Park Hopper to eat in Epcot every night - not worth it?

[MaidMarian444]

I haven’t been to Epcot since 2019 (did a quick WDW trip in 2023 and skipped Epcot.)

My sister and her fam booked Beach Club and it will be their first time going to Epcot. (Their first trip was the quick 2023 trip where we skipped Epcot)

I convinced her to upgrade her tickets to Parkhopper so they could stroll to Epcot every evening for dinner. That’s what we did when we stayed at BC in 2019 and we really enjoyed taking the kids to all the different countries over course of trip.

But I have now read a few posts from people saying Epcot World Showcase food has gone way downhill. This wouldn’t surprise me, as some of our fave restaurants locally have also sadly had to cut back on ingredients since pre-COVID times.

Now I feel guilty that I may have steered them wrong. They are going in January and I am considering joining them. Should I feel guilty?? Are they going to feel bad about spending all the extra money on park hopping?

 

[Robber Baron]

We always have Hoppers, but honestly, there are no Epcot Table Service restaurants I want to go to for dinner anymore.

 

[MabelM]

We don’t get the hopper for that reason, but we love it for the flexibility to hit another park at night for rides or dinner.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If going during Food and Wine I may have said it could be worth it if there were a number of items that sounded interesting.

But going in January and speaking about restaurants not food samples no its not worth adding park hopper to eat dinner at EPCOT every night.

There are a ton of good restaurants throughout the parks and resorts.

If they booked a package I'd suggest telling them to downgrade if they don't plan on park hopper to other parks.

 

[fly girl]

No, I don't think you steered her wrong.

When you are at an Epcot resort you are close to 2 parks. Even if she doesn't dine at Epcot every night they can still take a break at the hotel and go back to either Epcot or HS later in the night. And depending upon your dates, it may be during the Festival of the Arts so there will be food booths too.

FWIW, we visited Shiki-Sai on our last trip and liked it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

There are several worthy eateries at Epcot but whether I’d spend the money on park hoppers to go would depend on the cost of the hoppers. Where do you want to eat?

 

[Pyxie]

Not that you necessarily steered her wrong, but that just wouldn't be my way of touring. If I get hoppers it's usually either just for the flexibility or when I have a shorter trip and need to fit 2 parks into 1 day. I'm an open to close kind of person and I wouldn't want to leave whatever park I'm in to close out at Epcot every night. But everyone is different.

 

[MaidMarian444]

Thanks for all the perspectives! We don’t last long at the parks, we go early and leave early, rest at hotel, then go back out. Is it still fun to at least get a drink at Epcot?

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d always get a park hopper if staying at the Beach Club, so I can easily grab some counter service at Epcot. The Beach Club counter service is lacking.

 

[japanese maple]

Thanks for all the perspectives! We don’t last long at the parks, we go early and leave early, rest at hotel, then go back out. Is it still fun to at least get a drink at Epcot?

There's still good food in Epcot. Even if not sit down. France, Germany, Norway, Mexico to name a few.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Thanks for all the perspectives! We don’t last long at the parks, we go early and leave early, rest at hotel, then go back out. Is it still fun to at least get a drink at Epcot?

I guess I just don't understand why you feel like EPCOT is the only place for good food/drinks?
I'd go to a resort bar if you'd only be venturing back into a park for drinks...

 

[gregskellington]

I don't think the food is significantly different now compared to 2019. There are still hits and misses. But upgrading to park hoppers exclusively to go to Epcot to spend more money to eat theme park food? Hmm...couldn't be me.

Now, to me, if you're staying at Beach Club it's kind of a weird choice to not get hoppers (but each to their own), but in no way shape or form would I advise someone to get hoppers just to go eat in Epcot when there's better food at the resorts, Disney Springs, and off property (IMO).

 

[MaidMarian444]

Well, at least I can be reassured that park hoppers are a good investment, even if not for the food.

 

[BigOnDis]

Thanks for all the perspectives! We don’t last long at the parks, we go early and leave early, rest at hotel, then go back out. Is it still fun to at least get a drink at Epcot?

This is how we do Disney too. We go to one Park in the morning and then go back to the resort to rest/swim in the afternoon and go to a different park at night. Often times at least one of those nights is to eat at an Epcot restaurant. While many have gone down some, they are still interesting places to eat and we enjoy them.

 

[team bradfield]

festival of art and food and wine are the best cost effective choice in WDW, FA had some of the best food for only $8-$9 a serving, we always park hop, during those festivals

 

[fly girl]

Thanks for all the perspectives! We don’t last long at the parks, we go early and leave early, rest at hotel, then go back out. Is it still fun to at least get a drink at Epcot?

Then park hopping is a great way to go. You can mix it up, and easily when staying at Beach Club. We always stay at Epcot resorts and have been know to do mornings at MK, take monorail to Epcot, and just walk through for a snack and drink on our way back to the resort for a break. Then walk back to Epcot or HS in the evening.

Yes, it is still fun to go to Epcot, walk around world showcase with a drink and catch a performance and/or Luminous.

Well, at least I can be reassured that park hoppers are a good investment, even if not for the food.

Everyone tours differently, but for us they are! I think with how you tour, park hoppers will be a nice addition!

 

[Marthasor]

For me, it would be very hard to stay at BC and not have park hoppers. I don't think you steered them wrong at all. It's so nice to just stroll in at night and stroll around WS. Plus, I think the food in EP is quite good, even the QS. Sometimes, if we are leaving MK early, we even like to take the monorail to EP and stroll back through the park to BC. I wouldn't feel guilty.

 

[jimmymc]

I'm a big fan of park hopping anyway to maximize my park days, so I don't think you steered them wrong. Festival foods are still good, and it gives me a chance to catch Happily Ever After more than once per trip. I think the gap between Epcot food and the other theme parks isn't as large as it used to be, but that's more from other parks upping their selections rather than Epcot getting worse.

 

[Kailunkat]

IMO the park hopper in order to eat at EPCOT is well worth it. I have been three times post covid for long trips and feel like the food at the EPCOT pavilions is far superior to most of the other Disney restaurants. On a trip with kids I love staying in the park "bubble" and walking through the different countries for dinner. My 8yo and 6yo loved seeing the landmarks and the country themed shops at each destination. I am planning a trip with family for Feb and we will do the same thing.

 

[Skywalker3]

I think it's worth it to have options, and especially if the Arts Festival is going on. We love starting the day in one park, and ending in another, especially if it's EPCOT. We often stay in BWV, and I'd much rather walk over to France for a sandwich or dessert than get anything at BWV or BCV as far as quick service. Epcot is also so pretty at night. Also if they have PH, they can end the day at another park, HS, or whatever.
We still haven't bought our Oct tickets, but PH will be a must.