Disney's EPCOT Center
EPCOT is an abbreviation for "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow", but is jokingly known as "Exhausted People Continuously on Trek" or "Every Person Comes out Tired". EPCOT is a large park with lots to do, see and learn. It pays to pace yourself - we recommend an early start with a break in the middle of the day, especially if you have young children, returning for the unique atmosphere and "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" during the evening.
EPCOT is most frequently named by adults as their most favourite theme park. There is lots to see and many aspects change with different shows and displays in Future World and the world Showcase. However there is lots too for children. Disney characters are found through out the park, frequently in the country to which they belong e.g. Snow White in Germany, Belle in France, etc. Disney characters come together in their holiday bus at the Showcase Plaza - check the Times Guide for details.
EPCOT has everything from thrill rides such as Mission: Space and Test Track to wonderful shopping opportunities from around the world and a selection of restaurants with food from various cultures. This is your opportunity to sample food from Africa, Scandinavia, Europe and Latin America or just settle for Fish and Chips in the Rose and Crown in the United Kingdom or Burgers at the Liberty Inn in the USA!
EPCOT is the place to soak up the atmosphere, stroll, enjoy the landscaping and enjoy more sedate attractions such as El Rio del Tiempo in Mexico, a fabulous 360 degree film in China and the American Adventure in the USA.
The park has 2 sections: Future World and World Showcase.
The main entrance to the park leads you into Future World. If you arrive early, you can frequently ride Spaceship Earth before the rest of Future World opens. Then head for either Soarin' or TestTrack, to collect your FastPass ticket. These are the newest and most popular rides in Epcot.
Soarin' is an exhilarating flight over the main attractions of California. After being strapped into your seat, you are lifted high into the air, then between the clouds, the golden gate bridge appears, then you continue your flight. Disney Imagineers have once again created an experience like no other, achieving uncanny realism with state-of-the-art motion-base technology, giant-screen imagery and multi-sensory effects. You can even smell the gorgeous scenery!
TestTrack is a more fast paced ride where you and your car go though some of the more intense manoeuvres that all new cars go through when being tested for safety, performance and coping with extremes.
You should join the standby line for the other ride. If you want, then visit either the Wonders of Life Pavilion to ride Body Wars (a high speed race through the body), enjoy Cranium Command or see The Making of Me.
However, if you don't like thrill rides then head for the right hand side of the park when you enter. The Living Seas, now with Nemo and friends, takes you to a wonderful underwater world with all kinds of fish, dolphins and manatees - if you have young children then they will love to find Nemo and friends.
Other excellent pavilions are
Mission: Space where you have a choice of an Exhilarating or rather more gentle ride to Mars. The former has extreme G forces and you really feel that you are blasting off leaving the launch pad and planet Earth behind you. Whichever way you choose to travel, you can play the role of Navigator, Pilot, Engineer or Commander and be part of the ride.
The Land dedicated to our planet - you can take a boat ride called Living with the Land and see new production techniques including plants grown in the air. Not to be missed is the Circle of Life, where Timon and Pumba learn from Simba how important it is to take care of the earth. The attraction which is currently drawing the most crowds is Soarin', a hang glide over the State of California.
Universe of Energy - where the theatre moves with you through thousands of years
Imagination - Where you will dazzle all your senses in the Journey into Imagination with Figment, interact in ImageWorks and be surprised in Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, an exciting and sometimes scary 3-D adventure.
Innoventions East and West - lots of new technology and games to try. Once the kids are in it is difficult to prize them out!
World Showcase usually opens at 11am, but most visitors do not move into World Showcase lagoon until they have completed Future World, therefore this is the ideal time to stroll around the lagoon unhindered. Always pick up the Times Guide which tells you when you can see the many shows taking place.
Finally, don't miss Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, a fabulous laser, firework, water and light display around the World Showcase lagoon.
Ensure wind is behind you when choosing your location by the lagoon for the Illuminations, the fireworks and laser display. Canada provides some lagoon side benches and unobscured viewing. You also have easy access to the car parks and will be ahead of the crowds to beat most of the rush when the fireworks end.
If you run out of park days but would like to see the EPCOT fireworks again, park at Boardwalk and enjoy an evening there and walk towards EPCOT entrance and watch the overhead display from there.
My favourite time of year to visit EPCOT is during the Flower and Garden Festival held between late April and mid June. The most exciting part is the topiaries of all the Disney Characters throughout Future World and all around the World Showcase Lagoon.
You can Magic Your Way to the EPCOT Center and other Disney theme parks:
Florida
.
