BEST TIMES TO GO TO EPCOT

The best time to visit World Showcase is when it first opens at 11:00 am, as most guests are still in Future World. It follows then that the best time to tour Future World is in the late afternoon and during dinner time (most attractions in Future World now stay open until 9:00 pm). World Showcase becomes congested in the evenings due to the many restaurants and IllumiNations show. Because of the focus on dining at Epcot, traditional lunch and dinner times are better spent at the attractions while others are eating. Along the same vein, you will find restaurants less busy and noisy if you dine before or after the normal lunch and dinner hour. IllumiNations is held nightly at park closing (usually 9:00 pm)—for a good view, start looking about one hour prior (see page 168). If you’ve already seen IllumiNations, consider dining during it for a quieter experience.

GETTING TO EPCOT

By Monorail—From the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Polynesian Village, or Grand Floridian, take the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and transfer to the Epcot monorail.
By Boat—From Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Swan/Dolphin, BoardWalk, and Yacht & Beach Club, boats go to Epcot’s International Gateway.
By Bus—From other resorts, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, buses take you directly to Epcot. From Disney Springs, take a bus to a nearby resort and transfer to an Epcot bus, boat, or walk. (Tip: Bus to BoardWalk and walk/boat to Epcot.) If you purchased the Express Transportation service with your park hopper, you may board the bus at a park to transfer directly to Epcot without passing through security again (see page 124).
By Car—Take I-4 to exit 67 (westbound) or exit 62 (eastbound) and continue on to the Epcot toll plaza. All-day parking is available for $20 (free to resort guests and annual passholders).
By Foot—From the BoardWalk Inn & Villas, Yacht & Beach Club and Villas, Swan & Dolphin, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot is within walking distance. Follow the paths toward International Gateway—it emerges between United Kingdom and France. Walk through United Kingdom and Canada to reach Future World.