W D   W  E P C O T

Park Introduction

EPCOT was originally an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. In the original presentation Walt gave about the Florida property he referenced EPCOT as an actual suburb where people would live and work. The theme park concept that is now EPCOT Center developed after his death. The Park opened in the early 1980s and has two distinct areas: Future World and World Showcase. When the park opened Future World focused on the achievements of technology and man’s potential, but the focus has shifted over time and now offers more rides where originally exhibitions and demonstration spaces existed. World Showcase has pavilions allowing guests to experience cultures and food of various countries around the world.

EPCOT hosts several seasonal events throughout the year. The Flower and Garden Festival in the spring is absolutely beautiful, and a real allergy test. The decorations and shows associated with the various countries during the holidays are amazing. There's an International Festival of the Arts. But our hands-down favorite is the International Food and Wine festival in the fall. Stands are setup around the World Showcase to sell food and drink commonly found in different countries both with and without permanent pavilions.




Favorite Memories




Thoughts for Planning a Visit

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General Notes

The World Showcase doesn’t open until 11a so all the people who get there when the park opens at 9a are crammed in the front portion. While there’s lots to do, this might be a good sleep-in day.
James loved the old fireworks show around the lagoon; a new one (Harmonious) was in the works when the pandemic hit and only recently made its debut. You may have to sit for an hour or so before it starts to get a good seat by the rail though.


Attractions

Test track, Mission Space, and Soarin’ are all fun and tend to have longer lines. Mission Space and Soarin’ can cause motion sickness in people so be aware.
Spaceship Earth (the ride in the golf ball) is really a good ride but walk past it when you get there (unless the line is really short) and do that on the way out or late afternoon).
Living with the Land is a boat ride through the green houses where they show you research areas and some of the food production for the restaurants in the park.
Most of the countries have rides or shows; meh. Mexico's ride is ok and features some whacky birds. The movie in France is great for insomniacs while Canada and China’s are 360 so again with the motion sickness risk. Norway's ride includes the characters from Frozen and has a twist near the end. The best one is probably the US show which uses animatronics to talk about American history.
The street performers in Italy and France can be pretty entertaining; the last time we went there was a lumberjack stage show outside Canada that was ok.
We have not been to the park since the Guardians of the Galaxy or Ratatouille rides opened.


Addressing Rumbly in the Tumbly

All of the countries have good food at their sit-down restaurants. Our faves are the steak house in Canada, Rose and Crown Pub in Great Britain, and San Angelo in Mexico.
Mexico and the US have “counter service” that isn’t too bad.
Favorite sit down – The Garden Grill (The Land pavilion). It’s a rotating seating area that lets you overlook part of the boat ride. Has characters (Mickey, Minnie, Chip, and Dale). Usually requires reservation.
Buffet – Germany has a great buffet. The smell of sauerkraut is strong by the door because of an outside little café; not bad inside. Seating is “open” so you may share a table with people you don’t know. They also have a show while you eat.
Snacks – funnel cake stand near the US pavilion in the World Showcase. France has really good pastries in their bakery (kinda tucked up in their pavilion).
The last few times we’ve been to the parks, we’ve planned our trip around the Food and Wine festival in the fall so haven’t eaten at many of the restaurants since we moved back to Iowa.