You’re at EPCOT. Now What?
Sometimes, you don’t want to put a lot of planning into your theme park visit.
Instead, you just want to show up and see what happens. And that’s totally fine!
A spontaneous Disney visit represents one of the greatest joys in life!
So, let’s say you’re at EPCOT. Now what?
Determining Your Budget
Once you arrive at the park, the first thing you must decide is how much you’re willing to spend.
In recent years, Disney has moved toward a new approach for guests. Admission pays for your park visit.
However, you can get more when you spend more. Should you? That answer involves some nuance, and I can’t make the decision for you.
I can arm you with some information, though! EPCOT recently opened an attraction that towers above the rest…almost literally!
Disney constructed an entire building of gigantic proportions to host an indoor roller coaster.
The ride is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and it can be free to ride. I emphasize can because you’ll need a bit of luck.
Each day, EPCOT opens a virtual queue at 7 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.
When this queue opens, you’ll log into My Disney Experience attempt to schedule a Boarding Group.
The odds are ever in your favor, as long as it’s not a super-crowded day.
You should understand that you don’t need to be in the park to book at 7 a.m. because, well, that would be impossible. EPCOT almost never opens that early.
So, you can book a Boarding Group from your hotel room or wherever you are. At 1 p.m., you must be inside the park to reserve your Boarding Group, though.
Should you fail both times, you can pay to ride Cosmic Rewind. Disney sells a Lightning Lane reservation for $15-$17 per person on most dates.
That’s not your only financial consideration, though…
Other Ways to Spend/Save Money
You could also purchase Disney Genie+, which allows you to enter the shorter Lightning Lane for most attractions.
While Disney uses the same terminology for Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane, Cosmic Rewind remains the only current ride in its own category.
For everything else, a Disney Genie+ reservation allows you to skip most of the line.
Disney Genie+ varies in pricing, starting at $15 per person and sometimes reaching as much as $29 on crowded dates.
Only you can decide whether that sounds like a lot or not. What I’ll say is that most people leave the park satisfied when they purchase Disney Genie+.
Also, you can save enough money during your visit to justify this splurge.
For example, Walt Disney World theme parks offer Table Service and Quick Service dining options.
When Disney says Quick Service, what it means is counter service akin to fast food. Table Service signifies a better caliber of meal, albeit for more money.
However, at EPCOT, you’ll discover festivals running on most dates. During an EPCOT festival, the park operates food booths, which are pop-up kiosks.
Most entrees and drinks here cost $10 or less. So, you can save a ton of money by eating at EPCOT food booths during your visit.
In the process, you may discover you have the funds needed for Disney Genie+ or even a Cosmic Rewind Lightning Lane!
Which Rides Should You Choose?
You should definitely prioritize Cosmic Rewind, although I’ll warn you that some guests complain of nausea after riding this thrilling roller coaster.
Also, EPCOT has opened some other E-ticket attractions over the past few years.
That’s why two of the park’s most popular rides are Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. They’re both new-ish and brilliant!
Notably, they’re also two of only three rides at EPCOT that require a wait of 60+ minutes as a rule…and sometimes not even that much!
The third attraction is Test Track, which isn’t based on a Disney intellectual property. So, you can probably guess what Ratatouille and Frozen entail.
With Test Track, imagine a combination dark ride and roller coaster with some unexpected elements thrown in for good measure.
I have great news about the rest of your EPCOT visit. On all but the most hectic days, you should be able to do everything else, even without Disney Genie+.
In fact, beyond these three rides, I’d argue you don’t even need Disney Genie+, which makes EPCOT Disney’s cheapest park overall.
Still, you will want to experience several other attractions here. Everyone should try Soarin’ Around the World, Spaceship Earth, and Mission: SPACE.
Parents should prioritize Journey into Imagination with Figment, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
I also recommend Living with the Land, but it can be a bit boring for some.
Meanwhile, a hidden gem here is Turtle Talk with Crush, a surprisingly funny presentation.
Also, you’ll find some Circle-Vision 360 shows in the World Showcase.
I advise you to try one and decide for yourself whether you like it. This experience is…unique.
Where to Eat at EPCOT
I already listed my top recommendation, which is the food booths. They’re cheap and often delicious.
If you’d prefer a Quick Service meal, the best place at the front of the park is undoubtedly Sunshine Seasons, although Connections Eatery is solid, too.
At the back of the park, simply select the kind of food you crave that day.
Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Moroccan menus are all available.
Barbecue fans will also love Regal Eagle Smokehouse, one of the newer entries here.
For a finer dining experience, you’ll enjoy numerous options. Keep in mind that Disney accepts Advanced Dining Reservations, though.
You may find that your preferred choice isn’t available during your visit.
If you can find a table at any of these places, you should prioritize a meal, though:
- Akershus (Norway Pavilion)
- Chefs de France (France Pavilion)
- Rose and Crown Dining Room (United Kingdom Pavilion)
- San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico Pavilion)
- Teppan Edo (Japan Pavilion)
Something else to keep in mind is that many snacks at EPCOT double as light meals.
You can start with some popcorn at the Canada Pavilion and then roam until you reach the France and Norway Pavilions.
You’ll discover tasty treats at both locations, and your sense of smell will guide you to whichever is best.
Exploring the World Showcase is absolutely something that foodies must try at least once in their lives.
EPCOT is Disney’s best playground for adults due to its dining, drinking, and shopping options. And the attractions are exceptional as well!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!