All Things Travel Podcast
Listen in each week with Creating Magic Vacations Travel Advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie.
He is your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She is a Disney-loving, Maryland mom of 3 and a specialist in family travel.
Whether they're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories…it’s always All Things Travel.
All Things Travel Podcast
Epcot for Everyone: Family Fun, Adult Adventures, and Top Touring Tips
Epcot isn’t just for adults or thrill seekers—it’s a park with something for everyone!
🎡✨ In this episode of All Things Travel, Ryan and Julie share the ultimate guide to enjoying Epcot, whether you’re visiting with kids, older teens, or as an adult group. From navigating rides to dining options and hidden gems, this episode is your blueprint for a magical day.
Key Topics Covered:
👨👩👧👦 Epcot with Kids:
- Perfect itineraries for kids under 4 and adventurous older kids
- Top kid-friendly attractions: Seas with Nemo & Friends, Living with the Land, and Turtle Talk with Crush
- Secret character meet-and-greets around World Showcase
🎢 Epcot with Adults or Older Kids:
- Why the International Gateway entrance is a game-changer
- Best attractions for adults: Guardians of the Galaxy, Soarin’, and Frozen Ever After
- Dining and drinks: La Cava del Tequila, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, and Rose & Crown patio
🌍 Hidden Gems & Pro Tips:
- Quiet spots to relax in World Showcase (like Japan’s bamboo garden)
- Using gift cards to stay on budget during festivals and kiosks
- Where to catch the best views of Luminous nighttime spectacular
Dining Highlights:
- Quick-service favorites: Connections Cafe, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, and Les Halles in France
- Top table-service picks: Via Napoli, Space 220, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
📅 Plan Your Perfect Day:
Ryan and Julie share their insider strategies for avoiding crowds, booking Lightning Lanes, and ensuring a seamless visit for every member of your group.
Call to Action:
Planning your Epcot adventure? Let Ryan and Julie create a custom itinerary that makes your day unforgettable. Contact us today at AllThingsTravelPodcast.com to get started!
#EpcotTips #DisneyPlanning #AllThingsTravelPodcast #FamilyTravel #AdultsAtDisney #EpcotAdventures
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Hello and welcome to All Things Travel. Julie, look at our show notes. What episode number is this?
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:250!
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:sounds like a good episode for a big woohoo, right?
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Woohoo!
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:We're both excited. Maybe it's later at night and we're uh, yeah, but anyway 250 episodes. That is awesome Let's do 250 more.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Alright,
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Okay. It's a deal. Last week we told you our best touring strategies for Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the most popular theme park in the world. Today we're switching gears and talking all about how to do Epcot, the second theme park to open at Walt Disney World. Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts, Ryan and Julie. I'm your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. And she's a Disney loving, Maryland mom of three, and a specialist in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories, it's always all things travel.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:okay, so Epcot is very different than Magic Kingdom, right? It's a completely different focus. of people think it's not for little kids. I would argue let's talk just like very, very briefly, Ryan, about EPCOT history. Can we do that?
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Well, it didn't start as a theme park.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Correct. EPCOT stands for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Walt's original idea was to have it be an actual living community
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Yep,
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:there was a central area and layers expanding out from that. it was like futuristic and it was supposed to be just this utopian community. Obviously, that's not exactly what happened, but we still love Epcot.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:we love Epcot it's interesting because Epcot really is my favorite park for a variety of reasons I used to be one of the people that were like, it's really not for kids You know if you got to shave one off if you have smaller kids, it's really not for kids I really think it's your focus. What are you going for? what do you want to see when you're there? I think Epcot's for everybody.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I would agree.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Alright, so we broke up last week's episode into visiting the park with small kids and visiting the park with either older kids or just adults. And that's the way we're going to do Epcot today. I'm going to start By talking about adults or older kids. So when to arrive, first of all, I want you to ask your question, why are you there? If you are there for the rides and the festival? Then I say rope drop. If you're there for the rides, I say rope drop. If you're really there just for the, and I don't say just as a bad thing, but if you're there just to experience World Showcase and the festivals, I would say plan on arriving about 10 a. m. and then staying throughout the day later into the night. Where do you want to go first? go in through International Gateway. There's a couple strategies for doing this, Julie. Obviously, if you are in the EBCOT resort area or if you're on a Skyliner resort, you can do this quite easily. If you're not, unless you have a larger group, I would pay to Uber over to one of the resorts over the EBCOT area because I Do think you get a bigger bang for your buck first thing in the morning by going in through the International Gateway
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Why?
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:because I think you're closer to the more popular rides and you can bang one or two of those out. thing.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Yeah, I agree. I talk about that too when we get to
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Okay.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:section.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:So what do you want to do? First thing? I think you have several different options. If your focus is on rides, I would either go straight to Remy or frozen, whichever one. Maybe you didn't get your lightning lane for, and we'll talk about that in a little bit. And then I would hit Soren. If you are more interested in the eating and drinking and around the world, I would do one of two things. La Cava del Tequila opens at 11 and there is, believe it or not, usually a line there in the Mexico Pavilion. Completely worth it. It's fun to be there and quote unquote rope drop, the tequila cave. Or to be honest, I like to go first thing in the morning and take pictures around World Showcase because nobody's there and you can get some really good group shots. You can get some different types of shots of the World Showcase areas, without a bunch of people in them.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Because technically World Showcase opens at 11.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:correct.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:and the dining, they're
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Yeah, so you're not going to see everything, but you can definitely see the architecture and get some interesting shots. If I'm with an adult group, my focus is going to be stuff I can do in World Showcase, then I'm going to go to the other areas, and then I'm going to go back to World Showcase. And that's how I'm going to spend my day all the way through the, fireworks. How do I spend my afternoon and evening? I would really focus on each country and enjoy the shops and attractions. You do not have to drink around the world to enjoy World Showcase. But take your time, explore, divide and conquer when it comes to food options and festivals because EPCOT has a lot of Great snacks, quick service, and table service options. I think if you're going to focus on snacks and quick service, send people out and then have a central place to meet with your hunting party if you will. I used to do this when the kids were little. when it came to the festivals, we would find our place to sit down and then several of the adults would go out and grab things and bring them back to the spot.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I love that idea.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Find a spot for Luminous. you're going to be able to see it from most areas in World Showcase. My favorite spot, and I actually found this for the first time this summer, if you go to the Yorkshire Fish and Chips area and you go down the patio and you kind of weave your way back, there's a back patio of Rosencrown that is for folks who are watching the fireworks, but there is a spot where you don't have to be part of that, but you can still lean up against the railing and see it. And it's actually a lot less crowded. I really liked that spot. What am I going to pre book or do lightning lanes or individual lightning lanes? I would say choose between frozen ever after or Remy's I would do Soren. And then whenever I do Soren, I would do living with the land. I don't think you need to do a lightning lane, even though sometimes we see crazy wait times for that. And then do guardians of the galaxy either once or twice. by doing an individual lightning lane and or a virtual queue. when we're talking about this, test track is down. That's something else that I would throw in the mix there. If you have space folks, mission space would be a good one to add there. But those wait times don't tend to be very long, regardless of which one you're going on. So I really think you don't have to focus on lightning lanes as much with Epcot. Unless you're really gung ho about wanting to see a certain ride or riding something several times. Quick service for me, I love Connections Cafe and Eatery, I think that was a great addition. The Regal Eagle Smokehouse is wonderful. Sunshine Seasons is really good. I like the bakery in France, but I also like the creperie in France. And Julie and I have a favorite quick service spot. What is it, Julie?
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:The Yorkshire County Fish Shop.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Love the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. You're going to get your fish and chips. You're going to get a nice beer. You're going to go sit by the water. It is a great spot for a quick service meal any time of the day.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I don't recommend it for any of my families with young kids because the only thing on the menu is fish
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Yes. So you have to, that's what you have to have. it is very, very good fish and chips.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:We will be there when this episode comes out. We will be at EPCOT three days later doing this adults only itinerary.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:I bet we're going to have fish and chips, aren't we?
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I can't wait.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Table service. I'm going to say Via Napoli for some amazing pizza. Teppan Ito is always fun because that's the hibachi restaurant. So you're going to have a fun time with your adults group and don't sleep on the newer sushi place that's right next door. I went there with my kids this summer. Super, super good.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Yeah, Shikisai is the name of
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Shikisai. Great. Thank you. Space 220 is good if you can't get a reservation. You can always join the walk up list for the lounge. I always love the beer garden. great food, great atmosphere. Especially if you're using the dining plan, it is 100 percent worth it. For me in EBCOT, what are some pro tips? Take the time to explore the countries. My guess is if you went to, Disney, as a parent or with younger kids, you did not spend as much time in the countries. Go into the countries. If you go into Morocco or Japan, you're gonna see things that you didn't even know were at Disney. It's just absolutely amazing. So take the time to do that. Don't sleep on Club Cool. I think that is such a retro thing that is at Epcot and I just absolutely love it. Go in. Turn on your video, take a live or a video of you guys doing a drink challenge there at Club Cool, post it on Instagram. It's a lot of fun.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:If you don't know what Club Kool is, it's flavors of soda from all around the world.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:particularly Coca Cola products. it's just fun because some are really good and some are not as good. I would love to watch a video and see what your favorite ones are. And Julie, maybe we're going to have to do that for our Facebook group when we go to Epcot.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:that sounds fun.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:I will challenge you to that.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Oh boy.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Hey, do you need a break outside the park? I would recommend, if you're at Epcot, head over to the boardwalk area through the International Gateway. It's a great place to sit and relax around the water, get a drink, get a bite to eat, maybe head over to Beaches and Cream and get a treat. lots of options there. to be honest, If you want to be on the go, either enjoying rides or the festival that's there, skip table service completely. I don't think you need an Epcot. I think there's lots of great options, but there's so many good snack options, festival options, and quick service options. Another thing, especially with the festivals and the drink kiosks, it is very easy to overspend at EBCOT because you're just hitting things as you go along. I would keep track of that a little better by buying some gift cards and using those and keeping a cap on your spending there at Epcot. Any, reaction to those pro tips? Julie
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I can't wait to do this itinerary in a couple days.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Alright, there we go. before we jump over to the family side of Epcot, I wanna talk about where in the world is all things travel. When I went in and looked this week at new locations, one that popped up for us is Naples, Florida. Have you been to Naples, Julie?
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I haven't.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:I have been to Naples. I really like that part of Florida. I went to Marco Island several years ago. Naples is about an hour drive from there, so it's a good place to see both on one vacation. One thing I really like about Naples is there's tons of opportunities to get on the water. In fact, when I Googled things to do in Naples. There were tons of sunset cruises, catamaran cruises. And so that's definitely what I want to do when I visit our listener in Naples, Florida. we are super excited that all the way from the west coast of Florida we have a listener. So do us a favor Naples, reach out to either Julie or myself and you can do that on our website. contact us. I would love to send a little thank you gift all the way down to Naples for being featured on today's show. All right, Julie. So let's talk about EBCOT from a family or kids perspective.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Yeah, and like I said earlier, a lot of people think Epcot's not for kids, and they really just think about the countries and drinking around the world. But I have quite a few arguments for why Epcot is for kids and is for families and a lot of that is a changing landscape in Epcot over the past couple of years. So, let's back up to when you're going to arrive to Epcot. I do think that if your kids are 4 or under, you don't need to rope drop. Because where you're going to be focusing your time are not the rides that have very long waits.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:I think that's a great suggestion. You're going to be able to maximize your time even while other people are running around on the quote unquote bigger more popular rides
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Right. Even though those kids under four can go on Frozen Ever After and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, they might not want to. They're kind of jerky a little bit. My kids are personally scared of frozen at the moment. So those are not always must do's for us and I think that it's fine. I usually use that as a day to take a little bit of a slower morning because you don't need to rope drop. If your kids are a little bit older, I do like to rope drop and get to early entry so that you can split up those tier one attractions on your lightning lanes like Ryan mentioned earlier. If you're on the monorail or bus, you still want to leave about 60 minutes prior to park opening. If you can walk, leave your resort about 45 minutes prior to park opening. Pay attention that I'm saying park opening and not early entry. So really, 45 minutes prior to park opening is really 15 minutes prior to early entry. Okay, so where to go first. If your kids are under four and you're not rope dropping, You're going to head straight for the Seas Pavilion for the Seas with Nemo and Friends. bet you you're going to go on that ride a couple of times. It is really cute. The queue is fun. It is a dark queue, so just be prepared for that. After you get off the Seas with Nemo and Friends, you're going to go and explore the aquariums. Go to turtle talk with crush. There's a very small climbing area for kids in there. It's just a fun spot. You could easily spend almost an hour in that pavilion.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Yes, you're going to be spending more time in that area than you're planning for
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Absolutely.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:and
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:And
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:it warrants it I mean, it's one of the largest aquariums in the country And there's just so much to do
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:yeah, and the kids can just sit there and it's great. after you leave the C's pavilion. Walk up towards the Pixar short film festival. don't have to watch the show I don't really recommend that for younger kids but Mickey and Minnie greet together right at the entrance right inside the building You don't know that unless you walk inside. There's not a sign really or anything like that But it's really the only place that they greet together.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:good tip.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:walk down to the land pavilion and go on living with the land It is an old retro boat ride, but I will say my kids love it
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:My kids love it and they're 18 and 16
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:right, they think it is the coolest thing to go through, see all these plants growing. And bonus, if your kids are very young, phenomenal spot for a nap. After living with the land, you're probably close to lunchtime. You're gonna walk over to Connections after you eat at Connections Cafe and Eatery. You're gonna keep walking to the back. There's a playground right outside. Your kids are going to play there, and the adults are going to ride or swap Guardians of the Galaxy your pre booked individual lightning lane.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Nice.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I don't know what genius designed that area to have the playground right next to Guardians of the Galaxy. it is awesome.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:And Julie, I will throw in a hidden gem here. When you're at Connections, the last time I was here, my kids went off to get a treat somewhere else and I was walking through Connections and it was treat time for me. I got, I believe I have this right off the top of my head, I think it was an apple pie gelato shake. It was so darn good.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Yeah, I really like their food. I think they have a really good menu for kids and also a really good menu for adult. I feel like I get a General Tso's chicken salad and it's so good. Okay, back to your touring plan. So that's for like, if your kids are under four, that's what your plan is. If they're over four, or they're just more adventurous, you're gonna arrive at Rope Drop. You're gonna go either straight to Remy's or straight to Frozen Ever After. If you're coming in International Gateway, you're gonna go straight to Remy's. If you're taking the bus or monorail, And coming through the front entrance, you're going to go straight to Frozen. Then everything else is going to be the same. You're going to come down and do the seas, the land, and lunch. Once you've hit your afternoon, if you're on the monorail or you can walk, you can consider taking a break. I actually really like to just pop the kids in the stroller and stroll around World Showcase.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:I think there's a lot of places if you're with kids that just need to rest. There are so many great places to just chill in World Showcase. I'm thinking of Japan. if you head back to the quick service in Japan, it is a beautiful area with bamboo that's grown up over picnic tables. it's a great quiet place to relax if you just need some downtime.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:I do love that area. And I would also say back in the UK Pavilion, but look out for concerts.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:yeah, I think there's definitely some places to get away there, but that does tend to be a busier place unless you go back to the garden
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:That's
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:that's behind the shops.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:And occasionally there's like a band there, but not all day. If your kids are a little older and maybe they don't take a nap while you're walking around world showcase, them go to the kid cot stations in each country. It's this little table that's set to the side. There's always at least one cast member there. it's like a little coloring. or maybe something else. They can talk to the cast member. They can get stickers. It just gives them something to occupy while you maybe look around the shop for a second. my kids love collecting the little coloring pages.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:And a bonus with that is. They are interacting at the KitKat stations with people from that country. So that's another little cultural immersion moment for your kiddos.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Ryan mentioned this earlier with going in and around the shops and the attractions in each country, but don't discount the Japan shop. That place is a department store. It is huge and there is actually a ton of kids toys. Think like Pokemon or anything anime. That store has so much of it. It's a fun place for kids to walk around
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:And it has,
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:realize. It's
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:and it has a backroom with Japanese candy, which is always fun and unique and different snacks as well.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Yeah, that's definitely one of the better shops for kids to go through. and also don't forget that over in the Mexico Pavilion, there is the Three Caballeros ride. So, you know, maybe you go to La Cava and then hop over to the boat ride.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Love it.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Another thing to remember in World Showcase is back in France is the Beauty and the Beast sing along. So if your kid is not into Remy's Adventure, maybe they go with one parent to the Beauty and the Beast sing along. That show alternates throughout the day with another show in the France Pavilion just check and see what's playing when you're there. it's really easy to mix. what the adults want to see in World Showcase with something for the kids to do as you go along. Grab dinner at your favorite country's table service. We'll get on that in a second.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:And I will say, you know, I talked a lot about not doing table service, but I think for smaller kids. Table service does make sense because I'm talking about grabbing snacks and kind of having a space where everybody can share stuff. and that can be a little chaotic for little kids. So sitting down with them at meals is a better plan.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Right, you see all those memes on social media with people like eating off of trash cans in Epcot, which is very much a thing because there's not a lot of seating and tables. When you're snacking. So I do like to have a table service And then if you make it, we usually don't, find a spot for luminous. it is loud though and fireworks are going off from everywhere. So if your kid is Concerned about fireworks. Maybe just skip it this trip Okay, lightning lanes a little bit different from Ryan's because I'm focusing on those kiddos. I would pick frozen or Remy's like he said, but I would also do the seas and living with the land Especially if you have those really little kids and you're not going to rope drop, I think that's a good use of the lightning lanes. And for adults, regardless of how old your kids are, get an individual lightning lane for Guardians of the Galaxy. And switch off. It's so much fun. Okay dining quick service is the same as ryan's. I love connections cafe and eatery If you're up in world showcase go to regal eagle smokehouse Down at the lands. I like sunshine seasons not because I love their food But because they have a wide variety of food. And Les Halles in France, the bakery in the back has really delicious sandwiches, but kids will love the desserts. table service. There's some really good ones in Epcot for kids, I love Via Napoli. That's always my top recommendation because I love the idea of splitting a pizza. Garden Grill is a character meal. Space 220 is fun if your kids are, a little older or early teens. And Akershus is a princess breakfast that if you don't want to do Cinderella's Table, this is also a good option. It is in Norway, so make sure to check the menu and see if that works for you. Okay. And here's the really fun part about Epcot almost no one knows about. There are characters everywhere. this is why it is such an awesome park for kids, because these characters rarely have a line. you can see and meet so many characters throughout your day without the lines that you're gonna have at the other three parks. over in Norway, that's the only place to meet Anna and Elsa. You can meet Mickey and Minnie at the Pixar Short Film Festival, like I mentioned. Over in the UK, there's Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, and Mary Poppins. In France is Belle and Aurora. In Mexico is Donald Duck. The Imagination Pavilion, they kind of rotate, but currently it's Figment and Joy from Inside Out. China has Mulan, Snow White is in Germany. Jasmine is in Morocco. And either in the front of the park or by International Gateway is Minnie, Pluto, Daisy, and Goofy. all these characters just kind of come and go throughout the day. And that's what I love about it.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:So Julie, I think we have dispelled the rumor today that Epcot is only for adults or thrill ride seekers. I think Epcot has so much, you didn't even mention Moana.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:Oh my gosh, you're right.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:Moana's way with water is perfect for little kids and anybody who loves that movie there is an awesome, photo opportunity at the end. with the Te Fiti Island and everything. There's just, Yeah, Epcot has so much going on. I think one of the things that I did not mention when I was talking about adults and older kids, Epcot is the reason to get Park Hopper. Especially if you're staying at the boardwalk, the beach club, or the yacht club. Every evening, will end at Epcot, at least partially.
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:right, so after you mentioned Moana, I now need to amend my touring plan after you go to the Land Pavilion. Go to Moana.
ryan_2_01-12-2025_200340:You want to plan a trip to an amazing destination like the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, but you don't know how to get started? As your travel advisors, we work with you to create a customized itinerary for your vacation and take the stress of planning away so you can focus on the fun and creating memories. You can reach out to us by going to allthingstravelpodcast. com and either clicking contact us or plan your next vacation. We look forward to talking to you next week on all things travel by discussing Why you need to make sure on your next cruise you're visiting that cruise line's private island. Spoiler alert, it's amazing. Spoiler alert, it's amazing. All aboard! So,
j_1_01-12-2025_200340:such a loser.
