How do I enjoy Epcot as a Millennial?

[mrs.zuber]

When I was a kid my parents always skipped Epcot because they thought we wouldn't be interested in it. I went for the first time as an adult in 2016. I'm a total foodie and we went during food and wine fest and I was so excited to finally get to go. But it was beyond crowded (because F&WF) and it was so hot that walking around in the open with little to no shade had me and my midwestern boyfriend sweaty and miserable.

I hear all kinds of great things about Epcot online and from friends and I'd love to give it a second chance for our December 2018 trip. But I also don't want to spend time and money on another day there when last time it was too hot, too crowded and too dated for us to enjoy our visit.

Please tell me how two 27-year-old adults can have an awesome time at Epcot!

 

[cleophus12]

If you are going early in December, crowds shouldn't be too terrible. The closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded it will be. Like the other parks, decide which rides you will FastPass and take care of that ahead of time. Also make dining reservations 180 days out so you will have a place to sit down and enjoy a good meal. See as many countries in the World Showcase as you can, watch the films and outdoor entertainment, and just relax and enjoy. Sounds like you may not have visited the World Showcase last time, so give it a chance. Since you are going in December, a can't miss for us is the Candlelight Processional. There are also some good drinks to be had in various countries: beer in Germany, Grey Goose Slushies in France, Tequila in Mexico. Maybe you shouldn't try them all, but it's fun to do a few. Weather in December may not be so hot and that's a plus. Pretend it's the first time you've been and have fun.

 

[si-am]

I don't think enjoying Epcot is tied to age at all, just mindset. Know that there aren't a ton of rides, but there is a lot to see. World Showcase is awesome for adults who like to eat, drink, and shop within new cultural experiences.. If you are only into thrill rides, then Epcot isn't for you no matter what your age.

I'm not a millennial but Epcot has been my favorite park since it opened, and my husband and I both loved it even in our 20s.

 

[Hikergirl]

Honestly if I couldn't walk around and drink in WS I would skip Epcot any time of year. I don't get park hoppers and there isn't enough there IMO to waste an entire park day ticket on. I do like Test Track but the only reason I go is to drink and eat at WS (which IMO is just a fancy world themed outdoor shopping center).

 

[Lesley Wake]

When I was a kid my parents always skipped Epcot because they thought we wouldn't be interested in it. I went for the first time as an adult in 2016. I'm a total foodie and we went during food and wine fest and I was so excited to finally get to go. But it was beyond crowded (because F&WF) and it was so hot that walking around in the open with little to no shade had me and my midwestern boyfriend sweaty and miserable.

I hear all kinds of great things about Epcot online and from friends and I'd love to give it a second chance for our December 2018 trip. But I also don't want to spend time and money on another day there when last time it was too hot, too crowded and too dated for us to enjoy our visit.

Please tell me how two 27-year-old adults can have an awesome time at Epcot!

I am in my early 30s and had my first visit to WDW this September. I do agree that I was underwhelmed by Epcot, especially after hearing how it was many people's favorite park. While I didn't dislike it, I just didn't love it like the others; didn't feel that Disney magic. I think in the future, if there are no good festivals going on, I may skip/limit my time there (though my next visits will be during Flower & Garden and then during holidays).

What I think you should do is check out the various special offerings. December 2018 (I plan to visit then too!) will have all the Christmas entertainment, with food booths, storytellers, Candlelight processional, Illuminations evening holiday tag, decorations, etc. As it gets closer to the date, research the various food options and see what you'd be interested in. Also check reviews of the storytellers to figure out which ones are best.

That being said, Epcot is preparing to have an overhaul and we do not know fully what that will entail or when construction will start and how it will impact the guest experience. Your visit is over a year away, so things could change drastically before then. I would continue to monitor the situation and if it looks like you won't enjoy it, maybe skip Epcot this trip? Or if you have park hoppers, do it for only a 1/2 day.

 

[MinnieGi]

It sounds like you didnt like Epcot because of the large crowds and hot weather - by going in early December you should eliminate both those problems! It will not be crowded like the Food and Wine days and the weather is cooler by early December! There are lots of fun food and drink options to try in World Showcase - you can go "around the world" sampling each country's cuisine and specialty drinks! Each country also has fun enterainment too and in early December each countries "Santa" will be there to meet! In future world - Soarin and Test Track are two of my most favorite Disney rides!

 

[stinkpickle]

We drink around world...but we wait until F&W is over to avoid the crowds.

 

[nessz79]

What? Millenials are supposedly globally-minded, open to experiences, and love good food, right? So Epcot will be awesome. If you are of a Millenial mindset, I recommend:

*Living with the Land
*Soarin
*Checking out each country in World Showcase's little nooks and crannies, especially the galleries and mini-museums
*Eating and drinking your way around the world
*Meeting and chatting up some of the people you meet while eating and drinking your way around the world, especially the international workers and fellow guests

Enjoy!

 

[Mrs. W]

I've gone to Epcot in my late 20's (currently 29) a few times and while it isn't my favorite park during most seasons, I do enjoy myself when there.

With that said, I think December is a FANTASTIC time to go! Epcot is awesome during the Christmas season. I'm from Arizona so the Florida summers don't really get to me, but in December, the weather is pretty good, in my opinion. We last went 2 years ago and the temperature rarely dropped below 70 degrees, even at night, and was typically in the 80's during the day.

Not only that, like another poster mentioned, there's the Candlelight Processional which is really nice, as well as numerous other performers and shows just for the Christmas season. We had a blast the last time we went. We sat and watched several singing groups perform Christmas songs for at least a couple of hours. Epcot is such a festive place during December. There's so much to do and see during this time, in addition to the rides, that the crowds are pretty spread out. The only time it feels packed is when the Candlelight Processional start time gets close.

 

[cigar95]

What? Millenials are supposedly globally-minded, open to experiences, and love good food, right? So Epcot will be awesome. If you are of a Millenial mindset, I recommend . . . . . .

. . . . doing Food & Wine on a weekday! Weekends are the worst, but weekdays during the day are quite manageable.

As others have said, the live entertainment in World Showcase is a treat. (Personal favorite - Voices of Liberty.) That makes it so much more than just a place to eat and shop.

 

[mamamelody2]

Sounds like the heat and crowds were overwhelming. Early December should not have those problems. Poke around into the corners of World Showcase. Meet some characters. Just enjoy the scenery. It is not my favorite park, but I find plenty to do there. Of course, I'm 45, so not a millennial.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I don't think enjoying Epcot is tied to age at all, just mindset.

Well said.

 

[mrs.zuber]

If you are going early in December, crowds shouldn't be too terrible. The closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded it will be. Like the other parks, decide which rides you will FastPass and take care of that ahead of time. Also make dining reservations 180 days out so you will have a place to sit down and enjoy a good meal. See as many countries in the World Showcase as you can, watch the films and outdoor entertainment, and just relax and enjoy. Sounds like you may not have visited the World Showcase last time, so give it a chance. Since you are going in December, a can't miss for us is the Candlelight Processional. There are also some good drinks to be had in various countries: beer in Germany, Grey Goose Slushies in France, Tequila in Mexico. Maybe you shouldn't try them all, but it's fun to do a few. Weather in December may not be so hot and that's a plus. Pretend it's the first time you've been and have fun.

We only visited World Showcase last time. We went into the France show just to cool off and I was surprised it is even allowed to be in a Disney park. It was clearly made decades ago and doesn't seem to have been updated at all....like ever. That is where I am getting my "dated" impression from. Is World Showcase only about food, booze, and shopping? If so I would be perfectly happy to go early, do the new rides with our fastpasses and then hop on over to a better park.

 

[Colleen27]

We only visited World Showcase last time. We went into the France show just to cool off and I was surprised it is even allowed to be in a Disney park. It was clearly made decades ago and doesn't seem to have been updated at all....like ever. That is where I am getting my "dated" impression from. Is World Showcase only about food, booze, and shopping? If so I would be perfectly happy to go early, do the new rides with our fastpasses and then hop on over to a better park.

And atmosphere, yes. It really isn't the place to go if you're looking for rides or major attractions.

I would suggest La Cava del Tequila for a drink and chips & guac. The museum-type area in Japan is a favorite of mine; the display changes periodically but usually draws connections between Japanese traditions and current pop culture. And during the holidays, the Santa storytellers are really fun. I'd also recommend taking some time to ride Living with the Land and check out The Seas aquarium even if you don't do the Nemo ride. But on whole, Epcot is a park you go to for the atmosphere, not to run from ride to ride, and that's not for everyone (regardless of generation!).

 

[chris benton]

Figure out what you wanna do in FW, and get it over with in the am. Keep checking for decent 4th fp's all day.
Then
Snack, shop, drink, street show, repeat. Make a plan of attack for the countries / street shows, snacks and drinks.

 

[cigar95]

. . . . . Is World Showcase only about food, booze, and shopping? . . . . .

Absolutely not. While there are only a few actual attractions, the entertainment and the cultural displays are the highlight of Epcot for me. And in the evening, with the lights up and shining of the lagoon, I find it to be a stunning setting even if I'm just walking.

 

[Gehrig1B]

I think you should skip Epcot. It appears you are looking for things that don't exist at that park. Epcot is about cultural experiences and seeing and doing things you may not otherwise be able to do unless you travel outside the USA. I find the rides as a bonus. I can easily get lost in the Moroccan pavilion for an hour. Talking to the CM's from all over the world is something I look forward to. I think, like in life, its all about expectations and your expectations and the reality of Epcot just don't match.

 

[twinsmom44]

If going in December, definitely stop to appreciate the holiday decorations in each of the country areas. Honestly, our adult children love the slower pace of Epcot and stopping to enjoy the entertainment. Finding a spot early to watch Illuminations and enjoy some food/cocktails waterside while people watching is a nice change of pace from the other parks. In December, you can appreciate the beauty of the Candlelight Processional even if you don't buy a ticket. We usually do one of the priority seating dinner packages so we don't have to stand in line or fight for viewing space along the edges of the performance area. We have enjoyed many of the celebrity guest readers at the processional; Trace Adkins and Gary Sinise were our favorites with Marlee Matlin a close second. We usually pair Epcot with another park using our park hoppers. When visiting in the evening for processional and illuminations, we usually then exit out the back Epcot entrance by France to head over to the Boardwalk area to enjoy some nightlife esp. Jellyrolls dueling piano bar. Hope you have a fun trip!

 

[Jetta8300]

When I was a kid my parents always skipped Epcot because they thought we wouldn't be interested in it. I went for the first time as an adult in 2016. I'm a total foodie and we went during food and wine fest and I was so excited to finally get to go. But it was beyond crowded (because F&WF) and it was so hot that walking around in the open with little to no shade had me and my midwestern boyfriend sweaty and miserable.

I hear all kinds of great things about Epcot online and from friends and I'd love to give it a second chance for our December 2018 trip. But I also don't want to spend time and money on another day there when last time it was too hot, too crowded and too dated for us to enjoy our visit.

Please tell me how two 27-year-old adults can have an awesome time at Epcot!

The first time I ever went to Disney, my husband and I were 27 (now 34). Beforehand I was positive I would love Epcot and it ended up being my least favorite park of them all. We thought it was unbelievably dated and we also went during Food and Wine. Just underwhelmed by the whole thing. Ellen’s Energy Adventure...wow. Thought the whole place would remind me nostalgically of middle school field trips or something, but instead we just found it kind of desolate and sad.

Every trip since, we have made it a half day park. Usually on the day we arrive, after we check into the hotel we do a few rides and a dinner there in the world showcase and fireworks for our arrival day. And I have to say, it’s grown on me. We REALLY enjoyed the Flower and Garden food booths last year, less lines than Food and Wine. We are going back this year during food and wine, but are planning only a half day, we’ll see. We are thinking the booths may be less crowded on a Wednesday starting at lunch. We also love eating dinner at Chefs de France at night before the fireworks. The atmosphere at the restaurants are wonderful.

But supposedly they are building it up in the next few years. Enjoy it by doing half a day and don’t spend any more time there than you want to.

 

[bumbershoot]

We only visited World Showcase last time. We went into the France show just to cool off and I was surprised it is even allowed to be in a Disney park. It was clearly made decades ago and doesn't seem to have been updated at all....like ever. That is where I am getting my "dated" impression from. Is World Showcase only about food, booze, and shopping? If so I would be perfectly happy to go early, do the new rides with our fastpasses and then hop on over to a better park.

I can't imagine what felt dated about France.

I wound either skip it all OR give it a seriously good amount of time. Take the time to look in all nooks and crannies. Watch all movies etc. explore.