Epcot Morning/Day Plan...Thoughts?

[Chumpson]

Well, here is what I am currently thinking for our day at EPCOT on June 21st. 3 teens and 4 adults. We have never been before and I am concerned with how much we can actually see at the World Showcase, but I couldn't convince the rest of them to extend our trip for one more day.

Here is what I have mapped out so far assuming I can get the FP+ reservations I am hoping to get...

Test Track
Sum of All Thrills
Mission Space Green FP 10-11
Nemo
Living with the Land
Soarin FP 11-12
Spaceship Earth FP 12-1
Grab another FP for later?

Break

Back in the evening for touring World Showcase and Illuminations.
Not sure what time we should return, but doesn't seem like we will be able to do much, so wondering where we should start and what we should do.

Think this plan will work? What needs changing?

 

[kmb584]

Well, here is what I am currently thinking for our day at EPCOT on June 21st. 3 teens and 4 adults. We have never been before and I am concerned with how much we can actually see at the World Showcase, but I couldn't convince the rest of them to extend our trip for one more day.

Here is what I have mapped out so far assuming I can get the FP+ reservations I am hoping to get...

Test Track
Sum of All Thrills
Mission Space Green FP 10-11
Nemo
Living with the Land
Soarin FP 11-12
Spaceship Earth FP 12-1
Grab another FP for later?

Break

Back in the evening for touring World Showcase and Illuminations.
Not sure what time we should return, but doesn't seem like we will be able to do much, so wondering where we should start and what we should do.

Think this plan will work? What needs changing?

I think your plan looks good and is doable. After using your FP+ for SE you'll be able to book one for your return later that evening. What to book is solely up to your preference but keep in mind there's a strong likelihood that both Soarin' and TT will be gone. We like to start on the Mexico side of the WS and work our way clockwise around the lagoon. The Mexico Pavillion has The 3 Cabalerros, a nice boat ride reminiscent of IASW. Norway has Maelstrom and we enjoy that as well. There is a lot to see in the WS so it's good to know going in that you probably won't see it all but you'll at least get a good feel for it.

 

[disneyag]

I wouldn't waste a FP on Spaceship Earth. That line moves quite quickly. And, if it seems long, wait 30 minutes and go back. We like doing Future World at rope drop, having lunch in WS and then exploring WS for the afternoon. We manage to get lots done that way.

 

[MightyGitis]

I wouldn't waste a FP on Spaceship Earth. That line moves quite quickly. And, if it seems long, wait 30 minutes and go back. We like doing Future World at rope drop, having lunch in WS and then exploring WS for the afternoon. We manage to get lots done that way.

With the tier system in place for FP there isn't much to select in tier 2 which is probably why they have that FP.

 

[Chumpson]

With the tier system in place for FP there isn't much to select in tier 2 which is probably why they have that FP.

Correct, you are. (Yoda voice)

I was thinking the shortest wait to get our last ride of the morning done and out of the park for our break, plus it seems to be close to the exit.

 

[Missymouse18]

Your plan is doable, but I would suggest that you get to World Showcase as early as you possibly can. I see that you are planning to get back later in the evening but I would suggest early afternoon. DH and I spend two park days at Epcot (we are EPCOT fanatics, lol). The first day we spend in FW and take our time. Usually by 3:00 we head to WS. The next day we stay in FW till WS opens (11:00 a.m.). I think you will be amazed at how much there is to do in WS. Be sure to try some of the great foods there (like the chocolate chunk brioche in France, or school bread or "rice" cream from Norway, or DS25's favorite -red bean ice cream from China)and to try to catch a couple of films. Canada, France and China are among my favorites, and American Adventure is always a must do for us! I hope you will have a magical time and that you make lots of great memories!!

 

[ShannonMB]

One day at Epcot is enough for us, and the beauty of the World Showcase is that you can spend as much or as little time as you want without feeling like you are missing something major. There is a lot I'm sure we haven't seen there, but we always see something new every time we go. We know we aren't going to conquer every nook and cranny of every country, so we don't even try. It's more of a relaxing portion of the park for us. Unlike how we tour Future World and the other parks, we just aren't really on a mission (other than to eat something REALLY tasty and maybe a cocktail here and there)!

Hope you enjoy!!!

 

[Chumpson]

Talk to me about staying out of the sun/heat in World Showcase? Remember this is a June trip. The main issue with leaving is heat/sun/rest. I don't want to miss stuff, but I don't want to be miserable either.

 

[Missymouse18]

Oh! Almost forgot! You asked where you should start? We typically begin WS in Mexico. IMO it seems that the flow is better when we start here. Plus, with Gran Fiesta Tour there and then Maelstrom in Norway right next door, you have the only two rides in WS done at the beginning and won't have to rush to get them in before Illuminations.

 

[Missymouse18]

Talk to me about staying out of the sun/heat in World Showcase? Remember this is a June trip. The main issue with leaving is heat/sun/rest. I don't want to miss stuff, but I don't want to be miserable either.

All of the films are in air conditioned buildings. France, Norway and AA are sit downs. In fact AA is where DH and DS19 get a really good nap. There are lots of shady spots as well. In Norway, just to the side of Kringla Bakeri, there is a delightfully shaded, covered sit down area to enjoy a cool drink or treat or just to relax. All of the shops are air conditioned, with the exception of some of the street shops in Morocco - but the air flow through there is still cool. Also, the garden in Japan is shaded and quiet. Huge air conditioned shop in Japan, nice shop in China, and a cool quiet museum in China. Lots of places to keep cool and plenty of places to nap/rest!

 

[Chumpson]

That all sounds good, but Oregonians making the trip in mid-summer might explode in the heat down there.

I don't know that I can count on us not taking a break mid-day. We will be getting up early and staying as late as possible, so something has to give. Right now I see it as the mid-day 'get out of the parks' as our best chance to have a fun vacation.

 

[vicb]

I think your plan is doable. Here is the run down of our day May 7 at Epcot if it helps at all, we were two adults and our "kids" (18 and 22).

Rope Drop at Internat. Gateway, headed straight to TT.

Rode TT twice (really recommend riding twice) done with both by 9:50 (could have been out earlier but second time through kids did the interactive kiosks after the ride), 5 min wait if that at rope drop, was 15 when we got in line the second ride.
Rode MS orange side with FP+ (wait time only 10 min).
Headed to Land pavillion for quick snack, then FP+ for Soarin (stand by wait time 50 min) at 10:30ish.
Then FP+ for Living with Land at 11am (stand by wait time 20 min)
Went to kiosk to book 4th FP+ for Spaceship Earth later in afternoon.
Sum of all Thrills, 20 min. wait.
Visited Coke Cool Station, a little shopping.
Headed to WS around 12:30 for lunch ADR at Via Napoli 12:45.
After lunch browsed in Germany stores, shopped in China (paper lanterns), rode Maelstrom.
Walked back to Coke station for a cool drink, headed to Spaceship Earth used FP+ (standby time only 10 min).
Walked out front and caught bus to AK (3:30ish) to ride EE which was only 10 min. wait, rode it twice and left park. (Gave up full AK day to go to TL instead, kids only wanted to ride EE this trip, weird but worked for us).

We had already had dinner one night earlier in France and watched Illuminations (after our long MK day).

Went back Fri. dinner in Mexico, rode boat ride there then skipped Illum. and headed to Captain Eo and Figment. It was eve. emh. so we then headed to TT and MS again, rode Spaceship Earth and shopped.

We always have hoppers so we never do a full day in any one park, we always hop for the evening after a shower/pool break at our hotel.

 

[JennyMP03]

We have our Epcot day structured in a very similar fashion, except that we have breakfast at Akershus at 9:45. But I made the same FP+ selections as you, OP, though I have them all after breakfast. I'm also planning on doing TT at rope drop, and then Maelstrom at 11 when we finish breakfast and are about to head back to Future World for our FP rides.

Then afternoon break and WS/Illuminations in the evening. I agree with you, and I found this true on my last trip: in the summer heat, that afternoon break is the key to making it through the evening.