I had been to Disney World a few times before, but somehow I had never actually experienced Epcot…read moreuntil this particular trip. And honestly, my husband made sure my first visit was memorable. It was near my birthday month, and he decided to surprise me with what became an early birthday gift trip to Epcot while he attended a large software conference nearby. The conference itself was completely paid for by the company inviting him, so all he really had to cover was my airfare and incidentals. Clearly I married a man who understands strategic generosity. I suspect he realized it is far easier to justify another technology conference when Disney World is somehow involved for the spouse. Very clever, honestly. One of the biggest highlights of the trip was getting to stay inside a Disney World resort hotel. That alone completely changes the entire experience. Instead of battling traffic, renting cars, or navigating endless parking situations, we could simply hop onto the Disney transportation system and take relaxing ferry rides around the property to wherever we wanted to explore. There was something oddly peaceful about gliding across the water early in the morning while heading toward the parks. It genuinely felt like we had stumbled into some sort of temporary VIP existence. And because my husband was attending the conference, there were all kinds of wonderful little perks throughout the week. One evening there was a private dinner and concert event exclusively for conference attendees and guests, which was such a fun surprise. Then near the end of the trip, we were given access to a reserved roped-off viewing area beside the lagoon for the nighttime fireworks spectacular. That alone felt magical. No fighting crowds. No standing ten people deep trying to see around someone's Mickey ears. Just an incredible unobstructed view of the fireworks reflecting across the water while we relaxed together at the end of a very long and very happy week. As for Epcot itself... First-time visitors should absolutely understand that this park is very different from the classic Disney experience many people expect. Epcot feels more like a celebration of technology, imagination, culture, architecture, and world travel all wrapped into one giant park. The World Showcase was probably one of my favorite parts -- wandering through beautifully themed country pavilions representing places like Japan, France, Italy, Morocco, Norway, and Mexico while sampling food, shopping, architecture, and cultural details from each one. At times it almost felt like taking a tiny whirlwind world tour without ever leaving Florida. And of course, there is Spaceship Earth -- the giant iconic geodesic sphere everyone associates with Epcot. Seeing it in person for the first time honestly made me feel oddly emotional in that nostalgic Disney sort of way. I truly was like a child in a candy store during this trip. I wanted to see everything. Taste everything. Photograph everything. And despite spending an entire week there, I still never managed to see it all. But honestly, that may be part of the magic. By the end of the trip I felt completely happy, thoroughly exhausted, and wonderfully spoiled. My husband gave me an early birthday experience I had wanted for years, and somewhere during those ferry rides, fireworks, and endless wandering through Epcot, I quietly realized another item had officially come off my bucket list. By the time we flew home, I was completely satiated and entirely ready to sleep in my own bed again.

If you're NOT a frequent visitor or annual passholder, and you're planning a trip to EPCOT, do…read moreyourself a favor--start researching at least two months in advance! My husband and I first returned in 2021, thinking it would feel similar to when we brought our boys back in 1998... not even close. Technology has completely transformed the experience. Not in a bad way--but if you're not prepared, it can be overwhelming and honestly a little frustrating. After that visit, I knew I needed a better game plan. This time, I booked early--about six months ahead--directly through Walt Disney World and bundled our hotel and park tickets, saving around $1,600. I also spent time watching YouTube vlogs to relearn the park layout and get Park tips, which made everything so much easier. NOTE: Disney is extremely app-driven. I highly recommend pre-purchasing a MagicBand. It acts as your room key, park ticket, Lightning Lane access, and even your credit card. Having everything on your wrist is incredibly convenient. Speaking of time-saving-- we splurged and purchased the Lightning Lane Premier Pass. In 2021, we waited in lines up to two hours and barely got on rides. This time, with the Premier Pass, our waits were typically 5-20 minutes. As a Baby Boomer, I can confidently say--it was absolutely worth the splurge. BTW, there are single rider lines which are complimentary. Another small but "You'll Thank Me Later" tip: cushioned sneaker inserts. You can easily walk 8+ hours a day, and your tootsies will thank you. We visited the week before Easter during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, and it was stunning. The flowers and topiaries were incredible, and the outdoor kitchens added a fun (and delicious) touch. Being able to simply tap my MagicBand to pay for food made everything seamless. Bottom line: taking the time to plan ahead completely changed our experience. We rode everything we wanted, avoided long lines, and truly enjoyed the park. If you're heading to EPCOT--go in prepared, and you'll have an amazing time.

This is a smaller park but has been greatly expanded with the Star Wars area and its associated…read morewonderful attractions. I highly recommend splurging on a lighting lane premier pass. This will allow you to skip the lines at every attraction without needing to select a specific time window. Highlights here are definitely the Star Wars attractions - Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance. The latter is the better of the two and is a truly an immersive "4D" experience that I absolutely loved. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is another newer ride that was truly enjoyable. The Tower of Terror is another favorite and lives on here with its classic Twilight Zone theming. There are tons of great food and beverage options here, and the staff are consistently very friendly. Definitely plan a visit here on your next Orlando trip!

This is probably my 3rd favorite park behind MK and Epcot but it's still really good. I do miss…read moresome of the things that made this park fun from prior to 2020. But this park is great especially if you love Toy Story or Star Wars with those lands all up and going. Slinky Dog Dash is a fun coaster and there are so many fun things for the kids in Toy Story Land. Star Wars Land is definitely cooler for adult rides but you can build a droid or a lightsaber there which is fun for everyone. They're always making changes here it seems but it really is a good place to check out. You might not need to be there all day too to do everything so you can take your time or do it all and hop over to a different park.

Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios was just OK for me. The area is relatively small and…read moregeared mostly toward children; it reminds me of the more whimsical, childlike lands at Universal Orlando, like Seuss Landing. We came here for Toy Story Mania!, which I enjoyed. I reviewed that ride separately here on Yelp and gave it four stars. A popular ride here is Slinky Dog Dash. It looks fun, but I'm not a fan of roller coasters. There's also Alien Swirling Saucers, a spinning ride similar to Mad Tea Party. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in getting motion sickness. My wife thinks Woody's Lunch Box is fun. It's a counter-service restaurant themed after Sheriff Woody, the iconic cowboy from the movies (voiced by Tom Hanks). Toy Story Land at Disney World opened on June 30, 2018. Other versions exist in France (the original), Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The Florida version is the newest of the four and replaced the Studio Backlot Tour, which I visited as a kid circa 1989-1990 (RIP).

New snack alert in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios Pepperoni spring rolls Toy Story popcorn…read morestand! These were so tasty and WAY better than Magic Kingdom! It's full of a substantial amount of pepperoni and cheese with Italian herbs. It's not nearly as greasy as the ones in MK either. Highly recommend for a quick snack!

First time here in a long time and we had a blast! There was a posted 45 min-1 hour wait time but…read morewe only waited about 20 minutes. There was plenty of seating out in front but we took the opportunity to walk over to the swan reserve and get drinks at their coffee shop upstairs. The only things I can complain about are (1) there is practically no shaded area once you're out mini golfing and (2) the speaker they use to call out the names on the wait list had super low volume so we almost missed our name being called. Keep that in mind if you decide to wander off. Overall, so much fun. Highly recommend!

Very fun time playing on the Fantasia themed course. Very friendly staff. The other course is mor…read morefor pro golfers. If you book directly with Disney chances are that you have free passes as part of your package. You do have to call ahead for a tee time. Worth it even if you have to pay to golf. Reasonably priced.

World Celebration is one of the newest areas in Epcot and you're essentially in World Celebration…read moreafter you check through the theme park gates! World Celebration has some of my favorite rides in Epcot! Spaceship Earth: This ride is a must ride for my family every time we visit! The ride also has some of the lowest wait times in Epcot. Lightning lane pass are usually immediate for Spaceship Earth. The ride is relatively long too. I think it's about 15-20 minutes. The ride takes you through a historical journey of Earth. I love the end of the ride and seeing the stars in the sky! Journey Into Imagination with Figment: The Figment ride is my daughter's favorite ride! This ride usually has a low wait time as well! Sometimes, you can walk onto this ride with low wait times in the morning and evening times! The Figment ride goes through all of your senses like smell and sight! After riding, you get dropped into the Imagination area where you can meet Figment and a Figment themed store as well. Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival: This is a film right next to Journey Into Imagination with Figment. You'll see short stories like Piper! It's a great place to take a break during the summer! It's fully air conditioned. If you're looking for quick service dining areas, World Celebration has some locations! Connections Café and Starbucks, Connections Eatery, and Club Cool for Custom Soda Samples are located in World Celebration. The Connections Eatery has a wide range of burgers and sandwiches. There usually is a custom waffle offered during the seasonal offerings! Connections Eatery, with the Starbucks café, offers good options for breakfast! Club Cool for custom soda samples offers a variety of custom sodas that you can choose from! It's a stand near Mission Space Earth and Test Track. There are a few World Celebrations Character Meet and Greet too! You'll find the character's in Epcot's Main Entrance like Pluto. There are also dedicated spaces in World Celebration for the seasonal festivals like the Art Festival, with food stands! World Celebration offers Entertainment. You'll want to use the Disney World Mobile Application to view show times. There is the new Encanto show, Forces of Nature (Inside the Moana's Journey of Water), and JAMMitors! While we were visiting during the Holidays, there were special Holiday shows too. The new Commmunicore Hall and Plaza is located in World Celebration too! This is a great new area inside Epcot!

World Celebration is the newest space at Epcot! This place puts the PARK in theme park. After…read moreconstruction lasted for many, many years, I am happy to see this location finally open. You will find TONS of seating areas and charging ports. There is entertainment walking around, and Custodial Cast Members create water art as well. 4 Stars for now, since the area is still under construction in some areas, resulting in loud noise. But, once it is fully complete, I hope to return for a 5 star offering. I made a full 4K walking tour of this space on the EYNTKinfo YouTube channel if you want to see more.

honestly, my favorite place on earth. all the worries of today fade into a world of enchantment and…read morewonder. this review will be long so brace yourself. where to stay (on property) - Coronado Springs, big, open, beautiful, relatively cheap - Contemporary, og 3, beautiful architecture, really cool rooms, monorail is a plus, expensive - Port Orleans- a cheaper option if you want a cuter, more fantasy vibes. The food is heaven! Where to eat: Coral Reef Restaurant (EPCOT)- awesome to get to see the fish, pin bread is really gooood! Casey's Corner (MK)- cheaper, quick service option. Chili Cheese dog hits the spot. Skippers (MK)- ask for the secret menu items and you won't regret it. Brown & Derby (Hollywood Studio's)- classic style, lovely staff, BEST COBB SALAD, great to cool down 50's prime time cafe (Hollywood Studio)- good food, cool layout, makes you feel like your part of the family... Rides: 1-3 years Epcot- The Seas with Nemo & Friends -- gentle boat ride inside an aquarium. Spaceship Earth -- calm ride through Epcot's iconic sphere (can be dark). Frozen Ever After -- boat ride with familiar characters (may be dim but popular with kids). Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (World Showcase, Mexico) -- easy boat ride with Donald Duck. Magic Kingdom- Dumbo the Flying Elephant -- gentle flying elephants little ones love. "it's a small world" -- slow, colorful boat ride with the classic song. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh -- cheerful Pooh‑themed ride. Peter Pan's Flight -- smooth, flying "ship" ride over Neverland. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid -- easy clamshell ride with music and scenes. Mad Tea Party (Tea Cups) -- classic spinning tea cups (great if they like gentle spinning). Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin -- interactive ride that's fun for little hands. WDW Railroad -- scenic train ride around parts of the park. Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway -- fun film‑style ride suitable for all ages. Toy Story Mania! -- interactive, colorful ride (great visuals). Disney Junior Play and Dance! -- lively show with favorite characters. Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris -- slow safari through animal habitats (big hit with kids). Festival of the Lion King -- Broadway‑style live show with music and performers. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! -- musical show kids enjoy. Feathered Friends in Flight! -- bird show (great break from walking). Wildlife Express Train & Rafiki's Planet Watch -- train ride + animal trails. 4-7 yr olds. (Please check with your little one to see what they are able and willing to do!) MK: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Mine train roller coaster; exciting but kid-friendly (height 40"). Splash Mountain / Tiana's Bayou Adventure - Log flume with gentle drops (height 40"). Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - Smooth roller coaster with curves and storytelling (height 38"). Barnstormer featuring Goofy - Small roller coaster perfect for younger thrill-seekers (height 35"). Mad Tea Party (Tea Cups) - Spin fast for a dizzying, fun thrill. Still gentle: Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise. EPCOT: Frozen Ever After - Mild, but the dips and curves make it more exciting than a typical boat ride. Test Track (height 40") - High-speed driving simulator; can be thrilling for older 7-year-olds, maybe less so for smaller 4-year-olds. Mission: Space (Green - mild) - Optional "space adventure" simulator; check if your child can handle motion. Sorin' Around The World- Perfect if your little one isn't scared of height! It takes you around the world with a simulated screen allowing you and the kiddos to tour the world! Note: (if your child is scared of flying, DO NOT RIDE! this ride takes you up in the air and pitches backwards and forwards. May be very distressing, go on The Land for a calm gentle ride. Animal Kingdom: Kali River Rapids - Water raft ride with small rapids and splashes. Height 38". Toddlers won't ride, but older 4-7-year-olds can go with a parent. Na'vi River Journey- soft moving water ride with gentle music and fun visual, especially cool if you little one likes Pandora! Note: (if your kiddo is tall enough and wants too, they could go in Expedition Everest) Hollywood Studios: Slinky Dog Dash - Family-friendly roller coaster; smooth but fast and fun (height 38"). Alien Swirling Saucers - Spinning ride; crank up speed for more intensity. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - Interactive "flying" simulator; height 38". Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway - Not intense, but immersive motion makes it feel adventurous. To whomever listened to this whole thing, have a magical experience. May the magic of Disney follow you wherever life may take you.

We came here in 2025 and again in 2026 for the kid's birthday…read more There is a lot to say and most of it has already been said, so I will just summarize. -go early in the day. -bring your own water bottle (March 2026 the cheapest bottle of water was $4.25) -get a lightning pass and use it for rides, not shows -be prepared for lots of walking. Wear walking shoes. If it is spring or summer, bring sun screen. -be prepared for LOTS of people (if they drive like they walk, no wonder the US has such a high vehicular fatality rate). Be patient. -be prepared to overpay for just about everything. But oddly, the $300 per person multi-park ticket is a good deal. Why? Because you get so much entertainment. There are loads of Disney employees everywhere who are friendly and ready to help with any questions. They all are paid, so the $300 is actually not a bad deal when you consider how many employees there are in each park, how clean the parks are, and all the upkeep to maintain the animals and rides. -if you get tired, and you will, take a break. It's not fun if you get so tired that you get cranky. -Don't forget to enjoy the smiles on the kids' faces!

This year I opted for Epcot After Hours since I was getting in late enough that a day park ticket…read moredidn't make sense, so I made sure to ride Frozen Ever After because there's always a massive line whenever we've been to Epcot. Now after having ridden the ride (think slightly more chill POTC but Frozen themed) it was short enough that anything over 45 minutes would be too much of a wait for it in my opinion. I'd either recommend a LL if they have them or riding it during EE or After Hours - otherwise personally I'd skip it. The boat was wet that we sat in, but seated in the second row I didn't see any splashing. I did find it interesting that the boat flipped backwards and the ride ended up being designed a bit more differently than I expected. All in all, it's a cute ride, but I felt like Remy had more bang for your buck - so unless I'm with someone who hasn't ridden it before (and it's EE/AH) I see myself continuing to skip it in the future.

Back a few years later and we definitely wanted to experience Frozen's boat ride again. There's no…read moreoptions for single riders so we had to commit to the standby line, which is going to be a solid 30-60 minutes throughout the day. Frozen fans will love the scenes and music. As adults we loved the directional changes of the boat and small drops. You may feel water get in the boat - minimal but a few damp bottoms. Great ride for all ages.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a great casual attraction at EPCOT; "casual" because it…read moretypically uses a standby entrance with little-to-no wait, allowing you to just stroll through at your own pace. Located in World Nature, the attraction is entirely outdoors. During the hot Florida summers, my wife likes to come here to get misted and cool off. It's almost like a high-end splash pad with interactive water features that respond to your movements. It has a fun, playful vibe. It's a nice break from the more intense rides. Tip: If you don't want to get wet, there's a clearly marked "Dry Path" throughout the entire experience. You can still see all the interactive features and the stunning 16-foot-tall Te Fiti figure. We had the Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker package and got some cool photos with Te Fiti (the nature goddess from the 2016 film) and several other beautiful water effects. Historical Note: This attraction is relatively new, opening in late 2023. It sits on the site of what used to be Innoventions West (which was demolished in 2021). Interestingly, while the West building was cleared for this garden, the Innoventions East building was kept and heavily renovated to become the new Connections Eatery and Creations Shop. This whole section of the park has officially been rebranded from Future World to World Nature.

This water park is so amazing, it really feels like being in the world of Moana. There are several…read morewater sprouts, some are interactive, where it recognizes people's hand and body movement and shoots out water accordingly. The cameras are smartly hid inside birds' nests. The whole place is very green and you get the tropical vibes. There are fountains. There's a beautiful display of Ti Fiti, the green tree lady. There's photoshoot spot next to it for guests with Disney Photo Pass. It takes about 5-10 to explore the whole space. There's no line or anything.

We were able to enjoy Typhoon Lagoon, one of Disney World's two water parks, using the benefit for…read moreDisney resort guests (free water park admission on check-in day). It was easy to enter using the My Disney Experience app, as it already had the tickets under my account, and it was also a quick bus ride from Disney Springs. Towels are complimentary, and lockers have a small fee. Changing rooms are located near the front of the park, and are reasonably ok considering how many people go through them. The floor is paved but pretty hot to walk on, so I still recommend wearing waterproof footwear. Waterproof phone holders are probably the #1 most useful item to bring here, other than sunscreen. There was a surprisingly large amount of people here on a Monday; pretty much all the chairs were taken around the wave pool, and there were scarce empty spots in the humongous body of water with equally gigantic waves. They're not waves for babies or beginners at all - they knock you down and drag you far, even where you think you're far enough, which is pretty rad. While a lot of people were crawling around the park, the wait times weren't too bad. The lazy river, Castaway Creek, was chill. There were people around us all the time, but enough space to still feel comfortable. I was amazed at how long the river went on for, and at how much varied scenery they detailed through the course. I also loved and hated the surprise waterfall you're forced to go under at the base of the mountain. I wasn't able to get through as many rides as I'd hope because of a brewing storm that eventually rained everyone out of the park. There are attractions for people of all thrill levels, though they seem more family-friendly than catered to daredevils. The rides are easy to get on, too - you just walk up, grab an available tube, and wait in line. There are also convenient refreshments littered at all ends of the roundabout park. The theming around the park is fantastic, including the iconic Miss Tilly atop Mount Mayday. Lagoona Gator both welcomes and waves you off at the entrance of the park.

I wanted to rate this a 5 BUT the only reason it's not is because they got rid of the snorkel…read moreattraction but didn't replace it with anything else, they just covered it up and made it another lounging section with beach chairs...pretty lame if you ask me. Putting that aside though, this is a fantastic water park. Great slides, especially Crush n Gusher, world class wave pool, fun shipwreck theming, and DOLE WHIP! I'm not sure if they're still selling the Hei Hei Cones anymore, but if they are you gotta try one! It'spretty much pineapple and raspberry dole whip. Be warned, if you're not a strong swimmer, be careful in the wave pool... this one isn't for the faint of hearts, it gets pretty intense, I once got a black eye in that pool as a kid.

We stopped by Epcot to visit with friends from out of town and stopped by Canada, Britain, China…read moreand Mexico for delicious food, drinks and service that was met with a smile! It's always a fun time in Epcot! It lets you forget your worries, be around happy people and just stop and enjoy life! You should go!

I got to participate in Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival for 2025. This year's festival…read moreran from August 28 to November 22. There is a full 90 day celebration! There are over 35 global marketplaces spread throughout the park. Each marketplace offers a wide variety of foods and beverages! This year, I picked up the festival passport at Epcot, and then tried to find Emile's Fromage Montage menu items. If you purchase 5 of the feature dishes and collect stamps for each, you could bring your festival passport to the Shimmering sips marketplace to receive a festival treat! Some of those options included the Fall Fruit Cheesecake and the Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli. Also, each year there is Eat to the Beat concerts. I ended up watching Hansen and the M-80s on different evenings. Both concerts were fantastic! You could bring food and drinks while watching the concerts! If you're looking for guaranteed seats to the concerts, there are Concert Series Dining Packages at specific restaurants like Biergarten Restaurant, Chefs De France, Garden Grill and more. You'll want to check the Disney World website to explore participating restaurants and dining package pricing. During the festival, I ended up trying out some of the following food options Potato and Pea Samosa - with Plant-based Coriander-Lime Cream (plant-based) Schinkennudeln - Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions, and Cheese (Emile's Fromage Montage Offering) Apple Strudel - with Vanilla Sauce Frozen Apple Pie - Apple Pie Filling, Apple-Cinnamon Soft-serve, and Apple-Cinnamon Cider topped with Streusel (non-alcoholic) Pickle Milk Shake Fried Pickle Spears with Dill Ranch S'mores Milkshake drink. All of the food was fantastic. My favorites were the Frozen Apple Pie drink. The Apple Cinnamon Cider was a sparkling carbonated drink with the apple cinnamon soft serve at the bottom. It was such a unique drink and refreshing! The S'mores milkshake was delicious! There were chocolate pieces and marshmallow on top of the chocolate milkshake. It was near the Connections Eatery. The fried pickle spears were yummy too! It would be difficult to try everything at the International Food & Wine festival in just one day. Luckily, I had a few nights to try out a few of the booths. This is such a fun festival and highly recommend trying this out if you're visiting Epcot during the August - November months!