Heading to EPCOT Park and need to know the top 10 things to do? Whether you’re visiting with friends or family, trying out the new rides or heading to a festival, there is plenty to do at Epcot. And with rising prices and crowds, having a plan for your Epcot day is a must! That way you can skip the park hopper ticket and valuable time spent using Disney transportation. Instead plan to be at the park all day. Here’s our list of Disney Must-Dos at EPCOT Theme Park.
So, we’ve written before about EPCOT. A Lot. We love the Epcot Festivals and can never get enough of the food. From trying out our favorite foodie booths at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival to crushing on the only thing we like in the American Pavilion, the Regal Eagle BBQ Smokehouse. With so many things to see, eat and do at EPCOT Theme Park, we usually need more than one day in this park. This gives us extra time to hunt down all the Best EPCOT Snacks.
What Should I Not Miss at EPCOT?
Be sure to check out our EPCOT Bucket List so you can be sure not to miss a thing, and our Best Days to Visit Which Disney Park post for our top days to avoid crowds. Ok, let’s dive in. If you only get to do 10 things, these are the things that really make our Disney Vacations feel extra magical. A day at Epcot means a little bit of culture, a few rides, and food. Here are all our favorite things for a day at EPCOT, Walt Disney World. There is something here to please everyone in your travel party.
Ride Spaceship Earth
his ride can be found in the iconic Epcot ball, Spaceship Earth. This experience is part ride, part history lesson, and one of the Epcot top 10 things to do. If you’re looking for something relaxing, informative, fun, and filled with the spirit of Epcot, be sure to add Spaceship Earth to your ride lineup. This ride is one of our favorites! Featuring a story that takes you through the ages of humanity, Spaceship Earth is all about learning the past and writing the future together. We’ve pulled together the Spaceship Earth Script with Dame Judi Dench narrating so you can get a glimpse of what you will see along the way.
Ride EPCOT Soarin’
A signature ride at Epcot, Soarin’ is by far the one of the best rides at EPCOT and loved by kids and grown-ups alike. With landscape scenes and amazing smells, this ride gives you a glimpse into countries around the world. Thankfully, now equipped with multiple bays to carry more riders, the waits on this one are usually less than 40 minutes. You’ll get to soar over Africa, the Taj Mahal, and the ocean and more in this simulated flight experience ride. Waits are lowest during meal times.
Grab a Snack at Karamell-Küche Werther’s Store
When you think of EPCOT food, chances are you don’t think of the Werther’s store at Disney World. But we do! We love Karamell-Kuche, specializing in caramels, chocolates, and decadent treats made with both. From your basic caramel brownie to s’mores to the delectable freshly made caramel popcorn. Located in the Germany pavilion at EPCOT Theme Park, at the only freestanding Werther’s store in America, you can watch the staff make treats here, and choose them to your liking. Better yet, many of these treats are snack-credit eligible if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan!
Ride Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Each of the World Showcase EPCOT countries has it’s own look and feel, and sometimes, even rides! Found in the World Showcase Mexico, this fun boat ride doesn’t need a Lightning Lane Pass, as the standby line is typically less than 20 minutes. Featuring Donald Duck reprising his role as one of the Three Caballeros, you can count on bright colors, music, and even a few Hidden Mickeys that can be found in this ride.
Grab Food at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie
Our absolute favorite place for breakfast is Epcot, you can grab food at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie before the World Showcase opens. This little French restaurant in World Showcase France opens at 9 am ( on days when Epcot is open at 9 am) and offers croissants, egg sandwiches, and small desserts. We also love that being here early in our Epcot day gets us close to the action when World Showcase opens at 11 am. Note that this counter service restaurant usually has a line and minimal seating. So be prepared to wait, and to grab a seat when you see it. It’s well worth the trouble.
Ride Living with the Land
Another favorite boat ride in Epcot, Living with the Land is all about sharing our agricultural journey. Focused on conservation, this ride shows off all the vegetables growing at Disney and many used in the restaurants there. From the aquaculture tanks, to seeing bananas, pineapples and hanging tomatoes, you can find an array of Hidden Mickeys here. If you’re looking for a more in-depth experience check out the Behind the Seeds tour to get an inside look at some of Disney’s conservation efforts. As a calm 15 minute boat ride, this is a perfect ride to help you destress while in the parks.
Eat Dinner at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Epcot is filled with restaurants! How could you ever choose just one? Thankfully Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria can satisfy most tastes! Whether you’re just looking for a good pizza or plan on sitting down to a full meal, this restaurant can offer both. Considered one of the best restaurants at EPCOT Park, Via Napoli offers pizzas, lasagna, and tiramisu. As a sit down restaurant in EPCOT this one is casual, and perfect for kids and grown ups.
Watch the Luminous Nighttime Spectacular Show
Found on the lagoon at Epcot World Showcase, EPCOT’s nighttime spectaculars combine lights, music, and projections for a brilliant nighttime display. This evening show is always a nice close at the end of a busy day and really makes your Epcot experience complete. Typically at park closing time of 9:00 PM, we recommend you grab a seat about 30 minutes in advance, and let the crowds rush to the buses while you take one last browse around the park.
Ride Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind
By far one of the best Epcot attractions, and a great thrill ride rollercoaster at Disney World, Guardians catapults you backwards into the universe to help the save the day. With a selection of songs as your ride soundtrack, you never know which one you’ll get! We love this ride for the immersion experience. Be sure to grab a Virtual Queue Boarding Pass so you have a chance to ride!
Try International Sodas at Club Cool
One of the most unique experiences at EPCOT theme park is the chance to try sodas from countries around the world. Located right next to the Creations Gift Shop, you can stop into Club Cool! Hib to Coca Cola products, you can take a FREE drink sample from a variety of drink machines all filled with international sodas. Our favorite? The Beverly. Try them all to see which you like best.
Epcot Top 10 Things to Do
There is no shortage of amazing rides, restaurants, and shows to watch at Epcot. Be sure to check out the Best Snacks at Epcot and our list of Best Epcot Restaurants and what to skip. So you can have the most amazing foodie experiences on your next trip. Here’s hoping that no matter when you go, or what you do you have an amazing time while you’re there. Let us know your favorite parts of an Epcot Vacation!
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
