This article is your complete guide to the best rides at EPCOT! Because many think the only way to have fun at Epcot is by drinking your way around the world. Well, think again! Recognized as one of the most non-traditional Disney theme parks, Epcot is home to some fascinating attractions geared for both the young and the young at heart.
Not only are there historic rides that are incredible, but there are also brand new rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which is the best ride at EPCOT hands down! And we have also updated this article as of 2024 to include the newest attraction which is Moana World of Water. If you’ve been watching our YouTube channel you know that EPCOT is our favorite park at Disney World, and we’ve become experts on the best rides at EPCOT 2024. So, if you want to learn all about the best rides at Disney World EPCOT, keep reading!
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Let’s start this guide with the most popular question we receive on this subject and that is, what are the best rides in EPCOT? In our opinion, we believe the best rides at EPCOT are Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin, and Frozen Ever After in that order. We are basing the rides in this order based on the technology and also the average wait time for each ride. As you’ll see although Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind doesn’t necessarily have the longest wait time, it’s still operated using the Disney World virtual queue system due to how popular it is and it’s certainly not a ride you will want to skip on your next Disney World vacation!
It’s also important to note that another popular question we have picked up surrounding this topic through helping our clients book Disney World vacations is what are the best rides at EPCOT for kids? As a general rule of thumb, we recommend Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin and Frozen Ever After, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Moana World of Water, and Spaceship Earth.
There is a lot more that goes into figuring out the best rides at EPCOT for your family and that’s why we’ve taken our favorite EPCOT rides ranked and shared them with you in this guide.
The best rides at EPCOT for 2024 make those with all different interests happy with there being a mix of thrill rides, as well as, educational and dark rides for families or kids! There are many different opinions as to what the best rides at EPCOT are, but we happen to think that the following 8 rides at the very best:
Currently, there are 11 rides at EPCOT, including the brand-new, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster. EPCOT’s attractions range from exciting coasters to educational boat rides through the greenhouses that grow food for certain Disney restaurants. It’s important to note that Moana World of Water is technically considered an attraction as it is a walk through experience.
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Location: World Celebration
Overview: Journey into Imagination might be an older classic, but since there is no height requirement and it’s somewhat goofy, we think it’s perfect for little ones. If you’re looking for the best rides at EPCOT for toddlers or little ones, Figment will make them laugh and sing along with his tactics.
Type of Ride: Silly, fun dark ride
Important to know: If you’re on the fence about visiting EPCOT with small kids, just know that attractions like Figment rarely have more than a 15-minute wait time. We love seeing at the end of the attraction, you’ll find the WhatIf Labs, which is an interactive kids’ play area. There are unique character meet and greets that happen inside with Joy and Vanellope, too! Figment is one of the best EPCOT rides for toddlers and shouldn’t be skipped!
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Location: World Celebration
Overview: Ah, Spaceship Earth— Epcot’s signature landmark! Located in the geosphere when you first enter Epcot, this slow-moving attraction takes you on a journey through time—from the beginning of mankind to where we stand today with modern advances in technology and communication. Hop aboard a vessel and journey through the entire timeline of human existence inside of the iconic “EPCOT Ball” attraction. This is one of EPCOT’s best rides for those classic attraction fans, as it is one of the last original attractions left.
Type of Ride: Slow, dark, educational
Important to know: Spaceship Earth is definitely a classic EPCOT ride, which doesn’t mean it’s the most exciting. If you have teens in your group, Spaceship Earth isn’t going to wow them, as it is slow-moving and breaks down rather often. Especially great for families with little ones who might not be tall enough to ride the “big kid” rides, we highly recommend hopping onto Spaceship Earth for the true Epcot experience. That doesn’t mean that we don’t ride it every single time we go to see how the Phoenicians helped us learn our ABCs!
As you can see, Spaceship Earth is one of the best attractions at EPCOT for Florida Residents like us who can quote the ride.
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Location: The Land Pavilion – World Nature
Overview: There’s no denying that Living With The Land isn’t geared for the world’s biggest adventure seekers. However, for those seeking an educational, peaceful attraction that the whole family can enjoy, this boat ride certainly delivers! Aboard your open-air boat, you’ll learn about nature, farming, and how mankind has affected all of it. There is nothing like a ride where you can kick back and relax, which is why Living with the Land is one of the best rides at EPCOT.
Type of Ride: Gentle, educational boat ride
Important to know: Living with the Land might not sound like the best ride at EPCOT, but we like to disagree and love taking a load off on this relaxing ride. This ride is nearly 15 minutes long, with a pleasing narration and impressive crops grown by the Disney horticultural team! This attraction is also considered one of the best EPCOT center rides at Disney during Christmas time with a fantastic holiday overlay.
The holiday overlay is incredible, and why Living with the Land has made it to the top rides at EPCOT. Where else can you take a greenhouse boat tour?
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Location: Land Pavilion – World Nature
Overview: Head over to the Land Pavilion in Future World for the experience of a lifetime on Soarin’! This immersive attraction will lift you above the clouds with breathtaking views while you tour the globe. On top of stunning sights, you’ll also take in the wonderful smells of your surroundings that take the ride next level. This is one of the best EPCOT attractions, as it’s not only thrilling but also relaxing, which is appealing to people of all ages.
Type of ride: High-in-the-sky simulation ride
Important to know: While Soarin’ is a simulation ride, it is important to know that guests are lifted rather high off the ground, which can be frightening. So, if you’re OK with that aim to get in the first row of any of the sections, you’ll get the best view of the screens flying all over the world. If you’re in rows 2 or 3, you might see other guests’ dangling feet as they’re experiencing the ride, too. Soarin’ is one of the most popular rides at EPCOT, and the queue can be brutal if you don’t time it right, so make sure to rope drop Soarin’ or use Genie+.
Location: World Showcase – Norway Pavilion
Overview: Don’t let this one go! Located in the Norway pavilion, Frozen Ever After combines a thrilling yet kid-friendly boat ride with a song-filled journey to Elsa’s ice palace. Equally as enjoyable for kids and adults, this attraction packs everyone’s favorite Frozen characters and songs for an unforgettable and truly magical adventure. Be warned, Frozen Ever After is one of the most popular rides EPCOT has, so expect the standby line to be long.
Type of ride: Singalong, boat ride with a small drop
Important to know: Since this is one of the best rides at EPCOT, you might want to plan on rope dropping or purchasing Disney Genie+ for the day. That said, the queue inside is absolutely beautiful, and it feels like you’re a guest visiting Arendelle. The whole vibe of the Frozen Ever After ride is magical, even if you’re probably going to leave wet from the large splash. This is also one of EPCOT’s best attractions for the adorable queue inside, where you get to meet a few Frozen characters before the ride begins!
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Location: France Pavilion – World Showcase
Overview: The France pavilion at EPCOT now features one of Walt Disney World’s newest rides, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where guests will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure. There is also a new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options and a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
We love that EPCOT received one of the newer attractions at Disney World, and we can’t wait to see what else is in store in the future even with the addition of Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.
Type of ride: Dashing, rat-sized 3D adventure through Paris
Important to know: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is the perfect addition to EPCOT, as it celebrates the flavors of France through the eyes of a rat. Coming over from Disneyland Paris, this ride has been super popular and has relatively high wait times. We suggest not waiting over an hour for this ride, as you might be disappointed if you’re staying all day. But this is also one of the best rides EPCOT has for theming, as you genuinely feel like you’ve shrunken down into a rat!
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Location: World Discovery
Overview: As the fastest ride at Walt Disney World, Test Track allows riders to create their unique vehicle and “test” it when the ride begins. Holding six people per car, this Future World attraction goes through a series of stops, turns, and hardcore breaking before making a speedy lap outside of the entire attraction building. Since this ride is mostly about thrills, it is one of the best rides at EPCOT for adults.
Type of ride: Fast, coaster-type experience
Important to know: If you’re anything like us and want to ride it repeatedly without using up your Disney Genie+ selection, there is a Single Rider line that moves super fast—typically under 20 minutes! Just know you won’t get to build your particular SIM vehicle, but you’ll get on the ride much faster, which we think is better. This ride also goes extremely fast, and it is one of the top EPCOT rides for 2024!
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Location: World Discovery
Overview: The Guardians of the Galaxy have landed in Disney and brought a new ride at EPCOT taking guests into space on a wild ride. Indeed unlike any other ride in Walt Disney World, hop aboard a rotating coaster that will take you to the stars with our favorite heroes. Get one of six random songs to rock along in the galaxy during your ride and try to survive another Marvel supervillain. Cosmic Rewind is unlike any other attraction in Orlando and is one of the best rides at EPCOT 2024.
Type of ride: Rotating, high-speed coasting
Important to know: Guardians of the Galaxy is truly the best ride at EPCOT, and with that being said, it is not meant for those with motion sickness. Some guests who have ridden this attraction have spent the whole day sick, so we want to warn you not to chance it if you’ve had issues. With that being said, our team LOVES this ride and catches a virtual queue any chance they can for this top attraction at EPCOT.
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A: The most popular ride at EPCOT is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. It is the newest attraction, debuting in 2022, and guests are traveling worldwide to test out the newest Disney tech.
A: The most intense ride at EPCOT is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the newest attraction. There are launches, high speeds, and even a cart that rotates for the ultimate thrill. It is important to note that this ride has made guests motion sick, but our team loves it.
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