Who here has done Epcot in one day?

[ntengwall]

I am contemplating doing as much as we can in Epcot in one day (probably with an afternoon break and then going back around 3 and catching IllumiNations). I was going to start out in Futureland and end up in the Nations. We have 3 young boys (3, 7 and 9) so the list of things we want to do/see is pretty specific (Soarin, Turtle Talk, Figment, and walking around the Nations).
I have heard that most don't recommend doing it in one day, but for us, it's either that or only see Futureland. What do you think?

 

[simzac]

I think with what you want to see, you should be able to easily do Epcot in one day. JMO

 

[Kelly5538]

We did it all in one day last year - mind you, I'm sure that we missed a bunch of stuff in the World Showcase.....
One word of advice - the kids get bored pretty fast in WS (my experience) but if at the first country you find the Kidcot station, they will set your kids up with stuff to make them LOVE going to each country!!!

 

[Amirah95]

Future World took us from open to noon and we did everything except for Ellen's, Wonders of Life, Body Wars, Cranium Command, Making of Me, Circle of Life, Imageworks and we spent a very short amount of time in Innoventions East/West...so you can get an idea of how much we skipped to get to noon. We did spend a considerable amount of time in the Living Seas.

WS takes from when it opens to when it closes...and I also follow TGM and I say to please take his advice for Epcot.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We have done it several times in one day. Sometimes its a bit of a rush, and I like to just wander Epcot aimlessly better, but its very possible. Your list seems very doable, just try to get a FP early for Soarin as that seems to be the biggest wait now.

 

[Pigletlover]

I would recommend 2 days, but if you have to squeeze it into one day (and considering the ages of your children) I would also try to do these attractions, along with those you already mentioned:

Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Robot Race in Innoventions (I think they give you free plastic robots)
Test Track (for the older children if they can handle it)
Universe of Energy (dinosaurs!)
Maelstrom boat ride
Chinese Acrobats show in China (scheduled times)

Check these out to see which are unsuitable for your youngest child.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

To see the best of EPCOT in one day is impossible. It takes 2 days....I can more easily see the highlights of MK in one day. Alot of this has to do with the sheer size of the park...
Bear in mind that EPCOT is rather spread out. You can easily spend 1 hr in Living SEas, 2 hours in the Land pavilion...an hour in the innonventions area....and several hours walking through and enjoying world showcase. None of this is counting Mission space or Test track lines etc.

My suggestion : DO NOT RUSH your EPCOT visit. There is so much to enjoy, see and do!

 

[Amirah95]

I wouldn't attempt Epcot in one day and I'm a park commando. The thing about the WS is that there is so much to see...take your time.

 

[The Sweetness]

Heres the thing with me. The World Showcase can be seen in 2hours. 3.5 if Im doing a table service meal. That known, I have gone to EpCOT in the morn, seen Future World, crossed over to World Showcase sometime after lunch, and been ready to leave before dinner, if thats what we chose. A quick look at the WS has been enough for me. Next trip though, Im staying for Illuminations, come hell or high water

 

[cyndibelle]

yea we have done it in one day too......we run to soarin first thing cause if not..well you'll trow away an hour or so just waiting for that ride....

 

[8 Ears]

We did Epcot in a day as well. Yes, we missed some things BUT it was OK with us. Besides, a good excuse to go back.

 

[antmaril]

In all the many trips we've made to WDW over the years, we've only spent one day at each of the parks. We've never been to the same park twice in one trip (other than going in the morning, taking an afternoon break and going back in the late afternoon or evening).

It is definitely doable. Of course, some of it depends on the time of the year you are visiting. During the holidays, for example, it would be more difficult to get much done in one day. However, at other less crowded times of the year, it definitely can be done.

 

[marcbelt]

If you're gonna do it in one day, IMMEDIATELY get the fastpasses for Soarin'. Once you're done with that, you might want to get the fastpasses to Test Track too (although that wasn't on your list). You might want to do only one of the 360 degree movie attractions (I believe there are 3). Skip the attraction in Mexico if you've done It's a Small World in MK. Doing this will get as much Epcot into your day as possible.

As always though, especially with 3 kids, the most time consuming things are the bathroom visits and souvenir shops.

 

[bytheblood]

I think unless the parks attendance is super low, you should allow 2 days. I think all parks are a two day park except MGM.

 

[ntengwall]

Thanks for all the advice! Unfortunately, we only have 1 day to devote to Epcot so that will have to suffice. Our biggies at Future World are Soarin, Turtle Talk, Figment and a few others (Test Track will be closed).
If we don't get to the Nations, it won't be the end of the world (especially because of the ages of our boys--they might get bored anyway). I think we will spend the am in FW, go home for a rest and then go over to Nations for the late afternoon/early evening. Then we have an ADR at Le Cellier at 6 and after that, we can stay for IllumiNations. I know we will only skim the top of what is available, but with our kids being so young, I think we will just hit the "biggies" and then save the rest for our next trip in the near future

 

[krissyh]

You are not going at a really busy time year. My brother always goes in late Jan or early Feb and never has trouble with wait times (and imaptient children). I've done it in one day but you might want to consider the length of your "break" are you at an Epcot are hotel?
Skip the Canada movie. And if you have a stroller, the three year old make take a good nap while in the countries.

Have a great time.

 

[icecrystahl]

For me and my family we usually don't spend all too much time in futureland, Watching Honey I shrunk the audience and then Mission space. We normally then ride Test Track and head out to the world showcae, Many a times we complete Epcot in one day, riding Test Track, Space Ship Earth, Mission Space, The ride in Norway and The ride in Mexico. Visiting every country and browsing about them. We always make it back for Illuminations. Although I always wish we had more time to spend in each Nation.....or more time to catch the little shows and parades here and there.

 

[raven69david]

Wife and I have done all 4 parks in 1 day, so Epcot should be no problem if you take advantage of magic hours and/or get there when it first opens. The longest lines for the rides will either be Soarin' or Mission Space. You can see all of the attractions in a few hours. The rest of the day can be dedicated to seeing World Showcase. On my last trip we saw Epcot in 1 day with no problem with DD 13months. The only thing we didn't get to complete with seeing all of the Santa Clauses in 1 day since their showtimes were pretty close to each other. Since that isn't going on now there shouldn't be a problem for you to see everything.

P.S.
Don't forget to find the talking drinking fountains. Here's a link to the video i took of one of them.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=990038&highlight=fountain

 

[rie'smom]

Heres the thing with me. The World Showcase can be seen in 2hours. 3.5 if Im doing a table service meal. That known, I have gone to EpCOT in the morn, seen Future World, crossed over to World Showcase sometime after lunch, and been ready to leave before dinner, if thats what we chose. A quick look at the WS has been enough for me. Next trip though, Im staying for Illuminations, come hell or high water

Just don't go during hurricane season or you might find yourself in high water and believe me that's hell.

 

[Tracey1974]

We have done EPCOT in 1 day in Sept/Oct but I don't think you would have a problem, as long as you utilize Fastpass. Have fun!

BTW-your sons are adorable! What a great pic!