Epcot Center
 

I am going to be going to Orlando, Florida with my parents (retired)at the end of January. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions for Epcot Center? Does it give a taste of different countries? Is there another place for a one day tour/sightseeing that would be recommended over Epcot? Last year when there, we went to Kennedy Space Center-NASA and enjoyed it tremendously. Thank You!

Hi Brenda.... <BR> <BR>I love Epcot, but I am not a big fan of the Future section. On the other hand, I love their Countries of the World segment, and that is where I spend most of my time when I am down there. Their tastes of these countries are just that; there are replicas of famous landmarks (re: Eiffel Tower) and stores selling knick knacks from their place of origin, as well as restaurants specializing in cuisines of France, England, China, etc..... Of course, it isn't the real thing, but it's pretty good. <BR> <BR>One thing to remember about EPCOT: most people think it stands for Every Person Comes Out Tired (just kidding, but not really). EPCOT is huge, so take some breaks. <BR> <BR>betsy

My folks have lived in the Orlando area for about five years. They have taken some of their friends to "Splendid China" as a daytrip, and enjoyed it a great deal. Considerably less $ than Epcot, and with less going on, but still a very delightful place. Good shows, and very well done miniature recreations of the Great Wall and other ancient sites.

Epcot is fun, especially the World Showcase. Try and stay for the Laser light show and fireworks in the evening.

EPCOT is divided in 2 parts. The front part has the Future stuff and is very interesting (except for the Land one it is too boring) But they are the first things open in the morning. <BR> <BR>The back part is the countries around the world all situated around a lake. <BR> <BR>When I go, I do the Living Seas, the Exxon one with Dinosaurs, & Whatever 3d movie is at the Imagination one. Then I go back to the countries and start to the left. (I've already picked up a flyer and made note of the preformers that I want to see at the various countires) Do the Mexico boat ride and the Maelstorm ride at Norway work your way around China. Use the boats on the lake to zig zag if you need to to catch a street act. At the American stop - see the animatronics and then take a boat back to the front of the park. Eat at some of the food stand there if you don't want to expriment with international food. Then go back to the World and go aaround to the right. (stop in England and make a dinner reservation for 7:00-7:30 if the light show will be on that night so you can watch it from the restaurant.)Work back around til you get to the American exhibit again and take the boat back and go to dinner. This should allow you to see the most of the park without killing yourself it blends sitting on the boat time with walking time and get you through the longest line, Maelstrom, early. Make sure you don't just look at the front of the building but wander in the courtyards - some wonderful gardens there. <BR> <BR>Make sure you know what time the park closes to get the max out of the visit. <BR>Enjoy. WDW is one of my favorite places to go - i think you can tell that.

DEFINITELY check out Deb Wills unofficial guide site at wdwig.com, she posts lots of trip reports and updated menus from the restaurants all over. There are TONS of tips from travelers with different needs - from folks with toddlers to folks who are overweight to vegetarians. Check it out, a wealth of info!

Out of Disney's 4 theme parks, EPCOT may very well be my favorite. It is really big, though, so don't expect to see everything in one day. <BR>Everyone else seems to be knocking the Future World section, but I really enjoy it. Spaceship Earth (the big white ball) is a nice, slow roller coaster for those of us who are not usually into that sort of thing. I thought The Land exhibit was pretty cool. We went on a boat ride that showed us all of the different ways they grow food (hydroponics and such). <BR>The Test Track ride is in Future World and I suggest getting a Fastpass and going on it. It's worth the long lines. <BR> <BR>World Showcase is great too. Just make sure to plan what you really want to see because you won't be able to see it all. I've been to Orlando twice and the EPCOT park, specifically, probably three times and I still haven't seen it all. <BR>The above comments re: the Maelstrom and the boat ride in Mexico are right on the money--worth any waits in line you may encounter. <BR>Like Diana, I also love Disney World...can ya tell? <BR>

I love Disney - headed there for the 19th time next week. Epcot is fabulous. April and Diana are right on the money with their suggestions. Also, the Tapestry of Nations parade which was designed for the millenium celebration, has been extended for another 16 months. It is not to be missed. In future world, I personally like Ellen's Energy Adventure, only because the dinosaurs are cool and it has Bill Nye the Science Guy (I'm a big fan). A great restaurant to eat at is Restaurant Marrakesh at the Morocco pavilion. The food is excellent and they have belly dancing. Have a great time!

Be sure to see the 360 degree movie at the China Pavillion, it's really fascinating. We also thought that the new "American Experience" extravaganza at the US Pavillion was very well done.While inspiring, it didn't completely ignore the unpleasant aspects of US history, like slavery, mistreatment of Native Americans, and racism, like most Disney sanitized versions of American history do. It is moving and impressive.

One more thing - check out, either on wdwig.com or at Epcot on day of your visit, the schedule for artisans and performers from different countries to be at their country's pavilion. Last summer the most fun thing we did was visit the Japanese candy maker at the Japan pavilion. This woman made fantastic animals from candy in front of you! My kids loved it and were given a candy creation by the candy maker. I knew about it thanks to wdwig and the schedules they post! I also agree with prior poster that Spaceship Earth is great, also Living Seas and Land pavilions. The Land has a nice rotating restaurant & buffet, also food court on lower level with fairly reasonable prices. If you can, get reservations at Rose & Crown at England pavilion for dinner to coincide with time of fireworks, so you can have a great view.

A word about the afore mentioned China film. Although it's very interesting and is done in the 360 format, it's now about 20 years old and totally out of date! It was sort of amusing to see people on the streets wearing Mao style clothing (no one wears that anymore) and the skyline of Beijing with very few high rise buildings. They don't mention this in the introduction. Too bad. We loved the rest of China though, especially the performers (the kids are all from a special school for acrobats, and they live in Orlando for a year). The huge gift shop has some really great and authentic offerings. <BR> <BR>I really didn't see why The Sea was so popular. It, too, seemed outdated, and other aquariums around the country are far better. On the other hand, The Land is a real delight. The ride through the greenhouse area is one of our favorites, and we took the behind the seeds tour as well. <BR> <BR>The 3-D movie at Imagination was fun, and so was the after the ride area where you can make/send photo post cards by e-mail (take a list of your e-mail addresses for this, as you won't have access to your address book lists, and you'll want them!). <BR> <BR>Well, these are just some quick impressions. Epcot is well worth at least a full day (or more). It's very much like the 1964 Worlds Fair in New York. Great shopping. Great foods. Very entertaining. Have fun.

Since your folks are retired, they may remember the 64/65 NY Worlds Fair, or Montreals "Man and his world" Epcot offers many similarities. <BR>Both China and Canada have 360 degree movies, but your folks will have to stand the entire time. My folks enjoyed the movie/show at France and USA pavillions because they couldsit down. <BR>Each visit to Epcot, I make reervationsa the British Pub to dine outdoors on the lake around 8 pm, so we are just about ordering dessert when the fireworks begin.

Isn't it Britain rather than England? They were selling Scottish shortbread when I was there. Please make the distinction. <BR> <BR>The maelstrom was fun, those trolls were unexpected! I thought the mexican river trip was the best thing in Epcot, I was impressed big time.

<BR>It is called the Rose and Crown. It is located in the British (britain) part of the Countries of the world. Try their beer sampler!