Personally, I have a soft spot in my heart for Epcot. It’s the Disney World theme park where you can take a trip into the future and then a trip around the world, all while walking enough that it feels like you earned that cronut topped with soft serve. With a mission and a spirit quite unlike anywhere I’ve ever been, Epcot continues to be one of my favorite places period.

Epcot also has a lineup of great attractions, including three of Walt Disney World’s most popular rides. So, what’s the best strategy for using your FastPass+ reservations so you can experience all that Epcot has to offer? Read on to find out our guide to using FastPass+ to save time in line at Epcot.

Epcot FastPass+ Recommendations

About Epcot’s FastPass Tiers

Like Hollywood Studios, Epcot has a tiered FastPass system. For your three FastPass+ reservations, you can only choose 1 attraction from the first tier and then 2 attractions from the second tier. This gets tricky at Epcot as the first tier includes all the attractions where FastPass+ is the most effective.

Also note that Disney will change the tiers of certain attractions. Both Living with the Land and Mission: SPACE have jumped between Tier 1 and Tier 2. Generally, the recommendations remain the same, but just know that the tiers could be slightly different.

Tier 1: (Choose 1 Attraction)

Biggest Priorities – Will Save You A Lot of Time

Frozen Ever After - Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After – 1st Priority: Newest ride with the longest lines
  • Soarin’ – 2nd Priority: Recently updated and has long lines during the day
  • Test Track – 3rd Priority: Has long lines, but offers Single Rider line

A FastPass reservation will save you a lot of time on either Frozen Ever After, Soarin’, or Test Track. However, as Frozen Ever After is the newest and most popular ride at Epcot, demand for that attraction is the highest. Make that your priority when you make your Fastpass+ reservations. Soarin’ can still attract long lines, so make that your backup. Test Track offers a single rider line, which will give you a much shorter wait even without a FastPass. However, this option does split up your party, which won’t be possible for all guests.

Test Track FastPass- Guide2WDW

Want to ride all three of Epcot’s most popular rides in one day? Make an advanced FastPass+ reservation for Frozen as far in advance as possible. Try to ride Soarin’ either right at park opening or close to park closing, when the lines will be the shortest. If you are going to Epcot early in the morning, go to Test Track right after Soarin’, or utilize the single rider line at any point during the day.

Probably Can Skip

  • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

IllumiNations offers access to a great viewing area, but it’s really not worth using a Tier 1 FastPass on. There are so many areas around World Showcase Lagoon that offer a great view of IllumiNations without much of a wait, and you’ll save much more time using that Tier 1 pick on one of the other 3 attractions. Also, having an advanced reservation for IllumiNations at 9 pm basically eliminates the possibility of getting any additional FastPasses after you’ve used your initial 3.

Tier 2 (Choose 2 Attractions)

Can Save Some Time

The Seas with Nemo and Friends Exterior - Epcot Attraction

  • Mission: SPACE
  • Epcot Character Spot
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Turtle Talk

These attractions usually have moderate wait times during most times of the year. FastPass+ reservations are an especially good idea during peak times, like the holidays.

Can Save A Little Time

Spaceship Earth Exterior - From Below

  • Spaceship Earth
  • Living with the Land

For most of the year, these rides typically have a short to moderate wait. However, during peak season the wait for these attractions can spike.

Skip The FastPass Reservation

Figment - Journey Into Imagination-with Figment - Epcot Attraction

  • Journey into Imagination
  • Disney/Pixar Short Film Festival

Ah, the Imagination Pavilion: where you don’t need a FastPass. Both Journey into Imagination and the Disney/Pixar Short Film Festival never really have a long enough wait to justify making a FastPass+ reservation. I’ve actually spent more time in the FastPass line for Journey Into Imagination than I would have in the standby line because I had to scan my Magic Band, and the standby line had only 2 people in it. Only make FP+ reservations for these if one of these attractions is your absolute favorite/priority.

Epcot FastPass+ Tips

  • Especially for Frozen and Soarin’, it’s a good idea to make your FastPass+ reservation as early as possible: 60 days out for Disney World Resort guests, and 30 days out for anyone staying off property.
  • Have a Disney Visa Card? Then you can get a special meet and greet inside Innoventions that includes a free printed picture. This meet and greet typically has a short wait, so you can do the Visa meet and greet instead of using a FastPass+ reservation on Epcot Character Spot.
  • Epcot is huge, so take this into consideration when making your FastPass+ reservations. Getting from a spot in Future World to World Showcase can take a lengthy walk.
  • If your plan is to use a Frozen FastPass+ and do standby for Test Track and Soarin, try to make your Frozen FastPass+ for the early afternoon and do the Future World rides first thing in the morning when the park opens. If you can only get Frozen for early in the morning, try to do Test Track and Soarin late in the day near closing, or during Extra Magic Hours if that is a possibility.
  • You can get extra FastPasses after you’ve used your first three via the MyDisneyExperience app or the FastPass kiosks throughout the park. For more info, read our entire guide on how to get your extra FastPass+ rides. Even though it’s rare, you can get Tier 1 attractions as your extra FastPass if you’re lucky – it’s happened to me once. Most likely, there will be some Tier 2 attractions available in the afternoon.
  • Want more FastPass+ tips? Check out our 10 FastPass+ Tips You Need To Know post, and don’t miss our Tips on Securing Hard to Get FastPass+ Reservations. We also have more MyMagic+ and FastPass+ tips here.

 

FastPass+ Guides For Other Parks

Epcot FastPass+ Tips and Guide - Guide2WDW

Plan your Disney World Vacation with a FREE Vacation Planning DVD from Disney


Want to get even more prepared for your Disney World vacation? Click the graphic above to sign up for a free official Disney World vacation planning DVD from Disney. This fun resource is a great way to learn more about the parks and get excited about your upcoming trip to Orlando. Plus, did I mention that it’s completely free?

(Frozen Ever After Images Copyright Disney)