Hi Stacia, and welcome to planDisney! I am so excited to give you some tips for exploring EPCOT solo. It’s always hard for me to choose a favorite park at the Walt Disney World Resort, but I think EPCOT is currently in the lead! With incredible festivals at many times throughout the year and so many wonderful things to see and do every day of the year, you are in for a magical day!
The first thing you need to know is that EPCOT is divided into two distinct areas, Future World and the World Showcase. I usually start my day in Future World and then spend the afternoon and evening adventuring around the World Showcase. The themes in Future World center around the natural world and human progress. As soon as you enter the park, be sure to take a ride on Spaceship Earth for a tour through world history. As a history teacher, I must tell you that this is one of my favorite attractions! Next, check out The Land, where you’ll find the very popular Soarin' Around the World and Living with the Land. If you are a thrill seeker, some of my other must-do attractions in Future World are Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Test Track!
By the time the afternoon rolls around, you will be ready to head over to the World Showcase. I can’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon! There are pavilions representing 11 countries around the world, and taking time to explore each one is one of my absolute favorite ways to spend a day at Walt Disney World. In each pavilion, you will not only be able to learn about the culture of the country and try amazing foods, but you will also likely have the opportunity to interact with Cast Members who are from those countries! The pavilions all also have shops that are fun to explore and pick up international souvenirs. Some pavilions have can’t-miss attractions, so be sure to check out what each one has to offer!
To make the most of your day, you might want to consider purchasing
Lightning Lane. This allows you to save time by skipping standby lines and entering a faster lane on select attractions. If you want to do this, be sure to purchase it at least 7 days in advance and make your
theme park reservation even earlier because you can make your first three Lightning Lane reservations on the
My Disney Experience app exactly one week before the day you’ll be in the park.
Stacia, I hope this information gets you started on planning your solo day at EPCOT! If you have more questions, I would love to help you continue to plan your day. Let me know if you’d like recommendations for my favorite dining locations and snacks to try throughout the park. Dining just might be my favorite thing to discuss! I would be delighted to help you plan a day that is “practically perfect in every way!”
Casey