Epcot in 1 day?

[Kelly1432]

Hey everyone!
I'm new here and my family and I are planning our 1st trip to WDW in July (11-16). I know, it's gonna be super crowded and hot! But I am sooo excited! Anywho....I was planning to do Epcot for 1 day. I've been reading stuff and everyone says it's not possible to do 1 park for 1 day. We're only planning to do Soarin' and Test Track and then walk around to see the World Showcase. What do you experts think about this plan? Would you recommend any other attractions at this park?

 

[queenpatricia]

Yes, you can do Epcot in a day. Since you want to do Soaring & Test Track, it would be wise to get a fastpass for both as it will save you some time as they seem to have long lines. The worlds are our favorites & they don't open until later in the morning. There is so much to see in each world, depending on what you like, just do a little planning but don't worry about if things just happen. Make sure you see the laser show at night, it is well worth it, put you might have to find a good spot to watch it at least an hour before. Also, make sure you see the show at America, it is the best.

 

[Kelly1432]

Thank you! umn...are you talking about IllumiNations? I have another question about that..how is the viewing situation? Is it like at Disneyland where you have to get a good seat 3 hours before Fantasmic? (lol...we always do that over here) What would you recommend for that?

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

No you don't have to stake out a spot 3 hours ahead of time. There are many great spots around the world showcase. I would suggest 1 hour before. But kind of scope out a place while you are walking around during the day.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

We only spend 1 day at EPCOT but hardly make it back to the countries. Not sure how old your kids are but we also love Turtle Talk with Crush and the Nemo ride (usually not a long line for that ride). Also the ride through Space Ship Earth. We have a 6 day trip coming up, we've planned 2 days at MK, HS and 1 day each at EPCOT and AK. No park hopper this trip because we don't want to waste time traveling during the day.

 

[Kelly1432]

Thank you!

 

[Kelly1432]

We only spend 1 day at EPCOT but hardly make it back to the countries. Not sure how old your kids are but we also love Turtle Talk with Crush and the Nemo ride (usually not a long line for that ride). Also the ride through Space Ship Earth. We have a 6 day trip coming up, we've planned 2 days at MK, HS and 1 day each at EPCOT and AK. No park hopper this trip because we don't want to waste time traveling during the day.

lol I don't have kids It's gonna be me (23), sis (25), bro (19), and my parents (50 & 68)

Our days at the parks are the same! We're doing HS for 2 days, and MK for 1 1/2 days. We're arriving in Florida around 3 the first day and we're gonna go to MK first because they have evening extra magic hours...

 

[FunkyDuck]

I'm going to be in the minority here...but I think Epcot deserves two days....there is so much to see in the worlds alone...shops, food, atmosphere, shows, etc.......wrapping up nicely with IllumiNations...We had spent two days there the last trip...the first completely in Future World and the second in the World Showcase and afterwards WISHED we had more time in the SHowcase...imho.

Have a wonderful 1st trip!!!!

 

[skiingfast]

I'm going to be in the minority here...but I think Epcot deserves two days....there is so much to see in the worlds alone...shops, food, atmosphere, shows, etc.......wrapping up nicely with IllumiNations...We had spent two days there the last trip...the first completely in Future World and the second in the World Showcase and afterwards WISHED we had more time in the SHowcase...imho.

Have a wonderful 1st trip!!!!

ITA

Epcot is the fullest park.

OP: have you ever been to WDW? How much to DL? This will influence what you must do. Are you going to AK? If not why not?

If you work FP and see the shows while you are waiting you can fit more in a day. The World Shocase Lagoon is big and it's standing viewing around it. You don't need to show up an hour early unless you want a really good spot. But most are good a few are ok.

 

[Kelly1432]

ITA

Epcot is the fullest park.

OP: have you ever been to WDW? How much to DL? This will influence what you must do. Are you going to AK? If not why not?

If you work FP and see the shows while you are waiting you can fit more in a day. The World Shocase Lagoon is big and it's standing viewing around it. You don't need to show up an hour early unless you want a really good spot. But most are good a few are ok.

My family and I have never been to WDW. This is our first time. I'd much rather go during the school year when they say it's less crowded but I'm still in school so it wouldn't work... my brother's still in school, too. I go to Disneyland twice or 3 times a year (during halloween, x-mas, and sometimes in the summer ) so I know how to maneuver through crowds. We're not doing AK. I forgot why...maybe next time we'll do that. I think it's because we're only there for 5 days and had to eliminate 1 park.

I'm definitely getting fastpasses to every ride that has it. I always grab those at DL...So I'm sure if we b-line to soarin for fast passes and then go on test track then we'll be fine...right?

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I really appreciate it!

 

[Estella]

If you go to DL 3x year, you may want to consider visting AK. MK is very similar to DL and you don't want to miss Expedition Everest and the Safari in AK! I really like DL better than MK; MK has a couple different attractions, but for the most part, it mirrors DL. Have fun in WDW - we're going in December and doing 1 park a day, except 2 days at Epcot - we love the world showcase!

 

[CathieArms]

I'm not an expert, but I think it's totally possible to do Epcot in a day.

Start in the morning and ride the rides you want while they're not super busy. Anything that has too long of a wait, grab a fastpass for it as soon as you can (meaning that you'll grab a fastpass about every hour or so).

By about lunch time, mosey over to the countries and have lunch and then go through them. When you've completed the countries, go back to Future World and ride any of the rides for which you have fastpasses, and then finish up anything you've not done yet.

That's how I'd do it. I think it's totally possible. Exhausting, but possible.

 

[skiingfast]

We're not doing AK. I forgot why...maybe next time we'll do that. I think it's because we're only there for 5 days and had to eliminate 1 park.

I'm definitely getting fastpasses to every ride that has it. I always grab those at DL...So I'm sure if we b-line to soarin for fast passes and then go on test track then we'll be fine...right?

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I really appreciate it!

Seeing as how you haven't been first a couple tips.

Park hopping really easy at DL not at WDW.
IF you stay onsite and you get EMH, the WDW equivilent of MM use it then leave that park. Or only visit that park in the evening when it has EMH. Because there are morning and evening EMHs.


You will definitly want to go to AK. Seriously reconsider. Epcot will aslo be very important. MK not so much and DCA is similar to DHS at least the hollywood side. Also since you are adults you will probably enjoy the parks in this order Epcot, MK, AK, DHS.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

lol I don't have kids It's gonna be me (23), sis (25), bro (19), and my parents (50 & 68)

Our days at the parks are the same! We're doing HS for 2 days, and MK for 1 1/2 days. We're arriving in Florida around 3 the first day and we're gonna go to MK first because they have evening extra magic hours...

Based on your 5 day timeline, and the most recent crowd calendars for that week, I would plan:

July 11 - 1/2 Day MK (arrival day w/evening EMH)
July 12 - Epcot
July 13 - Animal Kingdom
July 14 - Magic Kingdom
July 15 - Hollywood Studios

I think you can do Epcot in one day if you plan the correct day to go, and get there at rope drop. You may want to turn in a little early on July 11th to insure you have a complete day at Epcot, and since you will be at MK later in the week. I would not skip AK in favor of 2 days at HS, as it seems that most on this board regard HS as a one day park if you hit it the right day.

Have fun with your trip planning!

 

[JoShan1719]

Epcot is definitely doable in one day. DH and I do it in one day every year. Like PP's said, utilize the FP system and you should be fine.

 

[Bell30012]

*TIP* Within minutes of entering the park get your FastPass for Soarin'. When comparing Soarin' and Test Track lines you will see that Test Track moves faster due to the single passenger line being an option.

 

[o2bnoz]

I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time no matter which parks you decide to do... that being said, I could NEVER do one day at Epcot if I had 5 days at the parks. I adore Epcot and so does my family. We love the rides, the showcase, the restaurants, the shops, the atmosphere... all of it! I could spend 3 days there each trip and be happy, happy, happy!!

I love DL and I agree with those who said that you might enjoy parks other than MK because of the similarities. Not to say that you should skip MK (who could do that???) but definitely think about AK. The restaurants are worth it (try the character meal at Tusker House) and the safari as well as the spectacular shows! And you'll want to spend a bit of time at DTD. It's just fun!

We love Epcot best, but the other parks, in order of preference are as follows: MK, AK and DS. It's funny to make a list like that, because it's not as if we don't like DS... we LOVE them all!!! DISNEY ROCKS!

Have a great time!!

 

[kwdancer26]

This is the plan i use EVERY TIME. Soarin first, then Test Track. If the wait is too long, Fastpass it, and do Spaceship Earth while you wait. Eat lunch at Coral Reef or in Showcase, then walk around. Works perfectly every time.

 

[2luvmickey]

This is the plan i use EVERY TIME. Soarin first, then Test Track. If the wait is too long, Fastpass it, and do Spaceship Earth while you wait. Eat lunch at Coral Reef or in Showcase, then walk around. Works perfectly every time.

I agree

Since you are all adults, go in the single rider line at Test Track. So, you won't be together, but some of you may be in the same car. Besides, it is a MUCH shorter wait.

As far as Illuminations, we never stake out a spot beforehand. My family usually finds someplace to squeeze in right before showtime. And no, we aren't pushy people, we just get the "less desirable" spots. Keep in mind your view may be slightly blocked, but as long as we can see the show (and stay out of the way of the smoke), then we're happy.

Lucky you! I would love to visit DL two to three times a year (heck, even WDW!). My 2 younger sons believe PoTC, Space Mountain and Buzz are better rides at DL. They also loved the Matterhorn and Captain EO.

I would suggest you look at the info on the WDW site and make up a plan for each day, and schedule your ADR's. Have a fun and memorable trip.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

This is what we did in December: I headed straight for Soarin' to pull FPs for the family, the rest headed straight to Test Track. By the time I met them at Test Track they'd been on twice (!) and we then went to Mission Space together. Then walked back across to Soarin' and used the FP, then did Livin' with the Land followed by an early lunch at Season's food court. By 11 we were headed for the World Showcase! (With a stop at Club Cool!). Later, on our way "back", we did Space Ship Earth. I needed a second day to finish seeing things, though...