EPCOT is festival central, where Disney fans gather to eat around the world. From family-favorite Flower & Garden Festival to the newer Festival of the Holidays, you can spend a week at EPCOT and maybe not see everything. While you could spend some time cooling off in the Test Track queue, there’s plenty of space here to stretch your legs. If you’re craving fresh air, check out our favorite outdoor activities at EPCOT.
The Best Outdoor Activities at EPCOT
Future World, Soon to be the World Celebration
Garden Beds – The front of EPCOT is always a welcome sight, with Spaceship Earth looming over the gardens. With the legacy markers being removed, the new gardens and planters that advertise the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and such are an attraction in themselves.
Pin Trading – Traditionally, pin traders with bags and binders full of goods would arrive in the Future World center until the sails near the fountains. With the current construction, this area is no longer accessible, but EPCOT still remains a big pin trading location at Walt Disney World Resort.
Playgrounds – EPCOT has some rotating playgrounds in the front section of the Park, most of the time nestled around Test Track. The themes are seasonal and often change depending on if the Epcot Food & Wine Festival or the Festival of the Arts is running. Blow off steam here and try to find the shade.
Jumping Fountains – These small circular fountains are original to the 1982 park opening, and offer whimsical jumping water spurts that you can reach for and attempt to catch. Can you predict the pattern of the water? It’s a fun little water spot in the park near the Imagination Pavilion.
Splashpad on the Bridge to Port of Entry – You’ll often see families stop here to cool off in the splashing water or watch smaller children in the heat of the day cooling off in these splash pad fountains. Be careful you don’t slip!
The Flavored Popcorn – Yup. This is an attraction. Near Figment’s EPCOT attraction in the Imagination Pavilion, there’s a retro teal popcorn cart with several flavors. Stop here for a refillable popcorn bucket and taste some amazing treats you can’t find anywhere else!
Walls of EPCOT – There are a ton of Instagrammable walls at Disney’s EPCOT. From the “Bubblegum Wall” to the “Toothpaste Wall,” find a few of these picturesque spots and give us your best Mickey Mouse impression!
Ducktales World Showcase Adventure – Replacing Agent P sometime soon will be the Disney character crew from DuckTales. By using your smartphone, you’ll be able to run off to destinations all over the world showcase, battle villains, confront guardians of ancient artifacts, and maybe re-write history… Stay tuned while the Disney Imagineer team works on this scavenger hunt EPCOT experience.
EPCOT’s World Showcase
Each World Pavilion – has a wealth to explore More than just it’s facade; each country offers a store, a Walt Disney World Dining location, cultural icons, and perhaps a meet and greet or two. If it’s a rainy day, step into the shopping areas or one of the covered patios while the summer shower passes.
KidCot Fun Stop Passports – Also encompassing the entire World Showcase is the KitCot stops. Each country offers a table where kiddos can color, craft, and get a rubber stamp mark in a complimentary passport. How many countries can you visit?
Friendship Boats – Crossing the World Showcase Lagoon in two different routes are the Friendship Boats. They will take Disney Park guests from the backside of World Showcase to the Port of Entry that touches Future World. Try to spy the firework barges in the water as you speed back and forth. A boat ride is free for all Guests.
Topiary Spotting (Seasonal) – During the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, you can find all kinds of Disney characters grown in flowers and vines. Look both high and low for artful creations.
Cuisine Sampling – One of our favorite reasons to go to EPCOT is to EAT! And drink! The World Showcase offers an immense supply of small plates, hearty dishes or beverages to try. Even if a festival is not running, you’ll find your fill of snacks and treats around the way. The best part is most of it is either outside along the walkway or under an awning in the country pavilion.
Cutout Painting Photo Ops (Seasonal) – During the Festival of the Arts, you’ll find tons of life-size works of art. Featured artists from across time and around the world will have works you can step into and take part in. Have a Photopass photographer snap your photo or hand your camera to someone in your party. Now say cheese!
Walking to Disney’s Boardwalk – Right outside the back of the World Showcase is the International Gateway. It’s an outdoor touchpoint that leads right to Disney’s Boardwalk Hotel, the Beach Club, the Yacht Club, and a beautiful scenic ride on the skyliner. While this isn’t really inside EPCOT, we love taking a pause out of the back gate for some scenery.
When you’re ready to park hop, be sure to read up on our guide on the best outdoor activities at Magic Kingdom, where we’ve broken it down by land and given you some seldom-seen tips to have fun in this iconic Disney theme park. Stay tuned for the best outdoor activities at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
What do you enjoy in the great outdoors while at EPCOT? Leave us a comment below!