Epcot is almost like two theme parks in one. There’s Future World that focuses on innovation, technology, discovery and the world we live in, and on the other side of the park is the World Showcase, which celebrates cultures around the world. There are endless attractions and exhibits at Epcot, but here is our list of 6 things that you must do to truly experience Epcot.
6. Living with the Land
Living with the Land is a relaxing boat ride that also has a great deal of interesting and important information about the history of food production and where it’s headed. You’ll gently sail through scenes that represent different eco-systems like the rain forest, the desert as well as the good ol’ American farm. One of the best portions of this ride is sailing through the greenhouses. There is so much to marvel at in here, like the nine-pound lemons, giant pumpkins and keep your eyes peeled for a few hidden Mickeys. You can also see what the horticulturalists are researching at Disney to find more sustainable ways to farm. They create crops that will yield more with less waste in a more efficient way, like the hydroponic plants you see in the green houses. It’s fascinating to see all the fruits and vegetables that they grow without planting anything in the earth or dirt. Living with the Land is great because it offers us hope for the future of farming and food. If you want to learn a little more and see the green houses in the Land Pavilion up close, check out the Behind the Seeds walking tour.
5. Eat Something from Each Country
This one may take a few visits to complete, but make a list of all the countries and cross them off your list when you dine at one of the restaurants at each pavilion, have a snack or a quick-service meal. There are so many delicious and unique meals and snacks to have in each country. Exploring the World Showcase pavilions is the perfect opportunity to try something new! Food is an excellent way to experience and partake in other cultures and the options are endless in the World Showcase.
4. Soarin’
There’s a reason this ride always has such a long line up, because it’s amazing! And it’s just as amazing each and every time you ride it (especially if you are seated in the front row with no dangling feet to obscure your view). It’s so easy to get lost in the scope of the landscape as you glide around the globe. The smells hang in the breeze as they drift by you – each helping to fully complete this immersive experience. The music is also worth mentioning, the ride just wouldn’t be the same without the epic score underneath.
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3. The Food and Wine Festival
The Food and Wine Festival is a huge and spectacular event at Epcot that runs from roughly the end of September until sometime mid-November. It features pop-up kitchens with delicious, out of this world food not to mention the drinks that are available to taste. There is the Eat to Beat concert series, seminars and workshops, demonstrations and special guests. This is a busy time at the park, but it’s definitely worth it. It’s an opportunity to try new things and learn about some of your favorite foods. You can learn how chocolate is made, and don’t forget to taste-test it. There has even been a cranberry bog in the past where guests can learn all about this tart berry. Food is just one thing that Epcot does so well, so you haven’t truly experienced this aspect of Epcot until you visit the festival.
2. Illuminations
Note: Illuminations’ last show will be September 30, 2019. “Epcot Forever”, a temporary fireworks spectacular, will begin on October 1, 2019.
Magic Kingdom has Happily Ever After, Hollywood Studios has Fantasmic and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, Animal Kingdom has Tree of Life Awakenings and Rivers of Light, and Epcot has Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. It is the perfect way to finish your day off at the park and it should not be missed. It is a fantastic fireworks display set to epic music that tells the story of the earth’s history over the World Showcase Lagoon. It is a three-part show; part one tells the story of earth being born, the second is the triumph of life and the third part offers hope for the future. All of these ideas and themes can be seen in many of the attractions in Future World and all across the World Showcase. The beautiful floating Globe is reason enough to watch Illuminations.
1. Spaceship Earth
You truly haven’t done Epcot unless you have entered the iconic geosphere and been on the adventure that is Spaceship Earth. This ride travels back in time and tells the story of earth’s recorded history and how communication has changed and grown throughout the centuries through Animatronic scenes. There is also an interactive portion towards the end of the attraction that will allow you to design and catch a glimpse of your future. Like some of the other attractions and exhibits at Epcot, Spaceship Earth may sound educational and it is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun, entertaining and worth riding over and over again. As you exit the ride you’ll find yourself at Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future exhibit, which features a number of interactive games and displays and you can even see your picture from Spaceship Earth projected onto a large globe and the place you call home.
There is so much to do and see at Epcot that it may take a number of visits before you feel like you’ve experienced all there is do here. Each person will have their own idea of what it means to have fully done Epcot, what are some of your essential Epcot experiences?
