One Day at Epcot
Jun 17th, 2012, 01:58 AM
#1
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One Day at Epcot
We are flying into Orlando for a family event. However the event is on Sunday and we will be arriving Thursday night. We thought we would spend Friday at epcot. If you were to spend one day at epcot, how would you spend it?
Jun 17th, 2012, 02:32 AM
#2
Well, since Test Track is closed of refurbishing until the fall, I would get tickets for Soarin', make dinner reservations for the French restaurant, spend the day enjoying the countries of the World Showcase, and stay for the fireworks.
Jun 17th, 2012, 02:56 AM
#3
Personally, that test track was a joke IMO but that's another story.
I agree with Soarin" and if you get there when the place opens I would go directly to the rear and work my way around the countries and then forward.
French restaurant I've enjoyed many times...go get a reservation early; the Canada steakhouse OTOH I've only gotten by doing it MONTHS ahead.
so be prepared.
Fireworks, they line up along the edge of the lagoon early
I agree with Soarin" and if you get there when the place opens I would go directly to the rear and work my way around the countries and then forward.
French restaurant I've enjoyed many times...go get a reservation early; the Canada steakhouse OTOH I've only gotten by doing it MONTHS ahead.
so be prepared.
Fireworks, they line up along the edge of the lagoon early
Jun 17th, 2012, 03:44 AM
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My friend and I spent a day at Epcot in April. She is 77 years old, so we didn't stay into the evening for Illuminations. We did Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land and walked around the World Showcase. We had a late lunch at Chefs de France. I recommend you make an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) when you decide on a restaurant. We had a lovely day. We have both been to Epcot many times, so we just took our time and enjoyed the day. We were there during the Flower and Garden Festival, which was beautiful.
Enjoy your day at Epcot!
Enjoy your day at Epcot!
Jun 19th, 2012, 11:20 AM
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Soarin is great fun, but not for those with vertigo 
Enjoy the countries during the day, and I've enjoyed dinner at France, Japan, and in England - all are pretty good. Definitely stay for the Illuminations if you can!
Enjoy the countries during the day, and I've enjoyed dinner at France, Japan, and in England - all are pretty good. Definitely stay for the Illuminations if you can!
Jun 19th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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As popular as the Canadian steakhouse is, it's just not that good. Nothing like the French restaurant in my opinion. But if you want something really different, try the Moroccan restaurant. And definitely Soarin.
Jun 28th, 2012, 07:03 PM
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"If you were to spend one day at epcot, how would you spend it?"
By not going there at all. It's too expensive, too boring, too old. The rides and exhibits probably were new and interesting 30 years ago, but now that the future is here, what's the point?
Yes, there are a few new, and some fun rides. The flight to Mars made me sick. The nations walk/pavilions is a waste of time. Dont pay for the overpriced food.
Basically, unless the whole place is torn down, and rebuilt to present the future in say 2112, then dont waste money.
By not going there at all. It's too expensive, too boring, too old. The rides and exhibits probably were new and interesting 30 years ago, but now that the future is here, what's the point?
Yes, there are a few new, and some fun rides. The flight to Mars made me sick. The nations walk/pavilions is a waste of time. Dont pay for the overpriced food.
Basically, unless the whole place is torn down, and rebuilt to present the future in say 2112, then dont waste money.
Jun 28th, 2012, 08:02 PM
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I would focus on the World Showcase.
At the information center I would get a schedule of the entertainment program for the day. Much of which is at a very high level and often from foreign lands.
On our two visits, a highlight for us was Voices of Liberty in the American pavilion: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/par...es-of-liberty/
HTTY
At the information center I would get a schedule of the entertainment program for the day. Much of which is at a very high level and often from foreign lands.
On our two visits, a highlight for us was Voices of Liberty in the American pavilion: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/par...es-of-liberty/
HTTY
Jun 29th, 2012, 05:17 AM
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The world showcase does not open until 11:00 AM.
My usual plan goes something like this.
Arrive with tickets about 45 minutes before scheduled opening. They have been opening the gates about 8:45 since Test Track went down. If you arrive later Soarin will have LONG lines.
1. Head straight to Soarin and get a fast pass.
2. Ride Soarin
3. Ride Living with the Land and watch the Lion King movie. If time before fast pass time head to the Nemo.
4. Back to Soarin to ride with fast pass.
5. If anyone in you party want to ride mission space send them to get a FP and meet party back at Spaceship Earth. (Ride)
6. After mission space it should be close to 11. You can ride Universe of Energy if you have 45 minutes you never want back or you can head into the world showcase. I like to start on the Mexico side and work my way around. The reason to start on that side is Mexico and Norway have the only rides. They tend to have longer lines later in the day.
7. Enjoy the pavilions until Illuminations. PLEASE PLEASE STAY FOR ILLUMINATIONS! It is one of the best shows in WDW!
Make sure and see at least one movie in the pavillions. I really enjoy France and O Canada movie best but Chinas was ok too.
With regards to dinner, we never make reservations there with only one day as we tend to munch our way around the world. School bread in Norway, something from KarmelKouche(SP?) in Germany, Fish and chips at the Rose and Crown with a cold beer, Mexican food (maybe a Margarita?), Gelato in Italy, there is just too much to choose from!
Have a fun trip!
My usual plan goes something like this.
Arrive with tickets about 45 minutes before scheduled opening. They have been opening the gates about 8:45 since Test Track went down. If you arrive later Soarin will have LONG lines.
1. Head straight to Soarin and get a fast pass.
2. Ride Soarin
3. Ride Living with the Land and watch the Lion King movie. If time before fast pass time head to the Nemo.
4. Back to Soarin to ride with fast pass.
5. If anyone in you party want to ride mission space send them to get a FP and meet party back at Spaceship Earth. (Ride)
6. After mission space it should be close to 11. You can ride Universe of Energy if you have 45 minutes you never want back or you can head into the world showcase. I like to start on the Mexico side and work my way around. The reason to start on that side is Mexico and Norway have the only rides. They tend to have longer lines later in the day.
7. Enjoy the pavilions until Illuminations. PLEASE PLEASE STAY FOR ILLUMINATIONS! It is one of the best shows in WDW!
Make sure and see at least one movie in the pavillions. I really enjoy France and O Canada movie best but Chinas was ok too.
With regards to dinner, we never make reservations there with only one day as we tend to munch our way around the world. School bread in Norway, something from KarmelKouche(SP?) in Germany, Fish and chips at the Rose and Crown with a cold beer, Mexican food (maybe a Margarita?), Gelato in Italy, there is just too much to choose from!
Have a fun trip!
Jun 29th, 2012, 08:21 AM
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I wasn't impressed with Soarin', not after hearing how amazing it was. I think it's one of those hyped up rides that doesn't live up to the hype. Same as Test Track.
There was something in the same building as Soarin' (don't remember the name) that was interesting. Boat ride that took you through some educational stuff and part of it was the greenhouses where they grow different plants. Maybe sounds boring but we both agreed it was one of the more interesting rides we did.
I like the ride in the big globe at the entrance - sorry, I don't know the names and I'm typing on my phone so its too hard to look them up.
The ride in Mexico - ok. Norway - not so much.
I liked the energy thing with Ellen Degeneres.
There's an app that shows the wait times for every attraction, it was invaluable for us. Absolutely make use of the Fast Pass as well, just make a game plan ahead of time for what are the must-do's. Soarin' had a 75 minute wait and there's no way I'd wait that long for it.
There was something in the same building as Soarin' (don't remember the name) that was interesting. Boat ride that took you through some educational stuff and part of it was the greenhouses where they grow different plants. Maybe sounds boring but we both agreed it was one of the more interesting rides we did.
I like the ride in the big globe at the entrance - sorry, I don't know the names and I'm typing on my phone so its too hard to look them up.
The ride in Mexico - ok. Norway - not so much.
I liked the energy thing with Ellen Degeneres.
There's an app that shows the wait times for every attraction, it was invaluable for us. Absolutely make use of the Fast Pass as well, just make a game plan ahead of time for what are the must-do's. Soarin' had a 75 minute wait and there's no way I'd wait that long for it.
Jun 29th, 2012, 10:13 AM
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We had one day at Epcot last November.
We love Soaring in CA, so of course we hit that. Twice, I think. I can't take roller coasters, so we did the low-end version of the Mars ride--fun without making me I'll. Test Track was no problem and fun. We liked walking the pavilions but maybe we should have taken them slower.
We had to meet up with family--mistake. Their schedule did not match ours and we ended up wasting precious time. They tried to insist on Illuminations from the pavilion side, we got them to agree to it from the opposite side, arguing that we'd be way too tired for all that walk. We were right. As for the show, the only good part (to us) was the fireworks. The rest was only okay.
Overall, a good day. But it would've been better had we been able to go on our timetable and not theirs.
We love Soaring in CA, so of course we hit that. Twice, I think. I can't take roller coasters, so we did the low-end version of the Mars ride--fun without making me I'll. Test Track was no problem and fun. We liked walking the pavilions but maybe we should have taken them slower.
We had to meet up with family--mistake. Their schedule did not match ours and we ended up wasting precious time. They tried to insist on Illuminations from the pavilion side, we got them to agree to it from the opposite side, arguing that we'd be way too tired for all that walk. We were right. As for the show, the only good part (to us) was the fireworks. The rest was only okay.
Overall, a good day. But it would've been better had we been able to go on our timetable and not theirs.
Jul 1st, 2012, 08:52 AM
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Hello,
I would agree with Soarin' . Mt family loved that ride. Try to get a fast pass so you don't have to wait in line. There should be plenty of time to do Epcot in a day. Plan to stay for the illumination show at the end. You could aim for a dinner at one of those paces that offer outside viewing to the show. Make sure you arrive well before the show begins so that seating is available and then just stay there until after the show ends.
Personally Epcot was my favorite park.
I would agree with Soarin' . Mt family loved that ride. Try to get a fast pass so you don't have to wait in line. There should be plenty of time to do Epcot in a day. Plan to stay for the illumination show at the end. You could aim for a dinner at one of those paces that offer outside viewing to the show. Make sure you arrive well before the show begins so that seating is available and then just stay there until after the show ends.
Personally Epcot was my favorite park.
