Calling all Epcot Experts!

[LisMol]

Epcot planning questions:

Here’s is what we have right now:
9:45 Turtle talk
11:40 Nemo and Friends
1:30 Frozen Ever After

This is the earliest we could get FEA and really don’t want to risk not having a FP for it as it’s the priority for our kids.

1. We’d also like to do Test Track. Could we rope drop Test Track and still make it to Turtle talk?

2. Couldn’t see an option for a FP for a meet with Anna and Elsa. Is this something that is offered?

3. Epcot is the park I’m most confused by — I’m not sure how to structure our day. We’d like to explore Nemo, Future World, Spaceship Earth and go through the pavilions but still be in Denmark for our FP.

4. As much as I’d like to see it all, I’m not sure my kids are up for all of World Showcase. What’s the ferry “system” like? Can we sort of bail half way through on a ferry without having to double back the way we came?

Thanks to all you Epcot experts!

 

[GVentola]

Nemo and Friends usually has short lines, so you may be wasting a FastPass on that. Also, I would do Nemo before Turtle Talk, as the Nemo ride is an entrance into and an introduction to the Seas pavilion. If you do Turtle Talk first, you will have to enter through another entrance, then go back outside to get to the Nemo ride.

I guess they don't have an FP for Anna and Elsa anymore if you don't see it--maybe another member of this board has more info on that. But don't worry, the lines on that have gone down considerably. I only waited 15 minutes when I did that meet and greet.

Do you mean Norway instead of Denmark?

There are two ferries. Both are located near the front of World Showcase. One takes you to Germany and back, the other to Morocco and back. The country pavilions in order are Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

The earliest FP availability for FEA is at 11am. There are no FP's offered for Anna & Elsa meet and greet. The line isn't as crazy like it was when they were at MK because there are 3 rooms of sisters meeting at once.

I think you can definitely rope drop Test Track and still make it to Turtle Talk.

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

If you dont have a FP (stupid tier system), definately rope drop Test Track. We did that last year, and everyone was going toward Frozen, we went to TT with hardly any wait. Dont forget about Jouney Into Imagination with Figment, kids always get a kick out of that one. Also, Spaceship Earth is a great way to cool off when it gets hot out. I honestly wouldnt FP either Nemo or Turtle Talk. Even if you walk up after a show just started, the wait is pretty quick. Even if you dont stop at every pavilion, I would at least walk by. There is a miniature train set in Germany I believe that is cool to look at. I also recommend stopping in the France pavilion and grabbing a snack at their bakery. What I would do if I were you is try and hit all the attraction in Future World part of Epcot, and them about an hour before your FP start to head toward World Showcase and start in Canada (go to the right instead of left). Canada and UK dont have too much to see (although we did do a meet and greet with Alice with was awesome). China, Japan, and Mexico are really cool to explore. Stop at the KidCot stations and let the kids get a stamp at each country. Also, there are many other characters that do meet and greets in World Showcase. Mulan was a favorite of my daughter's.

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

As said above, FPs for Turtle Talk & Nemo are probably wastes so don't let them hold you up. Soarin', Test Track & Mission Space are all longer waits, and Spaceship Earth can be on busy days - although its a people eater.

The World Showcase is my favorite part of WDW. Eat at the German "Biergarten." The counter service outside at Mexico is excellent. The movies at China & France are good, and I love to walk through all of the pavilions. Morocco, Germany, UK & France are all very well designed with lots of little unique spaces. Try not to go to the World Showcase on a Friday or Saturday night so you can dodge the drunken idiot pub crawlers. Lastly, be sure and see the show at the American pavilion. It's one of the best attractions at WDW, in my humble opinion. 'Murica!

 

[DisMath]

If you have kids, I strongly encourage you to spend a few hours exploring the world showcase "countries" as you complete Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure. I can't say whether my 8-year-old or myself enjoyed it more!

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

If you have kids, I strongly encourage you to spend a few hours exploring the world showcase "countries" as you complete Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure. I can't say whether my 8-year-old or myself enjoyed it more!

That is unique and very well done. Agree!

 

[jaklgreen]

Epcot planning questions:

Here’s is what we have right now:
9:45 Turtle talk
11:40 Nemo and Friends
1:30 Frozen Ever After

This is the earliest we could get FEA and really don’t want to risk not having a FP for it as it’s the priority for our kids.

1. We’d also like to do Test Track. Could we rope drop Test Track and still make it to Turtle talk?

2. Couldn’t see an option for a FP for a meet with Anna and Elsa. Is this something that is offered?

3. Epcot is the park I’m most confused by — I’m not sure how to structure our day. We’d like to explore Nemo, Future World, Spaceship Earth and go through the pavilions but still be in Denmark for our FP.

4. As much as I’d like to see it all, I’m not sure my kids are up for all of World Showcase. What’s the ferry “system” like? Can we sort of bail half way through on a ferry without having to double back the way we came?

Thanks to all you Epcot experts!

I don't know why so many people are afraid of taking their kids to world showcase. My kids have always loved it. Look at the times guide and go to the entertainment they have in the different countries. And even if it is not your kids' favorite, you would probably enjoy it so the kids can "suffer" through a couple of hours of walking around. It is good for kids to learn that Mom and Dad want to do and see things too and that the kids are not the center of the universe. Patience is a great lesson.

 

[danheaton]

I would drop the Turtle Talk FP. Even if you want to visit at 9:45, it's not going to be crazy at that point. If you want to keep it, remember that you have until 10:45 (with a small grace period) after the starting time. So you can rope drop Test Track, do a few more things, and still make it. Since you want to do Spaceship Earth, you'd do better in choosing that for a FP than Turtle Talk.

 

[WDWMPrincess]

Last time we were in Disney my kids were eight and thirteen and each took a friend. Made the mistake of going to World Showcase first thinking it would be a fast visit and had to put my foot down sometime after 3 in the afternoon to insist we go see something of the rest of Epcot. They were so into trying foods, looking through the shops, getting their Epcot passports stamped again, getting all the smashed pennies, and just generally prowling through every little thing in each country. I really hadn't expected so much interest especially from the younger set. Ended up going back to the Nine Dragons for dinner that night which really thrilled the kids.

 

[jaklgreen]

Last time we were in Disney my kids were eight and thirteen and each took a friend. Made the mistake of going to World Showcase first thinking it would be a fast visit and had to put my foot down sometime after 3 in the afternoon to insist we go see something of the rest of Epcot. They were so into trying foods, looking through the shops, getting their Epcot passports stamped again, getting all the smashed pennies, and just generally prowling through every little thing in each country. I really hadn't expected so much interest especially from the younger set. Ended up going back to the Nine Dragons for dinner that night which really thrilled the kids.

This has been our experience at World Showcase too. The kids loved it at all ages. If someone thinks there is nothing to do there then they are not seeing what is going on. No there are no big thrill rides but plenty of entertainment.

 

[Songbird76]

What time is rope drop the day you are going? Are you staying on property to make use of Extra Magic Hours? Those might affect your plans. When we went in 2016, we rope dropped Test Track and Soarin' and I was able to do Soarin' 3 times while the rest of my family did Test Track a couple of times in that first hour, so I would say you should be fine as long as it's not an EMH day if you aren't staying on property. Otherwise, the people staying on property will have already been at it before you are even allowed into the park.
Other things to consider, someone mentioned the fastpass window of an hour, but I know that our fastpass windows for shows were shorter than the windows for rides. Check what the fastpass window says in your app. That being said, if you have the My Disney Experience app on your phone, you can rope drop whatever you want and if it looks like you won't make the fastpass window for Turtle Talk, you can always change it...Turtle talk isn't so popular that you won't be able to get a later fastpass time on the day of. When we went, it was July....so busy season, and we didn't even NEED our Turtle Talk fastpass....and we went back and did it 3 times in a row without a wait in between, because the kids loved it so much.
Also, I don't know about current park opening times, but I know that when we went, the World Showcase didn't open until 11am, so we could only do future world until then. Check the opening times for when you are going so you don't plan to be somewhere that isn't open at a particular time.
And as someone else mentioned, I'm assuming you mean Norway, not Denmark? Norway is where the FEA ride is. I wouldn't rely too much on the ferry to get you anywhere on time if you are in a hurry. I think it's more to save you walking than time.

 

[DarthVader]

If you have kids...

Dude, the font is huge, my eyes.

FWIW, my kids do not enjoy the world showcase. we've been going to WDW for years and just accept that its not for everyone.

 

[graphite1326]

Nemo and Friends usually has short lines, so you may be wasting a FastPass on that. Also, I would do Nemo before Turtle Talk, as the Nemo ride is an entrance into and an introduction to the Seas pavilion. If you do Turtle Talk first, you will have to enter through another entrance, then go back outside to get to the Nemo ride.

I guess they don't have an FP for Anna and Elsa anymore if you don't see it--maybe another member of this board has more info on that. But don't worry, the lines on that have gone down considerably. I only waited 15 minutes when I did that meet and greet.

Do you mean Norway instead of Denmark?

There are two ferries. Both are located near the front of World Showcase. One takes you to Germany and back, the other to Morocco and back. The country pavilions in order are Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Here is what I would do. You are not going to need FP for Nemo. Get a FP for Soarin earlier than Turtle Talk (I don't know if you need FP for this we have never done it. My kids are grown and not interested. I would look into it though maybe you won't) Rope drop to TT and then head over to Soarin and use your FP. You should have time to do Living With the Land (nice ride and I think your kids will enjoy it). Then head next door to Nemo and do Turtle Talk at the end. Check times for SE which usually does not have long lines and maybe you can do that. If not save it for later. Head to World Showcase to the left and do the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion (Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros). By now you should be close to your FP time at Frozen in the Norway pavilion, which by the way is not that far from Mexico.

While at Mexico pick up a "Passport" for the kids. They will have a ball going from country to country and get it stamped.

 

[Songbird76]

Here is what I would do. You are not going to need FP for Nemo. Get a FP for Soarin earlier than Turtle Talk (I don't know if you need FP for this we have never done it. My kids are grown and not interested. I would look into it though maybe you won't) Rope drop to TT and then head over to Soarin and use your FP. You should have time to do Living With the Land (nice ride and I think your kids will enjoy it). Then head next door to Nemo and do Turtle Talk at the end. Check times for SE which usually does not have long lines and maybe you can do that. If not save it for later. Head to World Showcase to the left and do the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion (Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros). By now you should be close to your FP time at Frozen in the Norway pavilion, which by the way is not that far from Mexico.

While at Mexico pick up a "Passport" for the kids. They will have a ball going from country to country and get it stamped.

But, isn't Soarin' a tier 1 FP? You can't get 2 Tier 1 FPs, so that won't work, because FEA is the priority, which is why they need to rope drop TT.

 

[graphite1326]

But, isn't Soarin' a tier 1 FP? You can't get 2 Tier 1 FPs, so that won't work, because FEA is the priority, which is why they need to rope drop TT.

Yep forgot that. Hey give me some slack I hadn't had my coffee yet this morning.

Also, I have never done Frozen so I wasn't thinking it was tier 1.

 

[Legendary]

Before Pandora opened Epcot was my kids 2nd favorite park (including World Showcase). Agent P and getting stamps was a huge hit for us and them. Lots to see in each country.

 

[Legendary]

Highly suggest rope dropping TT and then head over to Soarin. You should still have time to catch the back end of your Nemo FP. After FEA go to Mexico and ride the 3 Caballaros.

 

[Gabe1]

Yep forgot that. Hey give me some slack I hadn't had my coffee yet this morning.

Also, I have never done Frozen so I wasn't thinking it was tier 1.