Jenna SaxtonEPCOT has become known for its never-ending rotation of food festivals that take over the park throughout the year. But, the park is much more than a foodie destination – it’s also filled with some of the best rides and attractions of all four theme parks. With a roller coaster that features cars that rotate 360 degrees, Disney World’s only Frozen-themed ride, and more, you’ll want to be sure you save some time to ride everything when you visit. So, to be sure you hit all your must-do’s we’re bringing you everything you need to know about EPCOT rides and attractions!
Overview of EPCOT Rides & Attractions
EPCOT features a total of 19 rides and attractions spanning everything from thrill rides, to slow-moving boat rides, to live shows, and more. It does tend to get crowded at the park, even during slower times of the year, due to the seasonal festivals. So, you can always opt to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass (which are both offered here) to make it easier to experience the most popular attractions.
EPCOT is often considered the most adult-friendly park at Walt Disney World, but there is a surprising amount for kids and families to do here.
The park itself is divided up into four different lands: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and World Showcase. The rides are spread out throughout all four of these lands to fit the theming. You’ll likely want to visit them all during your day, but you may find that you spend more time in one or two depending on your family’s interests. And, that’s okay!
Disney recently completed a massive multi-year-long transformation of EPCOT bringing brand-new lands, rides, shops, and restaurants to the park. Some of the newest attractions include Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, and the World Celebration area which features a meet and greet with Mickey and friends.
Top 5 Rides & Attractions in EPCOT
With so many EPCOT rides and attractions, it’s best to know which rides are must-dos for your family and which ones you don’t mind skipping before you visit. This will help you plan your day and walk away feeling like you accomplished everything you wanted to, even if it’s not all of the attractions in the park! It can also help you prioritize which rides you book Lighting Lanes for if you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
So, here are the 5 most popular EPCOT rides and attractions:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Frozen Ever After
- Test Track
- Soarin’ Around The World
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
We recommend doing these rides early in the day or right before the park closes to avoid long wait times.
Now, let’s get into ALL of the rides and attractions you can find in EPCOT including their height requirements and how to ride!
World Celebration Rides and Attractions
Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: 3D Show
If you’re looking for a break from the sun and walking, then head to the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival! During this 18-minute show, you’ll sit in a large theater and see some of the best animated short films from Disney and Pixar. You’ll get to experience these films in 3D, which makes them even more exciting and immersive.
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Slow Dark Ride
Journey Into Imagination With Figment is a classic EPCOT attraction that has been entertaining guests for years. This attraction takes you on a journey “through the imagination” with the help of Figment, a mischievous purple dragon.
During the ride, you’ll explore different areas of the imagination, such as sound, sight, and smell. And, of course, you’ll be with Figment the whole way! It’s a great attraction for families with young children and you just might find yourself singing the songs from the ride for the rest of the day..
Spaceship Earth
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Slow Dark Ride
Spaceship Earth is one of the most iconic EPCOT rides. Located inside the EPCOT ball (a.k.a. the park icon), this attraction takes you on a journey through the history of human communication, beginning at cave paintings all the way to the internet and beyond.
During the ride, you’ll go through the different eras of human history and learn about the innovations and breakthroughs that have shaped the world we live in today. Just note that the ride itself is slow-moving and dark.
The line for Spaceship Earth is often the longest in the morning since it’s the first ride you see when you enter the park. We recommend skipping it first thing in the morning and coming back later when the line isn’t as long.
World Discovery Rides and Attractions
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Height Requirement: 42” (107cm) or Taller
Ride Type: Roller Coaster, Thrill Ride
If you’re a fan of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, you’ll love the newest ride at EPCOT – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This thrilling indoor dark roller coaster is the first Disney coaster to feature a reverse launch and takes you on a mission to save space with your favorite Guardians characters. And, of course, no ride with the Guardians is complete without an awesome soundtrack! Just keep in mind that the ride vehicles rotate 360 degrees throughout the roller coaster. This can cause dizziness for those who are sensitive to movements like this.
Note that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind does not currently offer a traditional standby line. The only way to ride for free is to join the virtual queue at 7AM or 1PM on the day of your visit. You can also purchase Lightning Lane entry through the My Disney Experience app if you wish to skip the virtual queue.
Mission: SPACE
Height Requirement: 40” (102cm) or Taller
Ride Type: Dark Spinning Simulator, Thrill Ride
If you’re looking for another thrilling experience, Mission: SPACE is the ride for you. This attraction simulates a space launch and puts you in the pilot’s seat of a spacecraft on a mission to Mars. You’ll feel the g-forces as you blast off, and you’ll need to work together with your crew (a.k.a. the people seated next to you) to complete your mission. Be aware that this ride has two versions: the more intense Orange Mission and the less intense Green Mission. We recommend trying the less intense version first if you’ve never been on the ride.
Test Track
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Test Drive Simulator, Thrill Ride
You become the test dummy and take some of the most high-tech cars for a test drive on Test Track! This test drive simulator features bumps, fast stops, quick turns, and high speeds that will have you smiling the whole way.
Note that Disney is currently reimagining Test Track, so a lot of changes are coming in the near future to this attraction. Stay tuned for more details!
World Nature Rides and Attractions
Awesome Planet
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Show
Located inside The Land pavilion, Awesome Planet is a 10-minute film that showcases the beauty and diversity of planet Earth. You’ll enter a 360-degree theater and be treated to some of the most stunning views while you learn about the importance of conservation and how we can all do our part to protect the environment. There’s nothing all that thrilling about the show, but it’s a great thing to check out if you need some extra time out of the sun or are waiting for your dining reservation at Garden Grill.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Walk Through Water Play Area
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a new attraction at EPCOT’s World Nature. This walk-through attraction takes you on a short trail through tropical landscapes inspired by the hit Disney movie, Moana. You’ll find interactive water features throughout and learn about the importance of water conservation. This attraction is perfect for families with young children and fans of the movie Moana – just bring some towels along if you think you’ll have trouble keeping your kiddos out of the water!
Living with the Land
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Slow Boat Ride
Located inside The Land pavilion, Living with the Land is a slow-moving boat ride that takes you through EPCOT’s greenhouses. You’ll learn about sustainable agriculture and the ways in which Disney grows food while protecting the environment.
Be sure to check this attraction out around the holidays to see the greenhouses lit up with Christmas lights!
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Slow Ride
The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a slow-moving ride that takes you through scenes from the movie Finding Nemo. The ride is essentially a retelling of the movie, so you’ll see some of your favorite characters and end inside Disney’s massive aquarium. Be sure to spend some time exploring the aquarium after you ride to say hi to the fish, dolphins, manatee, and more that call EPCOT home!
Soarin’ Around the World
Height Requirement: 40” (102cm) or Taller
Ride Type: Slow Ride, Hangliding Simulator
Located in The Land pavilion, Soarin’ Around the World is a simulated hang gliding experience that takes you “soaring” above some of the most iconic sights from around the world. You’ll have an amazing view of some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and natural wonders including the Taj Mahal, Sydney Harbor, and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Turtle Talk With Crush
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Interactive Show
Turtle Talk With Crush is an interactive show where you can have an actual conversation with Crush, the sea turtle from the movie Finding Nemo. You’ll learn about marine life and conservation in a fun and engaging way and you’ll probably leave having laughed a lot. This attraction is perfect for families with young children and fans of the movie.
World Showcase Rides and Attractions
The American Adventure
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Animatronic Show
The American Adventure is an attraction that retells the history of America with animatronic characters and scenes. The ride is located in the American Pavilion theater and features audio-animatronics, music, and film. We recommend first seeing the Voices of Liberty in the lobby area and then heading into the theater for the show when you need a mid-afternoon break.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Interactive Show
The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is a newer attraction located in the France Pavilion. During the 14-minute show, you’ll be treated to a re-telling of the 1992 movie, Beauty and the Beast and sing along to the iconic music from the movie. The attraction features a new twist on the classic tale and is perfect for families with children.
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Educational Show
Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 is a 360-degree film attraction located in the Canada Pavilion. This attraction takes you on a scenic journey through Canada’s beautiful landscapes and cities with celebrity actors, Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, as the narrators. The show itself is 12 minutes and is a great way to learn about the country and enjoy a break from the Florida heat.
Frozen Ever After
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Dark Boat Ride
Located in the Norway Pavilion, Frozen Ever After is one of the most popular EPCOT rides. It replaced the former Maelstrom attraction back in 2016 and the Frozen-themed takeover has been a welcome change by fans of the movie. You’ll board a boat and take off into the world of Frozen where you encounter fan-favorite characters including Olaf, Sven, Christoff, and – of course – Anna, and Elsa as they celebrate an “Official Summer Snow Day” in Arendelle.
Note that, while the attraction is suited for young children, there are some small drops and the boat goes backward for a portion of the ride.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Dark Boat Ride
The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is a festive boat ride located in the Mexico Pavilion. During the ride, you’ll follow two of the three Caballeros, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles, through Mexico as they try to find Donald Duck. You’ll be immersed in the Mexican culture and music as you go and then be sent off with a proper fiesta at the end!
Note that this ride is located inside of the pyramid at the Mexico Pavilion and the line can extend outside when it’s busy. Just follow the signage when you arrive to find the beginning of the line.
Impressions de France
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: Educational Show
Impressions de France is an 18-minute educational film located inside the France Pavilion. In the comfort of the theater, you’ll be treated to a journey through the beautiful landscapes and cities of France.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Height Requirement: Any Height
Ride Type: 4D Trackless Ride Experience
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is one of the newest EPCOT rides located in the back of the France Pavilion where you can get a taste of what it’s like to be Remy in Ratatouille! When you board the ride, you’ll step into a mouse-shaped ride vehicle and then shrink down to the size of a rat and travel through the kitchen of Gusteau’s restaurant.
Note that the ride features 3D elements, smells, and trackless movement, which can be triggering if you’re sensitive to motion.
Character Meet and Greets in EPCOT
If you’re a fan of Disney characters, then EPCOT is the place for you! With a wide variety of meet-and-greet locations, you can meet some of the most beloved characters from both classic and new Disney movies. Here’s the full list of the character meet and greets that you can experience in EPCOT currently:
Meet a Friend from the Hundred Acre Wood
Location: United Kingdom Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
If you’re a fan of Winnie the Pooh and his friends, then you won’t want to miss this meet and greet. You can meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and sometimes even Eeyore in the United Kingdom pavilion. They’re usually located near the Christopher Robin statue, so keep an eye out for them.
Meet Alice from Alice in Wonderland
Location: United Kingdom Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
If you love the classic Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland, then head over to the United Kingdom pavilion to meet Alice. She’s usually located near the tea garden, so be sure to stop by and say hello.
Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
Location: Norway Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: During Park Hours
Say hi to Anna and Elsa in their Frozen II outfits inside their very own building in the Norway Pavilion! The two sisters meet guests separately (though they’re in the same room), so you’ll be able to spend some time with both of them for an autograph and photo. This is a very popular meet and greet, so be sure to get there early to avoid the crowds.
Meet Asha from Disney’s Wish
Location: Near World Showcase Plaza by Mexico Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
Asha is one of the newest Disney characters to be meeting guests in the parks. You’ll recognize her form the new movie, Wish. Stop by the small awning between the entrance to World Showcase and the Mexico Pavilion to meet her!
Meet Belle
Location: France Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
Belle from Beauty and the Beast can be found wandering the streets in her blue and white dress near the France Pavilion daily! She’s usually located on the small walking path between the France Pavilion and the Morocco Pavilion, so be sure to stop by and say hello.
Meet Mickey Mouse and Friends
Location: CommuniCore Hall
Meet and Greet Times: During Park Hours
If you’re a fan of classic Disney characters, then head over to the new CommuniCore Hall to meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy. As the newest meet-and-greet in EPCOT, this is a very popular sport, so be sure to get there early to avoid the crowds.
Meet Donald Duck
Location: Mexico Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
Donald Duck can be found in his fiesta best near the pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion, He’s not always out, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for times to be sure you don’t miss him!
Meet Mulan
Location: China Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
EPCOT is the only place where you can meet Mulan in Disney World. She can be found near the temple in the China Pavilion when she’s out greeting guests.
Meet Pluto and Other Disney Friends
Location: Near EPCOT Main Entrance
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
Pluto, Minnie, and Goofy take turns greeting guests as they make their way into (and out of) EPCOT throughout the day! You never know exactly who will be out, so be sure to check the meet-and-greet location near Spaceship Earth and the main entrance fountain when you pass by.
Meet Princess Jasmine
Location: Morocco Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
If you’re a fan of Aladdin, then head over to the Morocco pavilion to meet Princess Jasmine. She’s usually located near the small stage in the pavilion.
Meet Snow White
Location: Germany Pavilion
Meet and Greet Times: Check My Disney Experience App
Snow White from the classic Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs meets guests daily in the Germany pavilion. She’s usually located near the wishing well.
Comments
What are your favorite EPCOT rides or attraction? Are there any that you skip? What are your best strategies for tackling all the rides and attractions you want to see in one day? Let us know in the comments!
