Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Epcot with Spaceship Earth in the background

12 Best Epcot Rides You Can’t Miss at Walt Disney World

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Unlike Disney Parks like Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort isn’t exactly known for its rides. In fact, this park’s real claim to fame is its incredible festivals, like the Epcot Food & Wine Festival or the Festival of the Arts, as well as the culture, booze and food-filled global adventure that is World Showcase. (Drinking around the world, anyone?)

That said, there are still plenty of rides at Epcot that are well worth experiencing during your vacation. But with so many Epcot attractions available, what are the very best rides that are worth your precious time during your day? Best rides at this edutaining theme park run the gamut from a nostalgia-heavy trip through time at Spaceship Earth to the high-speed thrills of Test Track, meaning there’s a little something for everyone. So, hold onto your lap bar and read on as we break down our favorite rides.

Epcot Monorail with Spaceship Earth in the background

Epcot Best Rides Ranked by Land

Between its many rides, films, galleries and shows, there are over 30 different attractions at Epcot—and that doesn’t even include the park’s equally enjoyable live musical performances. But how many rides can you actually experience at this Disney park? Of the many Epcot attractions spread between the park’s two distinct areas, World Showcase and Future World (now called World Celebration, World Discovery and World Nature), only 11 of those are actual rides—or in other words, an attraction that utilizes a ride vehicle.

Whether you’re in the mood for an easygoing dark ride or boat ride like Spaceship Earth or Living with the Land or thrill rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Soarin’ Around the World or Test Track, you’ll find it at Epcot. However, of all the Epcot rides available, which ones should you make time for during your visit?

To make planning out your must-do list a little bit easier, we’ve first broken down all the rides at Epcot by which land they’re located, starting with Future World and making our way to World Showcase. Then, within each part of the park, we’ve ranked each Epcot attraction from the ones that absolutely shouldn’t be missed down to rides that you can give a pass if you don’t have the time. Let’s get started!

Epcot Spaceship in the morning

World Celebration

Sprawling from the theme park entrance to the Imagination Pavilion, World Celebration is the largest (and most awkwardly shaped) part of Future World. Here you’ll find two of the best Epcot rides, including what is arguably its most quintessential attraction: Spaceship Earth.

Spaceship Earth

One of the most iconic rides at Walt Disney World, Spaceship Earth is the first Epcot attraction you come to after entering the park and the most recognizable ride in Future World. Located in the park’s icon, a massive geodesic sphere, you won’t be able to miss Spaceship Earth even if you wanted to. And trust us, you definitely won’t because this slow-moving dark ride is a true Epcot classic.

Spaceship Earth takes riders on a journey through time, sending guests back millions of years to explore the history of communication and technology. From the moment you board, you’ll be immersed in a captivating story narrated by the equally iconic Dame Judi Dench as she guides you through each stage of human development from ancient times up to today. Along the way, riders learn how humans have evolved over time, getting a look at groundbreaking inventions like papermaking, printing presses, telegraphs and computers.

Equal parts educational and entertaining, Spaceship Earth sets the tone for the rest of your day at Epcot. Unfortunately, due to its unmissable location at the very front of the park, its lines tend to be the longest earlier in the day when guests are still arriving. Instead, save Spaceship Earth for one of your last Epcot attractions of the day for little to no wait time.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Imagination Pavilion at Epcot

Journey Into Imagination With Figment

Figment the purple dragon (as in a “figment” of your imagination) has long been one of the most beloved characters at Epcot. For Journey Into Imagination with Figment, the lovable dragon is your personal tour guide, alongside Dr. Nigel Channing, on a whimsical journey through the Imagination Institute. Throughout this fanciful dark ride, you’ll visit a series of labs, each exploring one of the five senses. Of course, with Figment in tow, you can probably guess that the open house doesn’t exactly go as planned.

If you have some time after the ride, be sure to check out the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival. Also part of the Imagination Pavilion, the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival isn’t only a fun way to experience some adorable short films. It also gives you a well-deserved chance to rest your feet and soak up some A/C.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Epcot with Spaceship Earth in the background

World Discovery

Journeying on from World Celebration, the World Discovery section of Future World is all about uncovering new technologies, places and possibilities. This is also where you’ll find Walt Disney World’s only Marvel attraction, as well as the only Epcot roller coaster.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Housed in the former home of Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is just the newest Epcot attraction; it’s also the park’s only roller coaster. For this out-of-this-world journey, you’ll blast off into outer space with Star-Lord and his superhero team. Featuring a rocking soundtrack curated by Peter Quill himself, exciting action sequences, a powerful villain and a max speed of 60 miles per hour, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is perfect for Marvel fans and adventure seekers alike.

As you climb aboard this far-out thrill ride, prepare yourself for an intergalactic voyage like nothing else at Disney World. Utilizing giant screens, 360-degree rotating seats and a super-smooth steel track, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind simulates the feeling of hurtling through space. There’s even a high-speed backward launch, the first of its kind on a Disney roller coaster, that kicks things off with a (big) bang.

Screen with comic book characters

And we mean that literally. Part of the new Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, Epcot’s first and only Other-World Showcase Pavilion, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind does incorporate some educational elements throughout the attraction, namely in the ride’s queue. While you wait, you’ll learn about the world of Xandar, including how both Earth and Xandar were created from the Big Bang. This helps Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to feel like a natural fit with the rest of Epcot’s semi-educational experiences.

As the newest attraction in the park and its only roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is easily Epcot’s most popular ride. Currently, the only way to experience it is by either purchasing Individual Lightning Lane access or by joining a virtual queue. So, be sure to plan accordingly if you know you want to go on it during your day.

Height Requirement: At least 42 inches (107cm) tall

Lightning Lane Access: Individual Lightning Lane entry; a Virtual Queue is also available

Test Track in Epcot

Test Track

Another attraction at the top of the list of the best rides at Epcot is Test Track. Taking its inspiration from automotive testing, Test Track puts riders in the driver’s seat of a finely tuned car, where you’ll put the vehicle through its paces during a test drive. This exhilarating attraction is designed for maximum thrills, with sharp turns and speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. One of the fastest rides at any of the Disney Parks, Test Track will have your heart (and your car) racing from start to finish.

Your Test Track experience begins as soon as you enter the queue area. There, you can try your hand at designing your very own car by tweaking things like handling capabilities, acceleration and eco-friendliness. Be sure to have your park ticket or MagicBand handy because you’ll actually be able to test your creation against those of other drivers during the ride. Then, it’s time to put the pedal to the metal. Once inside the car, strap yourself in and prepare for an unforgettable thrill ride.

Height Requirement: At least 40 inches (102cm) tall

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Mission Space in Epcot

Mission: SPACE

Have you ever wished you could be an astronaut? Well, this is your chance. Mission: SPACE is a motion simulator ride that puts you in control of—you guessed it—a mission into outer space, complete with the possible mishaps that come with an intergalactic adventure. What’s more, each rider is given a task to complete throughout the journey, allowing them to become part of the action.

Unlike Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, guests can choose between two different levels of intensity for this space ride. The Orange Mission is the original version of the attraction, which sends guests rocketing toward Mars. Utilizing a centrifuge to simulate what it feels like to take off into outer space, similar to those used by astronauts during training, including up to 2.5Gs of force, the Orange Mission is an intense ride perfect for thrill seekers looking for an adrenaline rush.

The Green Mission is the milder of the two experiences, nixing the centrifuge in lieu of a more pleasant tour around the far reaches of Earth’s atmosphere. This makes the Green Mission a great choice for younger space voyagers, guests prone to motion sickness or those with health conditions that may be exacerbated by the ride’s centrifugal forces.

Height Requirement: At least 40 inches (102cm) tall

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

The Land Pavilion at Epcot

World Nature

Crossing over to World Nature from World Discovery, you’ll find three more of the best rides at Epcot, with two awesome attractions in The Land Pavilion and one at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. All of these Epcot rides take a look at the world around us, from the natural wonders of the land to the unearthly beauty of life below the waves.

Soarin’ Around the World

Located in The Land Pavilion, Soarin’ Around the World isn’t just one of the best rides at Epcot. It’s one of the best rides in all of Walt Disney World. This exhilarating simulated hang glider ride takes you soaring over some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, allowing riders to drink in picturesque vistas from across the globe without ever having to leave their seat.

As you soar through the air, giant screens project images of breathtaking landscapes below while special effects act to the realism, from blowing breezes to transporting scents that bring each location to life. The whole thing works together to make you feel as if you’re actually there.

While we wouldn’t exactly call this a thrill ride, Soarin’ Around the World will still leave your heart racing with the excitement of having experienced some of Earth’s most stunning locations. Don’t be surprised if you leave daydreaming of your next big adventure—or, at the very least, about when you can go on Soarin’ again.

Height Requirement: At least 40 inches (102cm) tall

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Biosphere with foliage

Living with the Land

Also in The Land Pavilion, Living with the Land is a gentle boat ride that takes guests on a leisurely journey through Epcot’s greenhouses and hydroponic labs, providing a unique look into the science of sustainable agriculture. Throughout this educational aquatic dark ride, you’ll learn about innovative farming techniques used to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs for many of the restaurants at Disney World.

Living with the Land begins with a scenic trip through different simulated environments. Then, it’s off to explore greenhouses filled with lush tropical foliage and find out about advanced growing methods like aeroponics (growing plants without soil) and aquaculture (fish farming). You’ll even get to hear how Disney grows disease-resistant crops. Plus, there are also plenty of fun facts about food production along the way, making Living with the Land an ideal attraction for any budding scientists or farmers out there.

While some might find this boat ride a little too educational for their tastes, Living with the Land is one of the best rides at Epcot to really embody what the park is all about: edutainment. Before you leave The Land Pavilion behind, learn even more about this great big, beautiful world we live in during a showing of Awesome Planet. Clocking in at roughly 10 minutes, Awesome Planet is a dazzling documentary about Earth’s beauty and humans’ impact on it.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Next on our list of the best rides at Epcot is The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Set against the backdrop of the pavilion’s gigantic aquarium, this unique dark ride takes guests below the waves on a journey to find Nemo (again). After boarding a “Clamobile” (a ride vehicle shaped like, you guessed it, a clam), guests join Marlin and Dory as they try to track down the wayward clownfish.

Without a doubt, one of the most unique things about The Seas with Nemo & Friends is its immersive atmosphere. Much of the pavilion is a 5.7-million-gallon aquarium, the second largest in the United States, teeming with underwater creatures. And scenes from The Seas with Nemo & Friends use the aquarium to make it seem like Nemo, Dory and Marlin are actually swimming through the big blue world in front of you. It’s truly charming.

After your undersea adventure, keep your oceanic education going with a stop by Turtle Talk with Crush. Led by everyone’s favorite sea turtle, Turtle Talk with Crush is an interactive show that allows guests to ask the wizened turtle all of their pressing questions about life in the ocean. Though meant for younger guests, adults will also get a kick out of Turtle Talk with Crush, as it’s not only educational, but kids really do say the darndest things.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Olaf, Elsa and Anna dressed up

World Showcase

Next, it’s time to leave World Nature and the rest of Future World behind and make your way to World Showcase. Located on the other side of the theme park, World Showcase is home to four more of the best rides at Epcot, as well as 11 immersively themed country pavilions. You’ll find Epcot rides (sorry, no thrill rides here!) in the Mexico Pavilion, Norway Pavilion, France Pavilion and American Adventure Pavilion. However, If you have some time to spend (and eat!), the entire World Showcase area is well worth exploring.

Frozen Ever After

Are you ready to join Anna, Elsa, Olaf and their friends on an enchanting boat ride through Arendelle? Then you definitely won’t want to miss Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion. This on-the-water dark ride takes visitors through scenes inspired by the hit animated film and features a cast of beloved characters, as well as some of Frozen‘s best-loved songs.

During your wintry adventure, you’ll be welcomed by Anna and Kristoff before visiting Elsa’s ice palace, where she’ll “let it go” with her icy powers. Then, you’ll escape from an abominable(ly adorable) snowman before plunging down a short drop. Between the captivating visuals, catchy soundtrack and kid-friendly thrills, Frozen Ever After is sure to be one of the best rides at Epcot for your family.

As you can probably imagine, due to the continued popularity of Frozen, Frozen Ever After is easily one of the more in-demand rides at Epcot. So, if you don’t want to be stuck with a long wait in line, we highly recommend you upgrade your visit with Disney Genie+ so you can enjoy Lightning Lane access.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in France Pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Another new ride at Epcot, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a must-do for theme park fans of all ages. This high-tech trackless dark ride takes guests on an immersive journey through Chef Gusteau’s Parisian kitchen, all from ride vehicles shaped like a rat. Once inside the ride vehicles, guests enter a colorful kitchen with plenty of surprises, hiding beneath ovens and in coolers filled with produce. Naturally, chaos ensues.

From the time you enter the queue for this undeniably cute ride, you’ll shrink down to the size of a rat so you can experience this culinary quest from Remy’s point of view. In fact, half the fun of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is the queue itself. We especially love the room that looks out over the larger-than-life rooftops of Paris.

French rooftops at night

Epcot’s France Pavilion isn’t the only place you can ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. The original version of this attraction is actually located in Disneyland Paris. Disney World’s take on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a virtual copy of the European iteration and even uses the same ride system. Honestly, we’re completely ok with that, as the 3D projections and 4D special effects make for a true feast for the senses.

After you’ve finished Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, take some time to explore the rest of the France Pavilion, including either Impressions de France or the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along. While Impressions de France is a lovely film showcasing the beauty of France, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is a fun attraction where kids can belt it out with some of Disney’s most beloved songs. And, of course, no visit to Paris is complete without a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: Disney Genie+

Gran Fiesta Pyramid on a river

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Located on the other side of World Showcase Lagoon, take a trip through Mexico with Donald Duck and The Three Caballeros on Gran Fiesta Tour. Part of the gorgeous Mexico Pavilion, you’ll find this slow-moving boat ride inside the pavilion’s towering Mesoamerican pyramid. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros takes you through the colorful streets of Mexico and its vibrant culture. Joined by Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca, you’ll set out in search of their missing friend, Donald Duck.

As you float merrily along on this aquatic dark ride through the Mexico Pavilion, you’ll get to experience all sorts of Mexican culture. From mariachi music to the skulls of Día de Muertos, it’s like taking a mini-vacation without leaving Disney World property. The best part of Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is that it’s perfect for all ages and usually has little to no wait, even without Lightning Lane access. Honestly, what more could you ask for from one of the best rides at Epcot?

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: N/A

The American Adventure sign and liberty building

The American Adventure

Ok, we’ll admit that when it comes to Epcot best rides, The American Adventure technically shouldn’t make the list. Why might you ask? Well, Because it isn’t even one of the Epcot rides at all: It’s an Audio-Animatronic stage show! That said, The American Adventure is so epic and impressive that we couldn’t help but include it in our list.

Located just across from the America Gardens Theater, the show takes viewers on an inspiring journey through America’s history. The show, narrated by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, features stirring music and some of our country’s most seminal moments, like the Boston Tea Party, George Washington leading his troops to victory at Valley Forge, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Civil War.

If you’re trying to decide between either the Hall of Presidents or The American Adventure, let it be this one. While not officially one of the best Epcot rides, it certainly is the theme park’s best stage show. Plus, clocking in at almost 30 minutes long, it’s also a really good place to take a nap.

Height Requirement: N/A

Lightning Lane Access: N/A

Epcot Monorail in front of the Imagination Pavilion

Well, folks, that concludes our list of the best rides at Epcot. We hope we’ve helped you narrow down your to-do list for your next vacation. What’s your pick for Epcot’s best ride? Test Track or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure? Living with the Land or Gran Fiesta Tour? Or maybe Spaceship Earth? Let us know in the comments! Then, learn how you can save on your next trip to Disney World with our discount Disney tickets.