7. The park is currently undergoing A LOT of construction

Epcot does have one big problem right now—there is a lot of construction going on.

It’s one thing when Disney boards off a single land or ride, but Epcot’s Future World is currently made up largely of a maze of construction walls diverting guests to the left or right of the park’s central corridor. The reason is because Future World’s reimagining will completely transform the map of the park, dividing the current Future World into new lands called World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature. This reconfiguring of the park’s structure has involved demolishing significant structures from the center of the park (including the old Innoventions Plaza), leaving guests to have to navigate construction barriers that effectively split the park in two.

While the reimagining of Epcot looks incredible, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and park closures have meant construction barriers at Epcot are here to stay a little longer. In good news, Disney has made some progress on the project, with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the Space 220 restaurant slated to open in 2021 and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (the park’s first coaster) opening in 2022.

Is Epcot still worth visiting while construction is going on? That depends on your goals for a Walt Disney World vacation. We have found there is enough to enjoy at Epcot if you are visiting the park as part of The Most Magical Place on Earth as a whole. However, if you have a special place in your heart for Epcot and are considering delaying your trip, it may be worth waiting until at least a few of the in-progress attractions are open, as well as the launch of the park’s new nighttime spectacular, Harmonious (coming in the fall).

8. Food is a big part of the experience

More than any of Disney’s other parks, food plays a major role in visiting Epcot. It’s actually one of the park’s biggest attractions!

The biggest complaint about theme park food is that… well, it’s terrible. We expect hot dogs and churros for days. While Epcot does offer these staples in a few locations, variety is king in this park, and much of the cuisine offered is of impressive quality and creativity.

While Future World has a few noteworthy food stops (such as Sunshine Seasons in the land and The Coral Reef restaurant), World Showcase is the real star of the show for dining. Each of the World Showcase pavilions offer both table and counter service options, alongside seasonal booths with dishes from around the world for Epcot’s festivals. There’s a lot to choose from, but a few of our favorites include Tutto Italia in Italy, Katsura Grill in Japan, Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Adventure, Kringla Bakery in Norway, The Rose and Crown Pub in the UK, Spice Road Table in Morocco (and Tangerine Café when it reopens), and The Biergarten in Germany (when the buffet reopens).

These are just a few of the options available. In short, plan to enjoy some food when visiting Epcot, and definitely don’t limit yourself to corn dogs and chicken tenders!

9. It has some of the most convenient (and classy) resorts at Walt Disney World

For the perfect combination of classiness, fun, and convenience, you can’t go wrong with the Epcot resorts: The Boardwalk Inn, The Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and The Swan & Dolphin. I would go so far as to argue they are some of the best resorts at Walt Disney World.

The Epcot resorts have several things going for them. First off, they are incredibly classy—all five are beautifully decorated following individual themes of seaside charm with spacious, comfortable rooms. The Disney Vacation Club villas at The Boardwalk Inn and Yacht & Beach Club are particularly lovely, offering the convenience of kitchens and large bathrooms in most rooms (these can be rented via DVC point rental services).

The Epcot resorts are also easily the most convenient resorts for visiting parks at Walt Disney World. Unless you plan to spend your whole trip at either Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll save a good amount of time and energy visiting the parks from the Epcot resorts. The reason why is that the Epcot resorts offer more transportation options than any other resorts. Guests can reach Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios by either friendship boats or walkways (via Epcot’s “International Gateway” back entrance) and the other two parks by bus. Epcot resort guests also can utilize the Disney Skyliner to travel between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios by accessing it from either park. While not technically part of the immediate Epcot resorts, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera, Pop Century, and the Art of Animation Resorts all also offer access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via Skyliner.

One note about the Swan and Dolphin: these two gorgeous resorts aren’t technically Disney resorts since they’re owned by Marriott, and while Swan and Dolphin guests don’t get access to all of the same benefits as Disney resorts, they do get many of the same perks and convenience of the other Epcot resorts. They also offer deluxe level rooms at moderate prices, and impressive amenities across both hotels (the Java Bar at the Swan is also the best place in Walt Disney World to get a decent cup of coffee). Also, because they are Marriot hotels, you could technically build up enough points on a travel credit card to get free nights there!

10. It’s a really appealing destination for park hopping

Of all of Disney parks, Epcot is the arguably the most ideal for park hopping. For those unfamiliar, park hopping is an option you can add onto almost any Walt Disney World ticket that allows you to visit more than one park in a day. While the Disney Parks Pass reservation system remains in effect, the option is currently available to guests after 2 PM, though we hope to see the system expanded as things return to normal in Disney parks.

Park hopping to Epcot is appealing for a number of reasons. For one thing, it’s extremely convenient if you’re coming from Disney’s Hollywood Studios—the parks are only about 15-20 minutes apart via friendship boat, walkway, or Skyliner. From Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot is fairly easy to reach by bus (eventually, the Epcot monorail will reopen and provide another option as well).

Epcot is a great park to spend the second half of a day at thanks to its wide range of experiences. You can enjoy a fun morning at another park then have a tasty meal and a more leisurely time exploring Epcot’s attractions for the second half of your day. Epcot is also appealing as a dinner destination thanks to its range of restaurants and its late park hours. The park also sees shorter lines on some attractions later in the day, which is a great bonus!

Enjoy this article? Keep reading to learn…

• The 10 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• The 10 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Disney’s Magic Kingdom
• The 10 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Walt Disney World