EPCOT
A geodesic silver sphere, a thrill coaster that launches you backward, and a lagoon you can walk around for a taste of eleven countries — EPCOT is the Disney park that rewards a slow afternoon and a glass of something cold.
Updated June 2026
EPCOT is the one we send people to when they think they don't like theme parks. Yes, there are big rides — and good ones — but the heart of the place is a 1.2-mile loop around a lagoon where you can eat your way through eleven countries, beer in one hand, and watch fireworks burst over the water at night. It's Disney for grown-ups, and for kids it's the park where you nibble snacks across the world and ride a Guardians coaster in between.
Since the big makeover wrapped, the park is laid out in four neighborhoods: World Celebration around the Spaceship Earth sphere, World Discovery for the thrill rides, World Nature for the gentler Land and Seas pavilions, and World Showcase, the lagoon loop of country pavilions. It's a full day, easily two if you hit it during a festival. EPCOT is one of the four parks at Walt Disney World — if you've also got the kids itching for castles, pair it with Magic Kingdom.
What to ride first
EPCOT's headliners cluster in World Discovery, with two charmers tucked over in World Showcase. These are the ones worth a plan.
Eleven countries, one lagoon
The reason EPCOT is a foodie park. Walk the loop clockwise or counter — it's a glass of something different at every stop.
World Showcase wraps the lagoon with eleven country pavilions, each with its own architecture, shopping, snacks and (usually) a sit-down restaurant. Going around, you'll pass Mexico (a cool indoor plaza with a margarita and a slow boat ride), Norway (Frozen Ever After and excellent school bread), China, Germany (the Biergarten buffet with a live oompah band), Italy, The American Adventure at the center, Japan, Morocco, France (Remy's ride and the best pastries in the park), the United Kingdom and Canada.
The trick is to graze rather than commit. Order a snack and a drink at three or four pavilions and call it dinner. For sit-down meals, the standouts are Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada (book the steak and poutine well ahead), Via Napoli in Italy for genuinely good wood-fired pizza, the all-you-can-eat Biergarten in Germany, and Teppan Edo in Japan where chefs cook tableside. Over in World Discovery, Space 220 serves a prix-fixe meal with a view of "Earth" from a faux space station — it's the hardest reservation in the park.
There's almost always a festival on
EPCOT runs a near-continuous calendar of food, art and flower festivals around World Showcase. Going during one is a different, better park.
Four festivals stack up across the year, each adding dozens of outdoor food-and-drink booths, live music and special merchandise around the lagoon. Winter brings the Festival of the Arts (mid-January into February) with visual and culinary art and Broadway concerts. Spring is the Flower & Garden Festival (roughly March into early June), when topiary characters and blooming gardens fill the park. Late summer through fall is the big one, the Food & Wine Festival (around late August into November), and the year closes with the Festival of the Holidays and its Candlelight Processional. Exact dates shift each year, so check the official Walt Disney World site before you book, and see our events calendar for what's running while you're in town.
A perfect EPCOT day
Thrills in the morning, the world in the afternoon, fireworks at night.
- Rope-drop Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, then loop back for Test Track while waits are still short.
- Cool off on Spaceship Earth and Soarin' over in The Land, then grab an early lunch before the crowds build.
- Head into World Showcase as it opens and ride Frozen Ever After in Norway and Remy's in France.
- Graze the lagoon — a snack and a drink at three or four pavilions, plus whichever festival booths are out. More food ideas on our where to eat guide.
- Stake out a lagoon-side spot and finish with the Luminous nighttime fireworks over the water.
Where to go next
EPCOT is one of four Disney parks, and Orlando keeps going from there.
Walt Disney World
The four parks, tickets, Lightning Lane and how to plan a Disney trip without losing your mind.
Magic Kingdom
The one with the castle — Disney's most iconic park, and the best pairing with EPCOT for families.
Where to Eat
Beyond the parks — our pick of Orlando's best restaurants, food halls and local favorites.
Events & Festivals
The EPCOT festival calendar plus everything else happening in Orlando while you're here.
Book Disney World tickets & tours
Common questions
What are the must-do rides at EPCOT?
Start with the two thrill rides in World Discovery — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (an indoor coaster that launches backward) and the reimagined Test Track (the fastest ride at Walt Disney World). Over in World Showcase, don't miss Frozen Ever After in the Norway pavilion and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in France. Spaceship Earth inside the silver sphere and Soarin' in The Land are gentler classics.
What are the EPCOT festivals and when do they happen?
EPCOT runs four festivals across the year: the Festival of the Arts (mid-January into February), the Flower & Garden Festival (roughly March into early June), the Food & Wine Festival (around late August into November) and the Festival of the Holidays (late November into December). Each adds dozens of outdoor food-and-drink booths, live music and merchandise around World Showcase. Exact dates change yearly, so check the official Walt Disney World site.
How many countries are in EPCOT's World Showcase?
Eleven. Walking the lagoon loop you'll find Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure at the center, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom and Canada. Each pavilion has its own architecture, shopping, snacks and usually a sit-down restaurant, and the full loop is about 1.2 miles around.
What's the best time to ride at EPCOT to avoid lines?
Arrive for park opening — and use Early Entry if you're staying at a Disney hotel — and head straight to Cosmic Rewind or Test Track, then Frozen Ever After or Remy's. World Showcase opens later than the rest of the park, so do the thrill rides first and save the lagoon, festivals and food for the afternoon and evening. Lightning Lane passes can also cut wait times; check Disney's site for current options.
Where are the best places to eat at EPCOT?
World Showcase is the dining draw. Top sit-down spots include Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada, Via Napoli for wood-fired pizza in Italy, the all-you-can-eat Biergarten in Germany and Teppan Edo in Japan. Space 220 in World Discovery offers a prix-fixe meal with a faux outer-space view and is the toughest reservation. Many people skip a formal meal and graze snacks and drinks across several pavilions instead. Book table-service restaurants well ahead.
Is EPCOT good for kids?
Yes, though it leans a little more grown-up than Magic Kingdom. Kids love Frozen Ever After, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, the aquarium and Nemo ride at The Seas, Soarin' and the Journey of Water Moana trail. The walk around World Showcase with snacks from each country is fun for all ages, and the Luminous fireworks make a great finish. Cosmic Rewind and Test Track are the bigger thrills for older kids.