Epcot Rides over the years
Over the years, Epcot has continuously changed regarding the rides and attractions available at the park.
Epcot at Disney World is a celebration of the world we live in, the different cultures of the Earth, and the technological advancements we have achieved over our time on the planet.
Disney’s Epcot rides and attractions represent that celebration. Ten total motion rides and many other shows and attractions are available at the park. Each ride and attraction represents a different part of the world or a technology we have invented to help better our lives.
This article’s primary focus will be on the ten rides in Epcot. In the end, there will be an overview of everything else available to do at Epcot, but the crux will be on what rides you can go on during your visit to the park.
Epcot Rides
| Ride | Location | Type | Height Requirements | Average Wait Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaceship Earth | World Celebration | Dark Ride | N/A | 20-40 minutes |
| Journey Into Imagination with Figment | World Celebration | Dark Ride | N/A | 15-25 minutes |
| Living with the Land | World Nature | Boat Ride | N/A | 10-25 minutes |
| Soarin’ Around the World | World Nature | Flight Simulation Ride | 40″ | 45-150 minutes |
| Test Track | World Discovery | Driving Simulation | 40″ | 45-100 minutes |
| Mission Space | World Discovery | Interactive Flight Simulation | 40″ | 30-70 minutes |
| Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind | World Discovery | Rollercoaster | 42″ | Virtual Queue |
| Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure | France | Trackless Dark Ride | N/A | 70-120 minutes |
| Frozen Ever After | Norway | Water Dark Ride | N/A | 60-90 minutes |
| Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros | Mexico | Water Dark Ride | N/A | 5-25 minutes |
World Celebration
Welcome to the World Celebration in Epcot. The World Celebration represents Epoct’s main entrance and focuses on “new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us.” World Celebration features two rides, the iconic Spaceship Earth and the beloved Journey into Imagination with Figment.
#1 – Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth is the centerpiece of all the Epcot rides and the most iconic structure in the park. Located in the giant silver globe visible from all areas of Epcot, Spaceship Earth brings together all the concepts of what the park is trying to achieve in one ride.
Spaceship Earth is the history of us. The ride starts at the beginning of humanity and ends with where the future may lead us. In between, the ride shows us how we got to where we are today through various animatronic showcases.
The ride highlights various technological advancements, from learning to communicate with one another to the invention of papyrus, the printing press, and the computer.
Spaceship Earth is a slow-moving ride that’s almost more of a history lesson than anything else. Because it’s indoor, the air conditioning is always pumping, so it’s a great ride to end the day or start it.
Spaceship Earth Average Wait Times
Spaceship Earth has one of the shortest lines of all the Epcot rides. Expect to wait between 20-40 minutes for this ride.
#2 – journey Into Imagination with Figment
Journey Into Imagination with Figment is in the Imagination Pavillion in the World Celebration area in Epcot is one of the most beloved rides in the park due to its lovable mascot, Figment.
Over the years, many iterations of the ride have come to be, all featuring the same theme, Imagination. In 1983-1998 Journey Into Imagination featured the Dreamfinder and showed the creation of Figment. In 1999-2002, the ride became Journey Into YOUR Imagination, based on the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise.
From 2002 to today, Journey Into Imagination with Figment has helped guests explore the possibilities of their senses and mind through this musical Dark Ride.
Journey Into Imagination with Figment Ride Experience
Journey Into Imagination begins with riders getting into the omnimover and leaving the station. Dr. Nigel Channing introduces himself to riders and wants to give them a tour of the five labs based on the five senses: Taste, Touch, Sound, Sight, and Smell. He introduces the riders to one of the earliest creations, a little purple dragon named Figment.
Figment hijacks the tour to teach riders the beauty of their imaginations and the limitless possibilities their minds can create.
The first lab Figment takes riders is the Sound lab. Here, the ride goes pitch black as Figment creates a telephone and train sound for riders to imagine both in their minds.
The second is the Sight lab, where Figment changes the vision board to spell out “Figment” and starts singing the theme song “One Little Spark.”
The third is the Smell Lab, where Figment uses the machine to fill the room with a skunk smell (which is actually a burnt coffee smell) to show riders that, with their minds, they can differentiate between a good smell and a bad smell. With their senses, they can know the difference between a skunk and a rose without seeing it.
Dr. Channing stops the tour, afraid of further chaos that Figment might bring, saying that the little dragon has turned everything “upside-down.” Figment loves the idea of “upside-down” and completely takes over the tour. He brings the riders into his imagination, which leads to a colorful upside-down house that riders go through.
Channing finally understands the beauty of imagination and joins Figment in singing “One Little Spark.” Riders reach the end of the tour at the ImageWorks, an interactive area with games and activities, all utilizing the possibilities of their imaginations.
Journey Into Imagination with Figment Average Wait Times
You can expect a 15-25 minute wait for this Epcot ride.
World Nature
Welcome to World Nature in Epcot. This area focuses on “understanding and preserving the beauty, awe, and balance of the natural world.” World Nature has two key locations, The Land and The Sea.
In The Land, guests can experience two rides, Soarin’ Around the World and Living with the Land. Both rides follow the ideas of World Nature by bringing riders closer to the natural world.
In The Sea, guests can watch the Finding Nemo-themed attraction, Turtle Talk with Crush, which focuses on life under the sea.
#3 – Living with the Land
Living with the Land in The Land pavilion in Epcot is an educational boat ride that takes guests through various biomes on Earth.
During the ride, you’ll see a rainforest and a desert and learn how animals learn to survive in those climates. You’ll also see how people use the land to keep our society running.
You’ll learn about sustainable methods farmers use in their work to allow a harmonious relationship between land and man that benefits both.
At the midpoint of the ride, you’ll arrive at Disney’s own Sustainable Agriculture Production and Research Center, where you can see all the plants, vegetation, and fruits grown for the parks.
Here, the scientists at Disney attempt to find new sustainable ways to grow crops and harvests that will innovate these processes.
Living with the Land Average Wait Times
Wait times for Living with the Land are typically 10-25 minutes.
#4 – Soarin’ Around the World
Soarin’ Around the World, or Soarin’ (for short), in Epcot is the first simulated flight screen ride that Disney introduced to the parks. Like Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom, Soarin’ takes riders to great heights worldwide.
On this ride, you fly above many distinct and iconic locations worldwide, including Africa, India, China, Egypt, Paris, and of course, Disney World.
As you enter the theater room where the ride takes place, you’ll notice rows of glider-like seats. Once seated, you strap a seatbelt around your waist, or if you are smaller, you use a center strap to put the seatbelt through to be secured.
Directly in front of you is a giant blue screen. As the ride begins, you are lifted into the air and placed directly in front of the screen, making it seem like the visuals that appear surround you. Because of this, Soarin’ becomes an entirely immersive experience similar to virtual reality without the headsets.
During the Soarin’, air blows into you from all sides to make the rider feel like they are flying. With the 4D elements, Soarin’ is one of the most immersive rides in Epcot.
Like virtual reality, a warning before you go on this ride. Motion sickness is very likely on this ride. Though there is no spinning, the sensation of flying while not moving may cause a disconnect between your brain and body that causes motion sickness to occur.
Also, those who fear heights may have more problems with this ride than any other in the park.
Soarin’ Around the World Average Wait Times
Wait times for Soarin’ are medium in length. Expect to wait around 30-45 minutes for this ride.
World Discovery
Welcome to World Discovery in Epcot. World Discovery focuses on “stories about space, science, technology, and intergalactic adventure comes to life.” There are three rides in World Discovery: the fastest ride in Disney World, Test Track, the most intense ride in Disney World, Mission Space, and the first rollercoaster in Epcot, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.
#5 – Test Track
Undisputedly the fastest ride at Disney World, Test Track is one of the must-do Epcot rides at the park.
Before the ride begins, riders can build their personalized car while waiting in the queue. This vehicle will be the virtual version of the car that riders “test” during the ride.
During the ride, you go through various test tracks, including a turn test, a stop test, a brake test, a hot and cold test, and then the speed test. During the speed test, you’ll go up to 65 mph, a full 12 mph faster than Rock’n’ Rollercoaster in Hollywood Studios, the second-fastest ride at Disney World. Though it may not seem fast compared to typical highway driving, on Test Track, 65 mph feels like 100+.
Test Track Average Wait Times
Wait times for Test Track are typically 45-100 minutes.
#6 – Mission Space
If you ever wanted to know what it would be like to take a spaceship to Mars, Mission Space is the ride for you. Mission Space is probably the closest you will ever get to experience what it is like for astronauts to fly to space.
You’ll quickly realize that it’s much more intense than you could have imagined. In other words, Mission Space is Disney World’s most extreme ride and not for the faint of heart.
Mission Space Ride Experience Orange and Green Versions Differences
Mission Space is the only ride at Disney World that has two versions. Each version is vastly different in intensity and should be considered carefully before choosing which you would like to ride.
The Green Version of Mission Space is the “calm” version. Though Green may be the lesser of the two, it is by no means a relaxing experience. Even if the green version were the only version available for the ride, it would still be Disney World’s most intense ride.
The Orange Version of Mission Space is how the ride was initially intended to be experienced. If you choose the Orange Version of this ride, you’ll feel 2.5Gs due to the intense spinning. The Green Version has less spinning and eliminates the feeling of Gs.
Like Smuggler’s Run in Hollywood Studios, riders are given roles on the ride. You can be the pilot, navigator, engineer, or commander. Each position is assigned specific tasks to perform at the correct time as instructed by flight command, the voice you hear while on the ride.
The Green and the Orange missions have different stories and overall experiences:
- The Green Mission is the Earth Mission. In this version, riders will lift off from the ISTC space station, orbit the Earth, descend back to the ISTC station, and navigate through a thunderstorm using their joystick.
- The Orange Mission is the Mars Mission. In this version, riders will lift off from the ISTC space station, slingshot around the moon, enter hypersleep, and eventually descend on Mars. On Mars, riders must control their descent and traversal of the planet.
Again, anyone with motion sickness or claustrophobia should take caution before riding this ride. Take all the warnings you’ll see before getting on Mission Space seriously. For reference, Mission Space is the only ride in Disney World that provides motion sickness bags for each rider.
Mission Space Average Wait Times
In terms of wait times, they are medium. The standby queue is typically 30-70 minutes.
#7 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind combines Space Mountain, Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, and Expedition Everest, merging the positive aspects of the three rides to create a nostalgic trip through the cosmos.
This ride in the Marvel Timeline occurs sometime after the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie but before the events of Infinity War and Endgame.
The Guardians are now heroes to the planet Xandar, and because Peter Quill is from Terra (Earth), the Xandarians have decided to form interplanetary relations with Earth. To do that, they created a teleportation device that instantly allows someone to travel millions of lightyears in a split second.
Conveniently, Xandarans brought this technology to Epcot, allowing Terrans (humans) to travel to Xandar. After the teleportation happens, the Celestial appears and steals the machine. To escape the planet, you are taken to Xandaran escape pods and, with the help of the Guardians, attempt to stop the Celestial’s evil plans.
| Max Speed | 60 mph |
| G-Force | 2 |
| Ride Duration | 3:20 |
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Ride Experience
Cosmic Rewind is Epcot’s only true on-rails classic rollercoaster. It’s fast (the second fastest in Disney World), has lots of turns and drops, takes you backward, spins, and, most importantly, has a fantastic soundtrack.
The soundtrack of the ride is randomized classic 80s tunes. The atmosphere depends on which song you get on your ride through. On some rides, you may get a Tears for Fears song that makes your ride feel like a calm journey through space. Then on another ride, you might get a fast-paced rock song that, in turn, makes the ride feel more chaotic.
Still, no matter what song you get, the ride remains the same. Cosmic Rewind will remind you of Space Mountain and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, with a Guardians of the Galaxy twist. It’s a ride you’ll want to experience multiple times on your trip to Disney World.
Guardians of the Galaxy Wait Times and Virtual Queue
Regarding wait times, as of writing this article, there are no standby queues. Instead, you must reserve a time slot for a virtual queue to get on. If you are lucky enough to get a time slot, once you take your place, you can expect to wait around 45 minutes to get through the queue and onto the Cosmic Rewind.
World Showcase
Welcome to the World Showcase, the biggest of Epcot. The World Showcase celebrates 11 nations by representing the architectural styles, food, drinks, and cultures of those nations.
The 11 nations include:
- England
- Canada
- France
- Morocco
- Japan
- United States
- Italy
- Germany
- China
- Norway
- Mexico
There are three rides in the World Showcase in France, Norway, and Mexico pavilions. In France, experience what it’s like to be a rat trying to partake in delicious French food in Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. In Norway, go on a journey with Anna and Elsa in Frozen Ever After. In Mexico, go on a musical trip with the Three Caballeros on the Gran Fiesta Tour.
France:
#8 – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavilion in Epcot is a mixed 3-D and trackless ride that takes shrinks you into the size of a rat.
On the ride, you’ll follow Remy as he tries to escape being captured by various Gusteau restaurant workers. If you have seen Pixar’s Ratatouille, the entire ride is similar to that scene where Remy accidentally finds himself at the restaurant.
Though a good portion of the ride involves watching a screen with your 3-D glasses, the practical effect moments are where Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure shines.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure makes for a great addition to the Epcot rides for kids and families.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Ride Experience
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure begins with riders getting in their rat carts (becoming rats), leaving the station that looks like a giant rooftop, and entering the next area. Here, riders follow mini Gusteau and find Remy contemplating what meal to cook the new rats(the riders). After thinking it over, he lands on cooking them a Ratatouille. Remy gets excited, and the window he is standing on opens, causing him and the riders to fall into Gusteau’s kitchen.
Remy runs through the kitchen, dodging the nearby staff as they remain unaware. Only Alfredo, Remy’s friend, seems to notice him. As Remy runs through the kitchen, Alfredo tries to catch and protect him from the others. Alfredo opens the freezer room door, allowing Remy and the riders to enter.
The riders move to the next room, which is the giant-scaled freezer room. In the freezer room, the riders move between various giant-sized food and pantries. Between the cracks of every crevice, riders will see eyes blinking at them. The eyes belong to Remy’s rat family, who have snuck in to eat the food. Remy tries to remind his family that the food is for the guests, not them. Emile, Remy’s favorite brother, eats some grapes in the fridge.
Riders move around the corner, bringing them to the next screen. Remy and a few of his family members are back in the kitchen, trying to sneak out with various ingredients. Skinner, the sous-chef, gives orders around the restaurant as Alfredo notices Remy’s family, causing him to panic. Skinner asks Alfredo what he’s doing as Alfredo sweeps away Remy’s family with a broom.
Riders turn around and end up under a giant gas stove. A staff member turns the stove on, causing flames to burst to life from above. Riders move out of there and end up in front of the next screen.
Remy is now in the main dining room, running past the guests. Skinner is waiting on Anton Ego’s table, the famous restaurant critic, as he drinks his wine. Skinner notices Remy and screams, causing chaos in the room. Alfredo, on rollerblades, comes to the rat’s rescue and guides him towards a hole in the wall.
Riders move to the next area, which brings them to another screen. Here, riders simulate running through the walls and following Remy’s family as Skinner tries to catch them. Skinner gets his hand caught in a mouse trap allowing the riders and Remy’s family to escape. The riders then move to the next room, going through an area that looks like a giant-sized inner wall and eventually turning the corner to the next screen.
Here the riders find themselves in Remy’s kitchen, where the rats prepare the meals with the help of Alfredo and Colette. Riders go down the kitchen island as the rats creatively prepare the meals to compensate for their small size. Eventually, a rat tries to open a bottle of wine and accidentally causes it to explode, shooting the cork at the riders and the liquid washing them away into the next room.
Riders then enter the next room, a dining room where Remy’s extended family enjoys their meals. Riders turn around and return to the station where the ride ends.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Average Wait Times
Since the ride is relatively new, the wait times are long. Expect a standby wait of 70-120 minutes for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in Epcot.
Norway:
#9 – Frozen Ever After
Frozen Ever After is the refurbished version of the Maelstrom, Norway’s previous Viking boat ride.
Frozen Ever After has one of the nicest queues out of the Epcot rides. Though no story is involved in the queue, like in Cosmic Rewind, the line does a great job of putting you into the world of Frozen by recreating various locations from the movie.
Regarding ride intensity, it’s somewhere between Pirate of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain if you exclude its 50 ft drop at the end. Though the ride warns you may get wet because of the drops, they aren’t nearly as intense as those on Splash Mountain or Kali Rivier Rapids. You can expect to get a little water on you, but not enough to warrant wearing a poncho.
Frozen Ever After differs from most similar Dark rides at Disney World, as it’s not a retelling of the movie. Instead, it takes place sometime after the conclusion of Frozen 1 but before Frozen 2. However, the ride showcases the main songs from Frozen 1 with animatronic versions of the main characters singing them.
Frozen Ever After Ride Experience
Frozen Ever After begins with riders getting on their boat and leaving the station. They enter the first room, where they find Olaf and Sven in a snowy forest. Olaf sings a unique rendition of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” and ends by telling the riders that they are heading to Elsa’s ice palace for a fun day. He waves goodbye to the riders as they turn the corner finding themselves amongst the Troll Tribe.
The troll kids want the patriarch troll to retell the ending of Anna and Elsa’s story, so he does by magically projecting scenes from the movie to them.
Riders enter the next room, a dark hallway leading to Elsa’s palace. On the walls, snowflakes flow towards the castle while “Vuelie” plays in the background leading them on.
Riders then enter Elsa’s castle, led by a giant snowflake, and find Olaf ice skating by a fountain singing “For the First Time in Forever” but getting the lyrics wrong. They turn the corner and see Anna and Kristoff singing the same song, but correctly. Sven sits nearby with his tongue stuck to a post.
Riders enter the next room, where they find Elsa singing “Let it Go” and using her ice powers. Riders then go down a waterfall backward as Elsa continues to use her magic to create more icicle structures for her palace.
Riders continue moving backward as cold fog fills the room while they float to the next room. Riders find themselves outside Elsa’s castle on the mountain, with the northern lights shining above. Marshmallow, the giant snowman Elsa created, lays down surrounded by little snowmen. Riders stop and shift to be in front of a waterfall.
Riders drop forward down the waterfall, getting a little wet. They end up outside Arendelle in the middle of a celebration. Snowflake-shaped fireworks glitter in the sky as the riders move to the next room. Now inside Arendelle, riders find Anna and Elsa singing together with Olaf to a rendition of “In Summer.”
Riders then end up at the station where the ride ends.
Frozen Ever After Average Wait Times
Expect to wait around 70-90 minutes for Frozen Ever After in Epcot.
Mexico:
#10 – Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
The Gran Fiesta Tour is a slow boat ride hosted by the Three Caballeros (Donald Duck, Panchito, and Jose Carioca) as they take you through a fun journey through Mexico.
Though the ride is slow, it maintains high energy from beginning to end. With the help of the music and Donald Duck, it’s hard not to keep a smile on your face as you go through the Gran Fiesta Tour.
The ride will remind you of It’s A Small World, as many of the puppets on the ride look like they took them directly from the Magic Kingdom.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros Average Wait Times
In terms of wait times, you can expect a standby line of 5-25 minutes for the Gran Fiesta Tour.
Everything Else At Epcot
Though the Epcot rides may be a significant perk of the park, it’s hard to say that the rides are the main attraction of Epcot.
Instead, you would want to go to Epcot mainly for everything else the park has to offer.
Each section of Epcot has so much to offer everyone of all ages. At the front of the park is the World Celebration, which contains the World Nature, World Discovery, and the Imagination Sections.
Each of these sections has shows you can go to, like in the Sea; you can view an aquarium with all the fish from Finding Nemo or talk with Crush, the turtle from the movie. In Imagination, you can meet Figment, the original mascot of Epcot, and explore how creative one can be with their mind.
The main draw of Epcot, however, has to be the World Showcase. At the World Showcase, Disney recreates different countries with extreme detail. From the walkways to the architecture, all the way to the specific types of flowers taken from those places, each country you go to is unique in its own way.
But the essential part of each country in the World Showcase is the food and drink you can have there. Whether you choose to drink around the world and partake in a unique alcoholic beverage from each place or sample the different foods from each country, the World Showcase is arguably the most enjoyable section in Disney World if you love food.
As you can tell, Epcot has so much to offer for your trip to Disney World!