As a family we were really surprised by how much we loved Epcot. It is often thought of as an adult park, but it is also great for families. Today we are sharing our best Epcot Fastpass recommendations for families, a break down of the Epcot Fastpass tiers, and tips for the best rides at Epcot for fastpass.
This post contains affiliates.
Update: FastPass+ has been replaced by Genie+. Read our Epcot Itinerary article for all the latest details.
UPDATE: Disney has retired FastPass at the Disney Parks. Read Disney World 7 Day Itinerary Planning Guide for all the best planning tips for your Disney World vacation.
Epcot opened in 1982 as Walt Disney World’s second park. Epcot is divided into two distinct areas: Future World and World Showcase. Big changes are coming to Epcot in the next few years so stay tuned!
My first visit to Epcot was as an adult. I didn’t really know what to expect on our visit other than the big ball that symbolizes it. This “ball” is Spaceship Earth and there is an attraction within it.
Future World is all about technology and innovation. It also has two of the most popular attractions: Test Track & Soarin. It is also set to open a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction in 2021 for Epcot’s 50th anniversary.
At Epcot you can travel around 11 countries in the World Showcase. The World Showcase has amazing dining and a few attractions. They also have the Frozen Ever After attraction and the Anna and Elsa Meet & Greet. Read this article for our Epcot World Showcase Itinerary with Kids.
Epcot Fastpass Overview
A FastPass, known as FastPass+, is a free virtual line reservation system that is available to anyone with a park ticket. It reserves an arrival time window and you enjoy shorter wait times and more time exploring the park.
For a full in depth step-by-step guide check out How To Use FastPass at Walt Disney World.
Purchase your tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account before you sit down to make your FastPass reservations. FastPass are connected to your MagicBands.
Epcot has tiered attractions. This means you must pick 1 attraction from group A and 2 attractions from group B. More on the tiers below. Research what attractions you and your family wants to ride and create a personalized list of attractions.
Epcot FastPass Tiers
Choose 1 from Group A
- Test Track
- Frozen Ever After
- Soarin’
- Epcot Forever (Preferred Fireworks Viewing)
Choose 2 from Group B
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Spaceship Earth
Best FastPass at Epcot Recommendations
Soarin, Test Track and Frozen Ever After are the best rides at Epcot for Fastpass. You have to choose one to reserve FastPass for and wait in the stand-by line to experience the other two.
If you plan to ride all three of the most popular Epcot rides I suggest making a FastPass reservation for Frozen Ever After and plan to ride Soarin’ and Test Track as soon as the park opens.
If you arrive at park opening and ride Test Track and then Soarin’ you should have a short wait time for both.
After the three most popular attractions, Spaceship Earth and Mission: Space would be our next pick. (May 2020: Currently Spaceship Earth is closed for refurbishments. I will update this with details when a open date is set.)
We also enjoy The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush. These are especially good if you are traveling with young children.
Epcot FastPass Tips
These are our best Epcot FastPass tips that we share when helping friends plan their Disney vacation. They will help you plan the best Epcot Itinerary that fits you and your family.
Only Make A FastPass Reservation for Attractions You Want to Ride
Only reserve a FastPass for attractions you and your family are interested in. There is no point making reservations if you are not wanting to ride it. If a popular attraction does not interest you, spend your day enjoying the attractions you want.
We never make a FastPass for rides we don’t enjoy or have no interest in experiencing.
Attractions at Epcot that Rarely Need a FastPass
A few attractions do not typically need a FastPass and having an Epcot fastpass strategy is important.
Typcially all the attractions in Group A are the most popular and will have the longest lines. When choosing from Group B go with what interests you most and what times fit into your day.
Group A has the best attractions at Epcot and you will need to decide based on your family’s interest. Research the rides and height requirements. If you have a Frozen fan I would highly suggest booking that.
Frozen Ever After is located in the World Showcase. If you booked a 10:00 am- 11:00 am FastPass you could ride Test Track or Soarin first and then walk back to Frozen Ever After.
Inside the Mexican Pavilion there is a boat ride, Gran Fiesta Tour Staring the Three Caballeros, it features Donald Duck and my kids always enjoy it. There is not a FastPass option for this and wait times are typically short. Most people don’t realize there is an attraction in there.
Inside the World Showcase countries are shops, dining, shows and often exhibits, movies, or areas to explore. Take your time to enjoy these areas of Epcot.
Epcot is a park to explore and I always plan my day with open time. Take a look at the Epcot park map when planning your day. You want time to explore the countries at World Showcase and you don’t want to be walking back and forth all day. It is a large park! These areas do not need FastPass reservations.
Where to Make Epcot FastPass Reservations
Epcot FastPass reservations can be made with your My Disney Experience account on the app or computer.
Before you book your FastPass you must purchase tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account. Create a list of the attractions you want to experience before you are ready to make your FastPass reservations. Check out discounted Disney tickets here.
You can book 3 FastPass attractions per day in advance. After you use all 3 FastPass you can book a 4th, use it, book a 5th, use it, etc. This can allow you to make many FastPass in a day. After we scan our 3rd FastPass we make our next one as we wait to board an attraction.
On-site guests can make FastPass reservations 60 days in advance beginning at 7:00 AM Eastern. This starts on the day you check in to your resort. If you arrive on a Saturday but do not go to a park until Sunday you can start making reservations Saturday. Read this post about why staying on-site at Walt Disney World is a good choice.
Off-site guests can make FastPass reservations 30 days in advance. This is from the day you will arrive at the park and means you will have to make a reservation everyday you are visiting a park 30 days in advance.
Often the most popular attractions will run out of FastPass at this point. Continue to check daily to see if they become available. People cancel and move them around often and you may be able to secure one.
FastPass are connected to your MagicBands. You will not receive any tickets or paper copy of your FastPass reservations. They are connected to your park ticket and magic band.
FastPass are hourly. You can’t reserve two in the same time period. So for example you can reserve a 9:00am-10:00am window and a 10:00am-11:00am window, but not a 9:00am-10:00am and a 9:30am-10:30am.
Do I Really Need a FastPass at Epcot
You don’t need to have an Epcot FastPass to visit the park. Guests can visit without any reservations and still enjoy the park. The reason I recommend making FastPass reservations at Epcot is because it will maximize your day at the park.
You will save time waiting in lines, you will feel like your money was well spent because you will ride more attractions and experience more of the park, and you will have less stress planning your day as you go.
Planning your day at Epcot before you arrive will allow you to relax and enjoy all the fun at the park, without worrying about planning what to do next.
Depending on the crowd levels and events at the park, having a FastPass will allow you and your family to experience the best of Epcot. Throughout the year Epcot is a host to many festivals and events. They are listed below.
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Fall)
- Epcot Flower & Garden Festival (Spring)
- Candlelight Processional (Holiday)
- Epcot Festival of the Arts (January/February)
If you visit during these times expect larger crowds on the weekends. The festivals are well worth a visit. We have visited during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival and are always impressed with it. During these times it is important to have a FastPass strategy and plan your day at Epcot.
Epcot is definitely worth a visit with your family when you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. I hope these Epcot FastPass recommendations help your family plan a great family vacation.
Read Next: Best Resorts for Kids at Disney World
More Walt Disney World Planning Tips:
- What to Expect at ‘Ohana Breakfast at the Polynesian
- Everything You Need to Know for Your First Visit to Walt Disney World
- Why You Should Plan a Non-Park day during your Disney Vacation and What to do
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive my family vacation planning guide and itinerary planning worksheets.
