Visiting Walt Disney theme parks can be a magical experience. However, you might want to think twice if you plan to visit EPCOT anytime soon. The “most magical place on earth” has been struggling recently. Even faithful visitors find it hard to justify and are considering other options.
Today, we’re sharing five reasons we think you should avoid EPCOT. Let’s dive in!
What Is EPCOT?
Walt Disney World is a massive entertainment complex in Central Florida. It comprises a host of theme parks, water parks, and other entertainment venues. EPCOT is one of many theme parks on the Walt Disney World Resort property.
EPCOT is home to the World Showcase, allowing guests to travel through various countries, taste foods, and experience a bit of the culture. Disney has spared no expense to make guests feel like they are truly walking through a different country. Workers in shops and restaurants often represent their home countries around the World Showcase.
You can experience other cultures at EPCOT and have a taste of the future. Walt Disney had a unique way of thinking about the future, and you can feel his influence despite his passing 16 years before the park’s opening.
What Does EPCOT Stand for?
EPCOT is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It was a futuristic idea of Walt Disney’s where people would live and work together in a community that would never be complete. Walt’s vision was a community constantly innovating and creating new systems and technologies. He wanted to show the world the power of the “ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise.”
Pro Tip: Want to RV to Disney? Find out Is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground Worth The Price?
How Much Does It Cost to Visit EPCOT?
A ticket to EPCOT, or any Walt Disney World park, isn’t cheap. Tickets start at $109 per day for guests older than ten years old. However, you’ll want to stay as long as possible to get the best bang for your buck. The more days you visit, the cheaper the tickets. Staying 10+ days brings tickets to as little as $55 per day.
Before you head to Walt Disney World’s website and start booking tickets, please consider something else. Disney adjusts prices seasonally and by the day of the week. You might save $5 or $10 per ticket by changing your visit by a day or two. It may not seem like much of an increase, but this slight increase could be challenging for large families or those looking to get the most out of every dollar.
5 Reasons to Avoid EPCOT
You may have magical memories of visiting EPCOT or other Disney parks. However, things have changed in recent years. Let’s look at a handful of reasons we think you should avoid EPCOT. Let’s get started!
New Reservation System
Previously, guests had to worry about juggling restaurant reservations and getting special passes to avoid long lines. However, now any guest three and older must make a reservation to visit EPCOT or any of three other theme parks at Walt Disney World. This can make it problematic if the park you want to see isn’t available on a specific day.
Planning any Disney vacation can be stressful. This new reservation system doesn’t make planning your trip any more straightforward. It simply adds another complex layer to your family’s dream vacation.
It’s Huge (but Has Lots Of Construction Zones)
If you’ve ever visited a Disney park, you know you can quickly put in 20,000+ steps in a single day. While other Disney parks are enormous, at 300+ acres, EPCOT is massive. It’s three times larger than Disneyland and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
This enormous Disney park has been full of construction zones for the last couple of years. While minor construction projects are typical of Disney parks, these projects have been ongoing for years. If you don’t enjoy seeing construction walls and promises of a bright tomorrow for the park, we suggest not visiting for now.
Long Lines for New Rides
New attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure are exciting to guests. Due to the immense popularity of these rides, you could wait hours to ride them, especially when they first open.
When you’re spending several hundred dollars for your family to get into Disney parks, the last thing you want to do is spend it waiting in line. These rides can be exciting, but is it worth waiting in line? Probably not. You also must remember that summer in Florida can be sweltering and humid, which is not ideal for staying in line.
World Showcase Can Be Boring
The World Showcase can be an excellent way to try new foods and experience the culture of various countries around the globe. Adults enjoy trying the restaurants and even sampling some unique adult beverages that you usually need a passport to enjoy. However, much of the World Showcase isn’t that exciting for kids. There may be a handful of rides for families sprinkled throughout the park. However, the World Showcase is a bust for many families, especially those with little ones.
Crowded Festivals
Disney, like any other business, depends on a steady flow of customers. Walt Disney World has done a tremendous job of taking advantage of EPCOT’s 300+ acres by creating festivals that help attract guests. EPCOT is home to the Food & Wine Festival, the Flower & Garden Festival, the Festival of the Holidays, and the Festival of the Arts. Each festival is unique and offers different experiences and activities for guests.
While these festivals can be fun, they can get very crowded. Festivals often bring out locals, especially on the weekends, who enjoy seeing the decorations or trying foods and beverages that only come out during certain times. If you visit during one of these festivals, you may feel disappointed.
Pro Tip: Join the debate on Disneyland Versus Disneyworld. Which location do you think is best?
Enjoy the Magic Of Possibility
EPCOT and other Disney parks offer a magical experience for all ages. However, the last couple of years has been a gamble for many companies that rely heavily on tourism, including Disney. Visiting the Disney parks can be an excellent vacation, but it can also be overwhelming. If you’re hoping for the iconic Disney experience, it might be best to give it a year or two.
What’s your favorite Disney park to visit? Tell us in the comments!
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: