Here’s How I Would Rank EPCOT Attraction Tiers
Quick! Name your ten favorite rides at Magic Kingdom! It’s hard, right?
I recently ranked the various attractions by tiers, and the results kept me up at night.
Photo: Disney
Now, I’ll do the same thing at a more top-heavy park so that you can appreciate the difference.
Here are how I would rank all the attractions at EPCOT by tiers.
Run, Don’t Walk!
EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom work much differently than Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The latter two parks are overflowing with options to the point that you can’t do everything in one day.
EPCOT
Image Credit: Disney
Conversely, EPCOT and Animal Kingdom are one-day parks for most guests, so you can do most of the stuff on this list.
So, your choices here work differently than at Magic Kingdom. You’re picking and choosing the attractions that interest you rather than scrambling for what’s available.
Thankfully, EPCOT comes with a clear divide regarding its best attractions.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Image Credit: Disney Parks
Frozen Ever After
Credit: Disney
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Photo: Disney
Test Track
Photo: Disney
You’ll notice that EPCOT claims nearly as many A-list attractions as Magic Kingdom. In fact, I excluded one that could have gone in this tier.
If I’d added that one, the two parks would have tied in terms of E-ticket attractions.
However, that’s not the big story here. Instead, it’s about how much EPCOT has changed recently.
Three of these four attractions arrived from 2016 through May 2022. It’s emblematic of Disney’s commitment to improving all its parks.
Image Credit: Disney
The Frozen Ever After update came together quickly. Meanwhile, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Cosmic Rewind suffered pandemic-related delays.
Disney announced all these E-ticket attractions within a four-year period, even though it took two years longer to introduce them all.
Now, when you visit EPCOT, you’ll find an unprecedented storytelling roller coaster that immerses you in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Coaster fans will also enjoy the final section of Test Track, a ride that covers a wide range of ride styles during its five-minute experience.
Image Credit: Disney
Meanwhile, the detailed theming on Ratatouille and Frozen Ever After will transport guests to a Parisian bistro and Arendelle.
EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have both undergone renaissances during the past few years. As a result, they now host some of Walt Disney World’s best attractions.
Photo credit: DisneyWorldVacationGuide.com
Everything I’ve ranked in this tier is the gold standard in theme park amusement. EPCOT has dramatically changed in that regard.
Underrated But Awesome!
When we discuss EPCOT, I often feel like I’m the crazy man yelling at strangers.
I’m devout in the belief that this park provides the best bang for the buck at Walt Disney World.
I’ll prove that by listing one of Disney’s best attractions ever in this tier. Also, I’m adding my own favorite, plus one that most guests adore for its thrills.
Photo: Todaysorlando.com
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Image: Disney
Mission: SPACE
Credit: Disney
Royal Sommerhus
Photo: Disney
Soarin’ Around the World
Photo: Touring Plans
Spaceship Earth
I’ll confess that I had initially slotted Soarin’ into the top grouping. However, upon reflection, while I adore this ride, it’s had its time in the sun.
When Soarin’ opened at EPCOT in 2005, Orlando fans were ecstatic. This was the ONE Disney California Adventure attraction everyone wanted.
Photo: Scott Brinegar
Realistically, that happened more than 15 years ago. So while Soarin’ remains one of the park’s most delightful rides, I don’t think it would make many people’s top three.
So, I couldn’t in good conscience slot Soarin’ in the top tier. Similarly, I’ve made no secret about the fact that Spaceship Earth is my favorite ride.
Photo: Disney
In a weird way, its perennial presence at the front of EPCOT has caused it to get hidden in plain sight a bit. As a result, people tend to take it for granted now.
This attraction would delight Walt Disney, though. It’s a ride we should all appreciate more.
Photo: Disney
Royal Sommerhus is admittedly a bit of a weird addition here, as it’s the only EPCOT character interaction I’ve even listed.
However, I think most people would agree that Anna and Elsa provide THE best character greeting here. That explains why its wait times are often 40+ minutes.
Photo: Disney
Despite the meet and greet’s popularity, I still think it’s a bit underrated. The entire meeting spot is terrific and heartwarming.
I’ve mentioned that I’m not a big fan of Mission: SPACE. Still, most people are, and its waits are consistently better than other E-ticket rides here.
Photo: Abigail Nilsson
Conversely, people don’t love Gran Fiesta Tour enough, which irks me. This one’s better than It’s a Small World. More people should acknowledge that!
I Like Them, and You Should Too!
The final tier lists virtually every other ride at the park, plus a pair of shows.
Frankly, I could have listed more of the latter. EPCOT hosts some great ones. I stuck with the ones that I think deserve more consideration, though.
When you’re at the park, you should be having fun. So, all these shows fall into that category.
Photo: Disney
Awesome Planet
Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Photo: Disney Lists
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Photo: Disney
Living with the Land
Photo (Earth 911)
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Photo: Disney
Turtle Talk with Crush
I won’t exaggerate the quality of Awesome Planet other than to say that I find it charming. I’m a huge of its narrator, Ty Burrell, though.
Conversely, I think parents would be remiss to skip Turtle Talk with Crush, which is utterly charming. It’s everything Disney should be to children.
Photo:Yesterland
Then, there’s the short film festival, which is currently playing three of Disney’s best recent shorts: Piper, Get a Horse, and Feast.
I’m not exaggerating when I say Feast is my favorite animated short ever. So when you need some joy, go here!
As for the three rides, I would rank them as The Seas with Nemo & Friends, followed closely by Living with the Land.
Journey into Imagination with Figment is a…more nuanced discussion. However, the waits there are rarely more than 15 minutes.
So, you might as well give it a shot, especially if you have children!
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Feature Photo: Disney
