For the Love of Epcot - DVCers, help me understand

[DrTomorrow]

Greetings!

Note: This is NOT a bashing thread - if you want to be mean to me, there's another, more appropriate thread out there .

I've been going to WDW for a while; as child, as parent, as empty-nester. And, as a DVC owner, I'll keep going until, heck, until I'm dead. But I just don't get the attraction of Epcot; and I'd like to here from those of you who do what I'm missing.

A few notes, though.

1. I used to love Epcot, in the early 90's. FW was so great: SE, JiI, WoM, LS, Horizons, Life (BW, CC), etc. And Innoventions was always a neat place to spend some time. But these days it all seems to be a pale shadow of what it was. Some of it is still great: SE, M:S; but most of it is just so-so.

2. I really used to enjoy WS, but, once you take the time to explore all the little nooks.and.crannys, side alleys and hidden goodies, what's left? Another nap at American Adventure? And yes, I do enjoy talking to the CMs - that's actually a high point - but there's a lot of 'been there done that'.

I guess that really sums up my feelings: Epcot just doesn't have a lot of "Repeatability" for me. I can ride Haunted Mansion, Great Movie Ride and Killimunjaro Safari over and over, trip after trip, and still have a great time; but once you've seen the China & France movies, once you've seen the (IMHO very weak) Living Seas and Imagination, once you've done "Ellen's Energy Adventure" one time, there's no desire to do it again. Even the theming, the "look and feel" of Epcot is, well, sort of drab. Walking around the MK, MGM and AK, I truly get the feeling that I've been transported to another realm; at Epcot, I feel like I'm in an International Strip Mall (WS) or an Office Park (FW).

Over on the theme park board, Epcot is showing a commanding 2nd place (to MK) in a poll, but I'm posting this here because I see many of you love the proximity of BWV and BCV to Epcot, and I'm looking for the "many, many visits to Epcot" perspective that a DVCer can provide. I'm a pretty "pixie dust" kind of guy, so I assure you it isn't attitude - but what am I missing?

Thanks much, and be well!

 

[mikesmom]

We're one of those Epcot lovers. If there is a trip and only one park can be done , it's Epcot every time! For me I guess the pure detail of the place gives it "repeatability". Either some of the changes are very subtle or we just don't catch it all. Even the little train outside of germany seems to have the system a little different or a bit expanded every time we come. The art displays always have something new. The rose garden and the gardens outside Canada changes a bit each year. The exhibits in the Museums at China and Japan are rotated. It's the same, and yet it's different. Maybe because we are not looking for the "big bang" of a ride, we love the details. Even DS (college Boy) hits MK and MGM for the rides quickly (like all in one day) and then "moves in" to Epcot for the rest of the week.

Our 2nd fave is Animal Kingdom - we haven't begun to see all that.

By the way, I've lost count but we've gone more than a dozen times.

 

[Scratch42]

I guess it's along the same lines as .........

"Why do you always go to WDW?"

'Cause I love it!

Getting treats that I normally cannot find or get back home. Meeting people from all over the world, the food, and the drinks!LOL

There is no specific attraction, it's just being in my favourite place on Earth!LOL

Scratch

 

[JimMIA]

Okay, guys...LET'S GET HIM!!!

Naw, just kidding. I agree with many of the specific comments you have made, but I still consider Epcot a very special place - especially the World Showcase.

Yes, I've seen it before, but one of the things I like best about Epcot is just hanging out. The pace is so different, it's a perfect "day off" from the other theme parks. My wife loves to shop ( ), and I like to go grab a beer and just plop down on a bench and relax. She can sample a dozen countries' wares and so can I.

I also like the restaurants there. My favorite is Le Cellier at Canada and Italy is second, but there are a number I haven't tried yet because we like those two so much.

I have seen the movies at China, France and Canada a number of times. I don't go back to them every visit, but I do go back and I never get tired of them.

It's hard to believe that, with a country as beautiful as the U.S., we ended up with that silly show at the American place. It was boring when it opened (and I LIKE American history!), and I haven't been back there in years. The American showcase is an embarrassment as far as I'm concerned.

Part of my liking Epcot may be that I am getting a second look at it now with my 3 year old daughter. I thought she'd wilt right after the character breakfast at Norway - and she did nap through Africa, Italy and Germany - but she conquered the place. To my amazement, she REALLY liked the three movies. I thought she'd be scared, but she would have gone again if we'd let her.

AK is a place I will go occasionally, but I go to Epcot every trip, and it is usually one of the best parts of any trip.

 

[conciergekelly]

We like to get wine at the different pavillions and walk around and watch the shows. We also like the different foods they have to offer. We try a different restaurant every time we go. Illuminations is my favorite fireworks show.

 

[wtpclc]

I like Epcot. Not the magic of MK, but it's neat. WS never really appealed to me (MS, TT are my thing). We met my parents there last year, though, and it was nice to go to all of the countries. Mom being there allowed me more shopping time too. After reading all of the secrets, it looks like I have more reason to keep going. That being said, I loved BWI (pre DVC for me). There was the freedom of being able to walk to the park that just made it wonderful! Also, I love illuminations. We tend to be at WDW at off times and Epcot seems to be the last place to close, so we always end our park time there. (Then we go to DTD, so that's where SSR comes in nicely) Illuminations is really a wonderful way to end the day. Now, if they'd bring back tapestry of nations, I don't think my dh would miss a night EVER!

 

[rinkwide]

Where else could a lush like me drink his way around the world in an hour and a half? (There's an extra-special magic in the Illuminations show that you can only experience after seven beers.)

 

[carol1231]

We too are Epcot fans. And we primarily stay at BWV to be close to Epcot. Epcot isn't a first thing in the morning place like MK is, we tend to go in the evenings for an early dinner. We stroll, take in the pretty landscaping and have a glass or two of wine. It isn't like going to MK and it isn't supposed to be. Other than riding on TT and walking thru Living Seas and a stop to watch the fountains, there isn't much we do in the front half of the park. We mostly hang in WS.

When we go to Epcot we feel like we are really on vacation. So, just relax, pull up a park bench, and enjoy the surroundings because after all, you're on vacation!!!

 

[WolfpackFan]

IMO of all the parks, Epcot provides the greatest "repeatability". It's mainly the ambiance and atmosphere that does it for me. From sitting and drinking a cold beer at the Rose and Crown to wandering from country to country to riding SSE to watching American Adventure year after year to eating a great meal at Le Cellier. I think of all the parks, I could skip any of them during a visit except Epcot.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I'm with you Dr. T. We like to be close to EPCOT for the restaurants. It's nice to be able to walk over and go to a top notch restaurant (Tepanyaki, Le Cellier, Marrakesh, etc...) and then catch the monorail to the MK.

Test Track is excellent (if you can get a fast pass because it's the one everyone else wants) and we have high hopes for "Soarin".

HBC

 

[CharlesTD]

We love going and visiting the countries pavilions no they don't often change much but we visit for the CM's we love to sit and talk to them for ever so that our kids and ourselves can learn something about a country we have never been to. No matter how many times you talk to the CM's you always learn something new about their homes.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We like Epcot specifically for the F&G show, with the Flower Power Concerts, for the F&W with the concerts and tasting, and at Christmas for the Candlelight Processional. We can easily spend one day at WS or Epcot during each of those times, and most often, we're there more than one day. I prefer to see CP twice each December.


Bobbi

PS. I don't see each one every time, but I love the movies at China, Canada, France, and stay for the Norway movie at least 75% of the time we do the ride. We "do" America at least once a year. I credit the Norway movie as the reason we went to Norway, to see that beautiful country for ourselves.

 

[WolfpackFan]

One thing about Epcot - I wish they had a special "evening" pass that would let you get in say after 6:00 each evening so you could eat at restaurants, walk WS, etc. at a reduced price from your normal Park Hopper pass. If they had that kind of pass, I could see us staying at our DVC resort and that being the only pass we got. Spend the day around the resort, lay out around the pool, perhaps sitesee some in the surrounding central Florida area and then go to Epcot in the evening to eat dinner and see Illuminations. IMO this would be a great pass to have. In fact, it would make a great DVC perk if offered just to members.

 

[CharlesTD]

Bobbi I find that interesting about your comment on the film in the Canada pavilion as it seems no one in Canada that has seen it likes it we all feel it needs some serious updating. I gives a great idea as to what our country was like but not even close to what we are like now. Yes we still have the pristine land and rivers and mountains etc but there is so much more to Canada than that old film shows.

 

[jarestel]

DrT, you've made some excellent points. Though I must confess to still liking Epcot, it does sadden me also to see the current state of FW. Not much there that remotely reminds me of the future anymore. When one considers the potential of having an entire area of a theme park dedicated to showcasing cutting edge and upcoming technology, it's very exciting. Unfortunately. FW no longer fits this bill.

WS is still nice, IMO, but it has been quite a while since anything new appeared. I'd like to see some new country pavillions, maybe on a rotating, rather than permanent basis. Sort of like the UN security council with some permanent and some temporary members. This would keep the country areas fresh, and provide a little more diversity. Hopefully, since Disney has been adding new rides to Epcot, they have a plan in the pipeline to spruce up the rest of Epcot also.

 

[lllovell]

We are not big EPCOT people in my family, except for the Living Sea (the boys love Nemo), Test Track and Illuminations.

I used to love it, but dont care much for the more "recent" changes. I miss the old Imagination area and several things like that.

 

[JimMIA]

Where else could a lush like me drink his way around the world in an hour and a half? (There's an extra-special magic in the Illuminations show that you can only experience after seven beers.)

An hour and a half??? What is that, some new Segway tour? Takes me all day!

If so, how much?

And, most importantly...is the beer included?

 

[JimMIA]

I miss the old Imagination area and several things like that.

I sure agree with that! I was really looking forward to taking Baby Girl to Imagination -- what a huge disappointment!

 

[nelle]

For us it's the food . We don't even go into future world unless my dd wants to ride the ride with dinosaours. For me I also like the eye candy in Norway and my DH like the eye candy in Germany and the beer of course.

 

[crisi]

Food and the pace.

The attractions....so so. Mission:Space is incredible. I've never done TT (kids too like, DH doesn't like thrill rides). Energy is horrible with Ellen in it (who can be a very funny woman, but isn't in that show). We enjoyed Body Wars (now usually closed). Haven't seen the revamped Seas. Imagination is not what is was originally, but is better than the interim show. The kids still like it. I never found Innovations to be interesting, but my DH seems to get as much enjoyment from an evening there as he ever did. Maelstrom is cool. Personally, I'll miss Food Rocks.

But we end up here about half our evenings for dinner, strolling through the countries. Seeing the entertainment. The thing with Epcot is we never feel like we are rushed to get things done.