Why Epcot is the Best Disney Park for Adults
When it comes to great entertainment, food, and events geared towards adults at Disney World, Epcot is hands down the best park. Though it’s great for all ages, the combination of cultural, educational, and thrilling experiences really does make Epcot the best Disney park for adults.
In fact, Disney often sees a huge increase in adult guest attendance during the fall when the International Food and Wine Festival takes place. It’s also an extremely popular theme park on the weekends for adults who live in the Orlando area as a local weekend hangout spot. That’s because the dining options are perfect for a date night or night out on the town. Epcot is also a popular theme park to visit for those taking a Disney World honeymoon too, with loads of romantic dining options.
With so much to see and do, let’s break down all the must-do entertainment that adults will want to check out the next time they plan to visit Epcot.
Attractions
Epcot is home to some of the most popular attractions, like Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, and Spaceship Earth. Of course, these are extremely popular with adults of all ages. But, don’t forget to check out some of the other attractions in this park.
In addition to some unique and educational attractions in Future World, like Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Journey into Imagination, you’ll also find charming attractions throughout the World Showcase. We absolutely love the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion.
It’s a delightful boat ride that travels through inside of a pyramid and shares with a taste of Mexican culture and features Donald Duck. We also recommend the American Adventure in the America Pavilion that takes you on a journey through the history of the United States. While in the World Showcase, you’ll also find other “attractions” like shows and live entertainment.
Restaurants
If we had to pick one theme park that has the best places to eat at Disney World, we would hands down pick Epcot. That’s because Epcot boasts an impressive number of table service and quick service restaurants with a huge variety in different kinds of foods and flavors.
So, when we say you won’t have to worry about finding the perfect dining spot at Epcot, we’re not kidding. In fact, the World Showcase alone has at least one restaurant per pavilion that highlights the cuisine of the country, and each of these have unique entertainment and theming. Though it’s hard to narrow down some of the top choices, here are some of your best bets when planning an adults-only meal at Epcot.
San Angel Inn: Like the Gran Fiesta Tour, San Angel Inn is located inside a pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion. This long-time favorite has some of the best atmosphere of any Disney restaurant. That’s because it actually looks like you are dining outside at night in Mexico. You’ll even get to see the Gran Fiesta Tour boats pass by as you dine. The food gives you a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine and features classics like Carne Asada and Tacos al Pastor.
Coral Reef: If you enjoy steak and seafood, the Coral Reef is a must visit at Epcot. With an impressive seafood menu, you’ll enjoy dining in a restaurant that is located inside The Seas aquarium, where you can watch over 4,000 sea animals swim by. You might also catch a glimpse of scuba divers too.
Via Napoli: If you love the romance of Italy, you’ll love Via Napoli, located in the Italy Pavilion. It is the perfect spot for authentic Italian pizza and other rustic Italian fare. It’s also the perfect place for a family dinner or night out with friends. Don’t forget to order their sangria or variety of Italian wines or finish your meal with an Italian coffee.
Le Cellier: One of the most well-known steak houses on Disney property can be found in the Canada Pavilion at Epcot. Le Cellier is perfect for an adults-only meal and an excellent spot to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. The steaks and other lunch and dinner options at Le Cellier are impeccably cooked and have some incredible side dishes, like Poutine — made with French Fries, fresh cheese curds, and gravy. If you are a wine lover, be sure to order from their impressive wine list.
Biergarten: You can celebrate Oktoberfest year-round when you visit Biergarten at the Germany Pavilion. This all-you-care-to-eat meal includes classic German dishes like bratwurst and schnitzel. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll love their variety of German beers. This restaurant is perfect for sharing a meal with a group of friends — and we recommend going here in big groups. That’s because tables here are just like at the real Oktoberfest and are shared by large parties. Don’t forget to dine when the Oompah Band is playing for lively polkas.
This is just a small taste of the food options at Epcot. While there are plenty of restaurants, we do recommend that you make Advanced Dining Reservations at least 180 days in advance for any table service restaurant that you might want to dine at.
Epcot table service restaurants are extremely popular and will be completely booked during busy times of the year. So, it’s always best to make reservations before you go, in case walk-up reservations are not available.
Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, Epcot has plenty to offer adults visiting the park. From live shows to festivals, there’s something for everyone. And, a lot of it changes depending on the time of year, which means you’ll be able to experience something new and different on every visit. Here are some highlights that are not to be missed.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth: For nighttime entertainment, you can’t get any better than IllumiNations. This impressive fireworks show is one of the best that Disney has to offer. The technology behind the show is impressive, and you’ll be sure to be wowed by this fireworks show. To add some extra wow factor to your viewing experience, make reservations for the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party, which includes priority viewing areas, delicious desserts and appetizers and sparkling wine.
International Food & Wine Festival: This may be the most iconic festival at Disney World. For over 20 years, the Food & Wine Festival has been giving guests a taste of food and drink from around the world.
Typically held during the fall, this is an extremely popular event for adults. In fact, so much so that we recommend you make resort and table service dining reservations well in advance because availability during the Food & Wine Festival can book up quickly. The same is true for special dining experiences, culinary demos, and tours held exclusively throughout the event.
One important note: Epcot can get a bit crowded and a little more rowdy on nights and weekends during the Food & Wine Festival. If you’re looking for a slower pace, we recommend visiting the festival during the day and on weekdays to avoid the influx of locals and crowds. Not sure where to start when planning to visit during this festival? We recommend the DisneyFoodBlog’s site for a comprehensive list of Food & Wine Festival tips and information.
Flower & Garden Festival: Like the Food & Wine Festival, the Flower & Garden Festival is a hugely popular festival at Epcot. Held in the spring, it features samples of fresh and seasonal food and beverages. If you love gardening or have a green thumb, be sure to check out the festival center demos and workshops, where you can learn gardening tips and even purchase and take home live plants and flowers. Even better, the entire park is in full bloom with beautiful topiaries and colorful plants.
Live Entertainment: From bands to acrobats, there’s a ton of live entertainment at Epcot. Each of the World Showcase pavilions feature live entertainment daily, and each one highlights the cultural heritage of the country. If you are at Epcot during one of its many festivals or other special events, you’ll find live concerts and shows at the American Adventure pavilion.
These often showcase well-known bands and musicians too. And, entrance to these concerts and shows are included with your park admission. The concerts and shows at the American Adventure pavilion are usually quite popular though, so plan to book a dining package or get Fastpass+ for the shows.
Other Considerations
In addition the attractions, restaurants, World Showcase pavilions, live entertainment and festivals, there are also some other unique experiences at Epcot that are perfect for adults. One of our favorites? Tours. Epcot offers several tours, including the Behind the Seeds Tour at the Land Pavilion in Future World. It’s a behind the scenes tour of the Epcot greenhouses, where you can learn more about farming and how Disney promotes sustainable farming practices. It’s also a bargain at around $20 per person. Other tours include UnDISCOVERed Future World and DiveQuest, where you can actually dive in the Seas aquariums.
If seasonal events are more your speed, you’ll want to visit during the winter holiday season. Epcot offers several well-known and popular holiday experiences. These include the Candlelight Processional and Holidays Around the World.
The Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra, and local choirs and retells the tale of Christmas. Holidays Around the World highlights holiday celebrations around the world with live entertainment daily. Each of these are the perfect compliment to any holiday visit to Disney World.
Final Thoughts
Overall, if you’re an adult going to Disney World, Epcot is a must-visit park. With so much live entertainment, festivals, attractions, and dining experiences, there’s a lot to see and do. It’s also the perfect theme park for adults, looking to explore beyond the theme park attractions.
Of course, these are just a few of the reasons Epcot is the best Disney park for adults. So, visit during one of the many festivals, enjoy a unique dining experience, and explore the park on a tour to discover your own reasons why this park is a favorite with adults.
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