I'm a lifelong Disney World fan. Here's how I'd rank every Epcot attraction from worst to best.
Amanda Krause
- I'm a lifelong Disney World fan, and I recently vacationed at the park in August 2021.
- At Epcot, I love rides like Living with the Land and Test Track.
I'm a lifelong Disney World fan who's been visiting the theme park since the late '90s. After my most recent trip in August 2021, I ranked every Epcot attraction from worst to best.
I ranked each attraction based on how fun I find them, and how accessible they are to visit. I also considered each attraction's relevancy, whether both kids and adults can enjoy them, and my past memories of visiting the theme park when I was younger.
The attractions I've never had a chance to visit — and therefore didn't include in this ranking — are Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Guardians of Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
11. Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
The Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival lives in the theater where Captain EO and Honey I Shrunk the Audience once played. Each show runs for 18 minutes and features three short films — "Get a Horse," "Feast," and "Piper" — in 4D.
Though there's nothing necessarily wrong with this attraction, in my opinion, there's also nothing special either. Many Disney fans have already seen the featured shorts, and if not, they're easily accessible to anyone with a Disney Plus subscription.
10. Mission: SPACE
The NASA-inspired attraction shows parkgoers what it's like to be an astronaut. You first choose between two "missions" — a calm orbit around Earth or an intense journey to Mars — and then are given a job for your flight, like being the navigator or pilot.
Whereas the calmer, "green mission" is a motion simulator, the "orange" version actually spins and tilts to "simulate the speed and G-forces of a spacecraft," according to Disney World's website.
I rode the latter once as a child and hated how sick I felt afterward. To this day, I'll only ride the "green mission," and only because it's one of my dad's favorite rides. If it was up to me, I'd prefer to skip the attraction altogether.
8. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
On hot days spent walking around Epcot's World Showcase, I often turn to the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. The boat ride is slow and air-conditioned, bringing you on a journey following Panchito and José Carioca as they search for Donald Duck.
But aside from the shade and relaxation it provides, the ride isn't as exciting as it could be. It relies mostly on screens and short animations, which look a bit fuzzy and outdated today.
I don't hate this ride, but like many Disney fans, I think a "Coco"-inspired retheme is needed.
9. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
The Seas with Nemo & Friends is the complete opposite of Mission: SPACE and other Disney World thrills. There's a short ride where you sit in a shell and move through a virtual ocean, an aquarium-type section filled with animals, and a shark-themed playground for kids.
I enjoyed the spot as a kid and still seek refuge there on hot days at the theme park. The ride portion is cute, in my opinion, and I always learn something new from the animal experts on staff in the aquarium.
Still, this attraction isn't one I'm devastated to miss if I don't have time to visit.
7. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Nostalgia can be one of the best parts of Disney vacations, and there are few places better to experience it than on Journey Into Imagination with Figment, in my opinion. Figment has remained a staple of the theme park since the '80s.
The ride is simple and slow, bringing parkgoers through "sensory labs" where you see upside-down scenes, sing along to a catchy theme song, and smell scents like skunk. There are also videos of the purple dragon interacting with Dr. Nigel Channing, played by Eric Idle.
I would be pretty sad if Disney ever removed the Figment attraction entirely, but I wouldn't say no to a modern update.
6. Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth — which people sometimes casually refer to as the Epcot ball — is the first thing you see when you enter the theme park. But the ride itself also stands out. Parkgoers hop into blue vehicles and then glide through historical scenes — from cave paintings to modern innovations.
The ride is just fine, in my opinion, but the exterior is stunning — especially with the lights that were recently added for Disney World's 50th-anniversary celebration.
4. Frozen Ever After
I was pretty sad to see the Maelstrom go in 2014 to make room for Frozen Ever After. Even today — almost eight years later — I still miss the Norway-inspired attraction.
That said, the "Frozen" ride that's taken its place is pretty adorable. Each fan-favorite character is present, as is the beloved music that makes the animated movie so special.
It's definitely made for the younger generation of Disney fans, but most older riders including myself enjoyed the attraction when I last rode it.
5. Turtle Talk with Crush
Technically, Turtle Talk with Crush is part of The Seas with Nemo & Friends. But in my opinion, it's so good that it really stands on its own. The 15-minute show allows parkgoers to chat with the fan-favorite animated turtle, and it's always improvised so you're guaranteed a different experience.
Children will probably enjoy it the most, but even at 26 years old, I always find myself laughing at Crush's jokes.
3. Living with the Land
Living with the Land is one of the most underrated attractions at Disney World, in my opinion. The calm boat ride brings parkgoers through greenhouses and rooms of fish tanks, all of which are used to grow and cultivate food for the Florida theme park.
You can also find tons of hidden Mickeys at this attraction, and you'll sometimes see Disney's horticulturalists in action. The ride itself is simple, but it's a really fun and unique way to get a glimpse of Epcot's behind-the-scenes action.
2. Test Track
I'd argue that Test Track is the most thrilling ride at Epcot. You first design a Chevrolet vehicle to your liking, then hop in that "SIM Car" and take it for a spin — where you'll speed at 65 miles per hour.
Though I loved and prefer the original version of the attraction — it was renovated in 2012 — I still can't get enough of this ride. It's fast, fun, and has continued to thrill me over the years.
1. Soarin' Around the World
I remember riding this attraction when it debuted simply as Soarin' during Disney World's Happiest Celebration on Earth in 2005. I was in awe of the ride back then, and continue to have similar feelings towards it today.
The ride, which makes you feel as though you're hang-gliding across the world, is "a triumph for the senses," as Disney says on its website. You see landscapes from unique perspectives, hear the sounds of nature, and smell some of the environments seen on screen.
No matter how many times I ride Soarin' Around the World, it's always as exciting as the first time.
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