Layout of the Land & Soarin FP Question

[marciemi]

I'm trying to remember any of the layout of The Land at Epcot and figure out where Soarin fits into it. On our last visit in Jan 2005, the whole pavilion was still closed so we haven't been there since 2000 and my memory is fuzzy!

I remember vaguely coming in on the main level and think that below you was the food court. I remember the Living with the Land boat ride being in the back right corner, but am not sure which floor it was on. I also can't remember for the life of me where the Garden Grill was and have no idea of where they fit Soarin in.

If anyone could give me a brief layout description, I'd really appreciate it. I'm trying to come up with a tentative itinerary before making ADR's. If we were in the Garden Grill and our FP window opened (to get a new FP), would it be possible for one of us to run to wherever Soarin is and get one at that point (during the meal)? Or is it outside on the other side of the building or something similar and we'd be gone for 20 minutes? How are the lines for Living with the Land these days now that it's not the main draw? Could we hit that after lunch (summer visit) or does it still get long lines? We'll probably have 2 days at Epcot and I'm just trying to decide how to divide them and when to eat at the GG. Thanks for any help!

 

[maddhatir]

Walk in....go down the ramp- we go left down the ramp- Garden Grill is on that level in fromt of you- you then go down the steps to the next level where Seasons- the food court is- Soarin is on the opposite side of the Living with the Land ride.

 

[Mme. Leota]

From The Garden Grill you just have to go down one flight of stairs. Soarin is down on the level with the food court and the Living with the Land boat ride. You wouldn't be gone that long if you left the table to get more FPs. However, remember that Soarin' is still very popular and when we were there it was CROWDED at the entrance and around the FP machines. Send someone who maneuvers crowds with confidence or you could be held up.

 

[marciemi]

Thanks everyone - do you think Living with the Land is okay after lunch or would it be too crowded by then?

 

[maddhatir]

It seems you are going in Aug- I have never been there then- not sure how long of a wait it would be- I would think everything is crowded in the summer-- We walked right on when we were there in Sept.

we did Soarin 4 times!(the longest wait was about 15 minutes)- But one night we ran over right before Illuminations started and we walked right on!!!

 

[tkd lisa]

Living with the Land is usually open after lunchtime. It's definitely gotten a boost by being near Soarin! In the morning, many people get Soarin FPs, then go ride LwL while they wait on the FPs to come open. But by mid-day, if you get FPs, they're good for much later, so people just head back out.

Clarifying the layout question. When you enter the Land Pavilion, Garden Grille restaurant is across the pavilion (but it's an open atrium so you have to walk around to get to it). If you veer to the right side, you'll come to "The Circle of Life" movie attraction. Continuing down the ramp is the kidcot station. You're now at the back, right hand side of the pavilion. The "down" escalator is right across from the kidcot station. If you keep going around the pavilion, you'll come to the welcome station for the Garden Grill, and directly across from that is the "up" escalator. There are stairs next to each escalator. Continuing around, there are restrooms and the elevator (now at the back, left hand side (from the doorway) of the pavilion. Continuing back around to the door.

On the ground floor, if you take the "down" escalator (back right corner of the pavilion from the entrance), Living with the Land entrance is just off that escaltor (turn left exiting the escalator). You'll cross the seating for Sunshine Seasons food court to get to the Soarin Entrance. FP machines are to the right of the standby entrance. Standby ENTRANCE is to the left side. You exit the ride along the wall by the Fast Passes, and if you just go straight, you'll run into the "up" escalator. There are additional restrooms near the entrance to Soarin. Finally, the "up" elevator is just under the "up" escalator, right next to the exit for Livin with the Land.

I hope this helps. I guess I spend WAY too much time in that pavilion!

 

[BFIrrera]

Living with the Land is usually open after lunchtime. It's definitely gotten a boost by being near Soarin! In the morning, many people get Soarin FPs, then go ride LwL while they wait on the FPs to come open. But by mid-day, if you get FPs, they're good for much later, so people just head back out.

Clarifying the layout question. When you enter the Land Pavilion, Garden Grille restaurant is across the pavilion (but it's an open atrium so you have to walk around to get to it). If you veer to the right side, you'll come to "The Circle of Life" movie attraction. Continuing down the ramp is the kidcot station. You're now at the back, right hand side of the pavilion. The "down" escalator is right across from the kidcot station. If you keep going around the pavilion, you'll come to the welcome station for the Garden Grill, and directly across from that is the "up" escalator. There are stairs next to each escalator. Continuing around, there are restrooms and the elevator (now at the back, left hand side (from the doorway) of the pavilion. Continuing back around to the door.

On the ground floor, if you take the "down" escalator (back right corner of the pavilion from the entrance), Living with the Land entrance is just off that escaltor (turn left exiting the escalator). You'll cross the seating for Sunshine Seasons food court to get to the Soarin Entrance. FP machines are to the right of the standby entrance. Standby ENTRANCE is to the left side. You exit the ride along the wall by the Fast Passes, and if you just go straight, you'll run into the "up" escalator. There are additional restrooms near the entrance to Soarin. Finally, the "up" elevator is just under the "up" escalator, right next to the exit for Livin with the Land.

I hope this helps. I guess I spend WAY too much time in that pavilion!

In addition to this, downstairs, between Living With the Land and the Sunshine Seasons in the left hand corner (upon exiting the "down" escalator) is the new "Junior Chef" exhibit/attraction where little ones can be chefs and bake Toll-House Cookies.

Also, when you go to Soarin' there is an information desk next to the entrance on the left. This is where you can sign up to take the "Behind the Seeds" Greenhouse Tour. The tour runs approx 45 minutes and is a guided walking tour through the greenhouse that is seen in the Living With the Land ride. We did the tour back in 2000 and I highly recommend it. The cast member guide will show you some of the projects they are currently working on in there, as well as answer any questions you may have about the various methods used to grow crops in there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The entrance to Soarin' is where Food Rocks used to be.