What Are the Must-Dos at EPCOT?
Everyone claims a favorite Disney park, the one that makes them feel at home every visit.
Mine is EPCOT, and I just won’t shut up about it! So here are 11 must-dos at the theme park of Walt Disney’s dreams!
Become a World Traveler
You can become a world traveler at EPCOT in two different ways. The first involves a stroll around the World Showcase.
Walt Disney dreamt of a tourist destination that operated year-round and celebrated many international cultures.
In 1982, Imagineers finally brought those dreams to life with the World Showcase.
Disney operates several pavilions here, each of which pays tribute to a country.
You can visit places like Italy and Japan, sampling the cuisine and even examining some of the architecture. In addition, Disney has themed each pavilion to honor the applicable culture.
However, you may prefer to do everything all at once. In that case, ride Soarin’ Around the World!
This attraction carries guests into the air and recreates a hand glider experience near modern wonders like the Eiffel Tower and Taj Majal!
Build a Crash Test Dummy
The former World of Motion pavilion has turned into a single attraction, one where you can design your own vehicle.
You’ll choose a series of computer modeling options. Then, you’ll stand in line to test your ride concept.
In a way, you become a (safe) crash test dummy at Test Track. It’s part dark ride and part roller coaster and all exciting!
Catch a Show – concerts, rides
You can do this in multiple ways as well. For example, EPCOT hosts several show-based attractions like the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Film and Awesome Planet.
All the attractions like this will entertain you while providing a lovely respite on a hot or rainy day.
Alternatively, you can catch a live performance. Musicians like the Jammitors, Matsuriza Drummers, and Mariachi Cobre play at various park locations.
Also, you’ll find live concerts like the Hooligans at the United Kingdom pavilion.
In fact, famous musicians like Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees sometimes perform concerts at America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT!
You can watch soooo many shows here!
Eat Grapes and Hang Out with a Rat
The France pavilion was recently upgraded with a new restaurant and E-ticket attraction.
You can eat a multi-course service at La Crêperie de Paris, where the main food is – you guessed it! – crepes!
After you’re done, visit a rat who knows a thing or two about food. This pavilion hosts Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, one of two new rides at the park.
For many years, Americans gazed jealously at Disneyland Paris, the home to the original Ratatouille ride. Now, we have one of our very own at EPCOT!
Enter a Pyramid
I mentioned the architecture, some of which is whimsical in nature. Park planners chose remarkable structures as the basis for some pavilions.
At the Mexico pavilion, you’ll enter a Mesoamerican pyramid that harbors several secrets.
The breathtaking exterior hides a mesmerizing interior chockful of bazaar-style stores and a restaurant.
I find the entire area hypnotic in that I lose all sense of time when I’m here. Also, the back of the building includes a smaller-scale pyramid plus a ride!
You should try Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. Disney has taken the It’s a Small World ride design and added Donald Duck!
Find Your Tomorrow
Spaceship Earth is my number one ride in the world because of what it represents. The exterior structure rivals anything built in America in the past century.
Meanwhile, the interior hosts a ride that tells the entire history of humanity in a matter of 10 minutes.
Later, as you’re making your way down the other side of the building, you’ll play a kind of Choose Your Own Adventure.
You can find your tomorrow by selecting the version of the future that appeals to you the most. Then, Disney will animate your future!
Go to a Festival
I hinted at this a minute ago, but it’s essential to the nature of EPCOT. On more days than not, the park hosts some sort of international festival.
You’ll find four of them that start in early January and last through New Year’s Eve each year.
Every festival consists of unique merchandise, live entertainment, and – most importantly! – food!
You’ll discover the festival cuisine at pop-up kiosks, food booths that only serve meals during these exhibitions!
Festivals have evolved into the most popular parts of an EPCOT visit! So always check the calendar to ensure you’re visiting one of these days!
Make New Friends at Arendelle – anna and else royal Sommerhus
Arendelle may be a fictional place, but you’re at a Disney theme park. Fiction turns into reality here!
Thanks to Imagineering magic, you can enter the fictional realm of Arendelle and interact with the current and former queens, Anna and Elsa!
These sisters will greet you at Royal Sommerhus, but you can also find them at Frozen Ever After, the top-notch attraction at the Norway pavilion.
The Frozen ride qualifies as top ten overall at Walt Disney World. Plus, you can belt out Let It Go as loud as you want during the ride!
Elsa signs her signature ditty while you travel down the tracks.
Pretend You’re in NASA
While humanity continues to dream of settling on the moon, Mars, and other locations, Disney already makes it possible!
Imagineers worked with NASA officials, including former astronauts, to build a viable space travel simulator named Mission: SPACE.
You will feel all the G-forces as you attempt to escape the Earth’s gravity and reach the vast unknown of outer space.
Disney operates two versions of Mission: SPACE. One allows you to orbit Earth and admire the view.
The other, more intense version requires travel to Mars, complete with an unplanned crash landing. But, hey, if space travel were easy, everyone would do it!
Stare at the Aquarium
The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion doubles as one of the largest saltwater tanks in the world.
So, you can ride the Nemo attraction here and view actual marine life toward the end of the experience.
You’ll look into the tank and admire the view. In fact, it’s not the other place where this is possible.
Coral Reef Restaurant has positioned all its tables to face the saltwater tank. So you can watch the fish play and live out their lives while you eat.
Of course, you’re probably having seafood while doing so, making you a monster.
Inside the pavilion, you’ll discover several other spots where you can stare at the various tank windows and examine what’s inside the giant fishbowls.
Visit Exotic Xandar
The newest pavilion at EPCOT resides in outer space. Specifically, the Wonders of Xandar pavilion reveals what life is like on an alien planet.
Since the Guardians of the Galaxy frequently visit Xandar, they appear here in several charming vignettes.
Characters like Peter Quill, Drax the Destroyer, and Gamora all appear and act just like they do in Marvel movies.
Later, you’ll ride the crown jewel of EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. During your voyage, an Eternal named Eson will try to swat you out of the sky.
Thankfully, the Guardians of the Galaxy assist you in surviving this Celestial encounter.
The best part of the ride is its soundtrack. Disney has picked six different songs for Cosmic Rewind, each of which modifies the vibe of the ride experience.
So, the repeat value for Cosmic Rewind is incredibly strong!
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