The 8 best rides at EPCOT in 2022

By Helen Wright

Planning a day at EPCOT can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting Walt Disney World. Despite spanning 305 acres, EPCOT is often overlooked when compared to the iconic Magic Kingdom Park, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios with its headline-stealing Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. However, if you’re planning an action-packed Disney World holiday, believe me, if you missed EPCOT, you would absolutely be missing out. The best rides at EPCOT are some of the most loved attractions at Walt Disney World and some of the most iconic of all the Disney Parks worldwide. Let’s break it down.

Cover image: Scott Smith

The best rides at Epcot: Is Epcot worth it?

Aside from a pick of the coolest attractions, Disney World’s most underrated park is slowly becoming my favourite of the four Disney theme parks, thanks to its gorgeous setting, inspiring lands and relaxed atmosphere. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned the food…

If you didn’t know, EPCOT is also home to a ‘world’ of food and drink as you stroll the World Showcase exploring 11 pavilions that represent different countries of the world. From teriyaki shrimp in the Japan Pavilion, to sweet treats from Norway, spicy Margaritas from Mexico and even a good old Camden Bells Pint at a UK pub, EPCOT takes theme park food to another level. As well as a diverse range of dining options, each pavilion also has themed displays that celebrate the cultures and traditions enjoyed in the 11 countries and feature some unique and interesting gift shops too.

If you’re wondering if there is enough to do at EPCOT for a family hooked on fun and thrills, the best rides at EPCOT also happen to be some of the most loved attractions to ever open at the parks. There are a few duds too (more on those later), but first up read our pick on the best rides at EPCOT in 2022:

Have you booked your park tickets yet? Read our guide on the best way to buy Disney tickets from the UK

The 8 best rides at EPCOT 2022

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

cosmic-rewind-disney-best-coaster — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Disney/Kent Phillips, photographer)

EPCOT’s first rollercoaster has been an instant hit with guests since it opened in May 2022 and is one of the most fun and innovative coasters in the whole of Orlando. Based on the brilliant Guardians of the Galaxy movies, this Marvel-themed omnicoaster takes you on a thrilling chase across the galaxy to save Xandar. By definition, omnicoater means the train spins 360′ on the tracks as you ride, providing an all-new experience for rollercoaster fans. While all this is happening, a selected playlist of 80s and 90s classics plays, making this the best party in the park.

Individual Lightning Lane passes are available for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or guests can join a virtual standby line to experience one of the best rides at EPCOT.

Height restriction for Cosmic Rewind: 42 inches

We were lucky enough to ride Cosmic Rewind for launch in May 2022. Watch the video:

2. Soarin’ around the World

This gliding movie attraction has been open at EPCOT since 2005, with a significant redesign in 2016 to feature more incredible destinations from around the world. The slick design takes riders on a gentle flight over melting glaciers, exciting cities, mountains and forests. There are a few surprises in there too – no spoilers here! I have loved Soarin’ since the beginning and it is absolutely one of the best rides at EPCOT for me and for its loyal fanbase. Bonus extra, the gloriously air-conditioned attraction is also a chance for a lovely sit down and a cool off!

FUN FACT: Walt Disney himself came up with the mechanism design for Soarin’ based on a toy he played with as a child! How cool?

Genie+ is available on this attraction or guests can join the standby line.
Height restriction for Soarin’: 40.2 inches

3. Frozen Ever After

frozen ever after epcot — Frozen Ever After is one of the most popular rides at EPCOT (Image: Helen Wright)

What ride at EPCOT could be more universally loved than the one that features Elsa, Anna and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen? This attraction can be found in the Norway Pavilion and is extremely popular all day, often resulting in a sizeable line. If you want to enjoy Frozen Ever After, especially with kids in tow, my breakfast at EPCOT post has some top tips on how to beat the crowds and get there early. Absolutely one of the best rides at EPCOT, Frozen Ever After is a big favourite for guests of all ages, mainly thanks to the epic Frozen music you can sing along to. The attraction is a gentle boat ride with a small drop, making it fun for us big kids, yet enjoyable for the little ones too.

Individual Lightning Lane passes are available for Frozen Ever After.
Height restriction for Frozen Ever After: None

4. Test Track

Vroom Vroom, speed over to Test Track which remains one of the most unique and best rides at EPCOT since it opened in 1999. The concept is that guests design their own car and become ‘crash test dummies’ within their own creation to make sure it’s suitable for the different terrains, climates and speeds of the outside world. This unique EPCOT attraction is fun and simple, providing a few surprises and a high-speed finale. The greatest thing about Test Track is that is appeals to everyone in the family, which is why it is one of the best rides at EPCOT.

Genie+ is available on this attraction or guests can join the standby line. Test Track also has a Single Rider line, meaning if you are going solo or happy to ride separate from your party, you can pretty much walk straight on Test Track without queuing! So good.

Height restriction for Test Track: 40.2 inches

5. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

remys-epcot-france — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT (Image: Matt Stroshane)

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is one of the newest rides at EPCOT, opening in the France Pavilion in 2021. A family favourite, guests ‘shrink’ to the size of a rat for a fun and silly chase around Chef Gusteau’s kitchen. The super high tech ride is a trackless coaster, with the cars moving freely on a magnetic floor. If you have younger children in your group, this will be one of the attractions at EPCOT that they will adore. I have to admit, I have a soft spot for it too.

Genie+ is available on this attraction or guests can join the standby line.
Height restriction for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: None

The best rides at Epcot

6. Turtle Talk with Crush

This isn’t actually a ride at EPCOT, but it is one of the best and most underrated attractions at the park. During an interactive show, kids get to meet Crush, the cool dude turtle from Finding Nemo. It’s such a clever show, where kids actually ask the cartoon Crush questions and he answers them. It’s an improvised show that is different every time and if you have kids that like participating, they will love it.

Probably not one for solely-adult groups, but parents and carers will definitely have fun and enjoy watching their children absorbed in the world of Nemo and friends.

All ages. Shows operate throughout the day. Check the My Disney Experience app for times on the day of your visit.

7. Space 220

space 220 epcot — Out of this world dining (Image: Disney)

Also not a ride, but this outta-this-world restaurant is a thoroughly unique experience you won’t get anywhere else. Designed to look as though you are dining on an international space station, enjoy a signature dinner as you float through space. Digital windows change to simulate the feeling of being 220 miles above the earth and the food includes funky menu items with cosmic names, such as ‘big bang burrata’ and ‘cosmic chicken’.

Now the most popular restaurant at Walt Disney World, reservations are definitely required and get snapped up pretty quickly, so be online 60 days (exactly) before your visit to make a booking on the My Disney Experience app or at disneyworld.co.uk/dining. However, the restaurant (and the lounge attached to it) do accept walk-ins. When I was there last, I spoke to some guests in a standby line. They had waited 45 minutes and were just about to be offered a table – so you never know!

A few that are maybe NOT the best rides at EPCOT…

I love EPCOT. I even love riding the Skyliner and the Monorail through the park and just looking at EPCOT. But, but there are definitely a few attractions that I probably wouldn’t bother with – especially if you are short on time. The first of which would be Journey into the Imagination with Figment. A classic ride that feels more like a very slow moving and slightly headache-inducing trippy rave. The kids might like it, so if you happen to pass by with no line, why not? But one to avoid if, like me, you’d rather be out enjoying the park.

There is also a boat ride in the Mexican Pavilion (Gran Fiesta Tour) that is just rather faded and old now. And you may not know, there is actually a slow-moving train ride inside Spaceship Earth (the EPCOT ball) – which is confusingly also called ‘Spaceship Earth’, that was an original EPCOT attraction that hasn’t really stood the test of time. I would love to see them use that track and space for a new ride inside Spaceship Earth. Disney Imagineers could do something really cool in there! With EPCOT’s new and successful regeneration, only time will tell. For now, this is another one to skip if you’ve got a higher priority itinerary planned – unless you fancy a nap.

TOP TIP: The exit of the Spaceship Earth attraction is where you will find one of the most iconic Walls of Walt Disney World

And finally, my least favourite ride in the whole of Disney World (sorry) is Mission Space. I really hate this old-fashioned, clompy ride that gives me a literal headache! With the supremely sophisticated Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Space 220 now open, there are far better ways to travel into space than on this heavy 80s simulator. Sorry Mission Space fans, this one is not for me.

8. Living with the Land

breakfast-at-epcot — The Land Pavilion (Image: mediumhero6)

Before I conclude my list of the best rides at EPCOT, I wanted to throw in an honorary mention for Living with the Land. I’ll be straight with you, children might be a little bored on this one… however, I definitely think you should experience it with them. It will give them something different to talk about at school, because it’s actually a really significant attraction for Walt Disney World and the planet. (I actually loved it as a child, and now!)

Did you know, Walt Disney World is also a farm? There are 2.5 million square feet of active greenhouses at Epcot, which produce much of the food served in the park’s restaurants. If you drive along the approach road to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge you can also see some of the outdoor farms there too. Disney’s horticulturalists use a range of innovative and efficient farming techniques like hydroponics, aeroponics and vertical growing and the result is pretty impressive.

Living with the Land is a gentle boat ride that takes you through the modern farm, giving you a close-up look at how it’s all done. There are some fun elements too – look out for the Mickey-Shaped pumpkin! For me, this is one of the best rides at EPCOT because of its importance to the planet and because it’s damn fascinating! (Also, a lovely little 15 minute sit-down too). It’s in the pavilion next to Soarin’, don’t miss it!

All ages.

Heading to EPCOT? Check out our post on where to get the best breakfast in the park