EPCOT Photo Report: Stay Away on Weekends
It’s time for another weekend Walt Disney World crowds report, this time with our experience at EPCOT on Saturday. In this photo report, we cover wait times, lines in Future World, woes in World Showcase, and strategy for avoiding the worst of this all if you do opt to visit EPCOT on a weekend.
Since Labor Day, we’ve been emphasizing the fact that crowds and wait times are increasing at Walt Disney World. We’ve also repeatedly recommended avoiding EPCOT on weekends, noting in our most recent ‘crowd contrast‘ post that there was a pronounced difference even between Thursday and Friday.
We once again reiterated that you should avoid the parks Fridays through Sundays in our latest Magic Kingdom Weekend Report, which offered a step by step recap of our day. However, unlike the main takeaway from that being that things aren’t as bad as they might appear, the polar opposite is true here–EPCOT was worse than we expected…
In response to our report about a recent Friday in EPCOT, many readers shared their experiences on Saturday and Sunday, which sounded even worse. This wasn’t a total surprise, as it has begun to feel more like a typical ‘festival season,’ even on weekdays.
Before we turn to the World Showcase woes, let’s start with a look at Future World–and some of the silver linings.
Earlier in the day, every attraction in Future World had long posted wait times and many overflow queues were in use.
However, these waits were dramatically inflated. We’re talking 40-60 posted waits for things like Journey into Imagination or the Seas with Nemo & Friends when the actual wait was around 10 minutes or less. This is where it’s important to remember that physical distancing and the lack of FastPass+ combine to create an impression of long waits if you’re just looking at the lines.
By late afternoon, those extended queues were empty and almost every attraction in Future World was a near walk-on.
This includes Spaceship Earth, Mission: Space, Living with the Land, and even Soarin’ Around the World. That last one still had a modest wait, but earlier in the day, there was a line just to get inside the Land pavilion.
The strategy for EPCOT is pretty easy: rope drop Test Track before immediately bouncing to World Showcase, do Frozen Ever After, backtrack to the Mexico pavilion, and then work your way forward to the front of the park. (We’re in the process of updating our 1-Day EPCOT Itinerary to offer step-by-step detail.)
Most crowds will start in the front and work their way to the back of the park, so this one simple thing will improve your experience and reduce discomfort pretty dramatically. If you can be done with World Showcase by around 2 or 3 pm, that nullifies most of our issues and complaints below.
On this particular Saturday, that strategy would not have worked quite so flawlessly, as Test Track was down almost all of the day. (As always, you have to be flexible and able to modify your plans on the fly.)
When Test Track finally opened for the day in late afternoon, the line almost immediately filled up. The posted wait time skyrocketed to 90 minutes rather quickly, and was almost certainly accurate.
Not only did Test Track’s line have countless switchbacks under the building’s canopy and in the Cool Wash area–the line actually stretched all the way back to the Flavors from Fire booth.
The line remained lengthy for the rest of the day. Test Track is often the longest wait in EPCOT right now, but this afternoon’s lengthy line was abnormal, attributable to the extended downtime in the morning through mid-afternoon.
Pretty much everywhere in World Showcase had crowds on par with those that descended upon Test Track. There were ~15 minute lines at many Global Marketplaces, counter service restaurants, and even to get in the Mexico pavilion. Frozen Ever After had an hour long wait much of the afternoon, with its line stretching past Nine Dragons.
However, long lines were hardly the worst of the problems in World Showcase…
I’ll preface the following commentary about World Showcase by saying that we normally avoid weekends during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. (That’s hardly any secret–it has long been one of our guide to the event’s key pieces of advice.) We went to plenty of keggers in college, but that’s no longer our “scene.” As such, we’ve only done fall weekdays in recent years.
We’re not puritans, and don’t have any sort of moral qualms with drinking around World Showcase or anything. We just find the degree of party atmosphere that’s typical in World Showcase during the fall off-putting in a Disney theme park. Some people obviously enjoy it–hence the crowds that have materialized every Saturday and Sunday in World Showcase during the fall for the last several years.
We anticipated that the current rules, masks, physical distancing, and attendance limitations would act as something of a “buzzkill” on the normal party season of EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival weekends. We were clearly mistaken.
This was not a more toned down and restrained version of the event…it was pretty much a normal ‘festivities’ during a Food & Wine weekend. Congestion was heavy–especially in Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom and rule compliance was far worse than on a weekday (definitely not hitting the numbers discussed in our Face Mask Compliance at Walt Disney World Update).
Despite all of those complaints, it was definitely nice to see so many people back in EPCOT, spending money, and having a good time. Numerous bakeries, snack stands, and counter service restaurants that had not previously returned were open for the weekend. No one wants more layoffs or furloughs remain in effect indefinitely, and those only end with more restaurants, retail, etc. reopening. The necessary prerequisite for that is increased attendance. So in its own way, this was oddly a “nice” thing to see.
Moreover, the conviviality and crowds we observed were all outdoors. As more is learned about transmission, I’m personally becoming increasingly comfortable in open air or well-ventilated settings, especially ones where most encounters are brief in nature. I never felt unsafe during our time in EPCOT–more annoyed than anything else, which is pretty consistent with our weekend visits the last few years.
Beyond that, I felt sorry for the “Incredi-Crew” Cast Members who enforce physical distancing and mask compliance. In overhearing conversations, it was obvious their efforts were futile. Many inebriated guests either didn’t understand their requests or didn’t care. Those Cast Members are being tasked with fighting a battle they cannot possibly win.
The blame here lies solely with Walt Disney World management. This is hardly a new problem, and there has been no shortage of criticism about the overindulgence in EPCOT over the last few years. The results here are perfectly predictable, and should’ve been easily foreseeable.
We’ve praised Walt Disney World’s efforts on health safety and proactively ensuring rule compliance. That’s not the case at EPCOT on weekends. In World Showcase, only lip service is being paid to masks and physical distancing, with lucrative alcohol sales being the clear priority.
With that said, it once again bears reiterating that we never felt uncomfortable or unsafe while walking around World Showcase. Our tolerance for outdoor activities is pretty high, whereas our tolerance for indoor activities is low. We’d sooner go back to World Showcase on a weekend than do an indoor table service meal. As always, your mileage may vary.
Nevertheless, this experience called into question the ‘to promote physical distancing and ensure guest safety’ line that’s been parroted in so many press releases about cancelled events and entertainment. That line is starting to ring hollow for me.
I’m sure it’s a complete coincidence that costly things like fireworks or parades are not safe right now, but revenue generators like indoor dining and bar kiosks are totally fine. But that’s another rant for another day.
Ultimately, there are ways to bypass the worst of EPCOT’s crowds and long waits, even if you do opt to visit on a weekend. Simply doing World Showcase first and Future World second should avoid the worst of what we’ve described. So it’s not all bad news. Moreover, a lot of guests are understandably looking to blow off some steam and stress, especially given the challenging nature of the last six-plus months. So perhaps this scene will be for you.
On the other hand, if I were planning my family’s trip to Walt Disney World, I would actively avoid EPCOT on Saturday or Sunday this fall. Weekdays are nothing like this (they’re downright pleasant!), making those the infinitely superior alternative. If we were planning a visit with small children and it came down to visiting EPCOT on a fall weekend or not going at all, I would not go at all.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you visited EPCOT on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday fall started? What was your experience? If you’ve also been on a weekday, how did they compare? Are you “down” with the weekend party scene in World Showcase during Food & Wine, or do you think that’s inappropriate for a Disney theme park? Do you agree or disagree with any of our thoughts? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
That’s all fine and his but getting anything but weekend availability right now is all some of us AP’s can get. I work and don’t have the luxury of taking weekdays off to go to the parks so give me the crowd and whatever park I can get in to.
I’ve been watching your blog closely, as we’re going the last week of October. My fear is capacity gradually increasing until it’s at a level I’m not comfortable with by the time we go. I had hoped we could do this responsibly and enjoy these unusual times at the place we love, but I also know Disney has lost a lot of $ and are probably pretty anxious. “I’m sure it’s a complete coincidence that costly things like fireworks or parades are not safe right now, but…” And that is why I trust you. You’re not blinded by your Disney-Geekness. On many Dis forums a person is attacked if they dare make an observation that‘s less than high praise. Our last day is a Friday. Anyway, which would you do on the Friday before halloween…Epcot or MK? We like to finish with one of the two. However, we’re willing to do Studios if you advise we do that instead. Thanks!
“Anyway, which would you do on the Friday before halloween…Epcot or MK?”
Magic Kingdom, but I’d expect slightly elevated crowds (as compared to Thursday or earlier in the week) due to Halloween at MK and Friday typically being slightly busier at Epcot.
I’d probably just choose whichever I wanted to do more, as crowds could go either way. It’s a close call.
Tom–glad you called out Friday as I hadn’t really thought of that as a weekend, but it’s a good point. We switched to do Epcot on Thursday. Fingers crossed!
FL resident, AP, have been going to Disney 40 years. Went to Epcot this past Sunday (and HS the Friday before) and I won’t be returning any time soon. As much as we love and miss Disney, we simply did not feel safe with respect to covid. Frankly, Epcot felt out of control in that respect, the very few Cast Members who were trying to do anything about enforcing the rules seemed overwhelmed. When you factor in all the other inconveniences – the lack of Fast Passes and all the attractions, parades, restaurants, transportation etc that have not yet reopened – that definitely tipped the scales for us, I’m sad to say. If you have to get your Disney fix, if you can ignore the covid risks, and if you get off on figuring out how to get around the long wait times and other inconveniences, then go for it and I hope it works out for you. If you’re unsure about whether or not to take the health risk, I’d suggest that this isn’t the time to return, especially since FL is probably heading towards a second peak in covid over the next couple of months.
I can verify nearly everything in what you state Tom. We were in Epcot September 8th (Tuesday) and 12th (Saturday). The 12th was much busier than the 8th. World Showcase looked like a normal Epcot day from prior to COVID….and it was raining off and on that day. We unfortunately ignored most of the food kiosks because the lines were too long for us. Personally….I didn’t see a lot of distancing that day in World Showcase.
We (my husband and I…..no kids) will only be at Disney on Friday and Saturday next week. Our plan is to visit Hollywood Studios on Friday and EPCOT on Saturday. With the crowds, should I consider switching park days? I’ve been watching the wait times and have been trying to decide. Thoughts?
I went to Epcot this last Saturday. Very crowded like Tom said bc of the food wine festival. Long lines for food and drinks too. I would go during week or possibly Friday morning. We still had a ball though and lines were long at rides but no more than 30 minutes ( frozen) Test track closed most of day. Follow toms itineraries for the rides as he is correct! But we still had fun and kids didn’t care. Weather prob will be better for you bc it was HoT for us and I am a Floridian. That makes it harder esp with Kids. Definitely get a dinner or lunch sit down reservation ahead of time so you know you can sit for a meal and get a drink if you want. I’d go again bc I love Epcot it just depends on your avoidance of crowds. Can’t say about Hollywood studios bc haven’t been since opened after Covid. Have fun.
You should DEFINITELY switch (if you can–Hollywood studios may be sold out, but keep watching, sometimes inventory sells out).
Do you think that EPCOT on weekends during Festival of the Holidays should be avoided? Does it typically draw the same crowds?
What about Halloween Saturday? Think crowds will be worse at Epcot F&W or Magic Kingdom?
I’d imagine both will be pretty bad since MK is the only park that truly celebrates Halloween. I’d do DHS or DAK that day, if at all possible.
Tom,
I agree about indoor table service meals though a few times in August we took our chances because the place was empty or next to it and we were under the impression WDW restaurants had installed the proper filters.
We return in Dec and I understand eateries can now fill their places up. Do you know if they’ve installed the correct filters?
Much Appreciated.
I just don’t see the appeal of Test Track. We’ve done it once and I really don’t care to do it again. I guess because its one of the few “big” rides in EPCOT but the line (or burning a FP) has never seemed worth it for me. I do “Test Track” driving my way down to Orlando. I’ll just roll the windows down for 15 minutes and the kids can have “Dad’s Test Drive”. I do like that a lot of people like it because they are over there waiting in line while we can do other things.
LOL!
I almost wrote the same thing because my wife says my driving down to FL from NY is much scarier.
We were at the parks last week for 5 days. Tom points it out a few times in the text, but even still I think the lead is being buried – at no point did I feel unsafe at WDW. I was there with my young family and whether it was EPCOT or AK on the weekend, DHS on Monday, or MK twice, I saw 100% mask compliance. The lines have been very well thought out by the staff, with 6+ foot gaps everywhere and hand sanitizer stations are always available, particularly when coming off the rides. It felt like a bunch of people wearing masks, following rules, and having a fun time. The muggy FL heat was hardest honestly! I was glad we were able to go – it’s still a very special place!
We generally always do Epcot 2-3 times during a typical 10-12 night vacation. While we agree completely with everything you said, we find it kind of fun to spend one Friday or Saturday night within World Showcase to absorb the craziness. Of course, we don’t have kids with us. It makes us appreciate the contrast on our much more mellow weekday visit/visits.
This December, we’ve got a much shorter 6-night WDW visit planned, and we’ll only get to visit Epcot one day.
That will be a Wednesday.
The madness cam return on a future trip.
Completely agree! Thanks, Tom!
Pre-Pandemic I would only go to Epcot on a Sunday morning during festival season and would leave by about 1pm before it got too crazy. Since Disney reopened I’ve only been to Epcot once and that was a weeknight for about 2 hours. I have a feeling I might not go again for awhile. Since I work Monday thru Friday I can only go on weekends and I find myself having to use my 3 reservations a bit further out just to make sure I can enjoy MK and AK (my 2 favorite parks)
What parks would you suggest for Saturday and Sunday?
Hollywood Studios – because they reach capacity every day, there’s not much difference between weekdays and weekends.
We were at EPCOT this past Saturday – knowing full well it would be crowded, but we were only down for a long weekend and arrived late Saturday morning and left Monday afternoon, so EPCOT made the most sense. We got to the park around 12 and were there until closing. We definitely didn’t get to everything we wanted to, however, we didn’t do any rides until around 4 or 5 and everything in Future World (aside from Test Track, which as you mentioned was down and then immediately skyrocketed as soon as it opened) was a walk on, regardless of what the wait times said. While we expected the crowds, it was a bit of a shock after the low crowds we experienced less than a month ago, where we accomplished everything we wanted to in the park well before closing. In the end, my husband and I both agreed, it was nice to have the energy of other people around. As nice as it is to walk around an empty EPCOT, it was also a little disconcerting. I think the crowds can only be a step in the right direction for the parks – much as we might wish for the lower crowds for our own personal benefit.
I have a 10-day reservation for Walt Disney World over Thanksgiving week. I am 70 years old, very healthy, but equally concerned about the risk of Covid- 19. Every time I express this concern on a Disney Facebook site I get ridiculed and I’m made to feel like I should just stay away. Naturally, I don’t take any of those moronic comments seriously. Epcot is by far my favorite theme park, and for the trip in November I have made more reservations for Epcot than any other theme park, and based on your assessment, I am seriously considering canceling this trip. Prior to the covid-19 pandemic, I went to Disney World four times a year, staying at Fort Wilderness campgrounds in my rv. Your article is an eye opener for sure. I may have to just put off returning to Walt Disney World until the risk of contamination is lessened considerably.
Hi Doug
I have been to many parks in July and August and September. I have seen good following and implementing of Covid rules and not so good. For example why doesn’t disney have more outside eating areas at hotels?! Besides the quick service. At Floridian there are plenty of areas to have outdoor seating at the cafe but they don’t utilize it. All the research says outdoor dining is way safer than indoor. Also most rides have Indoor waiting where you are pretty close to next person although most attendees are very good at following the marked lines for six feet. I do have to say that attendees are very good at keeping Their masks on esp at MK. My young daughters mask slipped under her nose several times and she was reminded by several cast members to pull it up. We got her a new mask. So people are watching! I recommend you get a hotel with many outdoor amenities and eating areas and one where you don’t have to be in a lobby Or Many hallways to get to your hotel room. If you go. Lots of things to do at parks that aren’t inside however. But Disney will be around for awhile if you aren’t sure then go another time.
Your strategy of starting in World Showcase is spot on. It’s such a good idea for the weekend.
Disney is appearing very two faced with their attitude when it comes to this festival.
This is not the Disney I came to love through the years. We have avoided fall trips for all the reasons you have stated.
I’m coming the first day of November with two small and the plan was to do Epcot on Sunday and Thursday. Said plan involved basically just Future World on the Sunday and World Showcase on Thursday. Decent plan? Should I try to get there early or stay late (both will not be possible).
It’s not easy to get to Epcot early since it isn’t opening until 11AM. And many days it closes at 7PM.
We are arriving to Disney on Sunday November 15 and planning Epcot for lunch time through dinner at Garden Grill with my five year old. Staying at Boardwalk so easiest park location for a short day. Thanks for this post. I will focus on Future World for this day (try to sneak in lunch at Regal Eagle and Frozen Ever After if possible!). Do you know when the Food and Wine booths close? I think I saw Holiday booths don’t open until after Thanksgiving. Is there likely to be a lull with no festival booths in mid November? Thanks!
We are going to Epcot Nov 15 as well. We get in Saturday, but Epcot will be our first park on Sunday morning. I’m hoping there is a lull and the festival is done by then too.
I could not agree with you more. Epcot during F&W is THE WORST (and yes, post English major here who was taught to never type in all caps but really it is THE WORST). We vowed years ago to stay away from Epcot in the fall evenings altogether when we had our children with us. Too many stumbling/falling down drunk/scantily clad/over the top PDA sightings made the experience downright miserable.
We went back last fall as a twosome and thought the atmosphere was a bit better. Alcohol prices had been raised and serving sizes diminished which seemed to make it cost prohibitive for too many people to overindulge. But when we were there this past Labor Day weekend F&W was back to its old tricks. It was disappointing to say the least.
Yes, people may say I’m a prude but to me a family oriented amusement park is not the place to encourage heavy amounts of drinking. F&W seems to be all about the almighty dollar and guest experience be damned.
Agree with you 100%. Could it be that Walt Disney knew what he was talking about when he wanted “dry” parks? . Execs should follow his lead on many things, alcohol being one of them! At the very least, restrictions should be put in place to prevent drunken behavior. No guest should have that ruin their experience!