Is it possible to do Epcot in 1 day??

disnaholic

<font color=red>Hey HUSBAND, hands off my tag!!!</
Joined
Jun 21, 2002
Messages
303
Is this possible?? We are going on a short 4 day trip with my Dad and my kids (and some of their friends ages 7,10,13, and 16 total). I am not sure if the kids will like Epcot, but I think my dad would love the WS. I am trying to make everyone happy and for 2 of these kids (ages 13 and 16) it will be their first visit ever to WDW.
 
I guess it all depends... I can certainly do Epcot in a day but then again, it's my least favorite park!!! We will get there around 1:00 and do Future World til dinner and then go to World Showcase after dinner. I guess it also depends on how busy it is. We will be there during a week with pretty low crowds so we should be able to get everything done within the one day.
 
Depends on what you want to do, how the crowds are and if you stay all day.
Yes, it can be done, but no dilly dallying allowed. ;)
Depending on what you want to do, I would limit my FW choices, and start WS in the early afternoon and stay for Illuminations.
Or maybe even split the group up, depending on ages and interests, meet for dinner and watch Illuminations.
You could also take the FW behind the scenes tour and really get a FW day in, if rides aren't that important.
 
I would be very difficult to do Epcot in one day. It is such a large park that just walking through it takes a while. You will have to make a plan , and only go the the pavillions you want to see most. Can it be done, Yes. Can I do it in one day, No. Have a great time!
 

It would probably not be possible to see all of Epcot in one day, but you can certainly see the highlights. To maximize your time, I'd suggest a quick counter-service meal in Future World. I'd also suggest a sit-down dinner in World Showcase, as dining is an integral part of the experience there.

I'd skip Innoventions, Journey Into Your Imagination and everything but Cranium Command in the Wonders of Life pavilion, too.

Hope this helps.

Len
 
You can "do" any park in one day, including Epcot, if you set priorities and do what you are most interested in. IMO the only "musts" are Illuminations and Spaceship Earth, the "flagship" attraction. But there are a lot of other attractions worth seeing.

If you want to experience all that Epcot has to offer (which is a lot more than rides), 3 days might not be enough.
 
I think you can get the"feel" of EPCOT in one day but not do it all like others have said.

I think the 13 and 16 year olds will like Test Track and Mission Space and probably Body Wars.As for making WS interesting for all the kids so Dad can enjoy it I have some suggestions.

Get the WS Passports for the younger ones.They are available everywhere in Epcot and also at DTD MktPl.The CM in each country will write a note to the child and put a special stamp in it for them.There are stickers of pictures and flags of each country with the passport that your kid's can put in themselves.Be sure to visit the Kidcot Stations.That's where the CM will usually be signing the passports plus there is a fun thing for the kids to do.They were making mask but I'm not sure if that's still the activity right now.

Here's something fun we started when Erich was around 6yrs old.He's since taught his step brother Jonathan too.I thought y'all might enjoy it. All the ages might like to do this!

They practice saying hello in the WS languages before we go to WDW.The first time Erich was so excited about going to each country and talking to a CMs!The CM's seem to be really happy when you greet them in their native langauage!! So here's a few that I know!

Mexico...Hola (OH-lah)

Norway...god dag (goo-DAHG)

China...Ni hao (nee HOW)

Germany...gutten Tag (GOOT-en tahkh)Good Day

Italy...buon giornio (boo-on JOR-no)Good Day
or ciao (chow)hello or good bye

Japan...ohayo gozaimasu (oh-hi-yoh-goh goh-zy-ee-mahs) Good Morning

Morocco... Salam alekoum (sah-LAHM wah-LAY-koom)

France...Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR)

There's also a place in Innoventions West Side that you can send an e-mail hello back to family and friends at home! Be sure to check out the IBM e-mail postcards while there! The best thing is if ya don't like the picture it took you can keep taking one until you get it right!

Journey Into the Imagination also has several computers that you can send a photo and email greeting home.This is really fun because you can "play" with your picture.Turn yourselves into cartoons or animals.Personalize your greeting several different ways.
 
I remembered the Hidden Mickey List I have.Maybe that would make WS a little more interesting for teens too.I have the EPCOT HMs listed plus the other parks too!


Hidden Mickey's
...................................
Hidden Mickeys started out as inside joke among the Imagineers. A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney ride ,resort,etc. To begin with it took the shape of a head and ears silhouette, °o°, one large circle with two smaller circled on top in the correct place, but Hidden Mickeys can take on many forms.In designing, constructing or adding the final touches to an attraction, Imagineers try to "hide" Mickey Mouse silhouettes in plain sight! Word spread and soon Disney fanantics went searching for Hidden Mickeys in theme parks and movies.

Here's a list of a few that we have searched for in past trips to WDW.We've found a few! Hope you have fun looking!

EPCOT

Spaceship Earth
1.In the boys room,a cap and clock.
2.In the star constellations.

Universe of Energy
1.Fight scene between the t-rex and stegosaurus, large plant shaped like Mickey's head located to the front, right side of the dinosaurs.

Body Wars
1. Hidden Mickey in the mural above Body Wars. There might even be other characters.

Test Track
1.Mickey Pez dispenser in cup on workbench in area 2B.
2.Area 8B there is a white workbench. There are three large washers that make a Mickey .
3.Car in the "Crash Test Car" there are 2 inspection stickers.The driver's door is signed just "Mickey", and the one on the passenger's door is signed "M. Mouse".
4.Cold Room has a Mickey in frost on the back wall.
5.Corrosion Room has a Mickey in rust on both sides of the room.

The Land
1.Paintings in line for Living with the Land.One has bubbles tah form Mickeys.
2.Cloud under blue balloon in pavillion center.

Living Seas
1.Second window after restrooms, full Mickey head in coral

Canada
1.Totem pole 2nd face down from the top. You will see a black traditional tri-circle Hidden Mickey among the markings.

France
1.Grates that are at the base of the trees .

Morocco
1.On the outside wall of the gift shop there are three baskets in the shape of a Mickey.

Japan
1.Fences around trees.
2.Grand Concourse level, stones in lagoon left of stairs.

American Adventure
1.Foyer painting, 3 holes on girder.
2.When Statue of Liberty is shown and torch set is coming up, behind torch, firework 'fizzles' and cloud of smoke forms Mickey.

Italy
1.Bottom right of corner sculpture are 3leaves in a distinct Mickey.

Germany
1.Look at the building to your right on the second floor. There are 3 suits of armor.The crown of the 3rd one has a Mickey.
2.Mini train area.
3.In iron work holding hanging basket near the Teddy Bear shop.Some of those look like the mouse ear hats.

China
1.In "Dragon, Ruler of the Wind and Waves" exhibit, head found in clouds of a dragon mural close to tail.

Norway
1.In the mural in line for Maelstrom, there is a Viking wearing a Mickey Mouse hat!

Mexico
1. El Rio del Tiempo at the marketplace scene there are 3 bowls.
2.From the San Angel Inn Retaurant if you are facing the temple, on the right of it is a volcano. If you watch closely, the smoke that is rising from the volcano Mickey.

Animal Kingdom

Kali Rapids
1. In line there are 3 grape fruit arranged like Mickey.
2.Big drop center of rock wall above raft.

Maharahjah Jungle Trek
1.On the path near the entrance ot the bats building.
2. Mural has one made out of painted leaves.

Africa
1. Side walks pebbles around utility covers.
2.In pavement by Harambe Fruit.

Safari
1.In line branches of big baobob tree.
2.Flamingo island is a big Mickey head!
3.After passing under elephant bridge,see red ground with foot prints.On the left side 3 make a Mickey.
4.Look back at trees from elephant when song playing.Mickey painted on a tree trunk.
5.Past flamingo pool ,cave drawings, in middle a rock etching.

Pangani Trail
1.Naked mole rats lights in shape of Mickey.
2.Check desk. Bottle of aspirin has one.

Tree of Life
1. Find a tiger laying down.Below him in moss is a Mickey.
2.One a bove the hippo.

Camp Mickey Minnie
1.Totem pole with shark has one.
2. Funnel cake cart.
3.In line for Festival of the Lion King,one as hole in a bird house.


MGM/Disney Studios

Muppets 3D
1.The fountain out front.Rizzo rat has on Mickey Mouse ears!
2.In the big room where you stand to watch the tv look up to
find the Net Full of Jello...Annette Funicello! A different type of hidden Mickey!

Pizza Planet
1.In stars by register.

Great Movie Ride
1.Hieroglyphics there's a Mickey and a Donald.
2.Tarazan area on right...look up at the hut in the tree...there's a basket with grapes in it...3 grapes make the Mickey.

New York Street
1.By the church.

Fantasmic
1.Moutain becomes Sorcerers hat,rock 2 ears.

Magic Kingdom

Main Street
1.The bridles on the horses have some.
2. The manhole covers have Mickeys.

Jungle Cruise
1.Inside the Cambodian Temple Ruins, there is a giant spider on the left side of the treasure. On its back are three yellow circles.
2.In the temple there are 3 gold paltes that form a Mickey.

Piartes of Carribean
1.Lamps,cannonballs,barrels form the 3 circles.
2.First pirate drinking beer,tilts head ,shadow makes ears.
3.Pirate with cats,watch shadow,it becomes a Mikckey.
4.Jail cell,the locks.
5.Treasure room 3 plates by pirate with legs draped.

Splash Moutain
1.Stand looking at the mountain.The hole where the logs come out to make the drop is a Mickey.
2.Brer Rabbits house,vines make the ears.
3.In front of porcupine playing turtles back there's a purple/blue rock it's stamped into.
4.The projected scene on right,that Brer Rabbit is skipping over hill,at the end it appears as Mickey and laughs like Mickey!
5.Riverboat scene, the pinkish clouds look like Mickey profile laying on his back.
6.There's another small cloud shaped like his head.

Haunted Mansion
1.3rd portrait in 1st room,think it's sea Captain, the pupils are Mickeys.
2.Coffin handles,woodwork,3 flowers.
3.Party scene 3 plates arranged to look like Mickey.
4.Giant spider has 3 red circles on his back to form a Mickey.
5.Some of the gravestones.
6.Graveyard on right, grim reaper by fat lady,his open sleeve forms a Mickey.
There's also a Hidden Donald in the HM.
As you pass the long hallway with the candle floating way at the end, there is a red chair in the corner in front of the hallway to the left. On the chair is the shape of Donald's head with his hat on (front view) created by the white lines!

Small World
1. In the Africa scene look up.There's a long,vine with what look like purple flowers.Look again! They're Mickeys!
2.There are koalas hanging from a tree. If you turn around and look over your left shoulder after you pass them,the back of their heads are Mickey shaped.
3.In the last room there is a clown in a balloon with a "Help" sign, and his hair is fixed like mouse ears.

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
1.In Rabbits garden a tomato marker has a Mickey on it.
2.Look in the honey comb.
3.Towards the end there's a honey pot spilled.Some of the drippings form one.
Pooh's ride was formaly Mr. Toad's wild ride.There's a framed photo of Mr. Toad still in here!

Buzzlight Year
1.When waiting in line look at the maps on the wall.
2.Some in the constellations of stars.

Space Mountain
1.The projected meteors that go by as you wait form a Mickey.By the way those meteors are pictures of chocolate chip cookies!
2.While leaving on the conveyor belt, the robot dog scene, the dog's collar has a Mickey on it.
 
I feel that what everyone is telling you can be summed up as, You may certainly have a great time spending one day in Epcot; however you will most probably not be able to "do" Epcot in one day. I would definitely go to Epcot for the day. I think that you could let the 3 older children split off by themselves (although that might not be OK with the youngest) and they would probably love to ride Test Track and Mission: Space several times, as well as spend hours in Innoventions. I think your youngest would be quite happy in WS, along with you and your dad. They have so many performers, a few rides, the Viking Ship to climb on in Norway, the miniature trains in Germany, as well as the Kidcot stations at all the different countries. Our kids have always loved going to Epcot. I think they were 4 and 8 when we started going. I always felt Epcot had a bad rap as a non-kid park.
 
I agree with what others have said. The one change I would make from the suggestions is to plan a sit down lunch and just do counter service for dinner. Lunch is cheaper and if you can hold off till about 1:00 the crowds will be lighter and you'll be ready for a nice break. Then you can pick up some food from a counter service for dinner, find a spot for Illuminations and enjoy your food while waiting.
 
Wow, baloo, that is a great list of Hidden Mickeys! I had a list of them, but it was really disorganized and hard to read. I'm going to print out your list. Thanks for sharing it! :D
 
To be honest get the queues right & you could probably do it in a day but you're going to be that concerned about fitting everything in that you'll miss out on the enjoyment!You're feet will also let you know!!Get there first thing do FW until WS opens,I'd plan on a sit down lunch(gives your feet a rest!) we normally go clockwise & plan on eating at Norway orGermany-buffet service @$15 per adult.Once you 've been around the "world" go back to FW.If you plan on doing AK you can be finished here by early afternoon so why noy "hop" to catch anything that you may have missed!
SD:bounce:
 
Use fastpass for the popular rides. You probably will want to split up with older kids going their own way. It all depends on what everyone's interests are. I'd get a guidebook, or two, and let the kids look at the different attractions. I find that Epcot is the one place where you can't just wander around and do what looks fun. Some planning is required. World Showcase, especially, has some neat attractions that you don't even know are there when you walk around.

The kids can help come up with a plan on what they want to see. Some attractions might seem boring to one kid and cool to another.
 














Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top