EPCOT

HOW TO GET THERE:From Hollywood Studios, Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk Resorts, take the water taxi. From Magic Kingdom, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary use the monorail. From all other parks or resorts, use bus transportation.

QUICK SERVICE OPTIONSEnjoy a counter service meal at these locations:In Future World, I highly recommend Sunshine Season in the Land Pavilion with it’s large assortment of food offerings. Electric Umbrella is another option in Future World East. In World Showcase, each country features a Quick Sservice option. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough meals in a trip to enjoy each location, so pick a style of food and enjoy.

SNACK CREDITSSnacks are plentiful as you’ll find Starbucks in Future World, and in World Showcase, many of the shops and counter service locations have amazing offerings.

FESTIVALSDepending on your vacation dates, you may have the opportunity to enjoy the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, or Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Both offer beautiful topiaries, as well as open air kitchens where you can sample many foods.

Explore exciting attractions, enchanting international pavilions, award-winning fireworks and seasonal special events.

ITINERARYYOUR PLAN TO NAVIGATE THE PARKSThese steps are suggestions to optimize your experience at the parks. These strategies will help you avoid the largest crowds and the longest lines. This plan will not take FastPasses into consideration, so use the ones already reserved, as well as additional ones as they are available.

MORNING HOURSSoarin' Around the World, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track are all Tier one Fastpasses (you can only pre-select one). Your first choice of these 3 should be your Fastpass. Your second choice will be the attraction that you go to first when the park opens. After taking in this attraction, you may move to your third favorite and take your chances with the stand-by line (or check the waiting times on your app first). Otherwise, return to the center of the park and ride Spaceship Earth before crossing to the park to Future World West. Here’s you’ll visit The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush, Character Connections, Living With the Land, Journey into Imagination with Figment, and Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival. There are many hands-on attractions as well in Innoventions and ImageWorks.

AFTERNOONOnce you’ve completed your morning activites in Future World, head over to World Showcase which opens at 11:00 a.m. Refering to your park map, either begin in Canada on the West Side, or Mexico on the East Side, and begin your circular tour of the countries. Be sure to stop in each country to visit characters, enjoy the entertainment, shop in cultural stores, and enjoy delicious restaurant offerings. Refer to your Times Guide for various performances. I’d be remissed if I didn’t highly recommend the Voices of Liberty in the American Pavilion. For the kids, be sure to stop at KidCot in each country, and try their hand at solving mysteries with Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure. See my tip sheet with other ideas for kids at Epcot. Take your time and enjoy all that is offered by each country.

EVENINGThe evening offers a special atmosphere at Epcot. Firelit torches surround the lagoon, sidewalks sparkle in Future World, and the countries show their evening best in World Showcase. Each evening at 9:00 p.m., Epcot presents Illuminations: Reflections of Earth - a stunning fireworks and visual display that celebrates the spirit of humanity. Illuminations can be seen from most locations around the lagoon. Depending on crowd levels, you may need to start finding a location as much as an hour in advance. Once the show is over, Epcot will close for the evening (except during Extra Magic Hours).

Again, be sure to consult your Times Guide, use your pre-planned Fastpasses, and plan more as they are available.