How to Tour Disney World's EPCOT

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By Clint R
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EPCOT sphere

Of all the Disney parks EPCOT requires the most walking. So it is important to have a game plan going in to minimize the stress on your feet. Here are a few pointers for your next visit to Walt Disney World's EPCOT.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

comfortable walking shoes
a ticket to Disney World

Step 1

Arrive at the park around 7:30am and position yourself near the right side of the entrance.
Getting to the park prior to opening is the key to touring all of Disney's parks. The short time you spend waiting for the park to open will be offset by the less time you will spend in lines throughout the day.
Step 2

When the park opens walk briskly or run to The Land and ride Soarin'.
Soarin' has experienced some extremely long waits since its inception a few years ago. You should certainly ride it first and without delay to avoid lines of 90 minutes or more.
Step 3

Leave The Land and head to the other side of Future World and ride Test Track.
For an even quicker wait for Test Track, go through the singles line. I would not recommend this if you have children.
On your way out of Test Track check out the GM vehicles in the show room.
Step 4

Leave the Test Track GM showroom and take a right towards Mission:Space.
You will be asked to ride the intense or non-spinning version of Mission:Space. If you have eaten with the last two hours, grab a FASTPASS and come back later. If you haven't eaten recently, ride the intense version. The ride spins rapidly for around 5 minutes straight. Do not ride either version is you feel you cannot handle the spinning.
Step 5

Head to The Universe of Energy and ride.
This ride (the first to feature Disney's lifelike dinosaurs) rarely has long waits.
Step 6

Leave the Universe of Energy and take a right to sphere and ride Spaceship Earth.
Spaceship Earth went through a major update in 2007 and now features an interactive feature in the cars. Adults and kids love it.
Step 7

Italy in the World Showcase

By this time the World Showcase section of the park should be open. Start on the Mexico side and tour the showcase clockwise. Take the boat rides in Mexico and Norway. View awesome films in China, France and Canada. Do not miss the patriotic show, American Adventure, in the USA.
Have lunch anywhere in the World Showcase. Most sit down restaurants require reservations. You can make reservations up to 90 days in advance by calling 1800-WDW-DINE. There are counter-service eateries in every land though.
Step 8

After you tour of the World Showcase take in the attractions you missed in Future World.
Do not miss Journey Into Imagination, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Living With the Land and The Living Seas w/ Nemo. These attractions will not have long lines so touring them in the afternoon is not a bad move. They are all air-conditioned too.
Step 9

Stick around after dark to watch the fire and light show, Illuminations.

Comments

mommashopper said

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on 11/13/2008 This rocks, my family and I plan to go next year! Thanks so much for the article!

ricoco1 said

on 11/10/2008 The whole experience sounds more like a chore than a fun thing. just by being in the queu by 7:3o makes me shiver; that means that a0 you went to bed very early (no night fun!). b0 you have to wakr =e uyp vey earl;y (double yuk).
I have been to Epcot before, seen all I wanted to see (not all of course!), stayed trhere for 3 days and never queued before 11 or for more than 15 min.
So there