Epcot is the second of the four theme parks that was built at Walt Disney World, although it was never meant to be a theme park. Walt Disney originally envisioned Epcot as a utopian city of the future that celebrated culture and technology. Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow and is twice the size of the Magic Kingdom. Epcot is divided into two themed areas, Future World and World Showcase.
Future World
Future World has different pavilions that explore different aspects of technology and science. Future World is located at the parks main entrance and features the majority of the parks ride attractions.
Attractions
Spaceship Earth
Inside the golf ball is an attraction which is an easy going ride through time to see how far humanity has come.
Tip!
Do not ride this first thing in the morning, since it's the first ride as you go in the park, it is the one most people head to first. If you can get a fast pass for this ride!
Universe of Energy
This 45 minute attraction features Ellen Degeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy in 1996. Guests are seated and watch a movie on large screens then the seats move you between screens at various points throughout the movie through dinosaur scenery.
Tip!
Good if you need some air con on a hot day, if not you can probably give it a miss.
Mission: Space
Mission: Space is a simulation that makes you feel like an astronaut during take off and takes you from launching pad to Mars. You are assigned one of four jobs in the simulation to do during the mission. There are two different variations of the ride, green and orange, green is the less intense of the two.
Tip!
I last went on this ride in 2004, I suffer from horrible motion sickness and haven't been back on since. To avoid motion sickness they recommend to keep looking forward and don't move your head from side to side.
Test Track
Guests get to design and build a car digitally whilst in the que for the ride. Once boarded you ride a convertible car through various tests such as brakes, speed, and a high speed lap outside the building. The monitor on the vehicle shows who's car performed best out of every guest in the vehicle.
Tip!
One of the most popular rides at Epcot, highly recommend a fast pass.
Also try going in the single rider que, you get split up however the majority of the time at least 2 of you are in the same car and It's a huge time saver.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Turtle Talk with Crush)
An attraction that allows you to view tanks with real fish as well as animated characters from Finding Nemo. Once inside the building you can also see a show called Turtle Talk with Crush, which uses the same technology as the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor at the Magic Kingdom. It involves an actor voicing a character while the animated character interacts with the audience live.
Tip!
A fastpass isn't necessarily needed for these attractions as there are more popular rides with longer wait times. During the hot days however these attractions can get busy due to air con.
Living with the Land
A boat ride that takes you through a tour of greenhouses to see how things are grown at disney World.
Soarin' Around the World
Soarin' is one of the most popular rides at Disney World and by far the most popular at Epcot. You sit in a ride vehicle that lifts you in front of a huge screen gliding you through different landscapes around the world and even letting out smells of forests and food. Soarin' used to be Soarin' over California before changing to Soarin' Around the World in 2016.
Tip!
If there was only one ride you could get a Fastpass for, make it this one. Also try and get seated in the front row to avoid feet dangling in your view.
Journey into Imagination with Figment
This ride takes you through an exploration of the senses with an animated dragon.
Tip!
Like the Universe of Energy, it's good for some cool down time, but again another you could go without experiencing.
World Showcase
World showcase features 11 pavilions each themed and dedicated to represent a specific country. Each pavilion contains themed architecture, streets, attractions, entertainment, shops and restaurants. In order to maintain an authentic representation, each pavilion are primarily staffed by citizens of the respective countries as part of the Cultural Representative Program. These pavilions surround the World Showcase Lagoon, a large lake that showcases a fireworks show.
Tip!
world showcase doesn't open till 11am, so it's best to do Future World and then go around World Showcase.
Mexico
Attractions
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Norway
Attractions
Frozen Ever After
China
Attractions
Reflections of China
Germany
Italy
United States
Attractions
American Adventure
Japan
Tip!
Visit the giftshop called Mitsukoshi, they have amazing candy, toys, inscents and pearl diving.
Morocco
France
Attractions
Impressions de France
Tip!
Visit the bakery, they have amazing macaroons and other great treats.
United Kingdom
Tip!
Before the fireworks show, find a spot at the Rose and Crown pub outdoor seating. It is by far one of the best places to watch the show and you can have a cup of tea or a pint.
For a cheaper alternative to experiencing british food, try the Yorkshire fish and chip shop. We eat the fish and chips here on every trip and it gives us more time to look around the park.
Canada
Attractions
O! Canada
International Gateway
Check out the International gateway entrance located near the United Kingdom pavilion. This is an exit out of the park that leads to The Boardwalk. Here there are the Epcot resort hotels as well as a boat that will take you to Hollywood Studios.
Illuminations
The nighttime fireworks show is in my opinion, the best fireworks display at all of Walt Disney World. It involves a globe in the middle of the World Showcase Lagoon with imagery projected onto it.
Food Tip!
The most popular attraction at Epcot is probably the restaurants. Each country has a fantastic restaurant however it can work out expensive. Check out the smaller food stands for a cheaper alternative that are just as delicious.
Also if you want to experience the restaurants at a cheaper price go for a late lunch so the lunch menu is still available. At most of the restaurants the lunch and dinner menus are nearly identical, the lunch one however being cheaper.
Try and visit during fall to experience the Epcot Food and Wine festival. They set up stalls from different countries that aren't available at other times of the year.
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