EPCOT Tips and Tricks

Epcot Spaceship in the Daytime

Updated November 19, 2020

EPCOT Attractions

  • Many people walk through The World Showcase to experience all the different countries. However, what may be the least visited pavilion in Mexico, actually has a ride in it. Head in and stay to the left. Towards the back, you will see a small entrance to a boat ride. It’s a good one! This used to be the same for Norway until it was changed to Frozen. Now everyone knows…
  • On the Mission Space attraction, there are two different experiences. One is “less intense” and the other is “intense.” If you’ve never been on Mission Space, we would suggest trying the less intense option first. Both offer barf bags for guests who get sick from the spinning and G forces.
  • The big ball at EPCOT isn’t just for show. There is an actual ride in it and it’s pretty cool. All you Judi Dench fans, get excited! She narrates your slow-moving ride through the progress of spaceship earth. In the end, you’ll be able to create your own future!
  • Test Track is one of the best rides at EPCOT. The ride time is really cool, especially if you like to go fast! The other half of your ride experience is building a car that is tested during your ride. Upon entering the attraction you’ll be assigned a building station where you can build your car. High scores are given during the ride and a winner from your vehicle is chosen after a combination of all the tests. To win these you’ll want to design a car that gets you the most points. We’ll give you a quick rundown that you can do even if you’re a beginner to get a high scoring car. Keep in mind that your design station only gives you a few minutes to build so you need to be quick.
    • Choose the sports car model when presented. It’s the first car on the left, long and short.
    • You want to keep the form of the sports car right where it’s at so when the next screen asks you to draw the outline shape of your car just follow what’s there already. Keep it long and rounded.
    • When sculpting your vehicle, you’ll be given a slider to move. You’ll notice at the top of the screen there are point values. They go up and down as you move the sliders to sculpt. You want to find a place where one category goes up and the other stays the same. You don’t want one to go up and the other down. Make your car wide, short, and the back up to a triangle. Kinda like RC from Toy Story. This typically gives you good points.
    • Skip the engine selection. It doesn’t matter which one you choose.
    • Skip the face and paint section.
    • Choose the wheels with the most point value and then use the sliders as you did in the previous section to try and get more points out of them. Typically the ugliest and biggest tires give the most points.
    • Accessories are ALL important. As you scroll through them you’ll notice they will give point values. Some are only positive. Some have positive and negative options with them. You want to choose the accessory with the best point options. Let’s say one accessory gives 3 points. The next one gives 4 and -2. That’s a total of 2 points. That’s not better than the 3 points on the other accessory. You get the idea. You’ll need to be able to do some simple math quickly to find the best one. Do this when choosing all accessories.

Your car will probably get close to or will get the “Today’s Top Design” award. There are also three screens after the ride where you can practice building. That’s the best way to get it all down!

  • During the Food and Wine Festival and Flower and Garden Festival, you can have the chance to see some of your favorite bands from the past and present! Their shows are free and are located at the amphitheater in American Adventure. Bands like Air Supply, Herman’s Hermits, Boyz II Men, Starship, Christopher Cross, and many more typically play. The line-up is different every year but all the shows are a ton of fun.
  • A lot of people skip past the Canada Pavilion at World Showcase because they think the only thing there is a really nice steak restaurant (which is true). However, the Canada Pavilion has some of the nicest grounds at EPCOT. It’s very picturesque. Walk back far enough and you’ll run into some roaring waterfalls and a cool little bridge. It’s one of the few peaceful quiet places at EPCOT.
  • There are two entrances into EPCOT. The one at the front of the park is for monorail guests, WDW bus guests, and parking lot guests. It’s basically the entrance for almost everyone. Almost. The second, smaller entrance into EPCOT is between the UK and France Pavilion at World Showcase. It’s right before the bridge. Guests staying at Boardwalk Inn, Beach and Yacht Club, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts can walk or take a boat to this entrance. If you ever find yourself in World Showcase wanting to go to Hollywood Studios, exit out this entrance and take a small stroll or boat ride to Hollywood Studios via the Boardwalk. It’s faster than walking to the front of the park and taking a bus or getting into your car!
  • The American Adventure pavilion is home to one of Disney’s best singing groups, Voices of Liberty. They perform several times a day inside the American Adventure rotunda. a capella in the round. It’s easily one of the best performances put on by Disney talent on both coasts. Prepare to be moved.
  • In the Japan Pavilion as you walk towards the back you’ll notice several stands selling trinkets and some drinks. At one of the stands, they have some small glass freezers with Japanese Ice Cream inside called Mochi. It’s one of the most interesting yet delicious desserts we’ve ever had. They have several different flavors to choose from too so pick the one that sounds best to you and try it. Share them and eat them quickly as they melt quickly.
  • At these same stands, they sell bottled flavored soda. But it’s not just any bottled soda. If you pick one up you’ll notice that there’s actually a marble inside. These drinks are really fun (especially for kids) to open and drink. Have one of the Japanese Cast Members show you how to pop the marble down. When you’re done you can screw the cap off and keep the marble!
  • On Soarin’ Around the World, there are three different levels that you can be seated on for the ride. When you’re being assigned to a gate (1, 2, or 3) you’ll notice that the Cast Members are sending people to rows (also 1, 2, or 3). Ask the Cast Member if you can be seated in row 1. It’s the highest vantage point in the ride (best seat in the house) and you won’t be distracted by swinging legs. Depending on the size of your party they will typically accommodate this request.

Food and Dining

  • The best place to eat in EPCOT is the Biergarten Restaurant in Germany. In all reality, there are a lot of great ones but people really love this place and so do we!
  • The most fun place to eat in EPCOT is Coral Reef Restaurant.
  • The most casual place to eat in EPCOT is the Electric Umbrella.
  • EPCOT is notorious for festivals. They currently run 3 major festivals every year. The biggest food one is the Food and Wine Festival runs in the fall, typically Sept-Nov. If you love food and you love trying food from other countries, they of course have all 11 countries in World Showcase that you can visit anytime. During the Food and Wine Festival, they add an additional 30 food stands from all around the world. What?!
  • The other 2 festivals that they run also have food stands for your enjoyment. It’s hard to miss a festival at EPCOT nowadays but just in case you’re a real foodie, you don’t want to miss them!
  • DO NOT buy water! $3.29 for a Dasani….geez! You can get free cups of water from ANY quick-service restaurant. Just walk up and ask for a cup of water…or 2 or 3! They’ll happily give them to you at no charge! We just saved you $10 a day. You’re welcome.
  • On Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT there are three different levels that you can be seated on for the ride. When you’re being assigned to a gate (1, 2, or 3) you’ll notice that the Cast Members are sending people to rows (also 1, 2, or 3). Ask the Cast Member if you can be seated in row 1. It’s the highest vantage point in the ride (best seat in the house) and you won’t be distracted by swinging legs. Depending on the size of your party they will typically accommodate this request.

Single Rider Attractions

  • Test Track

Get your EPCOT tickets here!