A Guide to EPCOT Rides and Attractions

I've always loved EPCOT, even when I was a young kid and it was called EPCOT Center (experimental prototype community of tomorrow). The second theme park built at Disney World often has the reputation of being more educational than fun, but I love how it manages to be both. With this reputation, you may be wondering if EPCOT has rides and attractions.

While the culture of the countries in EPCOT, as well as the delicious EPCOT restaurants, make it a perfect destination for families, there are also some great EPCOT rides and attractions. In general, these rides aren't necessarily thrill rides or scary rides, as you may find in other theme parks. But these rides are so memorable and are so much fun for the whole family to ride and enjoy.

Disclosure: I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel (planDisney Panel) and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no cost to you.

If you plan a trip to Walt Disney World, make sure you include a visit to EPCOT. Wondering which EPCOT rides to check out? Here's our guide to EPCOT rides and attractions, including tips for your visit.

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A Guide to EPCOT Rides and Attractions: EPCOT Rides List

When you visit EPCOT, you'll find that there are now four distinct sections of the park. The former Future World is now separated into World Nature, World Celebration, and World Discovery. These areas are located in the front of the park and typically open earlier than the World Showcase. When planning your EPCOT vacation, you'll want to make sure that you take that into account.

I usually recommend arriving at the park as early as possible - right before opening, if at all possible. With EPCOT, you'll want to do as much as possible in front of the park before heading to the World Showcase, which opens a few hours later.

EPCOT also has a back entrance - the International Gateway. This entrance is most convenient for those walking to EPCOT from the Boardwalk or Disney's Yacht and Beach Clubs. It's open even when the World Showcase is closed - you'll just be guided through the World Showcase into the open area of the park.

If you plan to visit Animal Kingdom or the Magic Kingdom after EPCOT, you'll want to go through the front entrance, while the International Gateway is closer to Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll find the same things at the International Gateway that you'll find at the front of the park - ticket sales, security, stroller/wheelchair rentals, a restroom, and a gift shop, just on a smaller scale. There's also a brand-new Skyliner station right outside the turnstiles.

Before you visit EPCOT, you'll also want to check the height requirements if you've got younger kids. That way, they won't be disappointed if they are too small to ride an attraction they have their heart set on.

Future World Rides (World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature Rides)

Spaceship Earth

Epcot is most known for this towering icon at the front of the park. Have you ever wondered, "What is the golf ball in EPCOT?" That "Epcot ball" is the first ride you'll see as you enter the front entrance of EPCOT. Within the "EPCOT golf ball" (which isn't a golf ball at all) is the family-friendly ride Spaceship Earth, one of the most popular rides at EPCOT.

This icon of EPCOT is also home to a fun ride through time. Learn about communications technology as you travel in a slow-moving ride vehicle. In the end, you'll experience some fun technology on and off the ride.

Spaceship Earth tends to be busier earlier, so go later in the day, before the ride closes, or first thing in the morning. I recommend riding on it during your Walt Disney World vacation, especially if you haven't experienced it yet. Right before I leave, I usually ride it at the end of the day. Lightning Lane is offered here.

Mission: SPACE

I get motion sickness and vertigo, so admittedly, I haven't been on Mission: SPACE. It's one of the few rides I haven't been on, but I know it would make me sick for the day. Guests who do want to ride have the option of two missions - Orange or Green.

The Green side doesn't spin and is a milder version of the ride, while Orange is for those who are a little braver.

If you, like me, are prone to motion sickness and choose to skip the ride, there's also a training lab you can visit at the end of the attraction. I'd recommend starting with the Green side and then if you enjoy that, try the Orange side. That way, you can ease into it. Genie+ is offered on both green and orange.

Soarin'

EPCOT is home to this ride which is also located in Disney's California Adventure. Consistently one of the most popular rides at EPCOT and Walt Disney World (and one of the best rides), Soarin' is an experience like no other. A third theater was recently added, alleviating some of the perpetually long lines.

The ride's theme was also changed from California to Soarin' Around the World, so if you haven't recently visited, it's time to head back. It's one of the attractions I feel I must ride each time I visit Walt Disney World, even though I've been on it dozens of times.

To get to Soarin', you must go into the Land Pavilion. If you have a stroller, you'll need to park it before entering the building. There's a stroller parking section to the right of the building.

Soarin' is located on the bottom floor of the Land building. The whole building gets very busy, so keep that in mind when selecting Genie+ return times. Plan for a little extra time to get to the ride's entrance.

Living With the Land

I have fond memories of riding this fun boat tour with my family as a kid. Although my children are teens now, they still love taking this boat trip through the greenhouses of the Land pavilion.

It's a great way to learn about how food is grown. The line is typically short, so it's worth riding. It's also a great way to get out of the sun and rain during your day.

Living With the Land is also in the Land pavilion, adjacent to Soarin'. There's also a "Behind the Seeds" tour that you can book if you are interested in agriculture. The queue here moves pretty quickly, although Lightning Lane is also offered.

Journey Into Imagination With Figment

This is another one of my kids' favorites, featuring that lovable purple dragon, Figment. In the ride, you'll learn about how imagination works along with the five senses. In the end, there's a fun imagination lab that my kids love.

This ride is good for younger kids, but even older ones may enjoy it (my kids do). It's one of the best EPCOT rides for kids. Journey Into Imagination With Figment is located in the Imagination pavilion, just past the Land pavilion. It never seems to get too busy, so you can ride at almost any time, although Lightning Lane is also offered.

The Seas With Nemo & Friends

Hop into a clamshell for this family-friendly ride through the story of Finding Nemo. It's great for younger kids (including toddlers) because it's a gentle movement and a familiar story.

In the end, you'll be able to explore the world of the ocean and the sea. Kids will especially love Turtle Talk with Crush, located in a theater in the pavilion. This ride is another spot where you can get out of the sun or rain during the day, and small children love it.

Keep in mind that the line queue is pretty dark. When my daughter was young, this frightened her a bit, so be aware if your child is afraid of the dark. The line is usually not too long, but the queue walk takes a few minutes. Lightning Lane is offered

Test Track

Test Track is another exciting and popular ride in EPCOT. Create a simulation (SIM) car and then ride it through different conditions to test maneuverability, speed, and more. In the end, there are more opportunities to learn about cars.

It's very popular, often with long wait times, but you can always choose the single-rider line. Remember, however, that parties will be split up in the single rider line. It tends to close during rainy or other bad weather, so if the forecast shows rain later in the day, try to ride it earlier.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

The newest ride at EPCOT is also one of the best at EPCOT (and one of the best at Walt Disney World). Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an innovative thrill ride located in the former home of Ellen's Energy Adventure. It's an incredibly smooth coaster that spins and thrills.

Cosmic Rewind currently offers the Individual Lightning Lane and a virtual queue. It's extraordinarily popular right now, so you'll need to get either the Individual Lightning Lane or a boarding group first thing in the morning.

World Showcase Rides at EPCOT

Gran Fiesta Tour

It's a fairly simple ride, but the Gran Fiesta Tour is still one of my favorites. Featuring the Three Caballeros, take this boat trip through Mexico to find the missing Donald Duck. It's inside the Mexican pavilion and is great for kids of all ages.

This ride doesn't typically have a long line, so it doesn't take much time. Genie+ isn't offered, but it isn't necessary. While you are in the pavilion, check out the shops featuring authentic Mexican souvenirs.

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After replaced the Maelstrom in the Norway pavilion. The base of the ride stayed the same, but now you can see Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and your other favorites from Frozen in this boat ride. It's a cute recreation of the story and is great for families.

Because of the popularity of Frozen, expect to wait in a long line. You can, however, get a lightning lane for this attraction.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

This new attraction in the France pavilion is the same as the Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy ride in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. This 4D ride takes you on an adventure when you follow Remy as he tries to prepare a meal among a variety of hazards.

This trackless ride can make some people feel a little motion-sick. I've felt it a little bit, but closing my eyes for a few seconds usually helps.

Eating at EPCOT is almost an attraction of its own, so be sure to visit the various restaurants and kiosks throughout the World Showcase. If you are visiting during one of the popular EPCOT events (Food and Wine, the Festival of the Arts, and the Flower and Garden Festival), be sure to stop at the kiosks to purchase food and drink samples.

You can even make a whole meal out of it! During your visit to these festivals, you may want to watch the shows that take place outside the American Adventure pavilion in the American Gardens Theatre.

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