What to see/do in Epcot after dark?

[Taylor'sMom]

We are annual visitors but (gasp) Epcot is our least favorite park and we were never fans of Illuminations so we almost always rush through and hop elsewhere. I'm determined to dedicate time to Epcot next trip, day AND EVENING. It'll be summer, no special festivals. What should we see/do?
Our group is me, DH and 2 17-yr-old girls. Looking for any and all recommendations- sights, sounds, eats, etc.

Tell me what you love about Epcot after dark!

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

I don't know if the dates will fall during your trip, but we really enjoyed the Guardians of the Galaxy Live concert that they have in America pavilion during the summer. We like watching it at night after the sun goes down. My DD loves the show, so if your DDs are fans of the Guardian movies they may like it too. The singers are really great, and I think the show can be enjoyed by anyone whether you've seen the movies or not.
We like the acrobats in China, they usually have showtimes into the evening, so you could do that day or evening.
We enjoy the nighttime fireworks shows, whether it was Illuminations or Epcot Forever, and we'll be watching the new show Harmonius when it starts in 2020.

 

[yorkieteacher]

If you rope drop and stay until the nighttime show, you are potentially looking at 12 hours in Epcot. This gives you more than enough time to see EVERYTHING, IMO! Your girls may be too old to enjoy the interactive exhibits at the end of Journey Into Imagination, Mission Space, and Test Track, but they are worth a look since you don't have to rush through. The aquarium at the end of Seas with Nemo is interesting to all ages. The World Showcase pavilions and shops take at least a good 20 minutes to explore, 30 if you shop much or sample snacks. The movies in France, China and Canada are things many people skip, but you have time. Also the movie in the Land pavilion. You even have time to book sit down lunch and dinner in World Showcase. The Phineas and Ferb (or Ducktails by then) interactive scavenger hunt in some of the different pavilions around could be fun even for young adults. The entertainers are remarkable throughout World Showcase. You have the luxury of leisurely touring and savoring the experiences. Jealous!

 

[Alesia]

There is so much in the world showcase that we typically spend about 20 hours in the world showcase per trip, which still isn't enough time to see everything.

Here's my advice: don't plan it. Just go into the pavilions and explore -- look at it as an adventure. Look around the shops and displays. Try something to eat in every country. Watch the entertainment. My favorite memories from the world showcase are things I could have never planned for.

 

[mamamelody2]

We love to watch Illuminations from Japan then wait for crowds to disperse and sloooowly make our way out. It's really beautiful in World Showcase and lovely to see without all the people. Mind you, shops/restaurants are not open, but it is a beautiful relaxing stroll.

 

[gharter]

We enjoy the evening concerts when we are there.
Test Track at night is fun.
We just enjoy going around World Showcase. Looking forward to the updated movies.
Maybe you will enjoy the new temporary night time show.

 

[Sparky Duck]

At least for me, the store in Japan is full of interesting things to look at. Easily lose an hour in there

 

[WEDWDW]

Just go into the pavilions and explore -- look at it as an adventure. Look around the shops and displays. Try something to eat in every country. Watch the entertainment.

AND spend some time visiting with the ICMs in each Pavilion-they are so interesting and LOVE THE ACCENTS!

 

[Jonfw2]

Have dinner in one country and dessert in another.

 

[WEDWDW]

And slow down at Dusk and watch the the amazing Sunset over World Showcase Lagoon!

 

[Disneypro1]

Darn Epcot has so much to do. I can’t imagine how to comprehend the question. There is too much to do to even put down here...

 

[studiojmm]

I personally prefer World Showcase in daylight. While the lagoon is pretty at night, it's busier and I personally find it less enjoyable to navigate crowds and harder to see the pavilion details in the dark.

The Seas pavilion is very quiet at that time of evening -- Nemo has been walk-on when we've gone at night and 17 yr olds may be pretty nostalgic about that one -- and Soarin' standby get's pretty short close to fireworks. Last trip, we jumped in the queue for of the last Soarin' rides of the night and walked out of the park while fireworks began, so just ahead of that crowd departing. Haven't tried too many other Future World attractions at night, but everything but Test Track and shopping seems pretty quiet in the last couple hours. On a different trip we decided we were too tired for what looked like a ~15 min queue at the Character Spot.

 

[loves to dive]

It's not always open after dark, especially since dark is so late in summer, but if Living With The Land is open, it is very different at night then day. I really prefer it at night but it's so rarely open when it's dark. I also love to look at all the sparkling lights on the ground as you leave the park toward SSE, I'm a sucker for sparkly lights. I like to grab a drink somewhere in WS and just sit on a bench and look at the lagoon and all the countries with their lights on, again with the sparkly lights.

 

[lorenae]

One of our favorite things in World Showcase is something we just stumbled on- the Chinese Acrobats. So make sure you grab a showtime list and see what grabs your interest. From the trains in Germany (my 5 year old grandson was mesmerized, but most were adults) to those acrobats to the fun ride in Mexico, we really enjoy World Showcase.