Planning a day at Epcot? You’re probably thinking about purchasing Lightning Lane to skip the lines.
While Lightning Lane can offer major time savings for popular attractions, there are some reservations that just aren’t worth the time or money—especially at Epcot.
What is Lightning Lane?
Lightning Lane is
Guests can either purchase Lighting Lane Single Pass, to access a specific high-demand ride at each park, or use the Lighting Lane Multipass service to reserve times for multiple attractions throughout the park.
But, with so many attractions to choose from, not all Lightning Lane reservations pack the same punch!
If you need all the info on Lightning Lanes check out our complete guide to lightning lanes at Disney World.
Epcot Ride Eligibility
At Epcot, you’ll find a mix of attractions available through Lightning Lane!
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
- Journey into Imagination with Figment
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Spaceship Earth
- Turtle Talk with Crush
But not all Lighting Lane Attractions were created equal, and in this case some of them may not be worth that Lighting Lane slot at all!
Worthless Lightning Lanes at Epcot
Let’s break down the attractions where standby is still a solid strategy.
Living with the Land
This gentle boat ride takes you through greenhouses and showcases sustainable farming practices. Most guests find they can walk on or experience very short wait times, especially during off-peak hours. A Lightning Lane reservation here would be an unnecessary expense!
Best Times to Ride: Sadly, Living with the Land is an underappreciated GEM at Epcot. But it’s good news for us who value this icon because there’s almost never a line!
Figment
This charming, quirky ride is a cult favorite, but its popularity doesn’t span much further than that. I blame it on the skunk scene.
Figment often has little to no line, making a Lightning Lane reservation redundant. Instead, enjoy this nostalgic experience at your leisure!
Best Times to Ride: Like most attractions, mornings or early afternoons are great times to enjoy Figment without the crowds. The ride provides a refreshing escape from the heat of the park, making it a welcome addition to your day.
Pixar Shorts
Do not sleep on Pixar Shorts! It’s a theater-style experience that can accommodate many guests at once. With low demand for seating, you can simply walk in and enjoy the show without the need for a Lightning Lane reservation.
Best Times to Ride: The showings typically run throughout the day, so you can plan around your other attractions. If you want a break from walking, this is a perfect stop! If you’re a Pixar fan, it’s a must-do, but you won’t miss out on much by skipping it if time is tight.
Turtle Talk with Crush
This is an interactive show featuring Crush, from Finding Nemo. It’s hilarious especially for younger guests, but the wait times are typically minimal. Whether it’s a busy day or not, you can enjoy Turtle Talk without needing to purchase Lightning Lane access.
Best Times to Visit: This attraction usually has a consistent flow of guests, so you can pop in during any time of day.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
The Seas with Nemo and Friends is usually a walk-on attraction. You’ll often find that this ride has little wait, so it’s best to save your Lightning Lane funds for attractions that genuinely need it.
Best Times to Ride: Ride in the early afternoon when the park is busiest. Since it’s a slow-moving attraction, it’s a great option to sneak in during busier times when other rides have longer waits. It’s also a great way to cool off and enjoy the marine life aquarium, while soaking up the air conditioning.
Is Lightning Lane Worth It at Epcot?
When it comes to Epcot, the decision to purchase Lightning Lane can be a bit of a mixed bag. Certain rides—namely Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure—will always have long lines, making Lightning Lane worthwhile.
But, for many of the park’s other attractions, you may find that standby lines are manageable, even during busy days.
Final Thoughts: Lightning Lane is for the Big Rides
The biggest value of Lightning Lane at Epcot is for the big-ticket attractions—Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Once Test Track reopens it might also be a worth a Lightning Lane, though it’s bound to be Tier 1. But for everything else, standby lines are generally manageable. Allowing you to enjoy your time in Epcot without feeling pressured to rush through the park.
Epcot is a unique park that offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors without feeling tied down to a strict schedule.
So, grab a snack, take your time exploring, and enjoy the magic of Epcot on your own terms!
