Personally, I LOVE Epcot. My appreciation of the park has grown as I’ve gotten older, and there are tons of awesome things to do for adults and kids. In addition to several huge festivals and events throughout the year, delicious restaurants in World Showcase, and some of the best live entertainment around (hello, British Revolution!), Epcot has some great rides too (see “Top 5 Must Do Rides at Epcot”).
If possible on your trip, break up your time at Epcot. Spend one morning there to do the rides and attractions, and then go back another night for drinks, dinner and the fireworks show, Illuminations (hurry before it leaves late summer 2019!). Day and night at all of the parks are totally different, especially at Epcot, and it’s worth it to visit at both times of day.
Morning at Epcot
Get there one morning right at park opening, or like us show up about 30 minutes before, hoping they’ll let you in early (which they usually do). If you’re coming in the side entrance (over by the UK & France), the lines tend to be shorter and quicker to get through. You can come in that entrance if you’re staying at the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, or Swan and Dolphin. Soon the Disney gondolas will open, linking that side entrance to a few other resorts – stay tuned for more info! If you’re coming in the main entrance, definitely give yourself some time, as this is where the majority of guests enter.
Use your morning to hit the big attractions – hopefully you have a few Fast Pass+ selections for them! Head straight to whatever ride youdon’t have a Fast Pass+ for if you want to do all of the biggies. Or, sometimes we like to ride our favorite ride (Soarin’) twice. We’ll run to Soarin’ right away, ride it once in the regular line (there isn’t much of a line if you beat the rush), and then ride it a second time using our Fast Pass+. Our family likes to do the rides, stay for lunch (Via Napoli in Italy has the best pizza), and then head back and hit the pool in the afternoon! You’re in and out of Epcot in a few hours.
Night at Epcot
Epcot at nighttime is one of my favorite things to do in all of WDW. Make a dinner reservation at one of the many delicious countries in the World Showcase (we love Mexico, Germany and France). Depending on what time your reservation is, head over early so you have time to walk around and enjoy the sites and sounds in the countries. There is a TON of great live music and entertainment, so be sure to check the schedule since performances are quick (but usually run every hour).
My perfect night in Epcot would be to head to the United Kingdom first. I love this area – Rose n Crown pub has great drinks, and the shops are so fun to walk around. And be sure to get a picture in the iconic red telephone booths! We usually get a beer and head to the back to listen to the greatest band of all time, British Revolution (okay, I’m biased). Then we’ll meander over to Mexico to the San Angel Inn for dinner inside the pyramid. After dinner, we hang around to enjoy Illuminations before we walk back to the Beach Club.
Helpful hint: if you’re leaving out the main entrance, be sure to watch Illuminations over on that side of the lagoon so you don’t get stuck behind the massive crowds leaving when the show is over.
Slow down and take in the sites and sounds of Epcot – you never know what magic you’ll stumble across!