Tips for EPCOT

I love EPCOT on a hot, Summer day!

Making your way around Epcot is a full-day experience. In truth, I like to spend two days in Epcot when I go.  For those of you who haven't been to Epcot, the park is divided into two parts: the Future World and the World Showcase.

The World Showcase
Walk through 11 different pavilions designed to allow you to experience each country's food, culture, and entertainment.  If you need to get to the center, but don't want to walk all of the way around, Germany and Morocco have boat stops that will allow you to go from the Showcase Plaza on the Future World side.

The 11 countries that make up the World Showcase are:

• Mexico
• Norway
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• America
• Japan
• Morocco
• France
• United Kingdom
• Canada

There are only 2 rides in the World Showcase: one in Norway and one in Mexico.  Both rides are fun, but the ride in Norway has trolls and could be a tad bit frightening for small kids.  Are you worried about your kids getting bored or not wanting to visit all of the countries with you? There are several great activities to get your kids into the world showcase that will help them have a great time:

1. Agent P's World Showcase Adventure: become a secret agent working with Agent P (Perry) from Phineas and Ferb and help stop the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz by completing missions in each country's pavilion. More info can be found at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/agent-p-world-showcase-adventure/
2. Kidcot Stations allow you and your child to decorate a mask and have it stamped in each country.  You can start the design on on end and keep it going all of the way throughout the world showcase.  This makes a great *Free* souvenir as well.
3. Buy a passport on one end of the showcase (Canada or Mexico) and have it stamped and signed in each country. Kids and teens will enjoy having their passport signed in each country, and I recommend asking each person who writes in your passport to write your name in their native tongue, as well, since the cast members working in each pavilion are (most always) true natives of the country they are working in.

The Future World
I see the Future World split into three sections:

1. The Thrill Side (ie: Mission: SPACE, Test Track, and Universe of Energy)
   Mission:SPACE simulates a ride in a spaceship to Mars. (It has a height requirement of 44")
   Test Track allows you to be the crash dummy and test new cars. (It has a height requirement of 40")
   Universe of Energy: Ellen Degeneres takes you through a Jeopardy experience you won't soon forget!
2. Spaceship Earth, the fountains, Character spot, Innoventions East, and Innoventions West
   Spaceship Earth (aka the Epcot ball) explores communication throughout the years.
   The fountains are not to be missed! Choreographed water and music that even uses dynamite for the big explosion at the finale!
   The Epcot Character Spot is possibly the best place to meet Mickey and his friends in all 4 parks.
   Innoventions East and West are for the video gamers in your crowd! Plenty of virtual games and peeks into the future of technology.
3. Seas with Nemo and Friends, the Land Pavilion, and Imagination!
   The Living Seas pavilion houses a Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, and amazing views of one of the largest man-made reefs in the world.
   The Land Pavilion - Living with the Land is a ride which allows you to learn about plants in a unique way.  Soarin' is downstairs in this building and it's amazing (it has a height requirement of 40") and I highly suggest you ride it as early as possible or get a fastpass since the line gets long very quickly. There is also a cute Lion King show upstairs and Sunshine Seasons is my favorite place to get breakfast when I am in EPCOT before the World Showcase is open at 11am.
   The Imagination pavilion features a ride starring Figment - a purple dragon who takes you on a ride to explore his imagination and yours!

Did you know... EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow and was Walt's idea for a real community - originally he wanted people to live there. Insider Tip: If you ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority in the Magic Kingdom (right across from Space Mountain) you can see an actual model of Walt's EPCOT inside of the ride? It's truly amazing.