Continuing the “Best Day Ever, Disney in 1 Day” series, today I am focusing on doing Epcot in a day. Epcot has such a different vibe than the other parks. I remember on my anniversary trip with my husband, I didn’t feel the pressure to walk at a fast pace to try and cram it all in, as I have done at some of the other parks. Every time I have visited Epcot, I am instantly thrown into a fantastic mood, ready to see what adventures lie ahead. Fasten your seatbelts….here is Epcot in 1 Day.
But first….Frozen
Starting the day off with trying to hit all of the “big ticket” rides, as you enter Epcot, head directly for Frozen and try to be amongst the first few to take in this ride. It is an experience like no other. Then, make your way back to fly into The Land and soar around the world on Soarin. Now…some choose to do this in the reverse order as I have listed them. My personal reasons for doing Frozen first, are that even if you were fortunate enough to snag a Fastpass+ for Frozen, it is a ride worth doing a second time, as the lines tend to get incredibly long for this ride, and in my experience, the standby time for Soarin is less than Frozen. Then, meander over and buckle up for Test Track, my son’s favorite ride at Epcot. As he bravely said on our first ride in the “fast lane”….”Mom, I am SO driving like this someday!”. So…to start your day off:
Mid Morning Must Do’s
After a high speed morning and with your adrenaline running, it’s time for a quick bite to eat before continuing down the path. You can either eat first, then attempt more attractions, or if you are still full from eating before entering the park, try these rides then grab some tasty deliciousness. Here are my suggestions for that mid morning trek:
- Sunshine Seasons, a food court located in The Land Pavillion, is a great food choice if you want fast and on the go.
- Garden Grill, also located in The Land Pavillion. A rotating restaurant featuring Chip and Dale, Mickey and Pluto. Devour the Mickey waffles and Chip’s Sticky Buns.
- Living with the Land
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Journey into the Imagination with Figment (this is what catapulted my son’s love of all things Figment)
An Afternoon Around the World (Showcase)
This is quite possibly one of the most educational and beautiful things you can experience while traveling through Epcot. I tend to forget I am truly at Disney World when I venture through the World Showcase. The Pavilions are so authentic, so deep in cultural history, that you feel that you are truly immersing yourself into somewhere farther away than Florida. My biggest suggestion is to tap into every country. Some love to fill up their “passports”. Some love to “Snack Around the World”, and others prefer to “Drink Around the World”. Whatever your preference is, you won’t regret all the culture and history that you will take in. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Morocco: Meet Jasmine and Aladdin, and sit down and indulge in a henna tattoo like my daughter did.
- France: The gardens….the replica Eiffel Tower, and meeting Belle and Aurora was at the top of my list for France. Not to mention the baked goods at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, “c’est délicieux”!!!
- China: Reflections of China, meeting Mulan (she’s beautiful), and the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats
- Italy: The gondolas, the juggler, the gelati, the authentic architecture.
- American Adventures: a wonderful Audio-Animatronic of our country’s history
(Club) Cool Down
After venturing through the World Showcase, it’s definitely time for a late afternoon break. What better way than to head over to Club Cool and sample FREE soft drinks from around the world? My kids loved this. The kid in me loved this. Do it…you won’t regret this pit stop.
Ciao Down
After you cool down, it’s time to chow down, and what better way to rejuvenate before finishing out your evening, than to head back over to Italy for a delicious pizza. Via Napoli is definitely the best pizza at Disney World. However, if you want the ultimate character Meet & Greet at Epcot, head over to Norway and dine at Akershus. Similar to Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom, this is a great character interaction and photo opportunity all while you enjoying your tremendous food.
Mission: Possible
While your food is digesting, there is still time to hit a few more notable attractions before ending the night.
- Mission: Space. I love this ride, and they have two levels, one more intense than the other.
- Spaceship Earth: This ride is a must do for your day at Epcot. You get to go inside the “golf ball”…no, it’s not a golf ball, but that is the big joke about it! It’s really a geodesic sphere that doubles as the icon of Epcot and also a dark ride through the history of communication.
- The Art of Disney- While this isn’t a ride….it is a beautiful gallery of Disney paintings, sculptures, and trinkets.
Illuminate the Night
End your night right by watching the history of the world through fireworks. It pays homage to multiple cultures and makes us all realize that we are all in this together. A glorious production of color and light, fireworks, pyrotechnics, water fountains, fire effects, lasers, and searchlights on the park’s World Showcase Lagoon.
There you have it! A “Best Day Ever” event for one day at Epcot. Stay tuned for my next post continuing “Best Day Ever” featuring one day plans for Hollywood Studios. Don’t forget to contact me to plan your Best Day Ever, whether it be at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, a stay at Aulani, or jetting off on Adventures by Disney. I can also make your dreams come true at Universal Studios in Orlando. Find me at: debbie.lands@magical-vacations.com or visit my website at www.magical-vacations.com/debbie.lands See ya soon, pals!
Magic in the Making 