The Ultimate EPCOT Itinerary for Adults in Disney
Out of the four major parks in Walt Disney World, EPCOT is definitely the most adult friendly park. With its global theming, thrilling rides, incredible food options, and amazing nighttime shows, there's so much to love about EPCOT. Starting with an early morning rope drop and ending with an unforgettable fireworks display along the water, this adults only itinerary skips the kid-oriented experiences and focuses on the best rides, foods, and drinks that adults in Disney will absolutely love. If you're overwhelmed with planning options, no worries - we've got your ultimate itinerary for the best adults-only day in Disney's EPCOT.
Before the Park Day Begins
We hope you like strategy because ya need it in Disney! The most magical place on earth asks for early mornings, late nights, alarms, reservations, and a lot of planning. In return? You get a guaranteed good time, kind staff, fantastic food, an ideal amount of escapism, a chance to activate your imagination, and the deepest sleep each night after a long park day.
We’ll warn you that most days of Disney itineraries start with an early alarm, but for the best, most time-saving reasons. In order to make the most of your time and money in Walt Disney World, you’ll need the My Disney Experience app and then purchase Genie+ to get Lightning Lane single pass and multi passes for every day of your trip before you go. Think of these as paid shortcuts to ensure you ride the best rides without waiting in crazy long lines all day!
Arriving Before Rope Drop
If you want to get the most out of your EPCOT day, you'll want to arrive early. The park typically opens at 9 a.m., with early entry opening to Disney resort hotel guests at 8:30 am. And we know it's early, but we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the early entry opening (meaning 8 a.m.) to take advantage of "rope drop." (What's rope drop? Find out here! But trust us, you want to be there for it.)
To make it to the parks by at least 8:00 a.m. before the early entry rope drop, you'll need to catch the first bus, boat, or Skyliner from your Walt Disney World Resort to EPCOT. Plan to arrive at your resort's transportation stop by 7:30 a.m. I know, I know! It's so early, but the ride from most resorts to EPCOT typically takes at least 15 minutes, so you'll need the extra time in the morning to arrive before everyone else. The bonus plot twist here is if you're staying in one of EPCOT's resorts like the Yacht & Beach Club, the Swan, Dolphin, or the Boardwalk Resort. All of these are within 10-15 minutes walking distance to EPCOT!
Morning in Epcot
Rope Drop Ride: Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
Once you've rope dropped and dashed towards the France Pavllion in World Showcase, head straight to the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride. This is one of the newest and most popular rides in Walt Disney World. The longer you wait for this ride, the longer the wait will be. By riding it early, you'll be able to experience it with minimal wait. This is a great ride, but not worth a two hour wait!
Go Soarin'
After Remy’s, walk back towards the front of the park to ride Soarin’ Around the World while the day is young and the lines are short! And while you’re in the Land building, check out the gentle ride, Living With the Land, as there’s rarely a wait above 10 minutes.
Cruise through Frozen Ever After
From the Land pavilion, it should be about time for your Frozen Lightning Lane! Meander towards the Mexico side of World Showcase all the way to the Norway pavilion to use your Genie+ Lightning Lane for Frozen Ever After. Much like Remy’s, this is a fantastic ride, but not worth a two hour wait. Genie+ for the win! As you’re in line, get another Lightning Lane, this time for Test Track! This time frame will most likely be in the late afternoon or early evening.
Need a packing list to travel light on your flight? We've got you covered so you can pack carry on only and get to the magic faster!
Afternoon in Epcot
Explore World Showcase
After you’ve visited the land of Frozen, you might be in the mood for a frozen treat! Backtrack by one country back to Mexico to a brunch-time frozen margarita at La Cava del Tequila (opens at 11 a.m.), and then enjoy the quick and fun Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros inside the same pavilion. If you plan on “drinking around the world,” this is the perfect first stop!
There are 11 countries in World Showcase to explore: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. We highly recommend you take your time and sip, snack, and shop your way through each one!
Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
At some point in the late morning to late afternoon, you’ll get the notification that it’s time to join the line for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! Once you get the notification, you have no more than an hour to join the line which typically takes about thirty minutes until you get to ride. This is currently our favorite ride in all of Disney!
Attempt Mission Space
If you’re extra brave, never get motion sickness, and can tolerate G-Forces, try this astronaut-themed ride! As a warning, our families rarely get motion sickness, but we all suffered severely for about an hour after riding on the Orange level. The G-Forces proved too much for us! Start on the level green, we beg you!
Take a Midday Break at the Riviera Resort
We love resort hopping! It’s a great way to take a quick break from the parks and see some of the enormous Walt Disney World property. One of our favorite resorts to visit is the elegant Disney’s Rivera Resort, and it’s so easy to get to from EPCOT. Simply exit the park through the France side of World Showcase, and take the Skyliner over to the resort. We highly recommend enjoying either a late lunch at Topolino’s Terrace or a drink at Bar Riva. After relaxing at the resort, take the Skyliner back to EPCOT to finish your park day! If you'd rather not resort hop, you can always head back to your own resort hotel for a midday nap, swim, or break from the sun.
Planning your outfits for each park day? Let inspiration be your guide with these cute outfits! From villainous inspiration to sweet snack inspired looks, this list has something for everyone.
Evening in Epcot
Take a Photo With & Ride Spaceship Earth
No visit to EPCOT would be complete without a photo with the park's iconic centerpiece, Spaceship Earth. (Yep! The giant golfball has an official name!) There are several spots around the icon for great photo opportunities, so take your time and snap a few pictures to remember your visit. Once you have your photo-op, jump in line for the ride inside! The lines aren’t often long, but if the wait times are longer than 25 minutes, grab a Lightning Lane for it instead!
Ride Test Track
Now that your photo op is finished, it's time to get a little wild! It should be about time for your Test Track Lightning Lane. Hop in the fast lane and take a lap around the fastest track in the parks. This ride takes you through a simulated car testing facility and then to an outside track to test speed performance. Take off those Mickey ears for this one because you'll go from 0 to 60+ mph in seconds!
Explore the Rest of World Showcase
World Showcase transforms in the evenings! Even if you've walked through the area earlier in the day, you've got to give it another look from sunset until fireworks. The sepia glow on the pavilions give it such a different vibe and energy in the evening! Plus, there is so much to see in each country's pavilions; there’s no way you’ve seen it all already. Spend the rest of the evening eating, drinking, shopping, and exploring your way through each country.
If you'd rather have set dinner plans instead of snacking your way around the world, we highly recommend making advanced dining reservations for either a divine dinner of french cuisine at Chefs de France in the France pavilion, an elevated steakhouse experience at Le Cellier in the Canada pavilion, or a sublime Japanese dinner at Takumi-Tei in the Japan pavilion.
Watch Luminous The Symphony of Us
The best viewing locations for it are in the America pavilion or the corner of the UK pavilion near the water at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. This show combines the best and most creative use of fire, water, animation, and music to create a captivating experience at the end of your night that may or may not bring on your the other kind of waterworks. It's really special.
Additional Options (If Time Allows!)
You never know the crowd sizes of Disney! Sometimes the crowds move quickly, and other times they are painfully slow. But there's one thing for sure - you'll be shocked by how much you can get done as party of two in Disney without kids, strollers, or large parties slowing you down. Additionally, if you didn't want to leave EPCOT in the afternoon to rest or resort hop, you can use that extra time in the afternoon to explore more of the park.
If you have extra time, we recommend sipping different Coca-Cola flavors from around the world in Club Cool, trying an out-of-this-world snack or drink at Space 220 (must make reservation in advance), admiring beautiful ocean animals in the SeaBase aquariums in The Seas, riding the cute The Seas with Nemo and Friends, laughing at the quick and clever remarks from the live Q&A in Turtle Talk with Crush, or even torturing yourself with the weird cult-classic, Journey into Imagination with Figment. (Look, it's our blog, our opinion, haha!)
Planning on park hopping midday? Check out our adults-only guide to Disney's Hollywood Studios!