EPCOT is a massive park holding massive amounts of super-amazing things. So what’s the problem here?

The problem is that MANY of those amazing things you’ve never even HEARD about — putting you AT RISK of missing them COMPLETELY during your next EPCOT vacation. Which is why WE’RE here to save the day! 

But let’s not dilly-dally — it’s time to JUMP RIGHT IN! 

1. Walt’s Childhood Bedroom

Whoa, what? Are we being transported to Marceline, Missouri now?? NOPE! But you can STILL see a blast from Walt’s past over at The Land Pavilion during your next visit! On the Living With the Land boat ride, you’ll pass a cozy scene with a cute white farmhouse.

Upstairs in that farmhouse is a bedroom designed to look like the very one from Walt Disney’s childhood home. Upon further inspection, you’ll notice a lamp. Just like Walt’s Disneyland apartment, the lamp is always left on in this room in honor of his memory. It’s kinda hard to see all this detail from down below on the boat, but you can get a much better view of it when you dine at the Garden Grill restaurant, located on the second floor.

Click Here to Read Our Latest Review of Garden Grill

2. Champagne Bar 

EPCOT takes their drinking around the world seriously. Very seriously. But only the ELITE know where to track down the HIDDEN Champagne Bar during their spirited adventures. 

Head into the France Pavilion to find Les Vins De France. Now, this bar isn’t to be confused with Les Vins des Chefs de France — our little green kiosk outside the pavilion that serves some of our favorite drinks like the Grey Goose Slush and the Grand Marnier Slush. (Though, um, you probably wanna pay that one a visit, too.)

Nope, Les Vins De France is COMPLETELY different — hidden away inside the gift shop that’s right across from L’Artisan des Glaces. Here, you can buy bottles of wine and champagne to take home, but you can also buy wine/champagne by the glass to sip and savor. But what makes this place EXTRA special and unique is their champagne flights!

There are currently two flights offered, each includes three different types of champagne with two-ounce pours.

Have You Heard About the Hidden CHAMPAGNE BAR (!!) in EPCOT?

3. The Wonders of Xandar’s Hidden Turkey Leg

In order to see THIS Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind secret, you’re gonna have to enter into the queue and LOOK UP at the exact right time. As the supercomputer strives to learn more about Terran (Earth) culture in the Galaxarium, it questions the fascination humans have with the turkey leg.

The computer asks, “Why only the leg? What about the rest of this creature?” Look, Supercomputer — I’m just as baffled as you are about these things. But regardless, DFB always loves a good classic snack reference… even if the snack is a super-controversial one.

I Sold Turkey Legs in Disney World — Here Are 4 Things I Need You To Know

4. A Sneaky Buzz Lightyear

Whoops! Sorry we haven’t told you about this SOONER! (But, to be fair, we’ve been completely missing this subtle detail for YEARS too). Inside the Journey Into Imagination with Figment queue, you can find a hidden Buzz Lightyear toy!

Buzz is hiding out inside an open bird house-like structure near the floor — so if you’re not looking for him, he can be pretty hard to spot.

The Awkward Reason I Will Never Ride Journey Into Imagination With Figment in Disney World Again

5. Hidden Bathrooms In A Magical Water Realm

Yes, there is a hidden bathrooms inside Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana. You’ll find this potty stop about halfway through the attraction, just before you reach Te-Fiti.

There’ll be a sign for it, pointing you in the right direction, so don’t worry about missing it completely. The outside of the bathroom is… pretty unremarkable. But when you open that simple door, you’ll be transported into a single stall restroom that feels worthy of a seafarer like Moana. (Because Imagineers think of EVERYTHING.)

You Have To Take a Secret Train To the BEST Bathrooms in Disney World

6. Twinkling Pavement

World Celebration has received a major glow-up… LITERALLY. Recently, the World Celebration Gardens opened for guests, giving us a new place to relax, charge up our phones, get a picture with the Walt the Dreamer statue, and appreciate the greenery of the area. 

But our absolute FAVORITE part about this new section doesn’t happen until the sun sets. After sundown, 300 LED lights embedded in the pavement around World Celebration Gardens — as well as the towering light poles — illuminate this new space and synchronize with Spaceship Earth’s Points of Light show (which happens continuously throughout the night, as well). 

Did You Even Go to Disney World If You Didn’t Take These 14 Pictures?

7. The Secret English Channel

When you cross over from the France Pavilion to the UK Pavilion, you’ll walk across a picturesque bridge that you might not think has a significant purpose other than getting you from point A to point B… but you’d be wrong. 

This bridge actually represents crossing the English Channel between the two countries in real life. So it’s actually a Geography lesson AND footpath, all in one.  Makes you appreciate it a little bit more, now don’t it? 

We’d Be Shocked if You Knew All 25 of These Hidden Secrets in EPCOT!

8. A Show That Changes — By Day And Night

There’s a double feature happening at the Palais du Cinema inside the France Pavilion! In the middle of the day, you can come to this theater to watch the Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long (which retells the “Tale as old as Time” from LeFou’s perspective, strangely enough).

But bookending the day (when the park first opens and when the park’s only a couple hours away from closing), you can watch Impressions de France here instead — which is basically an 18-minute travelogue of the country accompanied by a lovely soundtrack and soothing narration.  Showtimes are subject to change, so when you visit, refer to the My Disney Experience App for updated times.  

We PREVIEWED the Upcoming Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along in Epcot! Here’s What to Expect!

9. The Most UNIQUE Souvenirs

When all the Minnie Ears, spirit jerseys, and Munchlings across all the Disney gift shops are starting to give you a major sense of deja vu, start browsing the World Showcase for a palate cleanser. Because the knick-knacks you’re gonna find on THESE pavilion gift shop shelves are unique, exciting, and totally unexpected. 

You can buy…

• A replica samurai sword in the Mitsukoshi Department Store (Japan)
• Your personal family crest in the Crown and Crest shop (UK)
• Customizable perfume bottles in Plume et Palette (France)
• Venetian Carnival Masks in La Gemma Elegante (Italy)
• $2,000 cuckoo clocks in Das Kaufhaus (Germany)

And — say it with me — SO MUCH MORE. Seriously, browsing the World Showcase shops is a big part of the EPCOT experience — even if you don’t wind up buying anything! So be sure to check them out!

You HAVE To See Disney’s Custom Souvenirs Hiding in the U.K. Pavilion at EPCOT 😲

10. Swimming With Dolphins

There’s actually a way you can SWIM with the dolphins over at The Seas pavilion — but many folks don’t realize that’s even an option. EPCOT Seas Adventures—Dolphins in Depth is a two-hour guided tour that features a 30-minute interaction with dolphins in waist-deep water, backstage views, the opportunity to learn about Disney World’s dolphin care program, and research sessions with marine mammal specialists. 

You don’t need a scuba certification to swim with dolphins, but you do need one if you decide to try EPCOT’s OTHER Seas pavilion tour, DiveQuest. This truly unique experience allows you to dive in EPCOT’s current-free 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium, which is home to over 2,000 sea creatures, including—but not limited to—sea turtles, reef fish, stingrays, and sharks! 

This tour is pricier than the dolphin tour ($229–$249 per person, on top of your admission price), but — again — it’s a completely unique experience that you can totally add to your bucket list. 

Video: Watch Mickey Mouse SCUBA DIVE in Disney World

11. Canada’s Disappearing Act

The Canada pavilion’s beautiful cascading waterfall is more than just a picture op!

These rushing waters not only represent the impressive waterfalls you’ll find in the country, but they also hide the appearance and noise of a huge generator situated directly behind them. Nicely done, Disney. Nicely done.

12. Norway’s Forgetful Troll

When you step into The Fjording gift shop over in the Norway pavilion, it’s hard to miss the GIGANTIC rock troll greeting you at the front entrance. But this big guy is more than just a friendly (and slightly intimidating) face. He’s actually got a pretty interesting backstory!

This troll is known as “the forgetful troll.” According to Imagineering lore, he comes to life at night but then turns back to stone when the sun comes up. Because of this, he’s very forgetful — so he doesn’t remember anything at all when he wakes up, including his name.

What Happens When Frozen Ever After Is Evacuated Due to an Emergency in Disney World

13. Become Agent X

It’s no secret that Spaceship Earth is a time capsule featuring technology that’s definitely seen better days, but that doesn’t mean the Project Tomorrow games — which you’ll find at the ride’s exit — aren’t still a fun way to pass the time! Project Tomorrow has several virtual reality experiences where you can do things like…

• Power a community with digital hockey pucks
• Assemble body parts with a robotic arm
• And embody AGENT X to SAVE a CITY from being destroyed 

Sure, the technology is dated, but these games usually don’t have MASSIVE amounts of people swarming around ready to play, making it a fun way to pass some time with the kiddos while steering clear of the crowds. 

What Is Going on With the Spaceship Earth Update in Disney World?

14. Advanced Training Lab

And since we’re on the subject of dated technology games at the exits of space-themed rides, let’s talk about ANOTHER one! After you take a ride on Mission: SPACE, you can check out the Advanced Training Lab — an interactive area where you can do a few different galactic-themed activities like:

• Crawl around in the Space Base play area (for kiddos)
• Play the Expedition: Mars joystick video game
• Send a digital postcard to a friend back home
• Or compete against other space travelers in a high-energy rocket race! 

Again — this area isn’t gonna give you state-of-the-art technology to ogle over, BUT it should be a nice blast from the past and a fun way to kill time when you’re trying to hide away from a huge rainstorm, or maybe just attempting to cool down from the heat.

15. Secret Pathways

EPCOT is a BIG PARK, so knowing how to get around it as efficiently as possible is a necessity at this point. For example…

If you’re traveling between the Mexico Pavilion and World Discovery, there’s no need to walk all the way around by the main World Showcase entrance. Instead, you can cut through the Odyssey Pavilion. The Odyssey Pavilion is typically open during the festivals, but even if it’s not festival season, outdoor walkways run right past it, connecting the Test Track area to the Mexico area.

Trying to get to World Nature from the World Showcase, but you don’t wanna take the long way ‘round? Take the Rose Garden Trail instead! When you see the Port Refreshments kiosk (right when you’re coming OUT of the Canada pavilion), take a left and cut past Journey Into Imagination with Figment to get over to the World Nature area. Not only is this path shorter, BUT you’ll also get to skip out on the main area of traffic that’ll be coming out of World Celebration. 

Another way to cut down on your steps during the day is to use EPCOT’s Friendship boat service! Many people don’t know that EPCOT runs a daily boat service across the lagoon from the Mexico Pavilion to the Germany Pavilion AND from the Canada Pavilion to the Morocco Pavilion. 

This shortcut is weather-permitting and has limited hours during the day, but if you don’t feel like walking all the way around to the other side of the park, it’s a great hack that doubles as an easy-going ride! 

Over 15 SECRET Walkways to Beat the Crowds in Disney World

16. Marrakesh Lounge

We’re still mourning the loss of Restaurant Marrakesh over in the Morocco Pavilion (because it USED to be a really awesome Mediterranean-inspired table service that’s been “temporarily unavailable” ever since the pandemic closures)

The former dining spot has been utilized as a special lounge and is a solid spot to rest and relax during your World Showcase journey. A few years ago it was the Florida Blue Lounge and more recently it was opened up to Disney World Annual Passholders.

There’s lots of seating in the AC here, as well as multiple complimentary drinks (like cold brew, tea, juice, and sparkling beverages), AND free henna sessions (typically from noon to 5PM).

FULL TOUR of the NEW Annual Passholder Lounge in EPCOT

17. Secret Lounges: Part Two

Hmm… how many more hidden lounges can we find hiding out around EPCOT? Let’s see….

If you’re a DVC member, there’s a DVC-exclusive lounge hiding out in the Imagination! Pavilion. This lounge is on the second floor of the ImageWorks merchandise location (the one you go through after riding Journey Into Imagination With Figment). At this lounge, you’ll find comfy seats, complimentary sodas, Wi-Fi, charging stations, a printer, and — oh yeah — some much-needed peace and quiet.

There’s ALSO an exclusive lounge hanging out over in Test Track too. But the only people who get to use this lounge… are General Motors employees and retirees! The entrance of the lounge is located to the right of the Test Track entrance, hidden behind a piece of blue wall. If you weren’t specifically looking for it, you’d miss it entirely — it just looks like a regular ol’ door upon first glance.

Once you go through the door, you’ll walk to the end of the hallway and press the buzzer near the elevator. Then, a Cast Member will check your GM employee ID — which you MUST have in order to enter. Friends and family are also allowed to tag along with the GM employee to hang out, relax, and grab a free soda. 

But the best part about this place? When you tell the Cast Member at the lounge that you’re getting ready to head out, they’ll give up to FIVE free Test Track Lightning Lanes for your group to use that day! Hooray, employee perks!

What Will Disney World Change at Test Track? Here Are the 5 Biggest Theories

18. A Whole Car Dealership

Is car shopping is really gonna be on your mind when you’re already spending THOUSANDS on an epic Disney vacation, but if it IS… EPCOT’s ready to sell ya one. After you speed along the Test Track roads at EPCOT, you’ll exit through a showroom with some rather impressive-looking Chevrolet vehicles. 

A couple of Chevrolet experts will be hanging around the area, just in case you have any questions about what you see featured in the showroom that day. They’ll be happy to answer whatever — and point you in the direction of where you can purchase one of these sweet rides after your Disney World trip wraps up.

Disney Fans Have SURPRISING Expectations for the Test Track Re-theme in EPCOT: Are They Right?

19. Getting Into Space 220 With NO Reservations

Ever since Space 220 opened in 2021, it’s been one of the HARDEST Advance Dining Reservations to snag, not just in EPCOT but in Disney World PERIOD. Even the Space 220 Lounge now requires you to make ADRs due to its popularity, which ALSO book up pretty quickly after they first go live (60 days before your visit).

That said, it IS possible to get into Space 220 without a dining room or lounge reservation and still experience this immersive restaurant. How? By checking on the walk-up bar availability that day. 

The Space 220 Bar does not take ADRs or have a virtual waitlist that you can join. Instead, you’ll have to go to the restaurant’s host stand after the restaurant opens at 11:30AM and add your name to the physical walk-up waitlist. Keep in mind that bar seating is first come, first served — which is why we recommend checking on the status of things RIGHT when the Space 220 bar opens instead of swinging by later on when the waitlist might already be booked up for the rest of the day.

Ready for the catch? Bar seating is NOT available for guests who are under 21 years old. So if you’ve got younger members in your party, you’ll wanna stick with getting up early in the morning before those dining room/ lounge reservations go live to snag your seats. 

Space 220 Lounge vs. Space 220 Restaurant

20. Charging Tables

Many of Disney’s recent expansion projects have included places with more USB/charging ports to help you charge your phone during the day.  Unfortunately, many of those charging locations only work if you’ve remembered to bring a charging cable. 

Thankfully, EPCOT has a solution for people like me who forget their cords or battery packs. The Connections Eatery quick service has several tables with wireless charging capabilities! Just look for the long oval tables that seat 8 or more people. They’re typically overlooked by guests because they do feel like “community” seating — but don’t you go and shy away from them, too!

So, if you’re running out of battery life, this can be a good temporary solution while you’re eating your lunch or dinner. Just be aware that these charging stations are relatively slow at getting your phone all juiced up — so don’t come here thinking that this wireless table will get your phone back up to 100% again after just 20-30 minutes of chowing down. 

NOTE: If you don’t want to eat at Connections Eatery just to use one of their charging tables, you can always visit the new World Celebration Gardens area to juice up your phone instead. While you won’t find any wireless charging tables in these gardens, you can use one of the several outdoor outlets available here without spending an extra dime. Just… remember to bring your charging cord!

Every EPCOT Restaurant, Ranked!

21. Why It’s Called “Rose And Crown”

This is a silly secret, but we’ll share it with you anyway. Because that’s what friends do — they share silly secrets. If you ever find yourself wondering how the Rose and Crown Pub in the UK pavilion got its name, the story… ain’t all that intricate to unravel. 

The name is based on a survey of the British Isles — which found that the most common words used in pub names across the region were “rose” and “crown.” SO Disney just mashed those together, and EUREKA, The Rose, and Crown Pub, were born. 

Remember — you can still grab a drink from the pub here without making reservations for the main restaurant. Just belly up to the bar and pick your spirit to take with you! 

REVIEW: Does EPCOT’s Rose and Crown Restaurant Still Deserve Your $$$?

22. Must Try International Beverages That Can Be Made TWO Ways

SPEAKING of drinks, let’s take a SPEEDY Drinking Around the World tour to try a few of the BEST international beverages that can be made alcoholic OR non-alcoholic! That way, EVERYONE can play along!  

In Morocco, you can pick up the virgin frozen mint tea at Oasis Sips and Sweets — or you can spike it with gin. In China, we LOVE the Tipsy Ducks in Love at the Joy of Tea kiosk for its name AND its combination of Bourbon, Black Tea, Coffee, Cream, and Chocolate. You can also order it without the bourbon if you wish.

In Norway, the Kristoff Kaffe at Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe is the non-alcoholic version of the Viking Coffee, made with Frozen Coffee, Coffee-Chocolate Sauce, and garnished with Coffee-Chocolate Crunch.

Drinking Around the World in EPCOT Just Got WAY Better With This Amazon Souvenir!

23. Merch Mobile Checkout

Two of the most POPULAR gift shops in EPCOT give you the opportunity to check out items WITHOUT having to stand in line for them. Over at the flagship Creations Shop and Treasures of Xandar gift shop (outside of Cosmic Rewind), you can purchase any souvenirs you find through your My Disney Experience App. 

To find the merchandise mobile check-out option, open your MDE app and tap on the + sign at the bottom/center of the screen. Then, select “Merchandise Mobile Checkout” from the provided options — and follow the prompts from there!  Just make sure you show your QR code receipt to a cast member at the front of the store before heading out.  

FULL LIST of Stores Where You Can SKIP the Checkout Lines in the Disney Parks

24. Two Places To Find British Phone Booths

Why, of COURSE you can find red British phone booths over in the UK pavilion! That seems like a given, right? But there’s also another red phone booth hiding out in the upper level of the Canada pavilion, and you can get a photo op with it, too! 

So if the UK pavilion phone booths are being bombarded with guests taking pictures, head into Canada for a much quieter, less hectic photo op. You’ll find the Canada Phone Booth right at the top of the stairs, to your left.

Who Actually Owns the World Showcase Pavilions in EPCOT?

25. Leave A Legacy

One of the new(ish) things that often get overlooked here are the Leave a Legacy monoliths, which are actually before you even enter the park! Back in the day, guests used to be able to buy a spot on these monoliths to get their photos etched into one of the panels. As part of the EPCOT Transformation though, EPCOT’s entrance was redesigned and the old Leave A Legacy monoliths were removed.

If you’re looking for your picture — or someone else’s picture — amongst all these new Leave A Legacy tiles, you can use your phone or another smart device to scan the monoliths’ QR code. This will load up a tile finder search feature to help you track down the coordinates to a specific tile location.

But here’s the REALLY cool part about this: There are CELEBRITY panels on the Leave a Legacy monoliths, too! You can find members of *NSYNC (ie: a popular 90s boy band, for all you youngins out there), as well as Ariana Grande’s family! So try using the photo search feature to track these musical artists down during your next EPCOT trip.

PHOTOS: First Look at the NEW Leave A Legacy Display in EPCOT!

 

26. Drink Flights

We already talked about champagne flights over in the France Pavilion, but Les Vins De France isn’t the ONLY place you can try multiple drink samples for one price. Here are a few other locations where you can pick up drink flights in EPCOT, too:

• You can get an Imperial Sampler at Rose and Crown Pub in the UK Pavilion.
• At Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in the Italy Pavilion, you can order wine flights.
• The Germany pavilion has a couple of different flight options — like wine flights in The Weinkeller and a four-pour German beer flight at the Biergarten table service restaurant (requires reservations) 
• And if you’re visiting during an EPCOT festival, you can find lots of drink flights across several of the outdoor food booths! 

OH — and for a non-boozy and totally FREE drink flight experience, factor in some time to visit Club Cool during your day to try a variety of international sodas.

Is the Colorful Sake Cocktail Flight Worth $25 in EPCOT? We Found Out!

27. ANOTHER Hidden Drink Stop

EPCOT’s NOT gonna let you go thirsty, that’s for sure. 

While Spice Road Table — over in the Morocco Pavilion — is, indeed, a table service location, there’s also an area tucked away JUST inside the restaurant’s entrance where you can grab a Spice Road drink to-go from the bar… no reservations necessary!

Click Here to Read Our Latest Review at Spice Road Table

28. Tiny Train Town Drama

Right outside the Germany Pavilion, there’s the most adorable German train town EVER that appeals to my love and devotion for all things miniaturized. But things can get a little kooky in this otherwise charming town.

Without saying a thing, the tiny citizens of this village tell a story — and we like to fill in the blanks ourselves. This little train village has LOTS of secrets and stories just WAITING for you to unravel. But while you’re creating said narratives in your head, don’t forget to appreciate the little details of this town, too — like the changing flags and decor that represent the latest EPCOT festivals taking place! 

Dastardly Deeds Are Happening in EPCOT’s Tiny Train Town

29. Kidcot Fun Stops

There’s this “stigma” that EPCOT can’t quite shake. Lots of people refer to it as the more adult-centered theme park of the Disney bubble — especially when it comes to World Showcase. 

Though over the years more recognizable IP characters have been incorporated into several different pavilions to appeal to children and adults alike, the World Showcase is still mostly shopping, tasting unique foods, and (for some) Drinking Around the World. Which can get a little dull for some kiddos preeeeetty fast.

To keep kids engaged with the World Showcase’s offerings, make sure to track down the different Kidcot Fun Stop stations located in each of the 11 pavilions. At these locations, kids can pick up a take-out activity baggies containing fun facts and coloring cards. And the best part about Kidcot? It’s totally free!

Did You Know About EPCOT’s SECRET Trivia Game? You Can Win a Prize!

30. Rare EPCOT Fireworks

If you wanna ring in the new year at EPCOT, you can only catch EPCOT’s RARE New Year’s Eve fireworks display on December 31st, unlike the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Magic Kingdom, which run on December 30th as well. Just like Luminous, the fireworks are shot off over at World Showcase Lagoon, but not before a big countdown to the New Year takes place!

And don’t be so dazzled by the fireworks display that you miss out on the other exclusive New Year’s offerings around the pavilions leading up to the main event! While entertainment can vary, last year, we saw…

• A silent disco in the UK pavilion
• Live entertainment in the Italy pavilion
• Chinese lion dancers in the China Pavilion 
• And SO MUCH MORE!

Yes, New Year’s Eve at EPCOT is an ULTRA BUSY time for the park — but if you’re looking for a night of limited-time entertainment and high-energy celebrations, this is the place to be when the countdown begins! 

Watch the RARE EPCOT Fireworks Show You Can Only See ONCE A YEAR!

31. Exclusive Character Photo Spot

Alright, Disney Visa Cardholders — this exclusive EPCOT perk is for YOU! You can find a Disney Visa-exclusive character meet-and-greet spot near the Journey into Imagination pavilion on the left-hand side, right past the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival.

You will need your Disney Visa card to enter, but once you show your card to the cast member up front, you’ll be led to a private meet-and-greet location where characters like Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy are ready to say hello and take pictures! 

And guess what else? All the photos you take here are FREE TO DOWNLOAD. Keep in mind that the hours for this photo spot can be quite limited—typically ranging from 1PM to 6:30PM daily—so don’t miss out on your window of opportunity.

This Could Be One of The BEST Deals Your Disney Visa Can Get You

32. Super Authentic Pizza

Via Napoli, in the Italy Pavilion, is one of the best places to order the za on Disney property. And that’s because this pizza place doesn’t cut corners… only slices! According to the Disney World website, the water used to make the pizza dough is even sourced from a spring similar to Italy’s Campania region to ensure that the pizza here is as authentically Italian as possible. The dough is directly imported from Italy. 

Not only that, but when your pizza is ready to be cooked, it’ll be placed in one of three wood-burning ovens—each named after one of Italy’s three active volcanoes: Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, and Stromboli.  

Click HERE to Read Our Latest Review at Via Napoli

33. Secret Stroll Gardens

The Katsura Grill quick service, over in the Japan Pavilion, may not be your number one choice when it comes to EPCOT restaurants — but whether you decide to dine here or not, you’re gonna want to stroll around its outdoor patio. The patio overlooks a serene stroll garden with a soothing waterfall, hanging paper lanterns, and an intricate rock display. 

And if you continue strolling across the little bridge here, you’ll wind up by the koi pond, which is equally as peaceful and lovely as the rest of the area. Oh, and just in case you’re wondering, you’ll also find a quiet bathroom pretty close to this area, too. Leave it to DFB to come IN CLUTCH when it comes to the IMPORTANT stuff.

Click HERE to Read Our Latest Review of Katsura Grill

34. Skip The Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue WITHOUT A Lightning Lane

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a new-ish roller coaster in EPCOT that opened back in May 2022. Since then, it’s quickly become the MOST popular (and most coveted) ride in the entire park. Normally, you can only ride this coaster by joining the virtual queue on your MDE app (at either 7AM or 1PM) OR by purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane for it. Otherwise, there’s no regular standby queue available.

Except… that’s not exactly true. Because a standby queue DOES actually open up for this ride on rare occasions. And by “rare occasions,” I mean during EPCOT’s After Hours events! This year, EPCOT has After Hours events on select nights from February through July.

One of the best parts about these events is that capacity is super limited, meaning the wait times for the rides are gonna be low (or even non-existent) — which is why Cosmic Rewind is able to switch over to a standby wait during this time. 

FULL LIST of What’s Included in EPCOT After Hours Events

35. Pickle Ornament

Let’s take a minute to appreciate the Pickle Ornaments over at Germany’s Die Weihnachts Ecke gift shop. This little Christmas shop stays open all year round to give you a hearty dose of International holiday cheer no matter when you decide to visit. And while you’ll be able to find LOTS of different ornaments decorating the trees inside this shop, the most prominent ornament of them all isn’t candy cane shaped or gingerbread shaped, but rather PICKLE shaped.

So what’s the dealio with all the pickles? According to German tradition, this is the LAST ornament that gets placed on the tree once the kids go to bed. In the morning, after St. Nick drops off all his presents for the good little children of the world, the first kiddo to find the pickle ornament in the tree will receive an extra gift from the jolly ol’ elf himself! 

And you, TOO, can make this a tradition in YOUR household starting next Christmas by purchasing one of these quirky/shiny pickle dudes during your EPCOT day.

50 Things Everyone Should Eat in Disney World

36. Broken Up Park Hours

While EPCOT typically opens at 9 a.m., the entire park doesn’t open at that time. Actually, most of the World Showcase doesn’t actually open until 11 a.m. 

The only parts of the World Showcase that DO open at 9 or earlier, if you’re using Early Theme Park Entry, are the pavilion rides (ie: Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Gran Fiesta Tour) as well as a few restaurants with breakfast offerings, like Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe and Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. Other than that? You’re gonna have to wait for the other World Showcase rides, restaurants, and festival booths to open up later on.

37. Dining Packages

There are TWO types of EPCOT dining packages available for you to book before your visit. The first is the Fireworks Dining Package — which offers you a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant along with a great view of the Luminous nighttime spectacular!

And the second is the festival dining packages. Again, you’ll receive a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant — but along with that meal, you’ll also get guaranteed priority seating for an evening festival show over at the American Gardens theater on the same date.

 Shows vary depending on what festival is taking place and who’s on the schedule to perform that day — but you can always check on those updated performance schedules via the Disney World website. Prices vary depending on the packages you book and the restaurants you choose, so make sure to do your research before you decide to splurge on one of these VIP treatments. 

2 Huge CHANGES Made to Dining Packages in EPCOT

38. SO MANY Character Sightings

You never know WHO you might find wandering about the World Showcase during your visit! But we can at least guarantee you this: You will have ample opportunity to see a wide range of fan-favorite Disney characters—either by waving at them from a distance or by giving ‘em a big ol’ bear hug up close!

So, WHO might you possibly see out and about during your EPCOT day? In the past, we’ve seen characters like:

• Pluto near the Creations Shop
• Moana near Journey of Water
• Donald Duck outside the Mexico Pavilion
• Mulan in China
• Snow White in Germany 
• Belle and Princess Aurora in France
• Mary Poppins and Alice in the UK
• Minnie, or visiting character, in the Gazebo near World Showcase Plaza

And SEVERAL OTHER friends that tend to pop up on a whim, just to give us an extra dose of Disney magic! 

And now that CommuniCore Hall is open, there is a BRAND NEW Mickey & Friends Meet-and-Greet location for us to meet him at instead! Many of the character meet-and-greet timeframes and locations will be listed directly on the MDE app, but some won’t. So keep your eyes peeled for character sightings and have those autograph books out and ready to use!

We Finally Got Inside EPCOT’s NEW CommuniCore Hall: Here’s a FULL TOUR!

39. Hangover Lozenges?

We’re not saying you need to conduct an experiment to see if these things work or not, but we spotted these at the Tea Caddy gift shop over in the UK Pavilion during a recent visit. There was a section in this shop displaying little circular tins filled with HANGOVER lozenges straight from Yorkshire, England. 

According to the front of the container, these drops are made with “all natural glucose blended with fruits.. and ginseng extract for a truly welcoming pick-me-up,” …. Whatever that means. It seems that the UK pavilion is well aware of those drinking around the world intentions that some folks have while visiting this park.

And while you may wanna purchase them JUST in case any of the alcohol you try doesn’t sit well with you the next morning, please still remember to drink plenty of water and pace yourself when trying these different international spirits. Because something tells me that even if these lozenges do help, they ain’t gonna be a cure-all.

Fun Find: More Collectible Teapots at The Tea Caddy in Epcot’s UK Pavilion

40. Restaurants With Dress Codes And Age Policies

EPCOT may be a park for ALL ages, but there are sections of the park where that’s not entirely true. Monsieur Paul in the France Pavilion and Takumi Tei in the Japan Pavilion are both signature restaurants with high-end cuisine and rather steep price points. They’re also both pretty fancy-schmancy, meaning younger kiddos aren’t gonna be allowed to dine here. At Monsieur Paul, you must be at least 10 years old to dine.

At Takumi Tei, you must be at least 8 years old. Restaurant guests are also expected to wear something that, as stated on the Disney website, “adheres to the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic.”

No, you don’t have to go out and purchase a dazzling cocktail dress or three-piece suit or anything. But these restaurants do ask you to wear something on the more sophisticated side of things (meaning your outfit should be clean, neat, and in good condition). Nothing too outrageous, but enough to respect the signature dining culture.

Click HERE to Read Our Latest Review at Takumi Tei

41. Germany’s Hidden Poison Apple

The setting of Disney’s original animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is inspired by several areas around Germany. This is why you’ll possibly see Snow White hanging out by the wishing well near the German pavilion at select times throughout the day. 

But Snow White isn’t the ONLY character from her movie hanging out around these parts. High above the merchandise inside the Volkskunst Clocks and Crafts shop, you can find Snow White’s arch nemesis… that dastardly poison apple.

Need help tracking it down? Just look for the wall of merch displaying all the Snow White stuff. There, you’ll see it, looking down on all the guests, wondering who’ll become its next victim. Just kidding. It ain’t going anywhere.  It’s under a pretty sturdy looking glass dome — so you’re totally safe to walk over and take pictures!

42. The “What If” Labs

And here we are, yet again, exploring ANOTHER slightly-dated interactive experience at the exit of a classic EPCOT attraction. ImageWorks — the What If Labs is a place where you can continue “exploring your senses” after your Journey Into Imagination With Figment ride-through concludes.

 You can…

• Become a music conductor for a band of virtuoso purple dragons
• Jump across a symphony of stepping stones
• Or even create your own little Figment to email to a friend back home who’s missing out on all the fun. 

But the main reason people visit ImageWorks — even if they HAVEN’T gone on the ride just yet — is to meet and greet with popular Disney characters like Figment of Imagination HIMSELF!

Come With Us To Meet FIGMENT in EPCOT!

43. Flight 5505

When we’re getting on Soarin’ Around the World (or its predecessor, Soarin’ Over California), we’re usually focused on our favorite parts of the ride: the smells, the sights, our beloved Patrick Warburton pre-show…

What we might not think too terribly much about is the flight number of our supposed vehicle. But we should think about it. Because it’s cool, too. The flight number, Flight 5505, represents the attraction’s original Disney World opening date — May 5th, 2005. An important day, indeed!

44. Home Grown Food

That greenhouse you’re floating past while riding on Living with the Land ain’t just for looks! This is a FULLY FUNCTIONAL greenhouse that doesn’t let its produce go to waste! Each year, the Land Pavilion grows nearly 30 tons of fruit and vegetables that are served at restaurants like Sunshine Seasons and Garden Grill (as well as select festival booths, too)!

If you want a closer look at how EPCOT’s cast members maintain these greenhouses, consider booking a Behind the Seeds Tour for a one-of-a-kind backstage experience. Tour prices range around $39-$45 per person (on top of theme park admission) and can be booked online OR right outside the Living with the Land ride on the day of your visit (subject to availability).

PHOTO: See How Living With the Land CHANGED in EPCOT for Disney’s 100th Anniversary

45. Weddings!

Okay, now THIS is seriously exciting news! The World Celebration Gardens was officially added as a Disney wedding venue at the beginning of this year. Y’all – can you imagine how STUNNING that’d be?? I mean, you’ve got the lush greenery, the synchronized lights, the glorious Spaceship Earth (who might threaten to outshine the bride – but I guess a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right?)

This venue is available to book for weddings in January 2025 and later – but you can learn more about it (as well as other Disney venues) over on the Disney Weddings website.

This Might Convince You To Plan a Disney Wedding!

46. Ducktales World Showcase Adventure

If you don’t download the Play Disney Parks app for any other reason, do so only to play Ducktales World Showcase Adventure in EPCOT. This is a free scavenger hunt-like game for both “the young and young-at-heart” to play around World Showcase. This game is LEGITIMATELY interactive and throws you into each Ducktales mission head-on.

You might have to…

• Trigger a duck robot in the middle of the Mitsukoshi Department Store
• Drop off a rather important golf ball at a non-disclosed UK spot
• Team up with a creative China pavilion cricket 
• Save the poor German Tiny Town citizens (who’ve now got themselves wrapped up in even MORE drama than before)
• Expose the hidden sword behind Norway’s waterfall…

Okay, I’m getting too excited now. I don’t wanna give EVERYTHING away. I just wanna prove to you that the Ducktales World Showcase Adventure game is a great, immersive way to explore the pavilions with your family without having to wait in lines to do so. 

The New Game in EPCOT You Might Like MORE Than the Rides

47. A Tour Of Shanghai Disney

Shanghai Disneyland is, like, a bucket list park for most of us. But in the meantime, we love that EPCOT’s China Pavilion gives us a little sneak peek into what you can find inside this international park. “Inside Shanghai Disney Resort” is a self-guided tour held within the House of the Whispering Willows Gallery.

Here, you’ll be able to see exhibits that showcase Shanghai Disney’s different sections through its props, artwork, models, and more. Not to mention, this gallery is a SUPER quiet place to take a breather (and AC break) if you need one.

We Found 11 Hidden SECRETS in EPCOT’s Newest Attraction!

48. The REAL Two Brothers Of The American Adventure Pavilion

Y’all are SLEEPING on how impressive the American Adventure show is at EPCOT. I mean, how can your jaw NOT drop to the floor when you watch the animatronic Ben Franklin walk up those stairs! Imagineers are so good they SCARE me sometimes. During the show, a little video tells the story of “two brothers” who fought on different sides of the battlefield during the Civil War. The story is nothing short of tragic, but the little Easter Egg hidden here is less so. 

The two brothers depicted in this film are actually inspired by two former Disney Imagineers. The first is production designer John Olson. The second is Jeff Burke, who was largely responsible for creating Frontierland in Magic Kingdom.

49. Underground Tunnel

Magic Kingdom isn’t the ONLY Disney park with tunnels and activities just below the surface. EPCOT has tunnels, too! 

There is actually just one tunnel. But it’s a really long, 700-foot tunnel located partially under Spaceship Earth. This tunnel is mainly used to quickly transport deliveries to their final EPCOT destinations without having to carry them throughout the entire park. 

50. Unique Pre-Packaged Snacks

We won’t typically encourage you to purchase pre-packaged snacks, especially when there are so many other freshly made snacks you can try around Disney property. But EPCOT is going to be one of my few exceptions here. 

The gift shops across the different pavilions don’t solely have cool merch that you can buy… They also have interesting international snacks on their shelves too! We’ve seen everything from Gunpowder Irish Gin chocolate in the UK to little dried crabs in Japan, floral-flavored chips in China, and marzipan snacks in Norway…

The list goes on! And the best part about purchasing these unique packaged snacks? You can always save them for later instead of having to eat them right away!

Ranking the BEST Magic Kingdom Snacks Under $10

Would you believe us if we told you we actually had to CUT DOWN this list in order to keep it just at 50? It’s TRUE! There are just SO MANY AMAZING THINGS hiding out in EPCOT! Be sure to subscribe to the DFB Newsletter so we can fill you in on EVEN MORE to do at all of the Disney Parks!

Are you planning to do any of these during your next trip to EPCOT? Let us know in the comments below!