Epcot tips: Beating the lines
These Epcot tips are based on our experiences at the park over the years and should hopefully help you spend less time in lines:
Tip 1: Arrive early
Yes, I know, you’re on vacation -- but arriving at the turnstiles with a valid ticket in your hand before the published park opening time is the best way to get a head start on the crowds.
If you’re travelling by car and arrive early you will have the good fortune of being able to park at the front of the parking lot -- practically in front of the entrance. If it’s your first trip allow an extra 5 minutes for people in your party to take photos of Spaceship Earth or the Monorail before you enter!
If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort you will have several options available depending on your resort including bus, monorail, boat or on foot.
Have your bags ready for the bag check and then walk to the farthest ticket turnstile -- for some reason everyone stands in a long line at the nearest entry point and the stiles farther along stand empty.
You will be allowed through the turnstiles before the official opening time -- once through head up the right hand side of Spaceship Earth and you will come to a holding area just outside Innoventions.
Just before official opening time you’ll be treated to some characters and then comes the countdown to rope drop. Countdown complete you will then be able to follow the Cast Members -- still holding a rope -- towards Soarin’.
Tip 2: Get a Fastpass for Soarin’
Send one member of the party with all of the park tickets ahead to Soarin’ to get Fastpasses for everyone. There will be a crowd of people moving as quickly as they can towards Soarin’ including children and strollers. One person can move more quickly through the crowd. Have them meet you at the bottom of the escalator with the FPs (don’t ask them to meet you in the line as you’ll get split up).
Once everyone has arrived at Soarin’ you can ride the attraction.
“Why collect FPs if you’re going to ride straight away?” I hear you ask -- because this is an awesome attraction and you will want to ride it more than once. Oh and another tip -- once seated in your glider take off your shoes and leave them on the floor in front of you -- feeling the wind between your toes is a great feeling!
Tip 3: Use a touring plan
To maximise the magic and minimise time in lines we follow a plan, and visit the attractions in a specific order. The plans can be purchased over at touringplans.com -- at the time of writing a 12-month subscription will cost you just $7.95 -- and believe me it is worth every cent! The plans are easy to follow and will help you beat the crowds.
If you haven’t already sign up for the allears.net newsletter which often includes a discount code for the Touring Plans website -- it’s a free newsletter packed full of useful advice.
Tip 4: Do Epcot in two days
If possible try and split your Epcot visit over two days -- visit Future World on one day and World Showcase on another.
If this isn’t possible take a break in the afternoon -- go back to your hotel for a swim or head to a Water Park for a couple of hours. That way you can come back and visit World Showcase when its a little cooler in the early evening.
Tip 5: Illuminations
Illuminations is not to be missed -- people will start to stake out a spot for the fireworks up to two hours before they start (9pm). You don’t need to waste so much time sitting on the concrete!
Our favourite spot for watching Illuminations is from Italy -- there is an area that juts out into the World Showcase Lagoon near the gondolas. Stand on the left hand side or on the steps of the bridge for a great view.
Sometimes this area is roped off for private parties -- in which case pick a spot along the water between Germany and Italy.
When the fireworks are over take a leisurely stroll around the Lagoon towards the park exit.
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P.S. Do you want to know how to save money on a Disney World Resort hotel, or whether your employee status can get you into the parks for free? What about how to have your holiday photos taken at no extra charge or the quickest way to get to the Magic Kingdom? I answer all of these and more in my book Walt Disney World Tips & Secrets - download your copy today!
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