Epcot may not have as many rides as some other parks but they do have some of the best! I know a lot of people think of World Showcase when they think of Epcot, with all its countries. But you really want to make sure you get on the Epcot rides while you are here especially if you like a bit of a thrill!
Future World
The front of the park is known as Future World. There you will find the latest technology and some great Disney park attractions.
Test Track
One of my favorite rides in Future World is Test Track where you hop into a car that you design and is put through the tests to see how it fairs in handling, speed, efficiency, and maneuverability. The max speed of this thrill ride is 65mph
Height Requirements – 40″ or taller
Best Suited for – Older kids and adults who like a bit of a thrill ride
Best time to visit – If you can get to this first thing when you get to Epcot you can have a very little wait
Tips or Tricks – Single rider is a great option if you are alone or don’t care about riding with other members of your party.
Soarin’ Around the World
Second on my list is Soarin’. Aboard a hang glider, you can sail around the world to experience the sights and smells from some really beautiful countries. This ride is like nothing I have ever done. I was amazed that you really can smell the scents from the country you are flying thru.
Height Requirements – 40″ or taller
Best Suited for – Older kids and adults who do not have a fear of heights
Best time to visit – All Day
Tips or Tricks – for the best view of the screen get to row 2 section B. You will have the least distortion.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
My daughter can’t miss The Seas with Nemo and Friends when we are in Future World either, she also loves checking out the huge fish tanks in The Seas as well. You should be able to get right on this ride and your kids should thoroughly enjoy it. This is a slow ride just like the little mermaid ride at Magic Kingdom.
Height Requirements – Any Height
Best Suited for – All Ages
Best time to visit – All Day
Spaceship Earth
Built in 1982, Spaceship Earth is the first attraction you come to at Epcot and it’s also the most iconic it’s the symbol of the park! It’s just an incredibly imposing structure 180 feet tall and took 26 months to build.
But what is the ride? You ride a time machine back to the stone age with the cavemen and you go all the way through time up to the current day in the information age.
This is truly one of the best rides in Epcot, and historic as well. It’s fairly easy to get on this ride these days. Typically it is busiest first thing in the morning though as it is closest to the front of the park.
Height Requirements – Any Height
Best Suited for – All ages
Best time to visit – All Day
There’s a lot of humor here that will go right over your kid’s heads. But it does give them a chance to interact with Crush from Finding Nemo which is pretty cool.
Height Requirements – Any Height
Best Suited for – All ages
Best time to visit – All Day
Mission: Space
If you like simulator thrill rides that will have you crash landing on Mars, then this is perfect for you. There are two epic versions of this ride. The green side is less intense, with no spinning, or the orange side is more intense with a lot of spinning.
Height Requirements – 40″ or taller
Best Suited for – Older kids and adults who do not get motion sickness
Best time to visit – All Day
Living with the Land
This is a relaxing boat ride that gives you a glimpse of the future of agriculture. This is an educational ride and is interesting, but you might hear some boring moans from the little ones. But we find it relaxing and a great way to rest your feet. (This park is massive and requires a lot of walking)
Height Requirements – Any Height
Best Suited for – All ages
Best time to visit – All Day
Epcot World Showcase
The Epcot World Showcase is a lagoon surrounded by 11 countries that are filled with wonderful sights, sounds, and food! You can use the boats in the lagoon as quick and relaxing transportation or you can walk around the entire lagoon to each country. Which is what we usually end up doing.
The World Showcase has 11 different pavilions touching on the traditions, food, and shopping from each country.
Mexico
Inside if the iconic pyramid you will find little shops, carts, and food to entice your senses.
Gran Fiesta Tour
This boat ride is fun to do, especially if you get some rain while you are at Epcot. It’s in the Mexico pavilion and allows you to go on a journey with the Three Caballeros who are searching for Donald Duck.
This ride has been around for a while and personally, we would like to see it replaced with a Coco-themed ride. We hear that it may be a possibility in the near future as well.
Height Requirements – Any Height
Best Suited for – All ages
Best time to visit – All Day
Norway
Resembling a small Norwegian town square you will find treats and goodies native to Norway. The Stave church also houses Norwegian art.
Frozen Ever After
If you or your kids love the movie Frozen, then this boat ride in Epcot’s Norway pavilion is perfect for you! Definitely worth doing even if you aren’t a big fan of the films purely for the awesome animatronics and experience itself. We’ve seen the wait time for this ride as much as 2 hours, so make sure you prioritize it, especially if your kids (or you) are really into Frozen.
Height Requirements – Any Height
Best Suited for – All ages
Best time to visit – All Day
China
From the food to the shop with Chinese gifts you are sure to find something interesting. There are several beautiful photo spots around the pavilion as well.
Reflections of China is perfect for a rainy day and is a 360 film all about China, which can be found in the China pavilion. It is a beautiful film which is narrated in a really authentic way.
Germany
If you love German beer or wine you have to check out this pavilion. Our family favorite treat to get there is the Werther’s popcorn. There isn’t a caramel popcorn that beats this sweet treat!
Italy
My personal favorite pavilion in the World Showcase. Grab a glass of wine, sit back and relax in the beautiful scenery and Italian music.
United States
The American Adventure Pavilion is all about patriotism with red, white, and blue all around this colonial pavilion.
The American Adventure
The American Adventure is an animatronics stage show that walks you through defining points in American history. If you are a patriotic American, then this is for you. This show has been around for quite some time, but we still enjoy it.
Japan
If you are looking for a unique gift, there are thousands of options in the shops in Japan. My daughter’s favorite is the pearl counter where you can make your own necklace.
Morocco
This pavilion has gone thru some changes recently with the Country of Morocco no longer running it. It will be interesting to see what Disney does with it.
France
There is a Beauty and The Beast Sing-along, located in the France Pavillion. Which is absolutely wonderful if you happen to have little kids!
The United Kingdom
Grab a pint and stroll thru some beautiful gardens around this pavilion. We also love visiting the tea shop to take home something new to try.
Canada
You can also see an excellent new show at the Canada Pavillion called “Canada Far and Wide”, which is a wonderful journey through the country of Canada on a full 360-degree display.
Coming Soon!
There are two new rides that are going to be coming to Epcot:
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – October 1, 2021 – Shrink down to the size of a mouse and take an adventure thru Gusteau’s kitchen.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – 2022 – Rollercoaster themed after Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. This is touted to be a storytelling coaster with a REVERSE launch! It has also been said that it will be one of the world’s longest indoor rollercoasters.
