Lightning lane strategy for Epcot

[cruisehopeful]

My husband and I are going to mostly take it easy at the theme parks and go with the flow, but there are a lot of rides that I want to do at Epcot. My husband doesn't do a lot of walking and will likely get tired of waking and waiting in lines.

We won't do Guardians Cosmic Rewind or Mission Space for motion sickness reasons. My priority rides are Frozen and Remy. We do want to ride the rest of the rides. If Test Track is exactly like Radiator Springs Racers in DCA (I think I've read it was the same ride), we can skip that one.

I know "worth it" is subjective. However, do you think it's worth it to buy the Lightning lane Premier Pass for Epcot to cut down on walking and standing?

I've been looking at videos of the regular Lightning lane multipass and I think I understand it and can use it, but I have some concerns. It looks like I'll probably have to keep refreshing the screen and put a lot of time into getting Frozen and Remy. I don't like looking at my phone when I'm at the park, at a restaurant, etc. Another issue is that we're going to have a sit down meal (I can't skip it) and it would drive me nuts to have a ride time come up and I can't do it because I'm stuck at a restaurant.

With all that in mind, would you recommend ponying up the money for the Premier Lightning lane? Is it possible that I still won't get Remy or Frozen with Premier? I understand if the rides are closed but if it's open am I guaranteed to be able to do lightning lane wherever I want? Even if all the return times are sold out?

 

[MyDogTink]

When do you plan on going? I believe Frozen is currently closed for refurbishment. I’ve had difficulty getting both of them with LL and yet I still think you’re only chance is with LL.

As far as getting a LL time that interferes with your dining plans, I believe you can tap into the ride 2 hrs after the end of your designated slot. So if your slot was 1-2 pm, you can tap in up until 4 pm.

 

[HollowxBastion]

LL will speed up your day considerably, it's worth it.

My strategy for Epcot in March is going to be Frozen Ever After -> Remy -> Cosmic Rewind. Maybe Figment cause i need to ride that twice in a row for the lulz

 

[cruisehopeful]

When do you plan on going? I believe Frozen is currently closed for refurbishment

Beginning of March. I guess if it's closed, that'll give me one less thing to worry about.

far as getting a LL time that interferes with your dining plans, I believe you can tap into the ride 2 hrs after the end of your designated slot. So if your slot was 1-2 pm, you can tap in up until 4 pm.

Oh, that's very good to know!

 

[jcolvin5]

You would be spending that money to basically ride Remi’s, but LLPP is the only way to guarantee you have access to every ride with LL access and you can do it on your schedule.

One note. LLPP won’t cut down your time waiting versus LLMP, but certainly much less waiting than standby.

 

[HollowxBastion]

Beginning of March. I guess if it's closed, that'll give me one less thing to worry about.

I'm going to be there beginning of March too, Frozen Ever After will be back up by then!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don’t think LLPP is worth it for Epcot at all. Unless money is no object or if this was a once in a life trip. Remy isn’t that great of a ride tbh. You can get both Frozen and Remy with LLMP but it requires being at the park early in my experience, as one will sell out early. I think Test Track is worth a ride (RSR is my fave ride of any park)

 

[VGCgroupie]

Also want to add I will be there in Feb and will let you know how I did with getting Frozen and Remy (if Frozen opens back up in time)

 

[muppets3d]

Remy's is usually like a 30 minute wait (it is right now as I type this). Frozen is closed for refurbishment. Everything else in EPCOT you are able to ride typically has a shorter wait than Remy's. It's up to you if it's worth it to pay for LLMP. I don't pay for it at any park, but everyone's priorities are different. Honestly the only park I would consider buying it at is Studios.

As far as walking and standing, yes the LL queues are a little shorter than the standby queues. But for some rides (like Soarin), they're really not any shorter. Other rides like Frozen you do save a good bit of walking through the switchbacks.

 

[juliebee]

I really love Mammoth Club's video on YouTube about 2026 lightning lane guide. Molly talks about the likelihood of getting lightning lanes and what priority you should book them. Definitely worth checking out.

 

[HollowxBastion]

I don’t think LLPP is worth it for Epcot at all. Unless money is no object or if this was a once in a life trip. Remy isn’t that great of a ride tbh. You can get both Frozen and Remy with LLMP but it requires being at the park early in my experience, as one will sell out early. I think Test Track is worth a ride (RSR is my fave ride of any park)

Remy's is usually like a 30 minute wait (it is right now as I type this). Frozen is closed for refurbishment. Everything else in EPCOT you are able to ride typically has a shorter wait than Remy's. It's up to you if it's worth it to pay for LLMP. I don't pay for it at any park, but everyone's priorities are different. Honestly the only park I would consider buying it at is Studios.

As far as walking and standing, yes the LL queues are a little shorter than the standby queues. But for some rides (like Soarin), they're really not any shorter. Other rides like Frozen you do save a good bit of walking through the switchbacks.

Last Epcot trip, the only really huge wait i had was Cosmic Rewind. Rope dropped Frozen Ever After, and waited like 30-45 for Remy's so yeah keep the LL's for MK and HS rides instead.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I really love Mammoth Club's video on YouTube about 2026 lightning lane guide. Molly talks about the likelihood of getting lightning lanes and what priority you should book them. Definitely worth checking out.

I'm actually watching it right now.

 

[LilyJC]

Ehhh, you’ve already gotten great info/advice, but I just wanted to mention that Remy’s is the only ride at WDW that really messes me up and makes me super nauseous. I can ride Cosmic Rewind multiple times in a row, but once on Remy’s and I’m toast Everyone is different but just wanted to give you a heads up

 

[Wedgeout]

If Test Track is exactly like Radiator Springs Racers in DCA (I think I've read it was the same ride), we can skip that one.

Completely different. Same ride vehicle concept. Not the same track layout. Not the same theming. Not a two track race. Mostly focuses on indoor activities. Grand finale speed test. Wouldn’t skip it. The 3.0 version is really good.

 

[Wedgeout]

Ehhh, you’ve already gotten great info/advice, but I just wanted to mention that Remy’s is the only ride at WDW that really messes me up and makes me super nauseous. I can ride Cosmic Rewind multiple times in a row, but once on Remy’s and I’m toast Everyone is different but just wanted to give you a heads up

Have you done the new 2D version, no 3D at all now. It was really good. Can look all around (see more) and not get the motion sickness.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Ehhh, you’ve already gotten great info/advice, but I just wanted to mention that Remy’s is the only ride at WDW that really messes me up and makes me super nauseous. I can ride Cosmic Rewind multiple times in a row, but once on Remy’s and I’m toast Everyone is different but just wanted to give you a heads up

Have you done the new 2D version, no 3D at all now. It was really good. Can look all around (see more) and not get the motion sickness.

I saw that it was changed to 2D allegedly to reduce nausea. If the issue is the screen, I can close my eyes if I start to feel yucky.

 

[The Jackal]

I saw that it was changed to 2D allegedly to reduce nausea. If the issue is the screen, I can close my eyes if I start to feel yucky.

I think it had more to do with the issues and expense of the 3D glasses. They scratch and need to be cleaned after use. Not having them saves them a lot of money. Disney tried to make Flight of Passage 2D since they didn’t want to spend money on glasses. Luckily the Imagineers said no, it’s is a 3D ride, buy new glasses. They can say it’s for nausea, but it’s really about the money. Some prefer the 2D version. I preferred the 3D version.

 

[zackiedawg]

Just to add on Test Track vs Radiator Springs - same ride system, but Test Track is a longer ride, doesn't do direct car-vs-car racing, and hits a significantly faster speed (Radiator hits about 40mph, while Test Track hits 65).

I haven't yet ridden the 2D Remy - will try it out next week - I enjoyed the 3d version, so hopefully it hasn't taken too much away from the immersive feeling.

 

[cruisehopeful]

After watching a few more videos, I think I might have to go with Premier. One vlogger said LL isn't very good for Epcot because it can be a 20 minute walk back and forth to the rides. Unfortunately, my husband won't be able to do that. I'll price it when I get to my 7 day window. My other thought is to get the regular one and just exclude him from the rides where we'll be walking back and forth.

Isn't there a DVC lounge there? Maybe I can plop him down there for a while. Any good places to leave him to rest for a while? He's the type that falls asleep in church.

 

[Miffy]

OP, Are you staying at a WDW resort? If so, you can book your LLMPs 7 days in advance of your arrival. Since Remy and FEA are both tier 1, I'd suggest booking FEA in advance (assuming it's back up and running by then) and RDing Remy. This solves all your problems because most of the rest of the rides at Epcot are tier 2, so you could book 2 more in advance and the other rides are generally easy to get--not a matter of constantly refreshing.

Frankly, and I may be alone in this, I think Remy is a 2nd-rate ride, at best, and I've done both the 2-D and 3-D versions. I thought a couple of the scenes in the 2-D version were not exactly in focus, which I find annoying.

As to your question about the LLPP, to me, it's a complete waste of money at Epcot. Totally unnecessary. Most of the walking at Epcot is just getting around Epcot, although some of the standby queues can be kinda long yet the LL queues aren't that much shorter.

As someone who regularly goes to WDW with someone who's not capable of a lot of walking, our strategy is to take a lot of sit-down breaks. That helps. I also end up doing some attractions by myself while my sister sits things out. Just a suggestion.

ETA: Just read your last post, which coincided with mine. We use LLMP at Epcot and don't find it requires a lot of walking back and forth. For one thing, there's a huge window of time to use your LLMPs. If the scheduled time is 12 to 1, then you have until 3 pm to use it. Plenty of leeway. But if you have unlimited funds, then perhaps you'd prefer the PP.