Infamously EPCOT is an acronym of ‘Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow’, a Walt Disney vision to create a utopian self contained city.
What we ended with was EPCOT, Disney’s second park in Orlando. Opened in 1981, EPCOT is a huge park at twice the size of the Magic Kingdom and is lucky enough to share the Monorail system with it’s sister park. Unlike the Magic Kingdom, you can drive direct to EPCOT without having to use the Monorail or Boat to get to the entrance.
The park is divided into two sections. As you enter EPCOT you’ll walk into Future World and be greeted by Spaceship Earth, in the shape of EPCOT’s iconic “golf ball”. Arranged around the lagoon is the World Showcase, a celebration of cultures from around the world. A host of entertaining shows, elaborate architecture, arts and dining from a number of countries around the world can be enjoyed.
The World Showcase may be a bit of a “hard-sell” to kids after visiting the other ride filled Disney theme parks, although my kids find EPCOT to be really interesting and a nice contrast from the other parks. That being said there are a couple of boat rides in Norway and Mexico, as well as KidCot Funstations dotted around each of the pavilions. KidCot Funstations are arts and craft areas in each country so you’re little one’s can make their own piece of unique are as they make there way around the World Showcase.
Future World usually opens at 9:00 AM, with the World Showcase opening a little later at 11:00 AM. Don’t miss the fabulous IllumiNations firework show that takes place every evening on the World Showcase Lagoon.
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Innoventions
Imagination!
The Land
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Mission: Space
SOARIN’
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
Universe of Energy
Wonders of Life
Mexico
Norway
China
Germany
Italy
United States
Japan
Morocco
France
Canada
One of the major events at Epcot is the infamous Candlelight Processional.
