We don’t want to sound alarmist, but we think EPCOT is going to be a LOT busier in 2026.

A lot of people are booking those Disney World trips right now, thanks to some pretty great deals and discounts Disney recently dropped. That means that things are going to be busy throughout all four parks and Disney Springs. However, we have some reasons as to why EPCOT might be the most popular. Yes, for once, EPCOT might be Disney World’s most visited park (and y’all, we’re seriously here for it).

So why do we think EPCOT is about to get more crowded? Well, we have our reasons. Let’s chat about it.

People are skipping the other parks

Now, it’s not usual for Disney World visitors to skip the other three parks just to visit EPCOT, but in 2026, EPCOT is the ONLY park that doesn’t have major construction going on. That means there’s more to do in EPCOT, but there’s also more space to walk around. Magic Kingdom has construction walls around what used to be Rivers of America, while Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are closed for updates. Plus, there’s more construction on a Villains Land happening behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed down Muppets Courtyard to build a new Monsters, Inc. land, and Animation Courtyard is closed to be reimagined as The Walt Disney Studios. DinoLand U.S.A. has closed in Disney’s Animal Kingdom to make way for a new land there, Pueblo Esperanza. That means all these parks have a lot of construction sights and noises. Meanwhile, EPCOT is pretty much done with major construction, making it a more enticing park to visit.

New Frozen Ever After Animatronics

Frozen Ever After is closed to make way for a big update. The projections on the characters in the ride will be replaced with animatronics similar to the ones in the Frozen rides in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Disney fans have been excited about this update, so when the ride reopens (which will happen soon), there will be a lot of people visiting EPCOT to check out the ride.

That means you can probably expect longer lines for Frozen Ever After, at least for a while after it reopens. This was a change many Disney fans are loving, and we have a feeling they’ll be riding it over and over.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure updates

Another ride in EPCOT recently got an update. The 3D part of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has been replaced, and now the ride is all 2D, no 3D glasses needed. I, for one, welcome this update because the 3D version of the ride gave me serious motion sickness, unlike any other ride in Disney World!

A lot of fans are like me and are excited about this update and being able to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure without the need to take Dramamine first. So you can expect to see some long lines at that ride for a little while longer.

GoofyCore returning to Cool Kid Summer

Disney World is bringing back Cool Kid Summer this summer, and that includes GoofyCore, an experience at CommuniCore Hall (which will be renamed GoofyCore). Inside, you’ll find games, DJs, entertainment, and Goofy ready to play with anyone who stops by to visit.

There’s even a themed food both in GoofyCore. This was such a popular offering last year, and with it returning, we can expect a lot of folks, especially those with kids, to flock to EPCOT to hang out and play with Goofy in an air-conditioned space.

Cheaper concerts

If you’ve looked at the price of concert tickets recently, you’ve probably had some sticker shock. Those prices keep going up, too. However, you can buy a ticket to EPCOT during the festivals and see your favorite band perform for a lot less money, AND get the opportunity to try some fun food and enjoy some festival-themed entertainment.

EPCOT gets some pretty popular bands, too. The EPCOT Festival of the Arts features Disney on Broadway for Broadway fans, while the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is bringing in bands like Simple Plan, Sugar Ray, 38 Special, Air Supply, Queensrÿche, and more. You can also catch a concert series at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, while you can see celebrities narrate the story of Christmas at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

It’s the best park

Okay, so we’re half serious here (okay, we’re lying, we are serious)…EPCOT is the best park. Isn’t it funny that when you’re a little kid, EPCOT is the park where you’re just like meh about it, and then as an adult, it literally becomes your absolute favorite place to be in Disney World? First, you’ve got amazing food from ALL over the world in EPCOT. You can drink your way around World Showcase. Then there are the festivals with even MORE amazing food and drinks, along with themed entertainment and activities.

Plus, where else are you going to learn about the history of communication (thank the Phoenicians) or take a chaotic ride with the Guardians of the Galaxy? Then there’s just visiting each World Showcase Pavilion…every country is unique with incredible theming…and SHOPS! EPCOT is one of the best parks, and we think folks are figuring that out.

So, yes, we think EPCOT is about to become super popular in 2026, and that means more people in the park. But more people in EPCOT isn’t necessarily a bad thing. EPCOT is nice and spread out, which helps keep it from feeling super crowded in most spaces.

And if more people visit EPCOT this year, maybe Disney will take a hint and add even more entertainment and activities to the park, and dare we say…bring back festival seminars and demonstrations to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival (seriously, we’re still waiting for those to return).

CONFIRMED: 3 EPCOT World Showcase Rules Disney World Is Enforcing in 2026

What do you think? Do you think you’ll see more people in EPCOT this year? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments!