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- Georgina D'Angelo
8 Best Rides at Epcot: Thrills Around the World
Updated: Feb 1
Travel around the world in a day? It’s possible at this magical, wanderlust-filled park at Disney World. The food, decor, and details will transport you from southern Florida to the streets of Paris, Morocco, Mexico, and beyond.
There are eleven countries in total that you can visit in Epcot, making it a wonderful park to choose to explore. The foods from every country are authentic and delicious, and the best Epcot rides provide so much fun here. This park is a must-visit!
Get ready to spark your wanderlust, the magic of Disney is strong at Epcot. It’s such an exciting park to visit for any age, and it has some of the most thrilling rides. So let’s dive into the best part.
Before you visit Epcot or any park at Disney World, download the My Disney Experience app. Some rides require a virtual queue which is only available on this app, and it’s also the best way to check wait times for rides as you can do that from anywhere.
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Best Rides at Epcot
1 | Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Opened in May of 2022, this new coaster is hands down the best ride at Epcot. With a great mix of thrill and Guardians movie immersion, it’s a coaster and experience all in one. This is also one of the most thrilling rides in the entirety of Disney World.
While Disney is not known for thrill rides, especially Epcot, you won’t want to miss out on this coaster. Even if you’re not a Guardians of the Galaxy fan, the ride, and even the wait, are so much fun. Enter the building and step into the world of Guardians.
Height Requirement: 42’’ (107 cm)
Best for: Older kids, teens, and adults
Thrill Level: 4 / 5
Category: Enclosed Thrill Coaster
Disney Genie+: Individual Lightning Lane Pass or Virtual Queue
TIP: Have a designated person in your group be in charge of getting a spot in line for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Because it is the newest ride and such a popular one, everybody wants to ride it.
You must have the My Disney Experience app downloaded so you can enter the virtual queue for Cosmic Rewind. There is no standby lane for this ride, meaning you can’t just walk up and wait. You must either get in the virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane pass.
With the virtual queue, you will request to enter and be given a time to ride Cosmic Rewind later in the day. Make sure you plan to arrive early as you don’t want to miss your one chance to get on this amazing ride!
Because of the virtual queue, it can be difficult to get a ride time for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. There are only a certain number of openings so you really have to stay on top of refreshing the My Disney Experience app to see if the queue is open.
However, if you do secure a spot in line, the nice part is that it makes the actual wait in line go faster. You won’t be standing in a physical line for hours, and even the short wait isn’t bad because of how immersive it is into the world of Guardians.
2 | Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Time to head to France; you definitely don’t want to miss out on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure! Shrink down to Remy’s size and avoid the dangers of humans as you dash and dart your way through a kitchen escapade.
This is a 4D ride so you will receive glasses to wear. There is a slight possibility of motion sickness as this ride is quite jerky, but as someone who gets motion sickness quite easily, it only affected me a little bit. I still loved and highly recommend going on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Height Requirement: Any height
Best for: Any age
Thrill Level: 2 / 5
Category: Enclosed Trackless 4D Ride
Disney Genie+: Disney Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane Pass
Don’t get discouraged if the ride closes. This is actually pretty common in Disney World as there are so many parts to so many rides and they always put guests’ safety first. When we visited, we sat in line for about an hour then they closed the ride.
However, we went back a few hours later and got in fairly quickly. Remember to download the My Disney Experience app so you can check wait times and try to visit this ride when it’s a shorter wait. This is another very popular ride.
3 | Soarin’ Around the World
Take a trip around the world as you soar through the sky from a bird’s point of view. Soarin’ Around the World is a 3D coaster-style ride with Imax screens that will make it look like you’re actually soaring through the sky. Your feet will dangle off the ground, hence why there’s a height requirement.
Height Requirement: 40 in (102 cm)
Best for: Older kids, teens, and adults
Thrill Level: 2 / 5
Category: 3D coaster with small drops
Disney Genie+: Disney Genie+ Ride
Soarin’ is in a 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX digital projection dome. If you’re prone to motion sickness, there’s a possibility you’ll feel it on this ride. As someone who does get motion sickness quite easily, Soarin’ only bothered me a tiny bit, nowhere near as much as Mission: Space for example.
This is a Disney World staple, you can’t visit Epcot and not hop on Soarin’ for a ride around the world!
4 | Test Track
Have you ever dreamed of designing your own race car? Now is your chance to at Test Track in Epcot! While you’re in line, you’ll get the chance to design your own concept “race car” that you will then put to the test on the track.
Height Requirement: 40 in (102 cm)
Best for: Older kids, teens, and adults
Thrill Level: 3 / 5
Category: Open coaster on a track
Disney Genie+: Disney Genie+ Ride
After you’ve completed the track with 3-story hills, 50-degree angled turns, straight accelerations to 65 miles per hour, and more, you’ll get to see how your concept car performed. Did you beat your friends or fellow Test Track riders?
The cars that you’ll actually ride around Test Track hold six passengers. You’ll even get the chance to pose with your concept car for a photo at the end of the ride for a fun souvenir from your adventures through the best Epcot rides!
5 | Frozen Ever After
How can you not be a fan of Elsa and Ana or at least Olaf? The Frozen Ever After ride is a must for everyone visiting Epcot. Hop on your very own Norwegian boat as you sail through Arendelle’s winter wonderland. You’ll see Ana, Elsa, and Olaf on this wonderful attraction.
If you’re a Disney fan, you’re going to love Frozen Ever After. This is a must-ride for any age. As a child-free adult, I absolutely loved this ride and highly recommend it to everyone visiting Epcot. What’s not love about the wintery wonderland of Norway?
Height Requirement: Any height
Best for: All ages
Thrill Level: 1 / 5
Category: Dark, slow, small drops
Disney Genie+: Disney Genie+ Ride
Because Frozen is such a beloved movie, this ride gets very busy. The line tends to be one of the longest in Epcot, but it is definitely worth the wait. Or opt for Disney Genie+ and hop on faster! You don’t want to miss out on the river adventure of Frozen Ever After.
More of the Best Epcot Rides
6 | Spaceship Earth
Did you know the famous Epcot globe has indoor attractions? Don’t skip this classic ride in the place Epcot is known for. Venture inside the globe and hop on Spaceship Earth for an adventure through time and all around the world.
Starting from the Stone Age, you’ll make the journey through time and learn about the development of communication throughout world history. While this is an educational attraction, it’s honestly so much fun and a great ride to visit at the end of the day or when you need a break from thrills.
Height Requirement: Any height
Best for: All ages
Thrill Level: 1 / 5
Category: Enclosed, slow, dark
Disney Genie+: Disney Genie+ Ride
Another great reason to ride Spaceship Earth, besides being a classic Epcot attraction, is that the line is generally very short. Who doesn’t love a short wait when at Disney World? Many people unknowingly pass this slower ride, but it’s definitely a must-visit.
7 | Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Enter the Mexico Pavilion designed like an Aztec Temple in Epcot’s Mexico area and hop on this fun, low-thrill classic. Gran Fiesta Tour takes you on a gentle boat ride through Mexico with the company of the Three Caballeros and Donald Duck.
Height Requirement: Any height
Best for: All ages
Thrill Level: 1 / 5
Category: Slow, enclosed boat ride
Disney Genie+: Neither
The line is generally short for Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros; just another reason it’s one of the best Epcot rides. It’s another classic that takes you back in time to enjoy some of the older, beloved Disney characters like Donald Duck.
8 | Mission: Space
Blast off into space on this NASA-style thrill ride. You’ll be on your way to complete your mission to Mars or opt for a semi-gentler orbit around Earth. Mission: Space is a fan favorite in Epcot and perfect for those who love space or are looking for another thrill ride in the park.
Height Requirement: 40 in (102 cm) or taller
Best for: Older kids, teens, and adults
Thrill Level: 3 / 5
Category: Enclosed thrill, spinning, dark
Disney Genie+: Disney Genie+
Don’t ride Mission: Space if you easily get motion sickness. There is an option that won’t spin you. I have not personally tried this option; but from my experience going on the normal Mission: Space ride, I can say definitely avoid it if you have motion sickness.
READ NEXT: 10 Best Rides at Magic Kingdom
Epcot Forever: Fireworks Show
If you’re planning a day at Epcot, you have to stay until closing so you can experience the magic of Epcot Forever. This incredible fireworks show is the best part about visiting Epcot, other than maybe the food and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
While the classic closing show is held in Magic Kingdom, there really isn’t anything like Epcot’s very own fireworks show. It is generally held right before closing, almost always at 9 p.m. While it is late, especially if you have kids, it is so worth staying up for.
If you want the best view (anywhere near the World Showcase Lagoon) make sure you grab a spot 30 to 45 minutes before the show starts. This is a great time to grab some dinner to go, eat it with the view of the lagoon, then have a fantastic spot to watch Epcot Forever, the marvelous fireworks closing show!
More Rides at Epcot
Epcot has four main areas to explore; each area has its own rides, attractions, and experiences. While Epcot is not known for thrill rides, there are some fun attractions here you don’t want to miss. Above are the best rides at Epcot, and continuing below are the main experiences at this park.
World Nature
Soarin’ Around the World - Ride
Awesome Planet - Film
Living With the Land - Ride
Behind the Seeds - Paid Tour
The Seas With Nemo & Friends - Ride
Turtle Talk With Crush - Q & A Show
World Discovery
Mission: Space - Ride
Test Track - Ride
Jammitors - Live Show
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
World Celebration
Spaceship Earth - Ride
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - Ride
Journey Into Imagination With Figment - Ride
ImageWorks “What If” Labs - Interactive Area
World Showcase - Countries
Canada Far and Wide - Film
Impressions de France - Film
Beauty and the Beast Sing- Along
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure - Ride
Matsuriza - Live Show
Reflections of China - Film
Frozen Ever After - Ride
Gran Fiesta Tour - Ride
READ NEXT: 10 Best Rides at Magic Kingdom
Why visit Epcot?
Epcot is the most underrated park at Disney World. While it doesn’t have the most famous rides or attractions, there’s still so much to do here. I highly recommend you plan a day here so you can experience the best rides at Epcot, the authentic food from all the different countries, and the many festivals that take place in this park.
If your travel dates are flexible, plan your visit to Disney World during one of the annual Epcot festivals. In the spring you can enjoy the International Flower & Garden Festival. The winter months bring in the International Festival of the Holidays. Or plan a summer trip to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival. And that’s just to name a few.
The food alone is reason enough to visit Epcot. With traditional dishes from various countries around the world, the dining options in Epcot are unbeatable. If you want to enjoy a fine dining night, make a reservation in advance at Space 220 Restaurant or Le Cellier Steakhouse, two of the best restaurants in the park.
While Disney World is undoubtedly expensive and sometimes it’s not possible to visit all four parks and two waterparks, Epcot is definitely a must-visit during your trip. Make sure you add this park to your Disney World itinerary!
Best Rides at Epcot: FAQ
What is the most intense ride in Epcot?
Hands down Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the most intense ride at the park. Which is why it's ranked number one out of the best rides at Epcot! It’s a thrill everyone should enjoy; if you’re a Guardians fan, you’ll love it, and even if you’re not, it is a super fun ride.
Are there any thrill rides at Epcot?
You generally don’t visit Epcot if you’re looking for thrill rides. But there are some incredibly fun attractions you don’t want to miss out on. In fact, Epcot is so underrated because many people skip out on it, but it actually has some of the best rides at Disney World. The best “thrill” rides at Epcot are:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Test Track
Mission: Space
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Frozen Ever After
What to Bring to Epcot Disney World
There are some essentials you don’t want to visit Epcot, or any Disney park, without. The following essentials will help you make the most out of your trip so you can truly have a magical experience at Epcot and the rest of Disney World!
If you only have a few days to spend at Disney World, even just two, I highly recommend planning to spend one of those days at Epcot. From incredible food from all around the world to the best Ecpot rides, this park is so underrated. It’s so much fun for all ages!
Go on an international journey at the World Showcase, and hop on some fun classic rides as well as the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Make your way through World Nature for a visit to Soarin’. Then get ready for a thrill at World Celebration’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
You need to download the My Disney Experience app so you can make the most of your time exploring Disney World’s Epcot! If you can add it to your trip, I suggest investing in the Disney Genie+; I definitely think it’s worth the extra money so you can experience more of the parks and spend less time waiting in lines.
Are you ready to hop on the best rides at Epcot for a magical time? Adventure around the world, try new foods, enjoy a few thrills, and don’t forget to stop at the classic rides. It’s not a visit to Epcot without them!
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