Which is a better plan for Epcot?

[mshanson3121]

Last week of June - If we plan on just focusing on the World Showcase, considering crowds, weather (heat/potential rain etc...), would it be better to go from say 11-5 or maybe go in from 2-8. Before anyone says it, lol, we don't want to stay until 9 for IllumiNations, as we want the kids back at the house for bed as early as possible as they don't do late nights well.
The benefit to going in later is we have the morning to do something "non-Disney" - we were thinking either going in to the Old Town Portrait Studio or doing the Swamp Safari tour. But we could always do those after, too. Our first priority is what makes a better plan for Epcot.

 

[kmb584]

I would go for the 2-8 plan. Summer sun is brutal during the afternoon hours and there isn't a lot of shade in the WS.

 

[anniemae]

I would go with the earlier time, it is less crowded in ws when it first opens I think. I agree about the brutal sun and heat, it is just awful, but the think is, it is relentless. It will be just as bad at noon as it is at 3.

 

[Tomh]

I don't see a lot of difference heat wise between the two time slots, and I think the earlier in the day you get into World Showcase, the lighter the crowds will be, so I would go with the earlier time.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would go at 11. World Showcase is SO HOT in the summer. Any jump on the heat will help. Also, the earlier you start, the earlier you can leave if a storm rolls in.

 

[wisblue]

I would go at 11 and stay as long as you can stand the heat.

I don't think I could make it for 6 hours, but it helps if you take in the boat ride in Mexico, the American Adventure, and a couple of the movies at China, France, or Canada.

I would also favor morning because at that time of year afternoon thunderstorms are pretty common. Of course, weather is not that predictable, but if you don't arrive until 2 there is a higher probability that you could get caught in a mid to late afternoon thunderstorm. If you plan to go earlier, you can always delay if the weather is bad at that time, but it obviously doesn't work the other way around.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would go at 11 and stay as long as you can stand the heat.

I don't think I could make it for 6 hours, but it helps if you take in the boat ride in Mexico, the American Adventure, and a couple of the movies at China, France, or Canada.

I would also favor morning because at that time of year afternoon thunderstorms are pretty common. Of course, weather is not that predictable, but if you don't arrive until 2 there is a higher probability that you could get caught in a mid to late afternoon thunderstorm. If you plan to go earlier, you can always delay if the weather is bad at that time, but it obviously doesn't work the other way around.

This made me think - we have 2 days planned for Epcot, we planned one shorter day (4 hours or so) for the "ride" part of Epcot and then planned our second, longer day for WS. Perhaps it'd be better to just split it into 2 days, maybe 9-2 both days? We could do a couple hours in Future World (whatever it's called!) then do half of the WS one day and the other half the next day? Thoughts?

 

[DrivenByDisney]

I would go at 11 and stay as long as you can stand the heat.

I don't think I could make it for 6 hours, but it helps if you take in the boat ride in Mexico, the American Adventure, and a couple of the movies at China, France, or Canada.

I would also favor morning because at that time of year afternoon thunderstorms are pretty common. Of course, weather is not that predictable, but if you don't arrive until 2 there is a higher probability that you could get caught in a mid to late afternoon thunderstorm. If you plan to go earlier, you can always delay if the weather is bad at that time, but it obviously doesn't work the other way around.

^^^^^ This

As wisblue and others have stated, I too have also found WS to be lighter on crowds right when it opens, as well as getting a jump on the afternoon thunderstorms. If we are going to go to EPCOT "JUST" for World Showcase, we actually like entering through the rear entrance off the Boardwalk. Puts you right into the thick of WS and every little bit helps if you are timing other activities.

 

[Cando86]

I would go with the earlier time, it is less crowded in ws when it first opens I think. I agree about the brutal sun and heat, it is just awful, but the think is, it is relentless. It will be just as bad at noon as it is at 3.

Agree with this!

 

[Mikie]

This made me think - we have 2 days planned for Epcot, we planned one shorter day (4 hours or so) for the "ride" part of Epcot and then planned our second, longer day for WS. Perhaps it'd be better to just split it into 2 days, maybe 9-2 both days? We could do a couple hours in Future World (whatever it's called!) then do half of the WS one day and the other half the next day? Thoughts?

I like to do some of WS and some Future World on each of my Epcot days. For FP, you can get each headliner once, or your favorite more than once. We start before 11 and World Showcase is not open yet, so doing some future world first makes sense. And WS is very large and a certain kind of wandering style to your visit - my kids like it fine, but not a whole day of only that. Even I get just tired by the time I've tried to do all of WS and shortchange the countries I get to last if I try to do it all at once. I like to approach WS from the left one day, starting in Mexico and starting on the Canada side my next day (both after doing a few hours in future world). And depending on time of day and waits, we usually hit some rides in FW on our way out.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

None of us can fully give that information yet because we don't know what the weather will be. HEAVY afternoon storms are common in warmer months.

11am-4pm is generally the worst of the crowds, but 4-7pm is often thunderstorm o' clock, and 2-4 is the worst heat.

Neither? Our ONE hard rule is to avoid the parks 2-4pm. If you MUST be in the park during those hours, I STRONGLY suggest a LONG indoor show during that time frame. American Adventure would be perfect. Other options include Canada movie, China movie, or (boring) the France movie. France is a real sleeper, but it has seats, unlike the other two. We also find it easy to spend a quite a bit of time in the Japan gift shop + the Japan museum + an indoor snack.

The best SUMMER hours for WDW parks are 8-10am, and past 9pm. Both time frames you suggest are the WORST, and they are WORST by a wide margin.

Simply put, afternoon heat zaps folks completely. Then add long lines and angry guests. After dark, the parks are prettiest, most comfortable, and the shortest lines of the day.

The BEST strategy we've found is the afternoon break/nap. It is WHY we like summer trips. If you are absolutely certain that after dark won't work, then I strongly suggest you reconsider going in a summer month. WDW is too expensive.

 

[mshanson3121]

None of us can give that information yet because we don't know what the weather will be. Afternoon storms are common in warmer months.

11am-4pm is generally the worst of the crowds, but 4-7pm is often thunderstorm o' clock, and 2-4 is often the worst of the heat.

Neither? Our ONE hard rule is to avoid the parks 2-4pm. If you MUST be in the park during those hours, I STRONGLY suggest a LONG indoor show during that time frame. American Adventure would be perfect. Other options include Canada movie, China movie, or (boring) the France movie. France is a real sleeper, but it has seats, unlike the other two. We also find it easy to spend a quite a bit of time in the Japan gift shop + the Japan museum + an indoor snack.

The best SUMMER hours for WDW parks are 8-10am, and past 9pm.

Simply put, afternoon heat zaps folks completely. The middle of the day is the worst of everything, including long lines and angry guests. After dark, the parks are prettiest, most comfortable, and the shortest lines of the day.

The BEST strategy we've found is the afternoon break/nap. It is WHY we go to Epcot in the summer months and enjoy ourselves. If you are absolutely certain that after dark won't work, then I strongly suggest you reconsider going in a summer month. WDW is too expensive.

If only we had that choice. It's summer or never, so we'll make the best of it. We're used to extreme summer humidity. Where we live it's 80-90% every day in summer.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This made me think - we have 2 days planned for Epcot, we planned one shorter day (4 hours or so) for the "ride" part of Epcot and then planned our second, longer day for WS. Perhaps it'd be better to just split it into 2 days, maybe 9-2 both days? We could do a couple hours in Future World (whatever it's called!) then do half of the WS one day and the other half the next day? Thoughts?

I don't know what attractions you actually plan to cover, but Energy and Soarin' alone - each take 45minutes- and that is WITH a fastpass for Soarin'. TT takes a minimum of 30minutes, with minimal wait- because It has three parts: there's a preshow where you design your car, then a mid-ride wait, then an entire post show area. One could easily spend an hour in the post show alone. Half an hour means skipping past the post show area.

If we go to WDW for a week, we spend at least two days in Epcot. We spend one focused on FW- (often skipping Energy), with some WS eating. We spend a second day focused on the WS- but include TT. Under new FP, we skip Soarin' altogether. Maelstrom is also closed. (All Epcot days used to include multiple rides on M.)

We too, often went to WSat 11am, but our aim was mostly to get on Maelstrom with no line. Without M, there's no big reason to rush to the WS at 11am. IF anything, you do well to avoid 12-1pm lunch crowds.

How long you spend in each gift shop is also quite variable. We rarely see any of the WS films, but Canada and China are nice. If you want to see any outdoor music/shows- that would also be standing in the hot air. (we often skip).

Oh, and many characters are sure to have 40+ min waits. If you wanted to see any of the characters, especially the ones in the WS, allow at least half an outdoor hour for each (except the Character Caravan.) I assure you though, by 11am-2pm, the CC will take over an hour.

Epcot is different form other parks. The pavilions are far apart. On the other hand, attractions at MK are under 5min each. Epcot isn't so much about classic rides, and interesting things to explore/discover. Guests enter the Living Seas via the Nemo ride, but after the ride- you can easily spend an hour exploring the many aquariums and seeing the Turtle Talk show. I suppose you can run past it all, but then you'll miss most of Epcot.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If only we had that choice. It's summer or never, so we'll make the best of it. We're used to extreme summer humidity. Where we live it's 80-90% every day in summer.

We find we do best if we acclimate ourselves as much as possible. Our first summer heat trip we did everything wrong; we approached it the same as our spring visits. (= afternoons in the parks)

We weren't going to attempt it a second time, but it was kind of our only option one year.

It happened to follow a visit to the beach, and THAT made all the difference. At the beach, we were all out in afternoon heat, and no AC where we stayed.

For us, we've also discovered in summer it pays to eat lunch and dinner late.

I'm no fan of FP+, but it means there's an even bigger evening crowd drop off than before. At night, we walk on many rides. Most WDW visitors try to stick it out in the afternoon, or they bail when the storms hit. Post storms, the parks are empty and lovely. Pre-storm the high heat and humidity, plus hour waits for everything make (many) folks miserable.

Now some days, the storms hit early, or they last 2pm- past 9pm. Even same day weather predictions are often 'off', but anything more than 24 hours out is just a guide. (=another downside of FP+) Many rides stop operating during thunder= no FP. Many storms last 10 min, others are torrential for hours.

Knowing all that in advance = smarter summer touring. DO bring water tolerant shoes to WDW, and plastic ponchos. Some type to Teva-like sandal is great. Sneakers are often horrible. They may take days to dry- and smell horrible! (lesson learned!) Every summer trip we get in a ride/show next to a family with putrid shoes! Ick! Some days it also pays to wear thin easy dry nylon shorts...if no rain...guys cargo shorts are awesome. Big pockets = awesome!

Heavy backpacks are also miserable. Less= more. Your back and everything sweats.

Water is essential! Drink! But keep the outside of your body DRY. Misters make you look and feel sweaty. Wicking fabric is great. Silk (and similar) is great.

 

[wisblue]

To the OP, as others have said, a lot of this depends on which of the attractions in FW you want to do, how much time you are able to spend in the park, whether you intend to get FPs at EPCOT, how much time your group will spend getting from place to place and browsing around shops and interactive exhibits, etc. So much of this type of planning varies dramatically from group to group depending on your style, especially at a park like EPCOT which is not really centered on rides.

As for the rides and attractions in Future World, we have found that the best times to do them are before 11 AM, and then later in the day, like after 4 PM. The vast majority of guests enter the park from the front entrance and populate the rides in FW, especially in the morning when WS isn't even open yet. The lines at Soarin and Test Track build quickly and stay long pretty much all day. But, again from our experience, lines at the other attractions build up and peak around noon and into the early afternoon and then drop as more and more people gravitate to WS. At around 5 PM the lines for things like Nemo, Figment, Living With the Land, and Spaceship Earth are often very short.

There aren't that many rides in Future World so it shouldn't be that hard for someone to do all of them that interest them in one full day or two shorter days by combining early arrivals and using FPs. If our trip is long enough we prefer doing EPCOT in two shorter stints. On one day we would arrive at rope drop, do things in FW until 11 or shortly after and then move out to WS for lunch and touring the pavilions. On the other day we would arrive later in the afternoon, hit some of the attractions in FW that we didn't get to the first time, and then stroll around the WS again, possibly staying for Illuminations.

This approach works well for us because we usually visit two parks each full day of our trip, with a break in between if necessary, which it almost always is for us when it is hot. We also use our FPs in the second park.

I remember reading in a guide book about 25 years ago that visiting WDW is a lot like eating a large ice cream sundae. You'll enjoy it more if you eat it in smaller bites. We have found that to be true for us. Those ambitious plans that sound good while you're sitting at home can break down when faced with the reality of long days of walking and standing, especially in hot weather.

 

[mshanson3121]

^^ Great advice. I think we'll do it in the two shorter days, east/west sort of thing as someone else mentioned, planning 4 or 5 hours each day. Do FutureWorld until 11:00ish then head into WS. For FW attractions, we plan on Soaring (FP) & Living with the Land, the Nemo/Seas stuff (FP Turtle Talk), Test Track (FP), Journey into Imagination (FP) with Image Works, Space dome (FP) of course with Project Tomorrow and the Space Training Lab. I'm allowing an hour for Nemo stuff and roughly 45 minutes or so for Test Track.