Epcot? Im not feeling the magic...

[carrie1626]

Can't have enough EPCOT. It's unique, charming, fun, fascinating, cultural, romantic, educational and MAGICAL

To the OP:
Maybe next time, try going with a new outlook and attitude and you'll see things you've never noticed

 

[snappy]

I particularly enjoy EPCOT in spring during the flower and garden festival, even more so in the fall during the food and wine. Other times, I focus on the live music and other entertainment, mostly in World Showcase, but I have also a number of performances in Future World.

EPCOT is even more appreciated when you walk there from Beach Club or the Boardwalk Inns or villas. When you are not dealing with parking, the tram, and long entrance and security lines, you are already laid back enough to be in the right frame of mind to "do" EPCOT.

Meeting friends from all over to watch the fireworks is always a highlight of my trip.

 

[tosha27]

I've only been once - it was soooooo crowded (Spring Break) and we ended up mindlessly wandering around besides the hours we spent waiting for Nemo. I hated it. This is not Epcot's fault though, it was bad planning on my part. But we have avoided it since then. I think we will try it again when my kids get older. Or maybe my husband and I can actually go ALONE one day!!!!!

 

[ols386]

It's my favorite park. If they want to improve it they can add more countries, and make sure each one has a bar.

I agree. I wish they could add more countries.

Other than Soarin', I really don't go on many rides there. Used to go on the Test Track, but can't really do that anymore. Oh, I like that one Ellen Degenerous ride, and the world of motion. That's about it.

I mostly just enjoy walking around Epcot and taking it all in.

 

[fly girl]

OP, I was like you for a long time about Epcot. Like previous posters mentioned, I was a ride seeker and Epcot fell flat. (Granted, this was before TT, MS, and Soarin.) I still went over the years, and the rides improved, but it still wasn't one of my favorites.


Then I went again in 2009. It was during the Flower and Garden Festival. And this time I had my 1 year old daughter in tow so rides weren't on the fore front. It is then I got was Epcot was about. It clicked! Eureka! As others stated it is a "slow paced" park. I took the slow pace and realized that is what makes it great. For me, Epcot became a place that I meandered around and found new things to discover at every turn. Epcot is beautiful. Disney is so good at the small, refined details that they often go overlooked. They do such a great job it looks effortless!


Now Epcot is my favorite park, esp. during F&W. I love the slow, relaxed pace. I love that it isn't the rush, rush, push and shove of MK. I love the s p a c e you have in Epcot. And until MK starts serving booze (the park I think needs it the most) no other park is in contention of taking the #1 slot.


OP, I say try it again at the "slow pace". Maybe you'll discover a whole new Epcot like I did. Or, you may find it truly isn't your thing which is perfectly fine too.

Either way, you'll be at WDW which is ALWAYS a good thing!

 

[msmama]

I get what you're saying. Epcot was never a favorite of ours - we dubbed it The Boring Park, but we would always go for one day (for The Seas and Nemo ride and pumpkin funnel cakes, mainly). But then on our last visit, my-inlaws met us at WDW for a couple of days and we let them choose which park we would go to on their last day - they chose that one. Because we didn't want to rush through in case they wanted to stop anywhere, we really took our time and meandered and for some reason, it "clicked". I don't know what it was, if it was a stop and smell the roses moment or just experiencing more of the sights, but we're looking forward to our next trip and we'll plan two days (and possibly more nights) at Epcot.

I think it's one you really need to slow down to enjoy. Actually, one of my favorite moments that day was when my FIL and I just sat on a bench with my youngest, waiting for MIL, DH and DS8 to come out of a show (we weren't interested in it). My FIL and I get along fine, he used to be my boss, but we don't get much chance to talk, so I loved the one one one time with him while we people-watched and discussed Disney and how they are unbeaten when it comes to designing their parks. It was great seeing Epcot through new eyes.

Love EPCOT (so does my 4 year old) but where do I find pumpkin funnel cake???

 

[Babbletrish]

What do you think they could do to improve it?

Let me preface this by saying that in 1986, I was the huge nerd who loved EPCOT more than Magic Kingdom, and I love Soarin' and Turtle Talk.

I had a dream recently that I brought my seven-year-old cousin to WDW. We stayed in Bay Lake Tower and watched Wishes from the Top of the World on our arrival night, then went to visit EPCOT on our first full day. We walked around World Showcase and enjoyed the live shows, great foods, and beautiful flowers.

And then, in my dream, we visited Future World... circa 1990. We rode Horizons and World of Motion, the original Universe of Energy and Journey Into Imagination, watched Cranium Command and Symbiosis, and toured through the two Communicores. Yeah...

(Well, of course, we headed back over to WS and watched "Illuminations" so it wasn't utterly heartbreaking.)

 

[wdwfather]

Epcot's my families favorite park even over MK. As far as what to do to improve it, they just need to fill it up a bit more with attractions since it's so large and in future world has alot of empty spaces. Adding a couple more countries to the World Showcase wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Planogirl]

Let me preface this by saying that in 1986, I was the huge nerd who loved EPCOT more than Magic Kingdom, and I love Soarin' and Turtle Talk.

I had a dream recently that I brought my seven-year-old cousin to WDW. We stayed in Bay Lake Tower and watched Wishes from the Top of the World on our arrival night, then went to visit EPCOT on our first full day. We walked around World Showcase and enjoyed the live shows, great foods, and beautiful flowers.

And then, in my dream, we visited Future World... circa 1990. We rode Horizons and World of Motion, the original Universe of Energy and Journey Into Imagination, watched Cranium Command and Symbiosis, and toured through the two Communicores. Yeah...

(Well, of course, we headed back over to WS and watched "Illuminations" so it wasn't utterly heartbreaking.)

Your post made me smile and feel a little sad at the same time. Like you I was a complete nerd about Epcot but for me it just isn't the same any more. In my case, these changes have caused me to see all of WDW in a different light. Epcot was such a special park and now it's...not. IMO.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I think it's just a matter of personal preferences...i.e. there's no right or wrong answer here. We all have our faves for a variety of reasons as well as some things we don't care for as much that others love dearly.

I think some of it also depends on what was there when you had your first visit to WDW. For me, Epcot was only a couple of years old when I had my first visit to WDW and back then it was only MK and Epcot. And while some of my fave Epcot attractions are gone or heavily reworked (part of why it dropped to my #2 park), it still holds something special for me well beyond anything DHS or AK will ever be able to surpass. I still think about being a kid and booking dining on a tv screen, seeing the dinosaurs in Universe of Energy back when people thought they were cool, trying to catch the jumping water, seeing Figment and the Dreamfinder, having that Worlds Fair style feeling at Horizons and World of Motion, and dreaming of overseas travel while touring the World Showcae in its early years. It's also the first park I went to with DH

 

[kaligal]

I like Epcot.

I'd like to see a new country (Australia gets my vote) and I'd like to see WoL reopened - with a new film for Body Wars, a more educational, but still fun one. Also, do something during the middle of Illuminations. That ball business is a snoozer.

 

[princess_momma]

OP - I think a lot of people would agree with you, but you are not going to find them on a Disney World fan site.

Except me. I agree with you OP!! It is my least favorite park. I sometimes think it is partially to blame because of my experiences (i.e. whenever I am there, the only time I fight with the people I'm with is on Epcot day, my son got a fever this past year, etc.). I am starting to love it more and more but mostly I haven't been as impressed with Epcot as the other parks.

 

[sunshine girl]

I love Epcot! I do feel that future world has untapped potential (rehabs needed on UofE, Imagination, and would love something new to replace WoL) but the feel and flow of Epcot is overall something special. The music in the park is great. I agree with the previous poster who said to bring back "Tomorrow's Child" ... great song, I will never forget the feeling back in the 80's of being a child myself and hearing it in SSE!

Also love World Showcase... It's my fave place to be at night at WDW! And the special events like flower and garden, food and wine... It's all great to me.

 

[DOOM1001]

Epcot edges out MK for my favorite park at WDW,I would say mostly due to the WS and the annual events like the F&W festival,also having Illuminations be my all time favorite nighttime show doesn't hurt either.I do feel however that Future World does need an upgrade and new attractions added to replace Journey into Imagination,EO/HISTA,Ellens Energy Adventure and Wonders of Life.A new country or two and a new ride in WS would also help the park out.

 

[bellebud]

FW in Epcot has no 'eye candy', so while I love the attractions there, it's visually boring.

I could walk around the other parks all day and be happy just looking around, but not at FW. I guess that's what they were going for, but I think that's what makes it boring to some.

 

[magicbob]

Future world needs to stop being Past World.

We love EPCOT, but I have to agree with this. Future World suffers from the same malady that Tomorrowland did a long time ago. When EPCOT opened there were awe-inspiring exhibits utilizing technical marvels. But technology in our everyday lives has outpaced what was amazing in those days. Future World still provides some entertainment, but much of the wonder and marvel has been diminished by these technologies becoming commonplace.

 

[smidgy]

yu need to go during the flower and graden festival.. the expansive flower gardens are gorgeous!!! the topiarys are pretty cool, too! (not to mention, the flower power concerts.. RIP Davy Jones)

 

[smidgy]

I like Epcot.

I'd like to see a new country (Australia gets my vote) and I'd like to see WoL reopened - with a new film for Body Wars, a more educational, but still fun one. Also, do something during the middle of Illuminations. That ball business is a snoozer.

I agree about Wonders of Life. human anatome.. there is a WEALTH of things you can do with that.

and don't get me started on the "Lack of Imagination" Pavillion...

 

[smidgy]

you know, every trip, our "favorite park" changes!! (just like our "favorite resort" changes)...

I am thinking on an upcoming trip with out 6 year old grandson, he may be a mite bored with it.. we'll see.

sometimes hubby and I are bored with it. and sometimes, we love it!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

And then, in my dream, we visited Future World... circa 1990. We rode Horizons and World of Motion, the original Universe of Energy and Journey Into Imagination, watched Cranium Command and Symbiosis, and toured through the two Communicores. Yeah...

This is the Epcot I miss. I still love the park, but it just doesn't hold the same appeal for me.

I went to WDW in 2004, which was my first time there since the mid-90's, and it made me a little sad. Journey Into Imagination was my favorite ride when I was a kid and the new version just doesn't add up. My other favorites were World of Motion and Horizons, and both were replaced by thrill rides. I know I'm probably in the minority, but I can't do thrill rides. They make me very ill.

Epcot is all about WS for me now.