Epcot

At Epcot you can experience eleven different nations, take part in interactive presentations and view the very latest in cutting-edge technology, all in one place. The name Epcot is an acronym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” and was originally envisioned by Walt Disney himelf as a real-life community where residents would live and work in a technically advanced environment. However Epcot turned out to be more of a theme park with a World Fair type atmosphere. It is over twice the size of the Magic Kingdom (in excess of 300 acres) and can easily keep a family busy for several days if you stay to experience everything Epoct has to offer. Over the years, the constant arrival of new attractions within Epcot has kept it a firm favorite among both new and returning visitors who are fascinated with the breathtaking stage shows and amazing wonders from around the world. It is divided into two unique areas; The first being Future World, which focuses on science, inventions, and technology from both the past, present and the future. The second area, The World Showcase, features a variety of countries celebrating their culture, heritage, history and cuisine.

Epcot Rides and Attractions

Epcot is made up of two huge areas, Future World and The World Showcase, and it is in someways like visiting two separate theme parks all together. In addition, it is home to the “Illuminations”, which is a spectacular nightly laser, music and fireworks display held over the World Showcase lagoon – it is one definatly not to miss! It is important to remember that Epcot is mainly geared towards adults and teens, and so younger children may be restricted from some attractions due to height and age requirements.

Future World starts with Spaceship Earth, a ride that is located inside the iconic geosphere that is Epcot’s well known ‘golf ball’ landmark. It is described as an “audio-animatronic journey through the history of communications”. Included in the scenery and narration of the ride are cave paintings, the development of the written language, the Phoenician merchants, the Roman highway system and much much more. Next, Mission: Space is the ultimate interactive thrill ride and is as close as you can get to blasting off into space without leaving our planet! You will feel the thundering force of lift-off and have an exhilarating ride through space as you dodge huge meteors and navigate the stars.

Honey, I Shrunk the Audience has amazing special effects (with some rather frightening snake and lion 3-D effects that might not be suitable for younger children). It’s a full sensory attraction that goes beyond standard 3-D. Up next is Test Track which takes you on one of the longest and fastest rides in the history of Walt Disney World to date, as you enter the exciting world of auto testing. You are strapped into a test car before you set off racing down bumpy terrain, roar around hair-pin corners and rush on to 50-degree banked curves at over 60 mph. Not for the faint hearted!

At The World Showcase, eleven nations offer authentic clothing, gifts and cuisine from their homeland along a huge 1.3-mile promenade. In addition, as part of the show, holidays and festivals are celebrated just as they are in each of the represented countries, allowing guests to experience these international celebrations first hand. Mexico offers an authentic marketplace with lively Mariachi bands and a six-minute boat ride through The River of Time, where passengers greet a Mayan high priest and watch traditional performers. Norway allows visitors to travel through time beginning in a 10th century Viking Village. Guests board 16-passenger dragon-headed long-boats, inspired by the Vikings, on a five minute voyage that glides through a mystical forests complete with trolls and a maelstrom. Visitors to China will see the House of Whispering Willows, an impressive exhibit of ancient Chinese art and artifacts, along with a vast array of merchandise including silk robes, paper umbrellas, embroidered items and much more.

Other countries represented at Epcot and offering equally amazing experienced and rides include Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, Canada and even our very own United Kingdom!

Epcot History

After decades of planning, and over three years of construction, Epcot finally opened to the public on October 1, 1982. Walt Disney was very excited about his idea for a “city of tomorrow”, but unfortunately, as with many of his theme parks, his health began to fail before seeing it to completion. He is quoted as saying, “But the most exciting, by far the most important part of our Florida project – in fact, the heart of everything we’ll be doing in Disney World – will be our experimental prototype city of tomorrow. We call it EPCOT, spelled E-P-C-O-T: Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”. Disney sadly passed away in 1966, and while his original vision of an actual community of the future where real people lived and worked never came to realization, Epcot is indeed a very special place in itself and has been listed as one of the most popular and unique theme parks in the world.

Epcot Address and Phone Number

Disney’s Epcot
Walt Disney World Resort
P.O. Box 10,000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
USA
407-824-4321
407-939-7801

Epcot Park Map