Planning an adult trip to Epcot and want to know what to eat, drink, ride, and experience? We’ve got you covered!

If there’s a Disney World park tailor-made for grown-ups, it’s Epcot. The whole park is overflowing with attractions, restaurants, and scenery that are perfect for grownup fun.

This guide is designed to be a complete resource for adults to plan the perfect trip. From top to bottom, you’ll find all of the information you need to take advantage of all the best things Epcot has to offer.

Introduction

Epcot is definitely our favorite Disney World park to visit repeatedly. With its great food, rides, and walkability, it never gets old. We like Epcot so much that we even hosted our rehearsal dinner at one of the park’s private venues.

We’ve spent plenty of full days at the park, but we often just pop in for a quick dinner and dessert. That’s the beauty of Epcot- No matter if you want to spend a couple of days or just a couple of hours in the park, there’s always something to do.

Epcot is split into four main sections: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and the World Showcase. World Celebration is centered around the iconic Spaceship Earth globe at the front of the park. World Discovery is where the futuristic and space related attractions are and World Nature is where the Land and the Seas attractions are. Adults will find plenty of things to do in each section, but the World Showcase is where Epcot really shines for adults with its plethora of restaurants and entertainment options.

Adults will want to spend the majority of their time in The World Showcase, which is made up of different “Pavilions”. Each Pavilion is themed for a specific country. This means that all restaurants, attractions, and shopping are unique in each part of the World Showcase.

However, we highly recommend spending a portion of your day in the front portion of the park to take advantage of all the great rides in Epcot.

P.S. – When you’re done with this guide, don’t miss our list of 30 Insider Epcot Tips & Secrets and our huge list of all the Best Things to do in Each World Showcase Country. They’re both chock-full of great info.

Best Epcot Rides for Adults

Overall, Epcot has a ton of rides that appeal to adults. It’s not that the whole family wouldn’t enjoy them, it’s just that most of the rides just have a slightly more mature tilt than what you’ll find at a park like Magic Kingdom.

Throughout this section, we’ve given scores to attractions and restaurants based on how enjoyable they are for adults.

Soarin’ Around the World (10/10)

If you’re familiar with Epcot, you already know that Soarin’ Around the World is one of the most popular rides in all of Disney World. And if you’ve experienced Soarin’, it’s easy to understand why it’s so popular.

Soarin’ is a huge, indoor hang glider simulator. It is, without a doubt, a can’t-miss ride for adults (and everyone else) and it’s always in a high spot on our big list of 110 Disney World Must-Do’s.

When you enter the ride, you’ll be seated in a row on one of the rides’ vehicles. Once you’re strapped in, you’ll be lifted high into the air, directly in front of a 180-degree, 80ft concave screen.

You’ll immediately feel like you are flying when the ride thrusts you into Switzerland, high above the Matterhorn. It’s an epic start to the experience. I especially enjoy the Matterhorn scene, as we spent a week of our honeymoon at the foot of the real-life Matterhorn.

Altogether, Soarin’ will take you on a flight with locations on six continents. You’ll feel the wind in your face. You’ll even experience different scents specific to different locations.

Soarin’ is super popular, so Lightning Lane is a must if you don’t want to wait for an hour plus. If you can’t get Lightning Lane, get in line first thing in the morning or make it the last thing you do before the park closes. You’ll probably still have a line to deal with, but it will hopefully not be as bad.

Mission Space (9/10)

This one makes this list for its intensity alone. Surprisingly, Mission Space is considered to be the most intense ride in all of Disney World. True story.

Mission Space is a spaceship simulator that takes you on a ride from Earth to Mars. The theme and storyline of the ride really isn’t anything special, but the thrill aspect makes up for it.

The g-forces absolutely rip. If you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll have a great time. However, you may want to take a rain check if you get motion sickness or are claustrophobic.

Wait times for Mission Space typically range from moderate to high. You shouldn’t have to wait nearly as long as you would for Soarin’, but it’s still a good use of a Lightning Lane slot.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (9/10)

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the newest ride on Epcot’s list. It’s got state-of-the-art ride technology, an epic ride sequence and a stellar theme. It’s impressive by many standards and is a favorite for those who love thrill rides and Marvel movies.

The Guardians of the Galaxy are the main characters of this coaster and they’ll give you a special mission before you hop into the ride vehicle. This is Disney’s first ever reverse-launch coaster so prepare for an interesting new experience on this fun and fast-paced ride.

Star-Lord’s Awesome Mix plays in the background as you fly backwards through space and jump time zones to evade the impending evil. This indoor coaster not only propels you backwards, but your individual vehicle will also rotate a full 360 degrees to view different features of the ride.

Guardians currently runs on the Virtual Queue system, which means you’ll need to wake up at 7am on the morning of your Epcot trip to try booking a time slot for the ride. If you miss this booking or choose to wait till late in the day, another round of virtual slots comes available at 1pm. You must be physically inside Epcot park to book at this time period.

Spaceship Earth (9/10)

Spaceship Earth is probably the most “quintessentially Epcot” ride at the park. It is a dark ride that takes you on a slow journey through a variety of historical scenes. The whole ride takes place inside the iconic “golf ball”. We’ve got some cool facts and more details on the ride in our post all about Spaceship Earth.

The central theme is humanity’s progress throughout history. You’ll see impressive sets reconstructed to look like everything from Ancient Rome to a 1970’s computer room, complete with detailed animatronics.

Spaceship Earth is well-executed and interesting. It’s also a great ride for taking a break from the Florida sun. It takes about 15 minutes from beginning to end, so it’s a nice way to relax. Grab a cold drink or some ice cream, then hop on.

Wait times are usually moderate to low for Spaceship Earth, depending on how busy the whole park may be. It can be worth using Lightning Lane here, but it’s not always necessary.

Test Track (8/10)

Test Track is by far one of the most popular attractions at Epcot. It places you in a slot car and takes you through a track intended to simulate Chevrolet’s (the ride’s sponsor) testing procedures for vehicles.

You’ll start off designing your virtual vehicle on touchscreens in the line queue. Whatever vehicle you build will be used throughout the rest of the ride. As you go through the tests, it will show simulated “scores” that indicate how well your creation performed. It’s a fun touch, but the scores are just based on how you designed the exterior aesthetics of your car and don’t make that much logical sense.

There are a lot of quick turns throughout the indoor portion of the track. Toward the end, the ride transitions into an outdoor section that takes you for a long, high-speed lap around the attraction’s exterior.

It’s a great ride but we think its popularity and wait times are a slightly higher than the ride quality warrants. That said, it’s considered to be a guests favorite and is definitely a top-tier Epcot ride.

Lightning Lane is a must for Test Track with wait times regularly over an hour.

Other Rides

The rides we’ve listed above are the ones we believe to be Epcot’s cream of the crop for adults. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other good options though. We go a little more in-depth in our guide to the Top 7 Best Epcot Rides for Adults.

Best Epcot Restaurants for Adults

Epcot’s extensive list of excellent restaurants is arguably its best asset for adults. The park is one of the few places you can find so many different foods from so many different locations. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a white tablecloth, fine dining experience, Epcot has you covered.

We’ve split this section into two halves: Table Service Restaurants and Quick Service Restaurants. Table Service means that it’s a sit-down dining experience that will almost always require a reservation. Quick service restaurants are mostly counter-service meals that are more casual in nature.

For more in-depth information on eating & drinking in Epcot: Check out our standalone Ultimate Guide to Epcot Dining.

Also: if you’re planning on eating at other Disney World parks and resorts, take a look at our Insider’s Guide to the Best Disney World Restaurants for Adults. It’s a HUGE guide that covers all of Disney World’s best grown-up dining options.

Table-Service Restaurants

Monsieur Paul (10/10)

Located in the France Pavilion, Monsieur Paul is Epcot’s only true fine-dining establishment, but it does come with a steep price tag. It’s definitely the most expensive Epcot restaurant, so it’s only a good option for those that are looking for an upscale meal.

The small, romantic setting, and upscale combine menu make it our top choice for adults. You’ll find far more adults relaxing and enjoying the restaurant than you’ll find children. It’s the kind of place that’s great for a parents night out without the kids.

There’s also a dress code that calls for a collared shirt with khakis, slacks, dress shorts or jeans for men. For women, dresses or dress shirts with, capris, pants, skirts, or jeans.

The food is great and so is the service. You’ll be given the choice to order either a multi-course meal or separate entrees. Either way, you can’t go wrong. The fine French-style food is top-quality.

Monsieur Paul is popular and the seating area is relatively small, so reservations can sometimes be hard to get. Just make sure you book your table as early as possible.

Le Cellier (10/10)

Le Cellier is a Canadian steakhouse situated inside the Canada Pavilion. It has a reputation for being one of Epcot’s most difficult reservations and for having some of Epcot’s tastiest food. If you’re not into fine dining or you just want a slightly cheaper, but still expensive, alternative to Monsieur Paul, Le Cellier is an awesome choice.

The setting is a cozy, dark building designed to emulate a French Canadian wine cellar. The decor relies heavily on dark woods and stone, creating a much more “grown-up” atmosphere than what’s expected at most Disney World restaurants.

The food is outstanding, especially if you love a good steak. Our two favorite meals here are their Bison Strip Loin and their Signature Poutine.

Also, don’t leave without ordering the Gouda Mac and Cheese or the Loaded Boursin Mashed Potatoes.

If you can snag a reservation for Le Cellier, I highly recommend it. Just make sure to get this one really early, because it can be really difficult to book if you wait too long. As long as you’re in the mood to pay for a fairly expensive meal, you won’t be disappointed.

Chefs de France (9/10)

Chefs de France is the second table-service French restaurant at Epcot. It’s a lot more casual than Monsieur Paul, but it’s still a very nice place for a meal and most adults will love the Parisian menu. Prices are about what you’d expect for an upper-mid-range Disney restaurant.

The restaurant is set in a large building and has many tables. If there’s a downside to the restaurant, it’s that the large dining rooms can get sometimes get pretty loud. It’s definitely more of a lively environment than an intimate one.

The food is really good. You’ll find plenty of French staples, along with your steaks, chicken, pork, etc. The menu is really big, so it’s more than safe to say that there is something for everyone.

As far as reservations go, Chef de France is pretty popular. However, its large size means that it’s usually quite a bit easier to pick up a stray reservation than Monsieur Paul or Le Cellier.

As always, the earlier you look to make a reservation the better, but it’s not uncommon to find last-minute openings here if you keep working at it.

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar (10/10)

I’m somewhat cheating by putting Tutto Gusto on the table-service list, since it’s an offshoot of a larger restaurant, Tutto Italia Ristorante. However, it is actually a sit-down restaurant that doesn’t require reservations. It’s somewhat of a secret weapon for Epcot regulars, especially grown-up regulars.

The interior is designed to feel like a rustic Italian wine cellar, so it’s darker than many other restaurants. The alcohol-centric theme also means that it’s an outstanding choice for adults. Not that you won’t ever see a kid in here, but the restaurant isn’t really targeting families directly.

For food, Tutto Gusto shares much of Tutto Italia Ristorante’s menu. Tons of Italian favorites. The fettucine alfredo is awesome, as are lots of their smaller plates. And of course, you’ll find plenty of wine and beer.

Biergarten (9/10)

Biergarten could easily be #1 for adults, as long as you’re in the mood for buffet-style food and a lively, intermingled dining room. It’s a German, Bavarian-style restaurant with a live polka band playing throughout the day.

It’s set in a large building that is designed to make you feel like you outdoors in the center of a charming Bavarian village. It’s a pretty impressive scene, complete with a working watermill.

The seating arrangement is different than most restaurants. Depending on your party size, you’ll potentially be seated at a table with fellow patrons. This is cool if you like hanging out with friendly strangers, but it can be a bit of a drawback if you get the wrong table.

The food is what you’d expect from a traditional restaurant. It’s good and it will absolutely fill you up. Schnitzel, bratwurst, potatoes. More potatoes. You get the picture. It’s also the best place at Epcot to get a stein of beer that’s the size of your head. Our favorite is the Warsteiner Dunkel, a dark, rich beer.

Biergarten is popular, but reservations aren’t terribly hard to get. We’ve pretty much always been able to find one the day before (and often the day of) by just checking off-and-on throughout the day.

Via Napoli (9/10)

Via Napoli is popular with everyone, young and old. You’ll often find slightly more kids here than you will the prior entries, but it’s still a great grownup option. I give it an 8 out of 10 for setting, but an 11/10 for the food.

The restaurant’s building is impressive and open. You can see the wood-fire ovens from almost every seat in the house. It’s lively, but not too lively.

I can’t overstate how much I like Via Napoli’s pizza. It’s Italian, Neapolitan-style pizza is the best pizza in Disney World. The ingredients are quality and the dough is some of the best I’ve had. There is plenty of other food besides pizza, but I rarely ever bother with it because the pizza is so good.

A reservation for Via Napoli isn’t something you want to wait until the last minute to book. Its amazing pizza makes it easily one of Epcot’s hardest restaurants to get. If you don’t book early, you’re likely going to need to spend a decent amount of time trying to pick one up.

La Hacienda de San Angel (8/10)

Everyone loves La Hacienda de San Angel for its excellent Mexican food. Adults tend to love it even more for its tequila.

La Hacienda actually employs a full time “tequila ambassador”. They’re available to tell you all about their many, many tequilas and give recommendations. Nothing like a tequila flight to go with some fresh tacos.

Speaking of tacos, La Hacienda has some of the best you’ll find at Disney World. There are tons of good meals to choose from, but the tacos are so good that I can barely recommend anything else. If you like Mexican food, you’ll absolutely be able to find something you’ll enjoy.

Of the restaurants on this list, La Hacienda is one of the easier restaurants to find reservations for. However, one of the restaurants best features is its prime view of the nightly Epcot Forever fireworks show. La Hacienda is located right on the lagoon and many of the tables have outstanding views of the World Showcase Lagoon. Reservations are harder to come by during the Illuminations time slot, but it’s worth the effort to book.

Teppan Edo (8/10)

Teppan Edo is an excellent restaurant that, compared to many other Epcot restaurants, flies under the radar. You’ll find it in the Japan Pavilion, upstairs in the huge main building.

Most of the times I’ve eaten at Teppan Edo, the room had a good mix of adult groups and family groups. The overall environment just feels a little more fun than many other Disney restaurants, but that makes it great for an adult group trip.

The menu is pretty large. You’ll find plenty of steak, chicken, fish, etc, along with sushi and noodle dishes. The ginger cake here is one of our favorite Epcot desserts. There are also quite a few sakes to choose from.

Compared to the other restaurants on this list, Teppan Edo reservations are actually a bit easier to book. So if you weren’t able to score your first choice restaurant, this is a great backup option.

After dinner, walk downstairs to the Mitsukoshi Department Store. It’s an authentic Japanese shop with all sorts of unique merchandise. We even have a handy guide to the coolest things you can get at Mitsukoshi.

Other Table-Service Restaurants

If you want an even more in-depth breakdown of Epcot’s adult-friendly restaurants, I created a standalone guide to The Top 13 Epcot Restaurants for Adults. It has more restaurants and goes into a little more detail about each one.

Quick-Service Restaurants

La Cava del Tequila (10/10)

La Cava del Tequila is one of Epcot’s gems for getting good drinks. There are tons and tons of tequilas available and you can get just about any kind of margarita you can think of.

This one is less of a “restaurant” and more of a lounge. Things like chips and guacamole go well with a margarita. The seating area is small but cozy. It’s a great spot for relaxing and escaping the heat.

If it’s your first trip to Epcot, don’t miss out on La Cava. It’s a classic Epcot experience and a must for adults looking for a good drink. It’s also non-negotiable stop when you’re Drinking Around the World. (Yes, we have a guide for Drinking Around the World too!)

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie (10/10)

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is one of the most popular quick-service stops at Epcot and at Disney World in general. It’s a French bakery that serves tons of desserts, along with some simple meals that are especially awesome for breakfast or lunch.

The ham sandwich here is a favorite for a quick, small meal. There are a few other entrees, but Les Halles is at its best when you’re looking for dessert. There beignets, eclairs, macarons, and just about every other kind of French pastry you can think of. They’re all delicious.

L’Artisan des Glaces (10/10)

All you need to know is that L’Artisan des Glaces serves the best ice cream at Disney World. It’s one of the select few places on property that you can find homemade ice cream.

You’ll find lots of flavors of ice cream, but the shop’s specialty items are the real winners. In particular, the Croque Glace and the Ice Cream Martini are two of our favorites.

The Croque Glace is basically an upscale ice cream sandwich. They take a fresh brioche bun from Les Halles bakery next door, put a scoop of ice cream in the middle, then give the bread a slight toast. It’s awesome.

The Ice Cream Martini is 2 scoops of ice cream with a shot of Grand Marnier and whipped cream vodka or rum. It’s a great way to booze up your sugar intake.

Yorkshire County Fish and Chips Shop (10/10)

Stopping for fish and chips at Yorkshire County is probably our favorite way to get a quick, casual meal at Epcot. It’s convenient, inexpensive, and delicious.

The menu is super simple and pretty much just consists of fried fish with some fries and a few different beers. For all the shop’s simplicity, it does a great job. The fish is almost always perfectly crispy. We’ve even had some of the English Epcot employees tell me how much they enjoy the food from the shop.

Yorkshire County’s seating area is also one of the most comfortable places in Epcot to watch the fireworks. The tables are right alongside the Lagoon and offer a perfect view. Just make sure to be there very early if you want to lock down a table for the fireworks. It’s not that uncommon for people to get seats two hours in advance.

Rose and Crown Pub (10/10)

The Rose and Crown is a table-service restaurant that has a quick-service pub at the front. The pub is one of the most lively places to have a beer at Epcot.

The pub section of Rose and Crown is one of the few places in the park that you’re unlikely to find any kids. There’s a large, wraparound bar in the middle of the pub that is almost always filled with guests.

There are quite a few beer options here. The fan-favorites are the pub mixes. They take multiple beers and blend them together. Our personal favorite is the Bumblebee (half Boddington’s, half Guinness).

Kringla Bakeri og Kafe (10/10)

I have a soft spot for Kringla Bakeri. First of all, we’re big fans of Norway in general. Second, this bakery is home to some of our favorite Epcot traditions.

First things first, this is where you’ll find School Bread, a legendary Disney dessert. It’s a pastry filled with cold vanilla custard and topped icing and coconut. Personally, we think it’s deserving of its fame and it’s arguably our favorite dessert at Epcot.

Second, the Norway Pavilion is where we can get some of our favorite beer, Einstok, along with shots of Akvavit (for drinking separately). For the uninitiated, Akvavit is a Scandinavian spirit made with herbs. In its native habitat it’s a common Christmastime tradition. At Epcot, it’s a “Viking Test” for adults. So stop in and see if you can down a shot without wincing. Or just order it in a “Viking Coffee”. Whatever floats your longship.

Kringla Bakeri also has plenty of other unique desserts and some meal items. The Norwegian Club Sandwich is very good with ham, turkey, Jarlsberg and Muenster cheese with lingonberry mayonnaise.

La Cantina de San Angel (9/10)

Earlier in this guide, we mentioned La Hacienda de San Angel as one of the preferred table-service restaurants for adults. La Cantina is connected to La Hacienda and serves a condensed menu.

The outdoor seating is great and is right on the Lagoon with an excellent view of Epcot Forever. It stays busy, but it’s usually not too hard to find a seat within a few minutes.

The food is awesome. The tacos with rice and beans are great. Our favorite order here are the fish tacos with a cold Modelo Especial on draft.

Gelati (9/10)

Like the France Pavilion, the Italy Pavilion serves homemade ice cream. Gelati is a counter-service gelato stand.

It serves a variety of flavors, along with some specialty items and other desserts. Our go-to order here is the Affogoto, a scoop of gelato with espresso poured over it and topped with chocolate and little cookies.

Les Vins des Chefs de France (9/10)

This shop is simple, but it’s got all it needs. It serves a variety of French wines, champagnes, and frozen drinks.

The wine and champagne is all good, but the frozen items are the real crowd-pleasers. The two options are an Orange Slush and a Citron Slush. The Orange Slush has Grand Marnier, rum, and Grey Goose vodka, and orange juice. The Citron is a little more simple, consisting of Grey Goose Citron, vodka, and lemonade.

If you’re feeling really thirsty, order the “Le Geant” slush. It’s just a giant version of either slush, Orange or Citron.

Katsura Grill (8/10)

Katsura Grill is a solid choice for getting sushi or a Japanese noodle dish. It’s convenient and is normally not too busy.

It’s located in the center of the Japan Pavilion, up the stairs to the left. There’s seating inside or outside.

Sommerfest (8/10)

Sommerfest has a limited menu, but it’s a good spot for snacks. Pretzels and bratwurst sandwiches are some of the park-favorites for walking and eating. They also serve a scrumptious Pretzel Bread Pudding.

And obviously, it wouldn’t be a German shop if it didn’t serve some German beer.

Best Epcot Attractions & Entertainment for Adults

Epcot also has a lot to offer adults outside of rides and restaurants. This section will cover all our top entertainment picks.

Epcot Forever Fireworks Show (10/10)

The Epcot Forever show was probably our favorite regularly-occurring fireworks show at Disney World which came back by popular demand in Spring 2023. It blends music, fireworks, pyrotechnics, lights and electric kites to create an awe-inspiring spectacle. It’s absolutely worth sticking around for and is universal for all ages.

The American Adventure (10/10)

The American Adventure is one of Epcot’s must-do’s. It’s an impressive animatronic stage show that tells the story of America, narrated by animatronic Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. It starts off with the earliest days of America and continues on through all of the country’s most pivotal periods. The show includes a lot of traditional patriotic music as well.

The Voices of Liberty also perform in the building’s rotunda. They are a group of singers that perform traditional American song a capella. They are outstanding and their performances make waiting for The American Adventure so much more enjoyable.

The Seas with nemo & friends (10/10)

The Seas is home to Sea Base, the building that showcases Epcot’s massive saltwater aquarium. It includes a number of exhibits with all sorts of aquatic life. The highlight of Sea Base is the tunnel that leads you into a 360-degree viewing area. You’ll see sharks, dolphins, sea turtles and tons of fish. It’s really impressive. The tank is one of the largest in the world. In fact, it held the title of largest saltwater tank in the world until 2005.

Reflections of China (9/10)

Reflections of China is another one of the World Showcase’s films. It’s presented in Circle-Vision 360-degrees, meaning that you’re surrounded by the screen. You’ll see everything from The Great Wall to some of China’s largest urban sprawls.

Canada Far & Wide (8/10)

Canada Far & Wide is another Circle-Vision 360-degree video. It was recently updated to feature Canada’s individual provinces and what each of them are known for. It’s now narrated by Canadians Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy and features beautiful scenery from the multi-cultural country.

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (7/10)

This fun little show is more suitable for children, but adults can have just as much fun if they appreciate a little air-conditioned break and love the Beauty and the Beast movie. The sing-along is based on the original story with a little twist. Le Fou is the main character and is credited as the one who got Belle and the Beast to fall in love.

Other Entertainment

To keep this list from getting too long, I won’t include every single mini-show at Epcot. You’ll find plenty of small street shows around the World Showcase. For example, China has acrobats, Japan has drummers. In the UK Pavilion, you’ll find a large stage with bands playing British rock hits.

There are plenty of random little shows that are fun to stumble across while making your way around the park, but for the most part, I wouldn’t recommend rearranging your schedule to see them. But definitely take a moment to watch if you happen across them.

Epcot Festivals

One of our favorite things about Epcot is that it changes with the seasons. Every year, Epcot has four different “festivals” that change the entire theme of the park for a month or more at a time.

All of the festivals are great for adults, as they introduce a whole host of new food and (mostly alcoholic) drink to the park.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The Food and Wine Festival is without a doubt the premier Epcot festival, especially for adults. During this one, the entire World Showcase is filled to the brim with 35+ “global marketplace” kiosks serving food and drinks from all around the world. If you thought Epcot had a lot of international dining on a normal day, you’ll be overwhelmed at the options available during the Food and Wine Festival.

Special concerts on stage at the American Pavilion, culinary seminars, and tasting events add to the fun.

The only downside to the Food and Wine Festival is that it also creates some of Epcot’s busiest days. It’s worth the trade-off though. It’s a ton of fun to snack your way around the World Showcase, sampling tons and tons of bite-sized foods and sample-sized booze.

Typically, the Food and Wine Festival will start around the first day of September and run until mid-November. If you’re planning an Epcot trip with a group of adults, this is a great window to shoot for.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

The Festival of the Holidays is our personal favorite of the Epcot festivals. It’s not quite as large as the Food and Wine Festival, but it douses Epcot with Christmas charm and creates our favorite park environment.

“Holiday Kitchens” are scattered around the World Showcase, serving special holiday food and drinks. What’s better than having a turkey dinner and walking around Epcot with some hot mulled wine and a gingerbread cookie? The World Showcase also features Holiday Storytellers during this time, sharing international Christmas traditions with guests.

The Candlelight Processional, one of our favorite Epcot traditions, also occurs during the Festival of the Holidays. Celebrity narrators, local choirs, and an orchestra come together for evening concerts that tell story of the first Christmas. It’s a special event during for a special time of the year.

The International Festival of the Holidays starts every year around mid/late-November and goes until late-December.

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

The Flower and Garden Festival totally covers Epcot with new greenery. Beautiful flowers, landscapes, and topiaries pop up overnight. On the weekends, special concerts play on the big stage in the American Pavilion. Food and drink kiosks are also present, just not in the numbers that you’ll see during some of the other festivals.

The Flower and Garden Festival goes from late-February to late-May. It’s a great time to go walk around Epcot, with beautiful landscapes and great weather during that season.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

The Festival of the Arts is the newest and smallest festival. It’s a celebration of all arts, visual, performing, and culinary.

Art showcases, concerts on the main stage, and art seminars account for most of the festivities. You’ll also find food and drink kiosks around the park.

Of all the festivals, this is the only one that I find to be a little lackluster. However, it’s still good fun and it is a welcome addition. It still spices up the park a bit from its normal day-to-day activities.

The Festival of the Arts goes from mid-January to mid-February.

Drinking Around the World

When it comes to grown-up fun at Epcot, there’s nothing quite like the time-honored tradition of Drinking Around the World. (Here’s a link to our complete guide to Drinking Around the World.) It involves starting in the Mexico Pavilion or Canada Pavilion, then working your way around the World Showcase, having a drink in each country.

If you’ve spent some time at Epcot, it’s likely that you’ve seen tipsy groups with matching t-shirts trying to drink their way through Epcot. Done right, it’s a lot of fun. Done wrong, it’s a mess. There are 12 countries in the World Showcase, so you can imagine how there’s potential for things to take a turn for the worse.

Drinking Around the World is something that’s best done with at least a little bit of planning. You’ll have a lot more fun if you’re familiar with what drinks are available in each country and how to handle them all.

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