Epcot - Must Do/See ?

[Zandy595]

We haven't been to Ecpot since 1998. Besides Soarin' and Test Track what should we not miss? Our group consists of Me34, DH34, DS9, MIL54, FIL56.

 

[Mickey99332]

I am wondering the same thing. I am going w/ my boyfriend (we are both 27) and it is hard to tell from the guidebooks what we really should see at Epcot. I know Test Track......but other than that, do we just walt through all the various countries? We aren't big on exhibits...

 

[jfritz]

We like the rides there but my favorite show is the one in the United States building. It is very long, between the wait and the actual show, but it is well worth it IMHO.

 

[nicdanh]

The countries are AMAZING!! You have to walk through all the shops and see how there culture is just a wonderful experience!! You Actually feel like you are in that country.

 

[fauberfive]

I personally do not like Test Track, but still love Epcot.

Mission Space is awesome. Will try Soarin in December.

I like the Energy/Dinosaur ride, the Communication ride (Ball), Honey I blew up the Audience (3-D), Cranium Command, the boat ride in Mexico and in Norway.

I also enjoy visiting all the different countries and eating.

Sending e-mails to friends and family from Innoventions.

And of course,Iilluminations!

 

[joanjett1976]

I would definitely recommend the 'thrills': Test Track, Mission Space and Soarin. I find Spaceship Earth to be a great, relaxing, classic ride.

World Showcase is best appreciated at a leisurelt pace, taking in some attractions (El Rio Del Tiempo, Maelstrom, American Adventure), snacking your way around the world, shopping and soaking in the atmosphere!

Take your pick from the other pavillions/rides:Universe of Energy, Honey I Shrunk The Audience, Livin' With The Land or Living Seas.

Have fun!

 

[ktulu]

Mission Space! This is a must do IMHO.

Test Track and visit Japan!

darrrren

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I agree with joanjett1976.
Maelstrom is a short little ride, but one of our favorites for some reason. You can skip the film at the end though. We also enjoy the bakery there - Kringa la. If you are a low carb person the no sugar mousse is yummy.

The Living Seas is scheduled to be closed until the end of November. When it opens, I think it will be very worth going to see. If you like sea animals, this is very worthwhile. Even if you don't, Turtle Talk with Crush is worth seeing.
When I was younger, I used to wonder "How did they do that?" Now I know how Disney does most of their special effects, but this one brought back that sense of wonder for me.

 

[airplane]

Just sit back and relax on a bench in any of the countires. The entertainment will find you!

 

[Skroops]

While strolling through the countries remember to walk inside. The themeing of the interior areas is really cool and your don't see that as you stroll by. We like getting munchies to share at each country while watching its live entertainment and then eating a nice sit down dinner before watching Illuminations. We love it!
Oh, and sing and dance along with the piano man in Englands pub the Rose and Crown. Of course we have a pint or two as well!

 

[Goofy DS]

When we went in '02 we thought Epcot would be a short day park. I wasn't sure if DS7 and DD11 would enjoy the World Showcase etc...

It ended up being one of our favorites and now we usually plann 1 1/2 to 2 days there.
There is so much to see in the world show case. The kids loved the passport books and trying to get all the countries stamped. They also made masks with symbols from each country.

Epcot is almost like 2 parks. Future World with it's thrill rides and techno exibits and World Showcase lots of neat stuff, displays, shopping, and EATING in the different countries!!

Illuminations, at night, ties it all together with it's techno look at how we are all connected!

 

[justlikeeyore]

Be sure to visit the Living Sea and see Turtle Talk it is gr8 ug:

 

[WDWOKW92]

Back in World Showcase, DO NOT MISS the American Adventure show at the American pavillion. It's very moving and Disney animatronics at their finest. Walt would have been very proud of this show.

 

[HaleyB]

All the thrill rides, as others have posted. Other FW stuff as it appeals to you.

World Showcase- It really is beautiful and you may find you spend a lot of time here. Eat, talk to the CM's from all over the world. Look around the shops and displays and check out the entertainment!!

read all about it here: http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

The times are updated weekly but they don't tend to change much unless it is a big season/hours change time.

Favorites of mine include:

The Acrobats (China) Don't miss this, they are fantastic.
The British Invasion (live music)
The Players
Surgio

 

[Zandy595]

The Living Seas is scheduled to be closed until the end of November. When it opens, I think it will be very worth going to see. If you like sea animals, this is very worthwhile. Even if you don't, Turtle Talk with Crush is worth seeing.
When I was younger, I used to wonder "How did they do that?" Now I know how Disney does most of their special effects, but this one brought back that sense of wonder for me.

We're going next month, so unfortunately we'll miss The Living Seas. We really wanted to see Turtle Talk. We are having lunch at Coral Reef though.

 

[Zandy595]

The kids loved the passport books and trying to get all the countries stamped. They also made masks with symbols from each country.

Can you tell me more about the passport books? Sounds like something DS9 would like to do.


Where is a good place to watch Illuminations?

 

[Zandy595]

read all about it here: http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

The times are updated weekly but they don't tend to change much unless it is a big season/hours change time.

Favorites of mine include:

The Acrobats (China) Don't miss this, they are fantastic.
The British Invasion (live music)
The Players
Surgio

Thanks for the great info!

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

My favorite park, by far...mostly due to World Showcase, which is my single favorite thing about all of WDW.


World Showcase

Mexico: Make sure you go inside the temple and check out the "marketplace". Some very cool stuff they sell. Then take the boat ride. Also, if you drink, do not miss their margarita stand outside the temple. Ohhhh boy...good stuff.

Norway: Maelstrom is a lot of fun. Gotta try that. And the Puffin's Roost is also a great store for souvenirs.

China: Pu Yang Acrobats. They're awesome. Surprisingly, the "Wonders of China: Land of Beauty, Land of Time" 360 degree movie they show is also very cool. One surprising hidden gem: the Lotus Blossom Cafe. Try their red bean or ginger ice cream - it doesn't sound it, but they are both DELICIOUS.

Germany: Biergarten is VERY good. Buffet of incredible German food with an Oompah band who plays at certain times. It's fun. Much cheaper for lunch though, and the menu is pretty much the same. Highly recommended if you have an appetite.

Italy: I don't usually spend much time here; not a whole lot to do other than admire the scenery, which is beautiful. Awesome architectural work.

American Adventure: Make sure to check out The American Adventure show, as has been suggested. It is very cool. And hopefully you can catch the revolutionary-era flute and drum band that marches around outside at certain times.

Japan: Possibly my favorite country in the showcase. The Koi fish pond and garden is very relaxing and mellow. The Japanese taiko drumming is cool too. The Teppanyaki Dining Room is DELICIOUS - highly recommended (and it's balcony is a GREAT place to watch illuminations at the end of the night). The Mitsukoshi Department Store has some great stuff in there - another great place for souvenirs.

Morocco: Don't spend much time here, but both the Tangerine Cafe (cheaper) and theRestaurant Marrakesh (more expensive) are both VERY good. The band that plays out front is also very entertaining.

France: Pastry shop. Wow. Also, their 360 degree movie, Impressions de France is entertaining.

UK: Check out British Invasion, a Beatles cover band. They play out back. Their shops are excellent. I've never eaten at the Rose & Crown, but the Fish & Chip shop is very good (if you're into deep-fried fish and fries).

Canada: Another 360 degree film that is worth catching if you have time. Absolutely beautiful. The waterfalls out back are nice. And make sure you check out "Off Kilter", and unique rock band who plays on the stage out front. They're awesome.

Make sure to take World Showcase at a slow pace and absorb everything - leave plenty of time for it. It's particuarly awesome at night. And Illuminations is a MUST SEE. Don't miss it.




Future World:

Test track: MUST visit. It's a thrill ride, but it's not as intense as Mission Space. But still intense enough for those who like thrill rides for the thrill.

Soarin: MUST visit. Remember to inhale through your nose every time a scene changes on the screen...they pump in scents to match the scenery.

Mission Space: Only if you have a strong stomach. It's a tough one. I enjoy it, but I admit it gets me a little queasy.

SpaceShip Earth, as has been said: classic ride and still interesting. Very relaxing.

Innoventions: some cool stuff here. Can take pictures of yourselves and email them - for free.

Ice Station Cool: hopefully it will be open by the time you go. It's being rennovated at the moment (anyone know a time-table for this?)

Fountains: Take some time to watch these move to the music. Very cool place to sit down with a drink or a snack and appreciate it all.

 

[icelady]

Off KIlter

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I personallythink Test Track is a bore. I usually skip it, not worth the ridiculous lines, or wasting a FP on for me. My travel party is always me & my SO. He doesn't like TT either.

Must sees for us in FW :

Ellen's Energy Adventure (once usually, as it is rather long)
SpaceShip Earth (more than once...never a line at the end of the day)
Soarin' (more than once if we can)
Mission Space (more than once if possible)
Imagination (almost never a line) & Imagination Playground if we can get a computer, (though it's usually packed!)
Watching the Fountains
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Turtle Talk with Crush (more than once, this is one of our favorites)
Wandering the rest of the Living Seas pavillion

Things we SKIP in FW most trips :
Test Track...boring...been on it many times and it's just dull
Living with the Land...been on it a lot and even with FP the lines are long and it's kind of boring
Circle of Life Movie...just never interested in this, never seen it
Mission Space Space Race & other things...always crowded, boring to us
Innoventions - no interest in this


Must Sees for us in the WS :
Off Kilter
World Showcase Players (as many of their shows as we can catch)
Maelstrom
British Invasion
Server Amusant (aka the chair guys in France)
Living Statues
Illuminations
The drummers in Japan
Chinese Acrobats
The American Adventure
and we like to explore the pavillions in depth & catch shows we have not seen before. Our favorite Pavillions are UK, Morocco, Canada, France & Japan.

Things we skip in WS:
The Circle Vision movies, seen em all...no need to see them again
Mexican boat ride...this seriously needs to be updated