A Guide To Disney World: Epcot

This is one of five of my new hubs dedicated to Walt Disney World in Florida. Each hub will give you some history, behind the scenes and advice for anyone planning to attend or have attended one of the parks or areas of Disney World. Enjoy!

History

EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Walt Disney originally wanted Epcot to be a place where people could work and live. A community of the future. He died before Disney World even opened, and the project was changed from a community to an amusement park.

Epcot is divided into two sections, Future World and World Showcase. Originally, these were going to be separate parks however the Imaginers (Disney designers) decided to push the models together creating one large park.

Epcot became the second park in Disney World, Magic Kingdom being the first. Epcot opened in 1982 to mixed reviews. Many of the original attractions were dull and aimed to teach visitors something. It also lacked the Disney characters.

Most of the originally attractions have been changed or completely replaced. They still focus on the original theme though. The old World of Motion pavilion is now Test Track. Still dealing with motor vehicles. In addition, Disney characters have been added. The Seas pavilion recently was changed to The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

World Showcase features eleven different counties, a Worlds Fair type area. Only Norway and Mexico have rides however each host restaurants, shops and shows. Also, around the lagoon is a nightly fireworks show.

My Recommendations

- Test Track, a fast driving experience where you are the test dummy.

- Soarin’, a relaxing, smooth flight over California.

- Innoventions. Two hands on buildings where you get to play with the newest inventions to come. This is updated constantly.

Advice

- World Showcase and Future World has different opening and closing times. Be sure to check the hours on arrival to better help your trip.

- A Fastpass is a must for Soarin’ lines get very long.

- There are numerous message boards in Future World which post current waiting times, use these so you don’t waste time and can better plan the day.

Fun Facts

- Total cost to build $1.4 billion

- Ranked the third most visit park in the US.

- Ranked the sixth most visited park in the world.

- The actor who plays Joe in Family Guy is the host in the introduction video for Soarin’.

- Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Nye 'The Science Guy,' Alex Trebek, Jamie Lee Curtis, Gary Sinise and Rick Moranis all appear in Epcot attractions.