Back in 2020, I released two long podcast episodes that explored my ideas for improving EPCOT. It was totally just a fun exercise, and I did not expect Disney to incorporate any of these moves. Even so, recording these shows reminded me that the park has some issues. With that in mind, I’ve decided to mostly spotlight the positives of Walt Disney World’s second park. EPCOT still has a solid lineup of attractions, and it’s getting better as the construction walls start disappearing.
These rankings aren’t designed to reflect any objective view of these attractions; it’s just my personal favorites! If I only had a limited time in EPCOT, what would I do? Another way to view them is as a reflection of what I value in a theme park attraction. I’m definitely a fan of the original EPCOT Center, but that doesn’t mean that later additions don’t deserve a high ranking (well, not Remy). I’ve also now added Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to this list after riding it last month.
Before diving into this ranking list, I should clarify that I’m focusing on the rides and shows. I was able to catch Luminous on our most recent trip, and it does provide an upgrade over Harmonius. Even so, it doesn’t really compare to anything else. So much of EPCOT’s charm relates to what we wouldn’t consider attractions, including the annual festivals. The landscapes and theming of the World Showcase pavilions deserve their own article. That was a lot of caveats, and I think we’re ready to go. Let’s check out EPCOT!
20. Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
If there is a symbol of unfortunate brand placement into a theme park, it’s the Disney and Pixar short films playing at the Magic Eye Theater. It’s nice to escape the Florida sun, but this space deserves a unique presentation. Showing three shorts available elsewhere is lazy, especially as a permanent attraction. The Film Festival has been in place too long to just serve as a bridge to a new 4D movie. Disney will likely keep this attraction in place for a while barring a surprise announcement.
There’s nothing wrong with Get a Horse, Piper, and Feast; all are well-made and fun. Having characters jump into and out of the screen in the former works for 4D. The latter two Pixar shorts are both charming, especially Feast, so my issues aren’t with the films. I’d just like to see Disney create something new that isn’t available online. This would make the Magic Eye Theater a place guests want to visit instead of just a way to enjoy air conditioning.
19. Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
It’s hard not to create a separate low ranking for this attraction, which is one of the bigger head-scratching moves from Disney in a long time. I understand the reasons for trying to bring more characters into World Showcase. I’ve been nervous for Impressions de France for a long time for that exact reason. Don Hahn’s involvement in this project gave me hope that at least the result would be a top-notch attraction. Instead, this sing-along feels thrown together and not up to Disney’s normal standards. The guest responses have not been positive either.
Another factor in this ranking is Disney’s choice to just play Impressions de France for the last few hours of each day. The initial announcement of a shared space made a lot of sense; they could retain an incredible film while also including more characters. Creating a split closer to 50/50 could work well, but such a vast disparity almost feels pointless. I have a feeling this sing-along won’t be in place for too long, though I did say the same thing about the short films.
18. Awesome Planet
Despite its lower ranking, I’m actually happy that Disney made the choice to bring the Awesome Planet film to The Land Pavilion. I expected that we wouldn’t see anything new in that spot. It’s a good complement to Soarin’ and Living with The Land and gives us something else to do. I want EPCOT pavilions that offer multiple experiences inside each one. The choice of Ty Burrell for narrator does reflect synergy with ABC’s Modern Family, but it’s not that jarring. His dry delivery fits with the film’s theme of a real estate agent selling The Earth.
I don’t love the premise, which seems a bit obvious, but it’s used to remind us of the importance of protecting the planet. This positive message combines with striking footage to deliver a pleasant experience. I don’t want to over sell Awesome Planet, but EPCOT needs more attractions. This quick tour of the Earth fits with the spirit of the park that I want to see. It makes a quick point and provides beautiful footage to support it. Plus, there’s wall carpet!
17. Turtle Talk with Crush
It’s always good to see Disney experimenting with different ways to tell stories. What makes Turtle Talk with Crush work is the way that the character interacts directly with the audience. When the attraction opened in 2004, I remember enjoying the quick diversion inside the Seas pavilion. The novelty has worn off a bit, but that’s more about my expectations and changing technology than the show itself, though.
I’ve talked frequently about the importance of complementary attractions to Disney’s theme parks. Turtle Talk with Crush definitely fits that bill and is easy to revisit because each show varies. I also appreciate that characters from Finding Dory were added following that release. It’s just not a destination for us anymore, especially with my girls not being so young.
16. The Seas with Nemo &Friends
There are highlights to even the least effective dark rides, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends is no exception. I love seeing the projected images of the characters while the real marine life swims in the aquarium behind them. The song “Big Blue World” also fits well and ends the attraction on an upbeat note. That doesn’t mean I love the full experience, however. The biggest issue with this attraction is the story, which just repeats the original film. There are so many options to choose from, and “Nemo’s lost again!” is near the bottom of those choices.
I appreciate that we’re still able to enjoy an Omnimover dark ride in the Seas pavilion. However, it’s difficult to think about how much potential there is for this space. Closing off most of the amazing views of the aquarium also blocks what could be a cool bonus. The Seas with Nemo & Friends feels like a missed opportunity, and there is room for improvement. This ranking may be too high given the possibilities.
15. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
My daughters are fans of Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and it’s easy to see why. There are cute moments, it ends with the catchy “One Little Spark”, and there’s even a skunk smell for a laugh. I visit Figment on each trip to EPCOT, and I generally like the experience. The short wait times don’t hurt either. In a similar vein to my previous choice, the untapped potential is the issue. This pavilion also once housed a glorious 11-minute attraction; the current six-minute version can’t match it.
It’s easy to take a nostalgic view and claim that everything was better in the past. In general, that approach is too simple and doesn’t given enough credit to new attractions. In this specific case, however, the original Journey Into Imagination had more to offer. Even so, my ranking of this current version is based on its own merits. There are clever effects and a lot of strange moments, which I appreciate in theme park attractions. It’s just missing the extra touches to rank higher.
14. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
In a similar vein as Journey Into Imagination, I enjoy riding Gran Fiesta Tour but think it falls short of El Rio Del Tiempo. The gap isn’t as wide in this case, however. There’s still the eerily quiet start as we drift past the San Angel Inn at night. Certain parts also connect to “it’s a small world” during the upbeat party scenes. My feelings on this attraction have grown warmer after experiencing it with my girls too. The catchy song and silly vibe don’t feel off putting or as out of place as my original feelings.
A big reason for the upgrade is the addition of the Mickey Mouse Revue animatronics into the final scene. It always felt like a letdown to float by a screen. Disney’s choice to insert the Three Caballeros animatronics did more than just improve this moment; it enhanced the entire attraction. The momentum builds to this scene, and it ends the fun jaunt with the right tone. It’s hard to go wrong with a boat ride, and the short lines are also a bonus. World Showcase needs more complementary attractions, and the Gran Fiesta Tour helps the Mexico pavilion shine.
13. Canada: Far and Wide
I love that Disney chose to release its third film inside the Canada pavilion. Having Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara narrate Canada: Far and Wide is another smart move. The Circle-Vision 360 format still has the capability to marvel us today, and this attraction does it proud. I appreciate the more straightforward take here; it helps avoid jokes becoming dated quickly. It’s hard to beat gliding over Canada’s wide landscapes and striking cities in Circle-Vision.
The new score from Canadian Andrew Lockington injects the right spirit of adventure. The 12-minute film seems a little more rushed as we traverse Canada’s five regions. However, the faster pace makes sense for modern audiences. It provides a quick overview of the diverse collection of landscapes and people across the country. The final scenes with the song “Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey)” still playing end the film on just the right note. It still works!
12. Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
My expectations were pretty low for this new walkthrough area in the World Nature section near the Seas pavilion. What surprised me is how well it fits within that space and provides a much different experience for EPCOT. The effects are clever and should provide a cool break on a hot summer day. The attractive space looks even better at night, and I just love the overall vibe. The Moana theming isn’t over the top, and you can enjoy the different water tricks without any knowledge of the source material. Journey of Water is a neat little gem!
11. Mission: Space
An attraction focused on space is right up my alley. I love the idea of boarding a ship and imagining a great adventure. There are elements of that type of fun in Mission: Space. The launch is grand and powerful, and the set-up promises something special. The end result has its moments but falls a bit short. Handing out titles and giving us a little interactivity is fun, and I’ve appreciated the Green version as I’ve grown older.
For some EPCOT Center fans, Mission: Space will always be the attraction that destroyed Horizons. That isn’t really fair, so I’m ranking this pavilion on its own. It’s the right type of attraction to sit in the middle of the list. I enjoy riding it but don’t feel like I have to every time. With a refresh adding more nuance and humor, it could easily move up a slot or two.
10. Reflections of China
Disney originally planned to have Wondrous China in place by this point, and I suspect we’ll ultimately see a new film in this space. When that will happen is still unclear. In the meantime, the 2003 update to the original movie Wonders of China is still in place. The current 14-minute film from director Jeff Blyth makes good use of the Circle-Vision format to showcase China. The poet Li Bai narrates Reflections of China, which retains some previous footage. A big draw is the music from Richard Bellis, which sets the right mood in both the modern and historic sections.
I’m glad that Disney continues to show this Circle-Vision film and can’t wait to see the seamless technology announced for the new movie. It’s possible the updated process might change my ranking considerably. The reason that Reflections of China doesn’t rank higher is that it’s a bit dry. The footage is striking and uses the format well, particularly when horses move across the screen. It’s easy to skip films like this as we rush to the next attraction, but it’s worth the time.
9. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
We visited Disneyland Paris back in 2006, so it was long before Disney opened Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy eight years later. One of my top goals of our 2022 trip to Walt Disney World was finally experiencing this trackless dark ride. It’s great that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure did not replace anything at EPCOT and expanded the France pavilion. It also uses technology that only recently arrived at Walt Disney World.
Remy’s provides some fun moments, especially scenes with cute physical sets that surround us during the ride. On the other hand, it’s primarily a screen-based attraction with most of the action happening there. I like the addition to World Showcase and think it fits well there, but it falls a bit short. Please also be warned if you suffer from motion sickness; the motion on the screens could mess with your equilibrium. It’s still a solid addition to EPCOT.
8. Frozen Ever After
The choice to bring Anna and Elsa to the Norway pavilion was controversial when Disney first announced it, and I understood the concerns. That doesn’t impact my ranking of Frozen Ever After, however. It’s a fun attraction and makes good use of the Maelstrom ride system. The “Let It Go” scene is awesome, and the animatronic Elsa has a cool effect. For a fairly quick overlay, it’s a success. The queue also set the stage and has nice touches.
Despite its popularity and fun thrills, Frozen Ever After doesn’t rank among the greats. The main reason is some dead spaces that don’t include the typical attention to detail. A significant refurb with upgraded effects and more theming could make a difference. We meet a few characters, experience a big moment, and then enjoy a few thrills. I will say that I liked Frozen Ever After a lot more on our recent trips. All the effects worked well, and I wonder if more time away from Maelstrom’s closing has softened my feelings towards its replacement. It could easily move up this list in the future.
7. Soarin’ Around the World
If I was making this ranking list in 2015, there’s a good chance that Soarin’ Over California would have been #1. The mix of music, clever technology, emotion, and a few thrills delivers magic on the highest level. It represents the best of what Disney can do in the parks today. Soarin’ Around the World includes many similar elements, yet it never totally comes together in the same way. The idea of seeing the world actually fits better thematically in EPCOT than the original version, and it’s a cool experience.
The highlight is the opening reveal of The Matterhorn, which is breathtaking. This trip is a little more intense than our visit to California, and transitions are clearer. The quick switches always get a fun reaction from guests, and some work well. My reasons for placing Soarin’ at #7 now are mostly just personal preference. I enjoy the relaxed vibe of the original and never get tired of it. The extensive CGI of entire destinations now also takes me out of the experience. I still try to ride Soarin’ on each trip and admit it’s hard to top how much I loved the past version. My wish is that Disney offer both versions and give us a choice each time. That option would lift this attraction right back to the top of my rankings.
6. Test Track
We’ve reached the top five, and there are no bad ranking choices for me within this group. World of Motion was a classic attraction on par with the greats, but it was doomed by General Motors. Test Track was a way for Disney to retain the sponsor while also drawing guests with more action. I like both versions of the ride but for different reasons. The original had a tongue-in-cheek aspect to the experience, with John Michael Higgins’ dry delivery adding fun to the concept. The humor is gone in Test Track 2.0, but the sleek visual effects and amazing score from Paul Leonard-Morgan create a futuristic atmosphere.
What I love about Test Track is the way that it combines the futuristic approach of Future World’s glory days with modern thrills. It doesn’t feel out of place and packs a punch without going overboard. My younger daughter first rode Test Track at age five and loved it. She also enjoys customizing the cars, so the interactive touches are nice. I’ve ridden Test Track many times and still really enjoy it. It’s important to have a mix of experiences at EPCOT.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
I’m pretty sure Disney’s first coaster at EPCOT will move further up my rankings with more rides. I’ve placed Cosmic Rewind in the fifth spot because I’ve only experienced it once. There’s so much to like about this thrilling attraction, especially its massive scale. The ride vehicles turn you towards the action, and it’s not a typical spinning coaster. The reverse launch is awesome, and the fun never really stops during a surprisingly long ride. The mind-bending effect as you circle the moon is another highlight.
I would like to see updates outside to create a more exciting atmosphere around the pavilion. Even so, Cosmic Rewind is a cool addition to EPCOT, and I can’t wait to ride it a lot more times in the future.
4. The American Adventure
Few original EPCOT Center attractions remain in place without significant updates. The American Adventure has seen audio upgrades and changes to its closing film, but its core elements remain. There are specific reasons for its staying power. The clever mix of audio-animatronics, film, music, and effective writing has kept the 28-minute show going strong for 40 years. It’s easy to take these achievements for granted; summarizing centuries of U.S. history in a respectful way seems like an impossible task. The American Adventure still inspire us without ignoring difficult times.
The experience begins inside a Colonial style building, which creates the appropriate setting. It’s still hard for my mind to comprehend the technical complexity of the “War Wagon” mechanism. The animatronics, sets, and backdrops move seamlessly around the stage without being noticed. Songs like “Two Brothers” and “Golden Dream” rank among the best in any theme park attraction. During my 2019 trip, I was surprised by how much I emotionally connected with this epic show. Don’t skip this attraction!
3. Impressions de France
In a similar vein as The American Adventure, I appreciate how well Impressions de France has aged. Beyond dated fashions, it has a classic vibe that still connects. The beautiful music sets just the right mood for a journey through the French countryside. Rick Harper’s elegant direction presents more than just grand monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Mont-Saint-Michel. It’s the small human moments that really make the film succeed. Shots of residents chopping wood, selling wares in a bustling marketplace, and riding bikes create a believable environment.
Like I mentioned earlier, it’s sad that Impressions de France only plays for a short time at the end of the day. I am glad that Disney didn’t replace it completely, so there is a silver lining. I would highly recommend you take the time to appreciate this gorgeous film on your next EPCOT trip. There’s a reason that other movies have been updated in World Showcase. None have the same emotional resonance for me as experiencing Impressions de France. It’s a masterpiece.
2. Spaceship Earth
I’ve written so much about Spaceship Earth in the past, so I’m probably just repeating myself at this point. Regardless, EPCOT’s iconic attraction encapsulates the spirit of the park. It showcases how technological achievements have helped us to communicate across the entire world, and even beyond. There are some issues with the current ride, particularly with the screens on the descent and a serious need for a refurb. The core elements that have made Spaceship Earth so popular remain in place, and it would just take a few tweaks to fix the issues.
Disney was set to update Spaceship Earth with a new emphasis on storytelling, and I have mixed feelings about those plans. It’s unclear if or when Disney will make any updates due to the pandemic, however. My hope is that Disney will look for ways to maintain Spaceship Earth’s essence with an update. I still love this ride and believe it should be treated like its own brand. Disney should look for ways to only build on what works in this great attraction and make it even better. It still works!
1. Living with the Land
What I look for in a theme park attraction has definitely changed as I’ve grown a bit older. I still love rollercoasters and thrill rides, but sometimes all you need is a waterfall and a relaxing boat ride to become a favorite. I promise this ranking isn’t just nostalgia either. Living with the Land is a top priority for me during every trip to EPCOT. The first half is a classic Disney dark ride that glides by attractive scenes. The mix of music, narration, and sound creates just the right atmosphere. When you add in the boat ride elements, you have the makings for a cool experience.
It says a lot about Living with the Land that I haven’t even mentioned the greenhouse. The attraction’s second half provides an interesting look at forward-thinking technology for plant life. It hasn’t changed much for a long time, and I don’t have a great understanding on how much it connects to the latest advances. Even so, I appreciate how this area connects to the real world and still provides a fun experience. I’m okay with not having a live narrator because you aren’t at the mercy of the narrator’s enthusiasm. It would be great to see more scientific activity in the pavilion, but that’s a small quibble. I just love having the chance to still experience this ride.
My final point about Living with the Land is how it maintains the spirit of EPCOT Center. So much has changed in the park, and I understand that change is necessary to keep things fresh. Even so, it’s such a joy for me to hop aboard the boats inside The Land today. It provides some education and might inspire young guests to learn more at home. My hope is that Disney can still find ways to entertain us while also providing a little bit of knowledge. Living with the Land is a perfect example of how both goals can work together inside a single attraction. Bravo!
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I would rank Spaceship Earth at #1, American Adventure at #2, and Living with the Land as #3, but the rest are pretty spot-on. Especially Nemo being the worst ride, and Imagination just above that.
Soarin’ has never been that amazing to me, but I’ve always been sets-over-screens. (Except for Back to the Future– ugh I miss that ride.) Looking forward to listening to your “Improving Epcot” podcast, Dan! Maybe today while I’m working in the garden.
Melanie, Back to the Future was such a great attraction. I remember being a little freaked out by it the first time I rode it, but I mean that in a good way. It was really something. I’m also definitely more in the “sets over screens” camp, but the original Soarin’ (and Flight of Passage based on my one time riding it) may be the exceptions. They both transcend the idea that you’re just sitting in front of a screen. Other attractions, not so much.