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Planning | Exploring Epcot | Top Epcot Spectacles | Nightlife
Walt Disney said that Epcot would “take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are now emerging from the creative centers of American industry.” He wrote that Epcot—never completed, always improving—“will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future, a showcase to the world for the ingenuity of American free enterprise.”
But the permanent settlement that Disney envisioned wasn’t to be. Epcot opened in 1982—16 years after his death—as a showcase, ostensibly, for the concepts that would be incorporated into the real-life Epcots of the future. (Disney’s vision has taken an altered shape in the self-contained city of Celebration, an urban-planner’s dream opened in 1996 on Disney property near Kissimmee.)
Epcot, the theme park, has two key areas: Future World, where most pavilions are collaborations between Walt Disney Imagineering and U.S. corporations and are designed to demonstrate technological advances through innovative shows and attractions; and the World Showcase, where shops, restaurants, attractions, and live entertainment create microcosms of 11 countries from four continents.
For years, Epcot was considered the more staid park, a place geared toward adults. But after its 10th anniversary, Epcot began to evolve into a livelier, more child-friendly park, with interactive fun at Innoventions and such “wow” attractions as Future World’s Test Track, Mission: SPACE, and Soarin’.
There’s something for everyone here. The World Showcase appeals to younger children with the Kidcot Fun Stop craft stations and the Norway pavilion’s Princess Storybook Dining. Soarin’, in the Land Pavilion, is a family favorite. And the Seas with Nemo & Friends—with one of the world’s largest saltwater aquariums and a Nemo-themed ride—is a must-see for all. Adrenaline junkie? Don’t miss Test Track presented by Chevrolet, where you can design your own custom concept car, then put it through its high-speed paces.
Wear comfortable shoes—there’s a lot of territory to cover here. Arrive early, and try to stay all day, squeezing in extras like high-tech games at Innoventions and a relaxing meal. If you enter through International Gateway before 11 am, cast members will direct you to Future World, which usually opens two hours before World Showcase, or you can indulge in a latte and éclair at the France bakery, the sole quick-service eatery open early in World Showcase.
Planning
Getting Oriented
Epcot is composed of two areas: Future World and the World Showcase. The inner core of Future World’s pavilions has the Spaceship Earth geosphere and a plaza anchored by the computer-animated Fountain of Nations. Also at the core is Innoventions, popular for its hands-on, high-tech exhibits, and immersion entertainment.
Six pavilions compose Future World’s outer ring. Each of the three east pavilions has a ride and the occasional postride showcase; a visit rarely takes more than 30 minutes. The blockbuster exhibits on the west side contain rides and interactive displays; each exhibit can take up to 90 minutes for the complete experience.
World Showcase pavilions are on the promenade that circles the World Showcase Lagoon. Each houses shops, restaurants, and friendly international staffers; some have films or displays. Mexico offers a tame ride. Live entertainment is scheduled at every pavilion except Norway. Disney’s monorail and buses drop you off at the main entrance in front of Future World. But if you’re staying at one of the Epcot resorts (the BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Dolphin, or Swan), you can use the International Gateway entrance between World Showcase’s France and U.K. pavilions.
Park Amenities
Guest Relations: To the right of the ticket windows at the park entrance and to the left of Spaceship Earth inside the park, this is the place to pick up schedules and maps. You also can get maps at the park’s International Gateway entrance and most shops. Guest Relations will also assist with dining reservations, ticket upgrades, and services for guests with disabilities.
Lockers: Lockers ($7 and $9, with $5 refundable deposit) are at the International Gateway and to the west of Spaceship Earth. Coin-operated lockers also are at the bus information center by the bus parking lot.
Lost People and Things: Instruct children to speak to someone with a Disney name tag if you become separated. Guest Relations has a computerized message center for contacting companions in any of the parks.
Stroller Rentals: You can rent strollers on the east side of the Entrance Plaza and at the International Gateway. Singles are $15 daily, $13 for multiday rental; doubles cost $31 daily, $27 for multiple days. Even preschoolers will be glad for a stroller in this large park.
Visiting Tips
• Epcot is so vast and varied that you really need two days to explore. With just one day, you’ll have to be highly selective.
• Go early in the week, when others are at Magic Kingdom.
• If you like a good festival, visit during the International Flower & Garden Festival (early March through mid-May) or the International Food & Wine Festival (late September through mid-November).
• Once through the turnstiles at either the main Future World entrance or the back World Showcase entrance, make a beeline for the popular Mission: SPACE and Test Track (for fast-paced thrills) or the Seas with Nemo & Friends and Soarin’ (for family fun). Or get a FastPass+ and return later.
Exploring Epcot
Future World
Future World’s inner core is composed of the iconic Spaceship Earth geosphere and, beyond it, a plaza anchored by the awe-inspiring computer-animated Fountain of Nations, which shoots water 150 feet skyward. Don’t miss interactive fun at Innoventions.
Six pavilions compose Future World’s outer ring. On the east side, they are the Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Mission: SPACE, and Test Track. Each pavilion presents a single, self-contained ride and an occasional postride showcase; a visit rarely takes more than 30 minutes, but it depends on how long you spend in the postride area. On the west side are the Seas with Nemo & Friends, The Land, and Imagination! These blockbuster exhibits contain both rides and interactive displays; you could spend at least 1½ hours at each of these pavilions, but there aren’t enough hours in the day, so prioritize.
TIP Before setting out, look into the Disney PhotoPass at the Camera Center in the Entrance Plaza. It tracks photos of your group shot by Disney photographers, which you can view and purchase later at the center or online.
World Showcase
Nowhere but at Epcot can you explore a little corner of nearly a dozen countries in one day. As you stroll the 1⅓ miles around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon, you circumnavigate the globe-according-to-Disney by experiencing native food, entertainment, culture, and arts and crafts at pavilions representing countries in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Americas. Pavilion employees are from the countries they represent—Disney hires them as part of its international college program.
Instead of rides, you have solid film attractions at the Canada, China, and France pavilions; several art exhibitions; and the chance to try your foreign language skills with the staff. Each pavilion also has a designated Kidcot Fun Stop, open daily from 11 or noon until about 8 or 9, where youngsters can try a cultural crafts project. Live entertainment is an integral part of the experience, and you’ll enjoy watching the incredibly talented Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in China and the Matsuriza Taiko drummers in Japan or laughing along with the mime and juggler in the Italy courtyard.
Dining is another favorite pastime at Epcot, and the World Showcase offers tempting tastes of the authentic cuisines of the countries here.
Top Epcot Spectacles
Fodor’s Choice | IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.
This marvelous nighttime spectacular takes place over the World Showcase Lagoon every night before closing. Be sure to stick around for the lasers, lights, flames, fireworks, fountains, and music that fill the air over the water. The show’s Earth Globe—a gigantic, spherical, video-display system rotating on a 350-ton floating island—is three stories tall with 180,000 light-emitting diodes. It houses six computer processors and 258 strobe lights and projects images celebrating the diversity and unified spirit of humankind. The globe opens like a lotus flower in the grand finale, revealing a huge torch that rises 40 feet into the air as additional flames spread light across the lagoon. Nearly 2,800 fireworks shells paint colorful displays across the night sky.
Although there’s generally good viewing from all around the lagoon, some of the best spots are in front of the Italy pavilion, on the bridge between France and the United Kingdom, on the promenade in front of Canada, at the World Showcase Plaza, and at La Hacienda de San Angel and La Cantina de San Angel in Mexico. For people with disabilities: During the show, certain areas along the lagoon’s edge at Showcase Plaza, Canada, and Germany are reserved for guests using wheelchairs. TIP Limited FastPass+ reservations are offered; otherwise, for best views, find your place 45 minutes in advance and send someone in your group for ice cream or other treats. | World Showcase | Duration: 12 mins. Crowds: Heavy. Audience: All Ages.
Nightlife
Bars
Cava del Tequila.
Set inside the Mexico pavilion, this intimate bar serves tasty tapas, tequila flights, and some of the best margaritas anywhere, including the Cava Organic Skinny Lime Margarita. | World Showcase, Mexico, Epcot.
Rose & Crown Pub.
Great piano sets by the Hat Lady and, on busy nights, four-to-six-deep at the bar guarantees good times at this United Kingdom watering hole. The fish-and-chips are first rate, and the Trio of United Kingdom Cheeses includes aged Irish cheddar and Stilton. (If you don’t want to wait, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop next door serves the same goodies.) Grab a beer and let the fun begin! | World Showcase, United Kingdom, Epcot.
Tutto Gusto.
This cool, cozy wine cellar adjoining Tutto Italia is a slice of Naples and the ideal place to kick back and sip a bubbly Prosecco or a glass of Italian wine while noshing on antipasto or tapas-size pastas. For quicker service, head straight for the bar. | World Showcase Italy pavilion, Epcot.