EPCOT Overview
General
EPCOT - "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow" opened in October 1982. Unlike Magic Kingdom this is a more adult park but children can have lots and lots of fun here too! EPCOT is split into two main areas: Future World and the World Showcase featuring 11 countries centered around a lake. It is a large park, about twice the size of the Magic Kingdom. EPCOT will take longer to go around compared to the other parks because there is so much going on - 11 countries to visit, live music and shows around the World Showcase, all the rides to enjoy!! We would advise at least 2 days minimum in order to do all the things you want to do.
How to get to EPCOT
The car park at EPCOT is located just in front of the park (in front of the big ball). Getting to the car park is fairly straight forward, it is well sign posted from all the major roads (I-4 etc.), so just follow the sign posts. Once you get to the car park a cast member will direct you where to park.
Make a note of where you have parked because after a day in the park you won't remember where you have parked! (Why not take a photo!)
Once parked, walk towards the end of the car park (follow everyone else!) and catch the tram which will drop you right outside the entrance.
However, if you are staying at a Disney resort then depending on the resort different transportation options will apply. If you are staying in EPCOT resort area resorts (e.g. Beach Club, Boardwalk) then you have your own 'special' entrance - EPCOT's International Gateway. This will bring you out in between the UK pavillion and the French pavillion in the world showcase. The great bit about this entrance is it's really quiet even in the peak times!
World Showcase doesn't open until around 11am so as you enter you will see that it is roped off on your right hand side, but the UK pavillion and Canada Pavillion are open (the shops and restaurants are not open) so you can get some excellent snaps with very few people around!
To get to future world just walk throught UK and Canada and turn left then you will be in future world!
If you are staying in a resort on the monorail (e.g. Grand Floridian) then you can catch the monorail to the TTC (Transportation and Ticket Centre) and the transfer onto the Epcot monorail and you will be at Epcot in around 5 mins.
Main Attractions
- Soarin' - A handglider ride over the state of California
- Test Track - Climb abord your test vehicle as you go through the testing process a car goes through
- Mission Space - Blast off into space with a true simulation of what it would be like
- World Showcase - Visit 11 countries around one lake!
Entertainment
EPCOT offers some fantastic entertainment. All around the World Showcase you can experience songs and all sorts of entertainment from the different countries, for example in France you can see a very skilled man climbing a stack of chairs! In Morocco you might be able to see the belly dances in action and In Japan you will be able to see the art of drumming! These are just some of what the World Showcase has to offer.
At Night the World Showcase lagoon comes to light with the firework and laser extravaganzar - Illuminations Reflections Of Earth. A music track set to over 1000 fireworks and many colourful lasers! One not to be missed. To read more click here.
As well as all the entertainment in the World Showcase there is also lots of entertainment in futureworld including the fantastic "Jammitors" - the Jammitors are a new revolution of drum players, they play the drums on trash cans and use their cleaning utensils to hit them!!
Dining
EPCOT offers fabulous dining to touch everyones palette! You can't have a holiday in Disney World without trying the food around the world! The World Showcase offers some great restaurants which allow you experience the tastes of different countries. Pop into the Rose & Crown to taste the all too familiar Sunday Roast! Whatever your taste you are bound to find something you like Epcot.
Shopping
As with dining, Epcot has lots of products to splash the cash on. Around the World Showcase you can purchase goods that are exclusive to the country you are visiting, for example in France you can purchase all the best champagne around or some rustic kitchenware.
The wait times for the rides in futureworld increase as the day goes on, so do the rides in the morning then head over to futureworld to grab a bite to eat and do some shopping in the afternoon!
Park Maps
Tips and Secrets
Please click here for tips and secrets about EPCOT
