EPCOT Orlando: A Day Around the World at Disney World

If you ask me which Disney park feels the most different, I’d probably say EPCOT.
It doesn’t have the instantly recognizable fairytale feeling of Magic Kingdom, the movie magic of Hollywood Studios or the wild landscapes of Animal Kingdom. EPCOT is something completely different. It’s part theme park, part food adventure and part trip around the world — all without leaving Orlando.
And that’s exactly why I love it.
We arrived at EPCOT in the morning with the usual Disney excitement, but there was something a little more relaxed about the atmosphere. There was no need to immediately race from one attraction to the next. We could wander, stop for something to eat, explore a pavilion and then suddenly find ourselves standing in front of a ride we absolutely wanted to do.
EPCOT is one of those parks where the day almost creates itself.
And yes, there are some seriously good rides here too.

Welcome to EPCOT

EPCOT is divided into four areas: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase. The park has changed quite a bit over the years, but it still has that original idea of bringing people, cultures, technology and imagination together.
The biggest surprise for many first-time visitors is probably World Showcase.
This is where EPCOT really becomes something special.
You can walk from Mexico to Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom and Canada — and somehow Disney manages to make every stop feel completely different.
And honestly? Don’t rush this part.
I know you’re in Disney World. I know there are rides to tick off and probably a family member asking, “What’s next?” every five minutes.
But give yourself time to wander.
Grab a drink in one country, try a snack in another and browse the shops. Let the kids discover things rather than constantly following an itinerary.
That’s when EPCOT is at its best.

The World Showcase: our favourite part?

The World Showcase is probably the part of EPCOT that makes this park feel unlike any other Disney park.
Start in Mexico, where you can step inside the Mexico Pavilion and suddenly feel like you’ve left Florida altogether. Then continue towards Norway, where Frozen fans will definitely want to stop.
And yes, Frozen Ever After is one of those rides you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting EPCOT with younger kids.
From there, keep walking.
China has its beautiful architecture and impressive details, Germany feels like a little European village, Italy has that unmistakable Italian atmosphere and Japan is one of my favourite places to wander around.
Then there is France.
And if you’ve been following Travelicious for a while, you’ll know that food is always an important part of our travels. EPCOT is basically Disney’s answer to a food tour.
You could spend the entire day eating your way around the park.
Actually, you probably shouldn’t try.
But it’s tempting.

Don’t forget about the rides

One of the things I really like about EPCOT is that it isn’t just about looking at countries and eating.
There are some fantastic attractions here.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the big one.
And if you think EPCOT sounds a little too calm, this ride will definitely change your mind.
You launch backwards into the action before the vehicle starts rotating as you race through space with the Guardians. It’s fast, fun and completely different from a traditional roller coaster. Disney describes it as its first reverse-launch coaster, and the vehicles rotate to keep you facing the action.
Our advice?
If you’re visiting with older kids or teenagers, put this high on your list.
Just don’t eat a giant EPCOT lunch immediately beforehand.
Trust me.

Soarin’ Around the World

Another EPCOT favourite is Soarin‘ Around the World.
This is one of those attractions that works brilliantly for families because you don’t need to be a thrill-seeker to enjoy it.
You lift up into the air and fly over some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
It’s one of those Disney rides where you leave thinking, “How did they actually do that?”
If you’re visiting with kids who aren’t tall enough for the bigger coasters yet, this is definitely one to look out for.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

And then there is Remy.
In the France Pavilion you’ll find Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where you shrink down to the size of Remy and join him on a rather chaotic adventure through Paris.
It’s colourful, funny and a great family ride.
And the location makes it even better. Once you’ve finished the attraction, you’re already in France, so why not stay for a while?
Find something delicious, take some photos and enjoy the atmosphere.
This is one of those moments where I always think: Yep, we’re definitely in Disney World.

Mission: SPACE

If your kids are a little older and love anything to do with space, you might want to try Mission: SPACE.
It’s much more intense than it looks from the outside. You’re essentially taking part in a simulated space mission, complete with the feeling of launching into space.
It’s definitely not the attraction I’d choose after a big lunch.
Especially not after you’ve been eating your way around World Showcase.
You’ve been warned.

EPCOT with younger children

EPCOT sometimes gets labelled as the “adult” Disney park because of the food and World Showcase.
I don’t really agree.
We’ve found plenty for families here.
There are character encounters, colourful attractions, interactive experiences and plenty of opportunities for kids to simply explore.
And let’s be honest: children don’t necessarily need another roller coaster every five minutes.
Sometimes they are perfectly happy with an ice cream, a character meet-and-greet and something completely unexpected that catches their attention.
That’s one of the reasons I like EPCOT.
It gives you a little more breathing room.

And then there’s the food…

If you’re a foodie, EPCOT might just become your favourite Disney park.
The Disney Parks Blog describes World Showcase as a culinary journey through 11 countries, and that really is how it feels.
You can have tacos in Mexico, pastries in France, sushi in Japan and German food later in the afternoon.
And then, somehow, you’ll probably still find room for dessert.
During special events, EPCOT becomes even more food-focused, with temporary food booths and seasonal dishes appearing around the park.
Our biggest tip?
Don’t book every minute of your day.
Leave some room for spontaneous food stops.
You’ll thank us later.

EPCOT at night

There’s something about EPCOT in the evening that makes it feel even more magical.
The heat of the day starts to disappear, the lights come on and World Showcase feels completely different.
This is actually one of my favourite times to be here.
Take your time walking around the lagoon, stop for dinner and enjoy the atmosphere rather than trying to squeeze in one final attraction.
After a full day at Disney, this slower pace can be exactly what you need.

How long do you need at EPCOT?

I’d plan a full day for EPCOT.
Could you see the highlights in less time?
Probably.
But you’d be missing part of what makes the park special.
If you rush from ride to ride, you’ll experience EPCOT as another theme park.
If you slow down, eat, explore and enjoy World Showcase, it becomes something much more.
And if you’re visiting Disney World with kids, a full day also gives you flexibility. You don’t have to spend the entire day running from attraction to attraction.

Our EPCOT tip: don’t over-plan it

Disney planning can become a full-time job if you’re not careful.
Lightning Lanes, reservations, park hours, rides, restaurants…
Before you know it, you’ve created a military operation for your holiday.
Don’t.
Have a plan for the rides you really don’t want to miss, but leave some gaps.
For tickets, tours and activities during your Orlando trip, we often use GetYourGuide,  to compare options and book ahead when it makes sense.

EPCOT or Magic Kingdom?

If this is your first Disney World trip, you might wonder whether EPCOT is worth choosing over another park.
My answer?
Absolutely.
But they offer completely different experiences.
[Magic Kingdom] is the classic Disney experience. Castles, princesses, classic rides and that feeling of stepping straight into a fairytale.
[EPCOT] is more relaxed, more grown-up in some ways and much more focused on food, culture and exploration.
If you have enough time, I wouldn’t choose between them.
I’d do both.
And if you’re planning a full Orlando theme park trip, don’t forget the other big parks either. We have also written about [Disney’s Animal Kingdom], where you’ll find incredible animals and some of Disney’s most immersive theming, and [Disney’s Hollywood Studios], which is the place to go for Star Wars, Toy Story and movie magic.
And then there are the parks outside Disney.
Our guide to [Universal Studios Orlando] is a must-read if you’re travelling with older kids or Harry Potter fans, while [SeaWorld Orlando] makes a great addition if you want something a little different from the Disney parks.

Planning an Orlando theme park holiday?

EPCOT is just one piece of the Orlando puzzle.
If you’re planning to visit several parks, we’ve put everything together in our [Ultimate Orlando Theme Park Guide], including Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, so you can work out which parks are worth adding to your itinerary and how many days you really need.
Because that’s the thing about Orlando.
You can spend two weeks there and still leave thinking:
“We didn’t get to everything.”
And maybe that’s exactly why we keep going back.
EPCOT isn’t the park where you simply tick off attractions.
It’s the park where you wander into Mexico because you saw something interesting, stop for food in Japan, suddenly find yourself racing through space with the Guardians and finish the evening walking around the World Showcase with tired kids and very full stomachs.
And honestly?
Those are often the Disney days we remember most.