens, and totem poles.
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 debuted in January 2020. The film features narration by Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.
Dining and Drinking at EPCOT
If you are a foodie, then EPCOT is probably the park for you!
EPCOT has the most extensive selection of dining options at Walt Disney World. From snack carts to signature dining, unique dining experiences will suit any budget.
There are multiple Quick Service Locations and Food Carts throughout EPCOT. Those located in World Showcase serve traditional food from the country you are in. During the various EPCOT Festivals, additional counters are serving different specialty treats.
Unlike the Magic Kingdom, where alcohol is limited, EPCOT serves specialty drinks in many locations. Drinking Around the World is a popular way many adults enjoy World Showcase.
There are a large number of table service restaurants at EPCOT. Check My Disney Experience for the latest information, and note that there are reviews for the majority of restaurants on this site.
EPCOT’s restaurants fill up, and standby lines, if they exist, can be very long. Obtaining an Advance Dining Reservation is highly recommended.
Our Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World has further information.
Seasonal Festivals at EPCOT
Perhaps one of the very best things about visiting EPCOT is the annual festivals. No visit to EPCOT is the same, and throughout the year, the park develops a temporary new look for the yearly festivals. Increasingly, there are very few weeks that do not hold a festival at EPCOT, but over the last year, dates have shortened slightly.
There are four annual festivals, each offering unique entertainment, food, and drink.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is an annual celebration of food and drinks worldwide. The Food & Wine Festival is one of the yearly highlights at Walt Disney World and draws big crowds of locals, especially on the weekends.
Located throughout EPCOT are Marketplaces serving specialty Drinks and Food. The festival used to be limited to World Showcase, but is now throughout the park.
Eat to the Beat is a series of free concerts held nightly throughout the Food & Wine Festival. Acts who appear regularly include Billy Ocean, Tiffany, and Starship.
Here is our review of the 2024 festival.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
The final celebration of the Epcot year features the holiday traditions of the 11 World Showcase nations. Live musical productions plus seasonal food & drink make this a not-to-miss event.
Each night, a celebrity narrator tells the biblical tale of Christmas in the Candlelight Processional. A 50-piece orchestra and choir accompany the narrator.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts starts the Epcot year by celebrating food, art & entertainment. The festival is the newest of the Epcot Festivals, and previous highlights have included:
- Food studios celebrate the culinary arts.
- The popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series.
- International musical and variety acts.
- Performing artists, including acrobats.
- Workshops led by professionals will teach different artistic techniques.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Held annually in the spring is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Highlights include:
- Outdoor kitchens encircling World Showcase offer exciting food choices plus accompanying drinks.
- The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series
- Themed gardens and wildlife habitats, including a butterfly house.
- Disney-themed topiaries throughout the park. Annual highlights include Belle in France along with Beast, Snow White in Germany with the Seven Dwarfs, and Anna and Elsa in Norway.
You can read more about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in our review.
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