At more than 300 acres in size, EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort is one of the largest theme parks not only in central Florida, but also in the world. The park features two main sections, Future World and the World Showcase and is known not only for its attractions but also for its many annual festivals including the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. In 2019 the park was host to more than 12-million guests which makes its the fourth-most visited theme park in North America.
Most of Epcot’s rides and attractions are within the Future World area of the park but in addition to the cultural venues in the World Showcase, there are several attractions that are among the most popular throughout the Disney parks. Most of the rides and attractions at Epcot are suitable for every age group with several themed around a Disney movie, show or character.
While every guest has different favorites but after dozens of visits to the Walt Disney World Resort, following is our “Top 10” list of favorite rides at EPCOT (which includes the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind).
Click here for our Ultimate Guide to the EPCOT at The Walt Disney World Resort
Top 10 Best Rides at Epcot
- Living with the Land
- Journey through Imagination with Figment
- Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros
- Spaceship Earth
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Mission: Space
- Frozen Ever After
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Test Track
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
There are a number of rides that did not make the “Top 10” cut but we still enjoy and barring significantly long wait times, try to always hit when visiting the park. However, part of the basis for our rankings was the individual rides average wait times as well as how difficult it is to get a Disney Genie+ reservation.
10. Living with the Land
Living with the Land is one of our favorite attractions at Epcot. Located in The Land pavilion along with Soarin‘ Around the World and the Awesome Planet show, the ride itself is a casual a boat ride where you learn the history of how food is grown.
Halfway through the ride is where you enter a working greenhouse which features a number of gardens that are actively used in the Epcot’s restaurants.
Wait times for Living with the Land are fairly moderate and hardly exceed 30 minutes on a typical summer day but Disney Genie Lightning Lanes are available. It’s a perfect ride to visit just before lunch as you can go right to Sunshine Seasons afterwards.
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9. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Tour the Imagination Institute and learn about your five senses in Journey Into Imagination with Figment. This is a funny and silly attraction where Figment will take over your tour and turn it into a wacky adventure.
Wait times for Journey Into Imagination with Figment are typically less than 30 minutes on an average summer day.
8. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Located in the Mexican pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase, the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros is another funny and silly boat tour where guests will explore the sights and sounds of Mexico while looking for Donald Duck.
Wait times for the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros are fairly moderate and do not typically exceed 30 to 45 minutes on the average summer day. While your at the Mexican pavilion, make sure you check out the San Angel Inn Restaurante.
7. Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth is the 165-foot geodesic sphere that is the iconic symbol of EPCOT. This ride is the first attraction guests see after the main entrance and it is no doubt a must ride during your next visit to EPCOT.
The 14-minute ride will take guests through time travelling to see the pre-historic age, ancient Egypt, Rome, the Renaissance, the early 1900’s and many other significant times throughout history.
Take a ride with us for the entire Spaceship Earth ride.
Spaceship Earth is a popular attraction but since it has a very high capacity level, wait times hardly exceed 30 minutes.
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6. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is one of the newer attractions at EPCOT having recently opened in October 2021. Located in the France Pavilion of the World Showcase, Remy is part of the expansion of Epcot for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World.
The ride is also a 4D motion-simulator attractions where guests ride along with Chef Remy as he scurry’s through the kitchen and dining room of Gusteau’s restaurant in Paris, France.
Watch our on-ride POV video of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
There are no height restriction for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the attraction is suitable for guests of all ages. Wait times typically exceed 60 minutes on a typical summer day but individual Lightning Lakes are available.
5. Mission: Space
Blast off into space on Mission: Space where guests can choose from one of two exciting missions into space. The Green mission is an orbit of earth and the Orange mission is a more intense mission on a journey to Mars.
The ride itself is a motion-simulator where guests get the sensation of actually flying a rocket ship through space. It does get a little tight when on the ride vehicle so those who are sensitive to closed in spaces or a high degree of motion may want to pass.
Watch our on-ride POV video of the Green Mission on Mission: Space.
There is a 44-inch height restriction for the Orange mission and a 40-inch height restriction for the Green mission. Wait times Mission: Space can easily exceed 30 to 45 minutes on a typical day.
4. Frozen Ever After
Located in the Norway pavilion in the World Showcase, Frozen Ever After is arguably the most popular attractions at EPCOT. Frozen Ever After will take you on a ride through Arendelle along with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and even Sven. And most of all you will hear your favorite songs from the first Frozen movie.
Check out of on-ride point-of-view video for Frozen Ever After.
Due to limited ride capacity and the popularity of this ride, wait times can get very lengthy and we have seen wait times over 120 minutes (two hours).
3. Soarin’ Around the World
Soarin‘ Around the World is one of the most amazing rides at the Walt Disney World Resort and is a motion-simulation the gives its riders the feeling of hang gliding over some of the most scenic places across the globe. Guests will fly over the Swiss Alps, Greenland, Sydney Harbor in Australia, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and even over Spaceship Earth at Epcot.
Once inside the hanger, riders will enjoy a smooth and easy ride in front of a 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX screen that has in-theatre effects. Soarin’ is suitable for guests that enjoy all thrill levels but is limited to those 40 inches and taller.
Wait times for Soarin‘ Around the World are always lengthy and can easily exceed 60 minutes on a typical summer day. If you can’t get a Lightning Lane through the Disney Genie app for the day of your visit, try to hit this ride early thing in the morning (but visit Test Track first).
2. Test Track
Test Track is one of the most thrilling rides that guests will find when visiting Epcot. Before boarding your ride vehicle, guests will be able to design their own concept car using the latest in auto building technology.
While the pre-ride queue is very well done, the fun really begins when riders are in the vehicle and on the track itself. After going to a series of tests for your convertible concept car the ride takes you outside for a high speed pass of up to 65 miles per hour.
Check out our on-ride point-of-view video of the Test Track.
Wait times for are always fairly high and can exceed 60 minutes on the normal summer day. If you can’t get a Lightning Lane for Test Track through the Disney Genie app for the day of your visit, try to hit this ride early thing in the morning
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Recently opened at EPCOT in May 2022 is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and this attraction is truly one-of-a-kind. At a rumored cost $500 million, this attraction is one of the longest indoor roller coasters at Walt Disney World and is themed after the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.
Riders go along with Star-Lord, Rocket and the rest of the Guardians to help the Xandarians recapture the “cosmic generator” from the Celestial Eson who has taken it from the Nova Corps to “change the course of humanity”.
The minimum height requirement to ride the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is 42 inches and the ride travels at speeds of up to 39 miles per hour. There has been a lot of talk about motion sickness on this attraction but we did not find that during our ride.
Access to ride is only provided through a Virtual Queue on the Disney Genie app. Boarding groups start being offered at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit and an individual Lightning Lane is offered at a cost of $17.00 per person.
Click here to learn more about the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Click here to check out our Ultimate Guide to the Epcot at The Walt Disney World Resort
