Epcot is our family’s favorite park at Disney. We love the sights and sounds at Epcot and there is always something new to experience and love. Here are our top 20 favorite experiences at Epcot:
1. Illuminations
Our favorite experience at Epcot is the nightly fireworks display, Illuminations. It’s set to music and highlights different nations around the world. It’s usually early enough that even little kids can stay up for it, and you can have a good view of it from anywhere in the World Showcase.
2. Soarin’
Soarin’ is one of our favorite rides across the World, hands down. It simulates a hang gliding experience. It’s such a unique ride and every time we ride it, it just makes us grin. You definitely don’t want to miss it. A brand new film debuts in June 2016 and we can’t wait to experience it!
3. Test Track
Test Track is such a great experience. It has an awesome queue line and we love the guest interaction as you get to design your own car. It’s more than just a ride; it’s an entire design lab. Our family has major competitions to see who can design the best car!
4. Mission: Space
Mission:Space is an awesome ride for your group as you have to work together to launch your spacecraft. The best part of Mission:Space, though, in our opinion, is the play area as you exit the ride. Older guests love the arcade style games and the younger guests love the slides and climbing tunnels.
5. The Seas pavilion
The Seas pavilion is home to the Finding Nemo ride, but we love the marine life experiences even more. After you exit the ride, you’ll find gigantic aquariums, deep sea diving demonstrations, and if you’re lucky you might even get to see the manatees getting fed. Our kids could spend hours here!
6. Spaceship Earth
We think Spaceship Earth is just one of those classic Disney experiences you can’t miss. It’s a slow, quiet ride that’s mostly dark, and the coolest part about this ride is when you realize that you’re at the very top of the giant Spaceship Earth ball! Make sure to send an email postcard from the future at the exit!
7. Living with the Land
The Living with the Land boat tour is a hidden gem at the Land pavilion. We find it fascinating that the food grown in the Land pavilion is used throughout Epcot restaurants. It’s an interesting behind-the-scenes ride that will give you some food for thought.
8. Epcot’s character spot
We love Epcot’s Character Spot because it’s a totally different character meet than most others at Disney World. We love the funky Epcot backdrops, the character interactions here, and the (usually) short waits to meet the classic Disney characters!
9. Character dining
Epcot has great character dining experiences! Our favorites are the princess meals at Akershus, but you can also check out the Garden Grill for a fun, rotating restaurant experience.
10. Shopping in World Showcase
World Showcase has some incredible shops to browse. Each country has multiple shops with endless merchandise to peruse. Our favorite gift shop is in Japan; it’s huge and is an experience all in itself.
11. The festivals throughout the year
Epcot is home to the Flower and Garden Festival in the spring and early summer, Food and Wine Festival in the fall, and unique holiday traditions during the winter months. Every season brings new and exciting experiences to Epcot.
12. The concerts
Throughout the year, Epcot hosts outdoor concerts at the America Gardens amphitheater in the United States pavilion in World Showcase. There are usually numerous headlining names, and for most of them admission is included in the cost of Epcot admission. There are also daily performances in the various countries by musicians from that country. Stopping to get a frozen lemonade and enjoying the beats of an outdoor concert is one of our favorite Epcot experiences!
13. Sum of All Thrills
The Sum of All Thrills is a simulator ride where you can design your own roller coaster and then experience it. We love this attraction because it’s different every time since you can change your roller coaster every time! You can find it in the Innoventions pavilion and it’s usually not crowded.
14. Turtle Talk with Crush
Turtle Talk with Crush is one of our kids’ all-time favorites. It’s fascinating to us how the animated characters interact with the audience, and we belly-laugh every time (it’s really funny)! Definitely don’t miss this interactive show at the Seas pavilion!
15. Reflections of China
This film is shown in a 360-degree theater, and it’s gorgeous. It is standing room only so kids usually aren’t big fans, but it’s a dark and calm way to cool off in the middle of the day and it’s rarely crowded. The cinematography is very well done and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable “trip” through all parts of China.
16. Club Cool
Club Cool can be found in Future World and is a fun – and free – way to cool off! Here you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world. Our favorites are the fruit flavored sodas like strawberry and mango. Definitely challenge your family to try the Beverly!
17. Gran Fiesta Tour
The Gran Fiesta Tour is a tame boat ride through the Mexico pavilion, and features the Three Caballeros. It’s a great ride to go on while you’re waiting for a reservation at the San Angel Inn or Illuminations.
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18. KidCot stations
Every country in World Showcase has a KidCot station, where a cast member will do a craft with your kids, stamp their World Showcase passport, and discuss things about their country. Our kids LOVE this and it is educational as well as fun!
19. The food
Epcot has some of the best food, without contest. Our favorite thing to do in the afternoons at Epcot is to eat our way around the World Showcase. Maybe start with a taco from the walk up window in Mexico, and end with splitting an order of fish and chips in the United Kingdom. Other favorites are egg rolls from China, funnel cakes in the United States, and apple streusel in Germany.
20. Character meet and greets
We love the character interactions at Epcot. Seeing the characters in their “home country” is so much fun, and the lines tend to be much shorter here than at other parks. You can usually catch Belle and the Beast in France, Mary Poppins and Alice in the United Kingdom, Snow White in Germany and Mulan in China.
Epcot is always changing and each trip there is something new to see here. Make your own list of your favorite experiences on your next vacation!
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!
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