Slightly OT-Epcot

[Akdar]

We are contemplating going to Epcot for a day this year. We have never been to Epcot. I know I probably should have posted this on the Disney side of the board, but I'd rather get the opinions of my fellow "darksiders"

Anyway, how will crowds be, probably on Tuesday October 23rd. Since there isn't HHN that night, we could spend the whole day at Epcot, if we decide to go?? Is it worth the time?? We did a day at AK last year and liked it. It wasn't IOA or USF, but it was fun just the same.

TIA
Mike

 

[Metro West]

We are contemplating going to Epcot for a day this year. We have never been to Epcot. I know I probably should have posted this on the Disney side of the board, but I'd rather get the opinions of my fellow "darksiders"

Anyway, how will crowds be, probably on Tuesday October 23rd. Since there isn't HHN that night, we could spend the whole day at Epcot, if we decide to go?? Is it worth the time?? We did a day at AK last year and liked it. It wasn't IOA or USF, but it was fun just the same.

TIA
Mike

Mike - If you've never been to Epcot...go. I think you would enjoy yourselves a lot. You could do Soarin, M:S, Test Track and see the world pavilions. I like going to Epcot during non-busy times to walk around and relax. I don't think you'll have any crowd issues on 10/23 so you should be ok.

 

[yaytezIOA]

The only disadvantage to going during that time will be that there will be no food and wine festival...I think. I may be wrong...probably am, but I think they only do that on the weekends.

 

[bubba's mom]

We went to Epcot in Jan/Feb of this year for 2 days (TR is linked in sig). Wish I could have had more than 2 days...lots to do and see...especially with no crowds....spend most of the day reriding rides because they were walk on.....would liked to have spend more time in the World Showcase. I agree...if you've never been, go! (Anyone know if Spaceship Earth will be rehabbed by then?) ...oh, and ride BOTH versions of Mission:Space...do the less intense first, then the regular

 

[macraven]

i can check the tuesday for you mike. the EE and EMH dates are listed on the disney site calendar.

you don't want to go to the park when it is the early entry day.
it gets crowded from the time it is open.

there are some thing i always do at epcot:
figment ride, soaring, land ride, etc.


you should try to do epcot for one day and take your camera with you.
don't ask why, you know why.....

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The only disadvantage to going during that time will be that there will be no food and wine festival...I think. I may be wrong...probably am, but I think they only do that on the weekends.

I'm pretty sure the F&WF happens daily, during the event. I love Epcot & all the special events they host. F&W ties with the holidays for best special events, IMHO. My DH & DS aren't too fond of the idea of going to Orlando & not going to UO, so I don't get to go as often as I'd like.

 

[keishashadow]

as mac sez, if it's an EMH day, stay away.

F&W festival crowd is much worse on the weekends

For some strange reason it takes much longer to clear thru the security lines @ Epcot.

Commando Hints :
1) Def. be there at least a 1/2 hour prior to opening, preferrably 45 min.

2) Send a fast runner off to get FP for Soarin

3) Tour Test Track, Mission Space (real line or weeine one )

4) Next Nemo Ride & Crush.

5) Should now be in return window for Soarin'

Note - do not try & use a "stale" FP @ Soarin'. Their CMs are humorless drones & will not let you be even a few minutes late (we had an ADR @ Coral Reef, didn't get seated until 1/2 hour later...they didn't want to hear it.) normally, i would've made a fuss but DH had me on a short leash that day

It's all easy-peazy from that point!

If you want to watch Illuminations, stake out a spot nearest the park entrance (again a min. of 1/2 hour to 45 min prior).

 

[WDW Princess]

As everybody else already said, if you have not been, it is certainly worth trying. For us, although we’ve been a ton of times, it is still worth going. I can’t comment on October crowds as I don’t think we’ve ever gone in October (if we have, I cannot recall). Epcot is actually my favorite WDW park. There may not be as many rides as in other parks; however, the rides they do have I enjoy. DH thinks Soarin’ is a bit corny but I love it. Mission to Mars is awesome (I am a complete chicken when it comes to roller coasters or even water rides, but can do the more “intense” version no problem). Test track is fun too! So there are a few rides you could probably enjoy, while the rest of the day can be spent walking through World Showcase. I may be bias (going through certain pavilions reminds me of home), but it’s so relaxing to hang out at each “country”. So if you have an opportunity to go, you should try it.

 

[Akdar]

I told the boss (my wife) about all these responses, and we are going to go. I guess I can get tix at my local AAA? I'm spoiled from being an AP holder at USF, that I don't even know where to buy tix for somewhere else

 

[WDW Princess]

I'm spoiled from being an AP holder at USF, that I don't even know where to buy tix for somewhere else

I felt the same but the other way around – we’ve been AP holders at WDW for a few years and took a break from USF, but going back to the dark side was a smooth transition (thank you preferred AP deal!!!). Sorry I can’t answer your question about where to buy tix – I am sure USF pros will help you out! Hope you enjoy your time at Epcot. We are planning on taking several USF getaways between now and Christmas, but will be going to Epcot for my b-day for Christmas to see Candlelight Processional. Love Epcot at Christmas!

 

[DOOM1001]

The Festival is daily from late Sept. to Mid November.You should definitely do EPCOT,especially since it Food and Wine Festival time,in my opinion one of the best times of the year at EPCOT. Soarin,Mission Space,Test Track and SSE are some of the more popular rides in Future World and later in the day go to the World Showcase to check out the countries and attractions as well as the Festival!!

http://allears.net/tp/ep/foodwine.htm Festival info

http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw07/fw07a.htm Eat to the Beat Concerts

http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw07/fw07b.htm Food booths

 

[Lisa P.]

Mike, here's the Extra Hours info for October, as posted on AllEarsNet.com:

October 2007

Morning Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom - 4, 11, 18, 25
Epcot - 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Disney-MGM Studios - 6, 13, 20, 27
Animal Kingdom - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Little Ones Extra Magic Hour - Add extra magic to your Little Ones Travel Time. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World® Resort hotel can visit Fantasyland® an hour early on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from August 26-October 28. Many of your favorite rides will be open.

Evening Extra Magic Hours
Magic Kingdom - 1, 7, 15, 22, 29
Epcot - 5, 12, 19, 26
Disney-MGM Studios - 8, 14, 21, 28
Animal Kingdom - 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

So, unfortunately, Epcot will indeed be more crowded on Tues, the 23rd, than on other days that week. Onsite guests who choose not to pay to upgrade their passes to hoppers and who only visit one park per day will likely flock to one of the Extra Hours parks (morning or evening) each day. Based on the above schedule, this will make Oct. 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 & 30 the least desirable days of that month to visit.

Also, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival goes on daily, from Sept 28-Nov 11, 2007. Since it's daily, it won't affect one day more than another, except perhaps for attracting more locals on the weekends.

Hope this helps some with your planning! It's a really nice park with far more than you could see in a day. Enjoy!

 

[tropical depression]

World Showcase doesn't open until 11, so the front of the park is jammed early. like macraven said, don't even think about an early entry day. like keishashadow said, send out runners for test track and soarin' if you want to ride them, the fastpasses run out early. those two and mission space sometimes give you a bonus fastpass for the honey I shrunk the audience show to kill some extra time.

I'm not a big fan of EPCOT, but we never miss a flower and garden show or food and wine expo, they're both really well done. EPCOT is a HUGE park, so be ready for a lot of walking.

 

[bubba's mom]

Mike, you can get tickets at AAA (they are discounted cuz of AAA membership). Ya know, I have to disagree w/ the others on the EMH thing.... When we went to MK, we did the morning EMH there. We didn't have any problems We beelined it for Fantasyland (Bubba only 5.5 yo at the time) and we buzzed thru it in no time. We didn't find it crazy busy. Also, if the onsiters go early, FP's for Soarin' and the other popular rides will be waiting until afternoon anyway....so, I say, go for it....ya got all day!

 

[keishashadow]

Barb - what i was saying was if you aren't staying onsite & don't start out @ beginning of EMH in the am; the park is slammed...same for pm hours.

of course, if you visit during a "slow time" (most of Jan.; 1st week of Feb) it's dead and you can just mosey along.

 

[bubba's mom]

........unless they got there when WS opened .... (or scheduled character breakfast EARLY....that'd get 'em in early!)

Sorry, I'm used to stayin' onsite...forgot he was offsite (that blonde thing again...ya wouldn't understand)

 

[keishashadow]

........unless they got there when WS opened .... (or scheduled character breakfast EARLY....that'd get 'em in early!)

Sorry, I'm used to stayin' onsite...forgot he was offsite (that blonde thing again...ya wouldn't understand)

lol, i was probably blonde (and all that entails ) while you were still a gleam in your daddy's eye

not sure if you mean "authentic" breakfast ADRs or not; CM @ rope drop last June told me they now escort back the "early birds" with ADRs just to keep them honest lol

 

[macraven]

I told the boss (my wife) about all these responses, and we are going to go. I guess I can get tix at my local AAA? I'm spoiled from being an AP holder at USF, that I don't even know where to buy tix for somewhere else

mike, the cheapest tickets for disney is thru undercover tourist.com
don't leave spaces though.

if you are a member of mousesavers, you can get the best, cheapest deal on tickets by going thru them.

send me a pm if you need help.

i buy my tickets thru undercovertourist for disney the last 3 years.

i think they might undercut the AAA tickets if you go thru the other website

 

[Sepiroth12]

We are contemplating going to Epcot for a day this year. We have never been to Epcot. I know I probably should have posted this on the Disney side of the board, but I'd rather get the opinions of my fellow "darksiders"

Anyway, how will crowds be, probably on Tuesday October 23rd. Since there isn't HHN that night, we could spend the whole day at Epcot, if we decide to go?? Is it worth the time?? We did a day at AK last year and liked it. It wasn't IOA or USF, but it was fun just the same.

TIA
Mike

I live in Orlando, and I go there quite often to me Disney World isn't as crowded during fall as it is during summer, most rides will be walk on from what I've experienced. Also don't expect too much thrill rides, epcot is more educational and learning more about the world etc., although it does contain Mission Space, Test track, Soarin', which a very enjoyable. I think it's worth the time but you need to give it a chance first off, and try your to get the meaning of the park, and If there are showing the night-time Spectaular IllumiNations" Reflections of Earth I'm pretty sure you'd get a kick out (A must see) of it, and right after that the park usually closes. Show usually starts at 9, but I am not 100 percent sure what it wil be on the 23rd. Overall it's a great park, probrably not as thrilling as others but truly unique and has wonderful shows. If you'd like I will post videos of Illuminations, so you can get an idea, if you haven't seen it. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[Sepiroth12]

Anywho,
Here a link to An Illuminations vid:

youtube.com/watch?v=pDVWHks7zv8

Hope the park ain't crowded for you either.