In Part One of this series, I presented some of the more commonly “sat-out” rides at the Magic Kingdom, with alternative diversions for people who either can't or won't ride certain attractions with the rest of their group.

Sometimes skipping the ride affords you some time to check out things that you would otherwise pass right by, but that are not so far out of the way that that you lose the rest of your party as they get off the ride. With the fast pace too many people tour these days, as a non-rider you actually have a chance to see more of the World!

Today I continue with Part Two: Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. As with Part One, a word of warning: many of these diversions involve shopping, but you'll find some other great ideas sprinkled here and there!

[This list assumes the riders in your party aren't using FastPasses, and won't be re-joining you in less than half an hour. ]

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror / Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

At the end of Sunset Boulevard are two of the most intense thrill rides at Walt Disney World -- and they're right next to each other. Chances are, your companions will want to ride these attractions back-to-back, so you could be waiting a long while.

I personally recommend standing in line with your party at either or both attractions. The queues are very detailed and worth experiencing, even if you're ultimately going to take a "chicken exit" just before the boarding area.

Tower of Terror's Tower Shops are located at the exit of the attraction, on the lowest level of the building next to the walkway to Fantasmic! There you can wait for your friends as you browse through spooky ToT merchandise, including some nifty Hollywood Tower Hotel bathrobes.

You can enter Rock Around the Shop through the left side entrance (the exit to the attraction) of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster building. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Aerosmith memorabilia are sold here.

A great place to wait out both attractions is the outdoor dining area of Sunset Boulevard. Eight different counter-service fast food spots serve fries (Fairfax Fries), fresh fruit (Anaheim Produce), pizza (Catalina Eddie's), ice cream (Hollywood Scoops), turkey legs (Toluca Legs Turkey Co.), drinks / snacks (KRNR the Rock Station), burgers (Rosie's All-American Cafe), and gourmet sandwiches (Starring Rolls Cafe).

Star Tours

If you choose not to ride this spaceflight simulator, I highly recommend you watch the Jedi Training Academy show, presented several times a day beneath the large AT-AT walker in front of the Star Tours soundstage. You can watch a Jedi Master teach a group of child volunteers how to use a "training lightsaber" (a plastic toy), before their ultimate battle with the evil Lord Darth Vader. The show is a laugh-a-minute, and is worth checking out even if you don't have a child participating.

If you're hungry, you can stop by the counter-service restaurant Backlot Express

On the right side of Star Tours is the Tatooine Traders gift shop (it's also the exit of Star Tours). Be sure to check it out this large concentrated display of Star Wars merchandise!

Epcot

Mission: SPACE

If spinning round and round in an enclosed space isn't your thing, not to worry! There are lots of alternative activities right inside the Mission: SPACE pavilion, so you don't have to stray too far from your riding friends.

First, you should know that there is a milder version of the attraction available. Called "Green Team," the alternative ride experience features the same story and vehicle, but without the spinning which causes some guests to skip the attraction. The ride vehicle does rock and sway, however. Even if you choose not to ride, the queue to the attraction has a lot to look at, including a large gravity wheel, a genuine Lunar Rover, and the Cast Member Command Room.

Still not convinced to ride? Enter the building through the left side and try the Advanced Training Labs. At the Mission: SPACE Race training adventure, you can join dozens of other guests on a team of astronauts and ground control personnel. The team's goal is to work together to successfully send their spacecraft from Mars back to Earth. There's a wrinkle added: another team of guests is competing against you to accomplish the same mission in better time! Also at the labs, Expedition: Mars is a joystick-controlled astronaut obstacle course simulation. Your mission? Navigate the terrain to find four other astronauts on the surface of the planet. If your young child is unable to ride Mission: SPACE, they can try Space Base, a fun interactive playground area.

There is a kiosk called Postcards from Space where you can make a video of yourself (with a space-themed backdrop, naturally) that you can instantly e-mail to your friends and family.

Finally, there is the Mission Space Gift Shop, featuring space-themed Disney merchandise, toy rockets, and even freeze-dried astronaut food! You can reach the gift shop through the same entrance as the Advanced Training Labs on the left side of the Mission: SPACE building.

Test Track

The loud roar from the outside makes this attraction seems a lot wilder than it really is; the most intense part of the 5m 30s ride is the last 30 seconds. Still, many choose not to do Test Track because of a perception that it's an intense thrill ride.

Luckily, like Mission: SPACE, you don't have to leave the building to find something to do if you sit out the ride. If you enter through the attraction exit, you can shop at the Inside Track Gift Shop. There you can find -- what else? -- car and racing related merchandise. The Test Track Post-Show exhibit is also there for your perusal. More than a dozen GM* vehicles are on display, and you can view interactive demonstrations.

[*At the time of this writing, GM's continued sponsorship of Test Track is uncertain]

Just adjacent to Test Track is Cool Wash, where you can stand beneath refreshing mister sprayers. Slurpee-type Coke products are often available here.

If cars in general are not your thing, you can head to MouseGear merchandise shop, located across the main east pathway not far from the entrance of the Test Track building. Just about every type of Disney merchandise can be found here -- you probably won't have time to see it all in the time it takes for your friends to get off Test Track, though!

Soarin'

This big-screen flying simulator is one of Epcot shining gems, but it has been known to not go over well with some guests prone to motion sickness. If you think that's you, you may still want to consider experiencing the queue. Along the walls of the standby line, the Imagineers have set up interactive guest-controlled video games that have the crowd waving and clapping the time away.

You can browse The Land Gift Shop, located on the lower level of the pavilion right next to the Soarin' attraction entrance. There you can find Disney Souvenirs and items themed to both Soarin' and Living with the Land.

The most obvious diversion is the Sunshine Seasons food court, which dominates the lower level of the pavilion right in front of Soarin'. There you can have some rotisserie chicken, soup, sandwiches, Asian noodles, and salad made with vegetables grown right there in the building! Be cautioned: your riding companions will likely head for the food court when their done with Soarin' so you may want to resist the urge to eat while you wait!

---------------

As you can see, there's no reason to fear getting bored if you're left waiting it out. There's a lot to see and do in every corner of Epcot!

Coming soon! Tips for passing the time at the Disney's Animal Kingdom!