EPCOT: Complete Guide and Overview

EPCOT began its life as an idea. In fact, Walt Disney had always conceptualized his plans for central Florida to include a city of the future that he called the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, or EPCOT, for short. He even began designing this city with WED Enterprises (which later evolved into Walt Disney Imagineering) in the 1960s. Although this vision was never realized without the guidance of Walt Disney himself, the principles of innovation and creation lived on in the form of the EPCOT theme park. 

Opening in October 1982, EPCOT originally featured two main sections: Future World and World Showcase. Today, the park is divided into four neighborhoods — World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase. Guests can enter EPCOT in two ways: through the main entrance at World Celebration, or via the International Gateway entrance, which brings you directly into World Showcase.

Skip to: Entrance | Security | Rentals |Guest Relations | Overview of Lands

Entrance to EPCOT

EPCOT Parking

Parking passes (which are good all day and for all four parks) are available for purchase at the entrance to the EPCOT parking lot. The pricing is as follows:

• Standard parking (car or motorcycle) – $30 per day
• Preferred parking (car or motorcycle) – $45, $50, or $55 per day (dependent on season)
• Oversized vehicle parking (shuttle, limo, camper trailer, RV, bus, or tractor-trailer) – $35 per day

Resort guests, Cast Members, and select Annual Passholders receive complimentary standard parking with proper identification. These groups all have the option to upgrade to preferred parking by paying the difference in cost between standard and preferred parking. 

Courtesy Trams

Courtesy trams take Guests from the theme park’s parking lot to its Main Entrance (or to the Ticket and Transportation Center when visiting Magic Kingdom park) and back. Here’s some helpful information to know:

• Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the tram as long as they can be folded and fit neatly within the seats. You should have the stroller folded and prepped for boarding prior to the tram’s arrival. 
• Listen closely! The spieling Cast Member on the back of the tram will be giving you tons of information about the park, including hours, rules, and spectaculars. 

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

EPCOT has 4 electric vehicle charging spaces, please speak to a cast member for assistance. ChargePoint stations are first come first serve. 

• Five spaces: One space at the front of the Medical Parking Lot and four spaces at the front of the Zurg Parking Lot
• Pricing: $0.35 per kilowatt hour, with a minimum service amount of $1.50
  • To use this service, you will need a credit card or a pre-ordered ChargePoint card—available at chargepoint.com.

Parking for Guests with Disabilities

A valid disability parking permit is required, and standard parking rates apply. Please speak to a Cast Member for assistance.

EPCOT Transportation to The Magic Kingdom Park

The EPCOT monorail station features skybound transportation to the Transportation and Ticket Center (aka the Magic Kingdom Parking Lot). The TTC includes entry to the Resort Monorail and the Express Monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Monorails begin service 30 minutes prior to the earliest park opening and operate for an hour after the latest park closing. 

Security at EPCOT

This process has changed in recent years. Instead of checking every bag, guests now walk through a metal detector, and their bags are physically checked only if the sensor is triggered.

• NOTE: Strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs are not allowed through the metal detectors. They will go through a separate line, where they will be physically inspected along with any bags stored within.
• Pro-Tip: If you are aware of any kind of metal object in your bag—umbrellas, tins, cell phones, glasses cases—take the object out and hold it in front of you as you walk through the metal detector. This will allow the security guards to see that all metal has been removed from your bag and might save you a physical bag check. 
• Some items at Walt Disney World are not necessarily banned, but their use is not permitted in the parks. Common examples include vapes and selfie sticks.
  • Smoking and vaping are not allowed within the parks (designated smoking areas can be found just outside the front entrance of all theme parks), but you are allowed to have a vape so long as you are not found smoking it in the park. 
  • Selfie sticks must be in their fully closed position at all times. Any selfie sticks in their full extension will be confiscated by security. Extending a selfie stick on an attraction will result in the ride being stopped and the confiscation of your selfie stick following the attraction. 

Guest Relations at EPCOT

Guest Relations (GR) is found just outside the entrance to the far right near the bus loop. If you are aware of any issues that may prevent smooth entry into the park, you should preemptively head over to Guest Relations. There are generally GR Cast Members just outside the line who can either resolve your issue right then and there or let you know if you’ll need to join the line. 

• If you do not realize there is an issue with your ticket before attempting to enter the park and getting a “blue” Mickey, there are GR Cast Members who are walking the area and will be ready to assist at the gate.

Smoking Area

The smoking area is to the far left of the entrance. Remember that there are no smoking areas inside the park, so if a member of your party would like to smoke, they must do so before entry. If they want to smoke throughout the day, they will be allowed to exit and re-enter the park from the front entry.

Rentals at EPCOT

Just inside the front entrance to the left side of Spaceship Earth (Looking from the entrance) is where you can go to rent wheelchairs/ECVs and strollers for EPCOT. The rates are as follows:

• Wheelchair:
  • Daily: $12
  • Length of Stay (multi-day): $10 per day
    • The daily rentals are transferable through all on-property locations. You only need to pay once per day. 
    • If you purchase a Length-of-Stay rental, it is only transferable between the theme parks. This service can be temporarily suspended during peak seasons. 
    • Wheelchairs cannot be reserved and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis
• ECV:
  • Daily: $65
    • A refundable $20 deposit is also required for ECV rentals. 
    • There are no Length-of-Stay rentals for ECVs
    • The daily rentals are transferable through all on-property locations. You only need to pay once per day. 
    • Wheelchairs cannot be reserved and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis
      • Please note that you are welcome to bring your personal assistive devices, including wheelchairs and ECVs, to the theme parks. 

• Strollers:
  • Single stroller (recommended for children 50 lbs. or less.)
    • Daily: $15
    • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $13
  • Double stroller (recommended for children 100 lbs. or less.)
    • Daily: $31
    • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $27
      • Rentals are transferable for the theme parks with a receipt showing purchase
• Lockers: Located underneath Spaceship Earth, on the right between the Camera Center and the bathrooms.
  • Small (12” x 10” x 17”): $10 per day
  • Large (15.5” x 13” x 17”): $12 per day
  • Jumbo (17” x 22” x 26”): $15 per day

The in-park Guest Relations for EPCOT is located just past Spaceship Earth on the left-hand side of the park, headed towards Mission: SPACE and Test Track. Guest Relations can assist in many ways during your visit to EPCOT. 

• Setting up/troubleshooting DAS 
• Setting up/troubleshooting Disney Genie+
• Lost and Found
• Cast compliments for exemplary service

Just about any issues you have throughout your day can be solved through a visit to Guest Relations, either at this location or at one of the satellite Guest Experience Team locations. 

First Aid and Baby Care

EPCOT First Aid and Baby Care can be found in the EPCOT Experience building, near the bridge to the World Showcase.

All four of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks have a “Baby Care” center. These are quiet spaces great for calming upset or over-stimulated children. These are also great for mothers who would prefer nursing in private (please note that nursing is in fact allowed anywhere at Walt Disney World). 

• Pro-Tip: These centers do NOT have an age limit. It is a great option for those traveling with anyone who may be sensitive to large crowds, noise, and smells.
• Pro-Tip: forget or run out of supplies for your baby? Baby Care has a small selection of basics including diapers, wipes, and sunscreen, available for purchase. 

International Gateway

The International Gateway is an alternate entrance to EPCOT that puts you directly into the World Showcase. It places you in-between the England and France pavilions. 

Transportation to the International Gateway

This is connected to a walkway from the Boardwalk Inn and Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. You can also access this entrance through the EPCOT Skyliner Station. 

• Resorts with access to the International Gateway
  • Walking/Watercraft access:
    • Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
    • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
    • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
    • Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
    • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
    • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
  • Disney Skyliner access:
    • Disney’s Riviera Resort
    • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
    • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The Disney Skyliner and the Watercraft services also offer transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

• Pro-Tip: Access to the EPCOT parking lot following park closing is not possible via the International Gateway. If you are attempting to return to a parked car following park closing, please use a Disney Bus. 

Entrance to EPCOT via the International Gateway

When you make it to the entrance of EPCOT, cast members will guide you to the quickest lines for entry. Every member in your party who is old enough to have a ticket should be prepared to scan and complete a fingerprint scan.

• NOTE: The “fingerprint scan” DOES NOT ACTUALLY TAKE BIOMETRIC DATA. It assigns your fingerprint image to a number, then that number to your park ticket. You are recognized by this number, not the fingerprint itself.

EPCOT Festivals

The greatest appeal to EPCOT is definitely the festivals, which change your experience in the park and offer new food and merchandise booths that aren’t normally found in the park. There is pretty much always a festival going on, so you’ll probably catch one no matter when you go. The exact dates of each festival change year-to-year, but here’s the general timeframe of each:

• Festival of the Arts: Winter/Spring ~ January to March
• Flower and Garden Festival: Spring/Summer ~ March to July
• Food and Wine Festival: Summer/Fall ~ July to November
• Festival of the Holidays: Winter ~ November to December

Overview of EPCOT Lands

World Celebration

• Things to do:
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Journey Into Imagination With Figment
• Places to eat:
  • GEO-82
  • Connections Eatery

World Discovery

• Things to do:
  • Test Track
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind 
  • Mission: SPACE
• Places to eat:
  • Space 220 Restaurant

World Nature

• Things to do:
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Living with the Land
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Awesome Planet
• Places to eat:
  • Sunshine Seasons
  • Coral Reef Restaurant

World Showcase

• Mexico
  • Things to do:
    • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros 
  • Places to eat:
    • La Cantina de San Angel
    • La Hacienda de San Angel
    • San Angel Inn Restaurante
• Norway
  • Things to do:
    • Royal Summerhus – Anna & Elsa 
    • Frozen Ever After 
  • Places to Eat:
    • Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
• China
  • Places to eat:
    • Lotus Blossom Cafe
    • Nine Dragons Restaurant
• Germany
  • Places to eat:
    • Biergarten
    • Karamell-Kuche
    • Sommerfest 
• Italy
  • Places to eat:
    • Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
    • Tutto Italia Ristorante
    • Via Napoli 
• The American Adventure
  • Places to eat:
    • Regal Eagle Smokehouse
• Japan
  • Places to eat:
    • Katsura Grill 
    • Takumi-Tei
    • Teppan Edo
    • Tokyo Dining
• Morocco
  • Places to eat:
    • Restaurant Marrakesh
    • Spice Road Table
• France
  • Things to do:
    • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
    • Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along 
  • Places to eat:
    • Boulangerie Patisserie 
    • Les Chefs de France
    • L’Artisan Des Glaces
    • Monsieur Paul
• United Kingdom
  • Places to eat:
    • Rose and Crown Dining Room
    • Rose and Crown Pub
    • Yorkshire County Fish Shop
• Canada
  • Places to eat:
    • Le Cellier Steakhouse

We hope this guide helps start your day at EPCOT smoothly! Keep looking through our guide pages to learn all the tips and tricks to having the ultimate Disney vacation.