Epcot, what am I missing

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Hi all, I have my 3rd trip planned to WDW in Sept.
I have read many times on this board that some people couldn't miss going to Epcot at least one day during their trip. I know everyone likes different things, but I am hoping some of you that like Epcot so much can tell me what is it that you like? Last year I spent maybe 2 hours there, if that.. There is nothing there that intrests me. I like Test track, but don't enjoy going into the buildings with all the future stuff in it. Is Ellens energy there too? I like that, and like seeing the living seas.

Is there something else there I am missing?

 

[kyirish25]

I think the draw of Epcot is the World Showcase. Not so much the attractions but just the feeling of getting away to different countries and cultures.

However, at this point in my life with a 3 yr old we are also in the group that only spends a couple of hours at Epcot.

 

[buzz2400]

the living seas is there and they revamped it after finding nemo. They now had turtle talk where crush the turtle talks to the audience. Also at epcot is figment, the purple dinosaur looking dude. And finally mission space, next to test track. Most people like the countries for the atmosphere and also for a chance to sample food from those countries. Personally I find it a waste for the countries.

 

[ReninDetroit]

Did you go to World Showcase? Everything you mentioned was Future World. In FW, the only things I couldn't live without are Spaceship Earth and Test Track. The fun part is World Showcase!!!!!

It's on the other side of the lagoon, Mexico is on one end and I think UK is on the other. You can start at either one and you "walk the world". Countries represented are Mexico, Norway, USA, Canada, Italy, France, UK, Japan, Morocco, and a few others I'm forgetting at the moment. Each (well, most of them) country has a restaurant (or 2 or 3), shop (or 2 or 3) and some kind of attraction (or 2 or 3 ) - for example, France has the Eiffel tower, a Guerlain store, a patisserie, 2 formal restaurants, a huge gift shop and a movie, Impressions de France.

You HAVE to do world showcase! do a search on eating your way around the world.

 

[katecca]

We just got back and spent the whole day there and still didn't make it through the whole World Showcase. We road their newest ride, Soarin' twice and that is definitely a do not miss attraction. Really great!! Do it first thing when you get there, then get Fast Passes and ride it again. My children (ages 4 & 8) also really enjoyed the Crush turtle interactive show at the Living Seas.

 

[ReninDetroit]

We just got back and spent the whole day there and still didn't make it through the whole World Showcase. We road their newest ride, Soarin' twice and that is definitely a do not miss attraction. Really great!! Do it first thing when you get there, then get Fast Passes and ride it again. My children (ages 4 & 8) also really enjoyed the Crush turtle interactive show at the Living Seas.

Yeah, I'd suggest running over to Test Track and getting a FP, then go stand in line for Soarin', as you come out of Soarin' get another FP and go ride Test Track (using your first fastpass), as you come out of that grab another one and go ride your Soarin' for the second time (with your fp), as you come out of that grab another FP and head back over to TT to use your third FP.

REPEAT AT LEAST SIX TIMES!

 

[Tiziminchac]

Epcot is my favorite park. And WS is my favorite part of that. But everyone is different. When you go to Epcot get a Times & Information guide, they usually give them to you when you purchase your ticket or if you already have a ticket they have them all over the park for you to just pick up when you need one. It lists all the shows and entertainers performing in the park that week and gives you the times that they perform. Using that will add more magic to your trip. There's so much more to do and see, especially in WS, than to just walk around looking at the buildings. A few of my favorites are The British Invasion (U.K.), Voices Of Liberty (U.S.A.), Mariachi Cobre (Mexico) and Dragon Legend Acrobats (China). But like I said, everyone is different. I've been with people who couldn't stand WS. It all really depends on your personal interests. But I would highly recommend at least one stroll around the WS lagoon. Good luck with your upcoming trip.

 

[snappy]

It's nice that there is something so good so close now to Test Track.

Get to the park early though to get an early FP.

I loved Soarin, I took my bonine pill first. I literally laughed out loud for almost the entire ride, completely enbarrassed my kids. I cannot wait to ride this again. Mission Space you can keep, I was not impressed and did not care for how it made me feel, not nauseated but just "off". Actually, the rest of my family are sort of take it or leave it as well.

I like meeting the young CM's from the countries in World Showcase. It is a good place too for trading pins. Also, we have really enjoyed the street performers throughout World Showcase, especially the living statue, the mime, the acrobats in China, the bagpipe players in Canada, the "beatles" in England, the masked players in Italy. I am sure I am leaving some others out.
The times some of these perform are listed on the times guide you can pick up when you enter the park. We have also been fortunate to visit during the Flower Power concerts and the Garden show in EPCOT. I still reserve MK as my favorite park, but I think EPCOT rocks. I will tell you that my 30 something brother from NY joined us on our last trip and he was skeptical about what he called the "science" behind some of the stuff at EPCOT.
I could not really pin him down on the specifics of this comment but I do think I know where he is coming from.

 

[disneyfreak74]

I think that you are missing the FOOD!!!!

 

[katecca]

Epcot is my favorite park. And WS is my favorite part of that. But everyone is different. When you go to Epcot get a Times & Information guide, they usually give them to you when you purchase your ticket or if you already have a ticket they have them all over the park for you to just pick up when you need one. It lists all the shows and entertainers performing in the park that week and gives you the times that they perform. Using that will add more magic to your trip.

So true. They had some of the best characters out early in the morning for autographs with short lines. My youngest dd-4 was really into the autographs and we picked up Mary Poppins, Robin Hood and his gang before they stopped signing.

 

[marypops!]

I feel a bit of a cheat 'cos I'm Marypop's mum, but just had to add we all love Epcot. It's so diverse, and Soarin is awsome!
Also, no-one has mentioned the fireworks each evening. We were in USA in the pouring rain in early May this year, and they were still spectacular! (and DH got to see the Turtles live which made his trip!!)

 

[slp87]

It's definitely the entertainment in the countries that does it for me. While I love FW, some of the best attractions are no longer around. I enjoy the late afternoons & evenings when you can see the street show in UK, Miyuki the candy lady in Japan, the Chinese acrobats, and the characters. Of course, the food it also great. I love getting desserts at the different country bakeries.

 

[Leota]

Epcot is our favorite Park. I love all of it, FW & WS. I love having some mental stimulation presented in a fun atmosphere. I love the attractions, the shows, the music, the architecture, the FOOD. Epcot has always been tied for favorite Park for my son & now that he is 16 yo, it has moved into 1st place. We spend part of every day of our trip in Epcot, we stay mostly in Epcot area resorts so we can walk in & out whenever we want.

If I had to sum up what makes Epcot so appealing to me is the rich layers of detail - there is so much to take in. Slow down, don't just rush from Headliner Attraction to Headliner Attraction - Stop & enjoy the concerts & street entertainment....wander thru the nooks & crannies of WS.....enjoy the exhibits in the FW pavillions....walk hand in hand with your spouse around WS...talk to the visiting CMs from around the World....wander thru the shops & enjoy some unique merchandise....nibble your way thru the Park, sampling noshes from around the World. Epcot is so much more than just rides.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We need two days there! We love it there. DS9 is just entering the "technology" stage, so he is very interested in facts and learning, learning, learning.

My DH and DS go for the thrill rides and I love the shops - Art of Disney, Mouse Gears, and WS for the food and all the shopping.

We spend two days and at least 3 dinners there!

 

[snappy]

Oh yes, the food is definitely a highlight, can't believe I omitted it. We always hit the French bakery at least twice. We also like the sit down restaurant in Japan for the grilled steak, shrimp, scallops, and veggies.

I also love the film in France, we have seen it many times and still enjoy it. They used a music track to the best advantage in filming this. And is airconditioned and you have comfortable seats!! Yea!! The 360 degree movie in Canada just made me dizzy and you had to stand. So we skip that one.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

I haven't done the WS, so I will give it a try this time around. I love food! How much $$ should I have to sample food from the WS?
I will try the new soarin.

 

[Leota]

You could spend as little as $5 per country and up to ???? depending on what you sample.... Most of the countries have CS or stands you can sample from.

How old is DD? My son loved the WS Passport when he was younger. We also both enjoyed the Kidcot stops & still have our masks from doing them 6 years ago.They really help alot of kids get into WS.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

How old is DD?

She is 6. Where would there be stuff for her to do at WS? I think I heard there are face paintings or something? How much does that cost?

 

[tommygirl79]

Our last trip in Feb, our oldest DD was almost 4 and our youngest DD was 18 months. They LOVED EPCOT!!! We took it pretty slow and enjoyed the day! I wouldn't skip WS just because you have little ones - there is still soooo much to see and do. Even if they don't find it interesting, WS is a great thing to do if you kids will take naps in their strollers or need a break in the day. My girls both fell asleep right around America and slept until almost England and we enjoyed just walking around and shopping and eating!!! Just try it once - you won't be sorry!

 

[PamNC]

We love Epcot and absolutely wouldn't miss going there during our trips. In fact, we often go multiple times. Here's the thing - we LOVE World Showcase. There is so much entertainment to enjoy. Grab an entertainment guide when you enter the park. We particularly like the Mariachi Band in Mexico, the Chinese Acrobats, the Living Statues, Pam Brody & Rose and Crown...just countless little entertainment ditties going on all day long. Lots of good food to eat, wine to drink. And Illuminations is spectacular. Don't get me wrong, we enjoy Future World. But, like you, we don't go into Innoventions and look at all the "future stuff." That doesn't interest me. We like all of the attractions in Future World except Journey Into Your Imagination which is a joke. And, Honey I Shrunk the Audience is outdated and needs replacing IMHO. And, they've added a great new attraction, Soarin' in the Land Pavillion.

We're Epcot fans and that is why.

PamNC