EPCOT has a festival running for most of the year, so the best days are weekdays during a festival you enjoy. Weekday evenings are great for World Showcase; festival weekends and holiday weeks are the busiest.
EPCOT has a festival running for most of the year, so the best days are weekdays during a festival you enjoy. Weekday evenings are great for World Showcase; festival weekends and holiday weeks are the busiest.
EPCOT is two parks in one: the front half, now called World Celebration, World Discovery and World Nature, and World Showcase, a lagoon ringed by 11 country pavilions. It is the park locals visit most, because it rarely goes without a festival, and it is the easiest Disney park to enjoy in the evening with a drink and dinner around the world.
EPCOT at a glance
- Opened: October 1, 1982
- Where: Walt Disney World, with a main entrance and an International Gateway entrance by the BoardWalk and the Skyliner
- Hours: vary by day and season. Always check the official park calendar for your date.
EPCOT calendar: month by month
| Month | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low to moderate | Very busy New Year's week, then one of the quietest stretches of the year. EPCOT International Festival of the Arts begins |
| February | Moderate | Presidents' Day week is busy; the rest of the month is comfortable. Festival of the Arts continues |
| March | High | Spring break weeks bring big crowds. EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival begins |
| April | High | Easter and spring break early in the month, calmer late April. Flower & Garden Festival |
| May | Low to moderate | A sweet spot until Memorial Day weekend. Flower & Garden Festival |
| June | High | Summer break starts; hot, with afternoon storms |
| July | High | Peak summer; the week of July 4 is among the busiest of the year |
| August | Moderate | Crowds drop once Florida schools go back in mid-August. EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival begins |
| September | Low | Usually the quietest month; peak of hurricane season. Food & Wine Festival; quieter weekdays |
| October | Moderate | Fall breaks and Halloween events; pleasant weather returns. Food & Wine Festival; weekends are busy |
| November | Moderate | Thanksgiving week is very busy; early November is calmer. Food & Wine wraps up; Festival of the Holidays begins late in the month |
| December | Moderate | Early December is manageable; about December 20 to New Year's is peak. Festival of the Holidays and the Candlelight Processional |
Crowd levels are the typical pattern. Holidays, school breaks and special events can shift them, so check the official calendar for your dates.
The best days of the week to go
| Day | Crowds | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Moderate | Busier after long weekends |
| Tuesday | Low to moderate | Often one of the calmer days |
| Wednesday | Low to moderate | Often one of the calmer days |
| Thursday | Moderate | Weekend arrivals start |
| Friday | Moderate to high | Long-weekend visitors arrive |
| Saturday | High | Florida residents and passholders join the crowds |
| Sunday | Moderate to high | Busy morning, often easing by evening |
The best time of day
- Opening: head to the most popular rides first. World Showcase usually opens later in the morning than the front of the park.
- Midday: festival booths and the front of the park are busiest; indoor pavilions are a good escape from the heat.
- Evening: World Showcase is at its best after sunset, and the nighttime show over the lagoon ends the day.
- Skip the main gate: guests at the BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club and Skyliner resorts can use the International Gateway entrance between France and the United Kingdom.
EPCOT seasonal events
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (Winter, usually January to February): Food studios, live performances and art around World Showcase.
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (Spring into early summer): Character topiaries, gardens and outdoor kitchens.
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Late summer through November): The biggest festival of the year, with dozens of global food and drink booths.
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Late November through December): Holiday kitchens, storytellers and the Candlelight Processional.
Event dates are announced by the park each year, so confirm them on the official calendar before you book.
Weather to plan around
- Summer (June to September): hot and humid, with short afternoon thunderstorms most days. Outdoor rides pause for lightning, usually for under an hour.
- Hurricane season: June 1 to November 30. Most days are unaffected, but watch the forecast and consider travel insurance.
- Winter (December to February): mild and dry, with the occasional cold snap. Great for walking, chilly for water rides.
- Spring and fall: warm, comfortable and usually drier.
See our guide to the best time to visit Orlando for more.
Local tips
- Festival weekends draw a lot of locals. For food booths without the crowds, go on a weekday afternoon.
- The Skyliner connects EPCOT with Hollywood Studios and several resorts, which makes it easy to split a day between the two parks.
- World Showcase is a big loop, about 1.2 miles around the lagoon. Wear good shoes.
- Check the festival calendar before you book; each festival sets its own dates each year.
EPCOT tickets
Compare tickets with live prices and traveler reviews below.
Bookings are covered by Viator's Lowest Price Guarantee: find the same tour cheaper elsewhere and Viator refunds the difference. Terms
1. Walt Disney World Orlando Resort Base Ticket
Escape into a place where magic has the power to transport us into stunning worlds, favorite stories and far-off galaxies. With this Walt Disney World® Base Ticket, you can do Walt Disney World® at your own pace.
Why it made our list
- Rated 2.6 out of 5 by 177 travelers
- Flagged by Viator for excellent quality
- Takes about 1 day to 10 days
2. Walt Disney World Orlando Park Hopper Tickets
Gather friends and family in a place where all are welcome, and the memories made together last forever and ever. With a Walt Disney World® Park Hopper Ticket, you can visit multiple magical parks on the same day.
Why it made our list
- Rated 2.8 out of 5 by 116 travelers
- Flagged by Viator for excellent quality
- Takes about 1 day to 10 days
3. Walt Disney World Admission with Water Park and Sports Option
With a Walt Disney World Ticket with Water Park and Sports Options, you can do Walt Disney World® at your own pace. These tickets allow you to visit one park per day, as well as visits to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, a selection of both full size and mini golf courses and more!
Why it made our list
- Rated 2.7 out of 5 by 34 travelers
- Takes about 1 day to 10 days
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time of year to visit EPCOT?
It depends on the festival you want. Spring is great for Flower & Garden, fall for Food & Wine, and September weekdays are usually the quietest time to enjoy it.
When is the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival?
It usually runs from late summer through November. Disney announces exact dates each year.
What is the busiest day at EPCOT?
Saturdays, especially during festivals, and holiday weeks such as Christmas to New Year's.
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