What opens early at EPCOT?

Although Epcot doesn't have many attractions to start with, all 4 of their most popular attractions are included in Early Theme Park Entry.
  • Frozen Ever After.
  • Soarin' Around the World (40? height requirements)
  • Test Track (40? height requirements)
  • Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.




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  • Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along.
  • Frozen Ever After.
  • Mission: SPACE.
  • Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
  • Soarin' Around the World.
  • Spaceship Earth.
  • Test Track.
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends.


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Early Theme Park Entry is a perk offered to guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels (and select partner hotels) that allows guests access to the park 30 minutes before its scheduled open, every day. Most rides at Epcot are included in Early Entry.

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EPCOT is open from 9 am until 9 pm daily, which includes both the new neighborhoods at the front of the park that were formerly Future World and World Showcase. On some busy weekends and holidays, expect EPCOT to extend its closing time to 10 pm.

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Festival food booths generally open with World Showcase — at around 11AM daily, seven days a week.

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The next thing you need to know is that Park Hours at EPCOT are no longer as favorable for Early Entry as they were last year around this same time. Currently, EPCOT opens to the general public at 9 am, as compared to 8 am or 8:30 am for much of last year.

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Epcot. Parking for Epcot is located straight out in front of the park. Guests that are parking roughly 45-60 minutes before the park opens can expect to have an easy walk to the gates. In many instances, guests parking that early will not even need to use the tram.

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When is the show? On most days fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. at Epcot.

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However, a NEW ride has taken the spot of highest average wait time — it's Test Track at 69 minutes. Next up is Soarin' at 34 minutes, Mission: SPACE at 20 minutes, Turtle Talk with Crush at 15 minutes, and Spaceship Earth at 16 minutes.

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Epcot After Hours is from 10pm - 1am, with guests able to arrive as early as 7pm. We arrived a little after 7pm and was shown to a special event turnstile - with Cast Members holding signs. Upon entry, we were given event wristbands to ensure we could remain in the park after hours!

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However, EPCOT is unique in that it has two entrances – one at the front of the park, and the other in the back at the International Gateway. Therefore, you'll also need to determine which entrance you'll use, as it will dictate where you begin your park touring for the day.

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We've found it to be a far more pleasant transportation experience than leaving an hour or two later. Our normal recommendation is to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of Early Theme Park Entry. That remains the case with Epcot, without regard for which ride you want to do first.

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How to Get on Remy's Ratatouille Adventure Without Waiting in Long Lines
  1. Pay to ride using Genie+
  2. Ride during Early Theme Park Entry (onsite guests only)
  3. Ride right when the park opens.
  4. Hop in line right before the park closes.
  5. Ride during Extended Theme Park Hours (onsite Deluxe and Deluxe villa guests only)


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Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is open during Early Theme Park Entry, and sometimes they even begin letting guests on before the early entry is officially scheduled to start. But to be successful with this approach, you're going to need to make sure you arrive to Epcot ahead of the majority of the crowds.

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So when should you visit for the lowest crowds, generally? Go on a Wednesday! Fewer guests head to EPCOT mid-week and you can hopefully then walk up to the festival booths without having to wait in long lines. As a bonus tip — make sure to visit the festival booths early in the day.

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The parks tend to reach their highest capacity in mid-afternoon. The crowds will start going down around dinnertime. That means the best time to get through the lines is early in the morning, so come on, get out of bed and let's have some Fun.

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Saturday and Sunday tend to be the busiest days in all parts of Disney World, and Epcot is no different. The busiest time at Epcot is on a weekend day during a festival. If you're visiting then, you'll have to accept that you'll have tens of thousands of people with you!

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Walt Disney World has shared details about Luminous: The Symphony of Us, which is the all-new nighttime spectacular coming to EPCOT in December 2023 for the Disney100 festivities in Florida. This post shares details, concept art, and commentary about the new fireworks show. (Updated September 9, 2023.)

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The Disney After Hours at EPCOT event takes place from 10.00pm to 1.00am. You can get a head start on the fun by entering EPCOT at 7.00pm. You do not need a Disney park reservation or additional ticket to enter EPCOT after 7.00pm.

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Even with so much to see, Epcot can easily be visited during a single day.

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