Struggling to understand EPCOT

[MakiraMarlena]

I love Epcot but I don't care as much about rides as I do about beer and margaritas.

 

[ElsieAstronaut]

We usually end up spending a lot of time in EPCOT, maybe more than any other park. Obviously things like Food & Wine and Flower & Garden help make for changing experiences throughout the year, but even just at non special event times, we still end up there almost every park day.

DB's favorite ride in all the parks is Soarin, so that's always a must. And we really like to eat at Sunshine Seasons. I ADORE the aquarium at the end of the Nemo ride so we always spend a half hour or so there. EPCOT has some unique character opportunities, like Baymax and Joy/Sadness. Plus there's something a little cooler about meeting Mary Poppins in an English garden or Belle within site of the Eiffel Tower! We usually end up hitting the international Coca Cola tasting a few times a day too, and we aren't even soda drinkers lol.

And as mentioned by many others, World Showcase is one of our favorite things about WDW. We tend to spend most of our time back there. Each pavilion is so unique and interesting in it's own way. (though we haven't been since frozen hit norway...not sure how we'll feel about that.) All the different options for food, snacks, and drinks (even outside of F&W season) are really nice. We really like the little cafe at the back of France...great mousse! Even for a picky eater like me there's always a little something for everyone.

It's also our favorite rainy day park. If it starts to rain it's easy to just duck into a country and spend some time looking inside all the little shops and such. And it's pretty when it rains there.

And, as has also been mentioned, it seems like no matter how many times we go or how long we stay, we always find something new each trip. And there's still a lot we haven't seen or done yet. We're probably going this Saturday and will mostly be in EPCOT.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Don't miss the Pixar film festival!

Someone here on the DIS mentioned it and I was so glad I made the time to see it last month.. excellent!!!

BTW, I spend at least 2 days at EPCOT... more if I'm staying at BW or BC.

 

[happymommy]

We always go to Epcot - almost every day! Matter of fact, arrival day that's where we spend the afternoon pretty much every trip!

Since my kids were 2 and 4, it's been their favorite park for the most part. They love the countries, Innoventions (which is always changing, but lately it seems there isn't as much there at all; hope that changes soon), the Living Seas, the Land, Test Track, Soarin', Figment, etc...

Just go, trust me. It's fun. And expensive (beer, wine, etc.....).

 

[lustergirl]

I love trying the different drinks that each country has to offer. Sometimes I get stuck in Mexico at the tequila bar though

 

[happymommy]

I love trying the different drinks that each country has to offer. Sometimes I get stuck in Mexico at the tequila bar though

My husband does this - it's the one thing that gets him back to Disney! He wouldn't let me see the tab last trip!

 

[jbish]

I couldn't read through the whole post but skimmed as much as I could. I just wanted to add another vote for Agent P. My kids are 9 and 6 and we didn't get to finish all of the adventures. It really got us all to explore the countries so much more!

 

[alex9179]

I think it's important to make the point that it's ok not to like it and that some people don't like it, though. We never read those opinions before we visited and thought there was something wrong with us when, halfway through our visit, we both realized how mutually bored we were. It wasn't until we got home and started a thread of our own that others shared their experiences with us about not necessarily loving Epcot either. It helped us make sense of our visit, but we sure wish we had both sides of the story before we made the trip.

The OP's friend already shared that sentiment, so I don't think they feel like they have to love it. They just seem to want to make the most out of touring it while not focusing on the food/beverage component. The link I provided lists the highlights and shows how easy it is to spend the day there. Hopefully they'll look into the history of WS and explore the pavilions/catch the entertainment. Whether they love it, like it, or not is certainly up to them

 

[tlmadden73]

For me .. I think it depends on the age of your family.

Adult only trip? Plenty to do (besides just the rid attractions). I would go there several times ... even if just for dinner or such.

Trip with Toddlers? Not much to do there for little kids (except maybe Nemo and Frozen). I would avoid and spend an extra day in MK.

Trip with elementary age children? The "edutainment" factor of Epcot is nowhere near close to what it used to be (a shame really), but I think there is still enough for them to "discover" stuff that young minds hunger for. I think this is the other sweet spot for Epcot.

Trip with teenagers? BORING. They already know (or should know) the educational aspects .. and no real thrill rides and a long, boring walk around the World Showcase while the parents want to eat exotic food or get some drinks or watch some entertainment. They will spend the trip snapchatting with their friends on how bored they are.

Of course this is all relative to your particular family. This is just my generalizations and opinion.

But, in general, once Epcot lost its "educational" theme and the pavilion exhibits were lost FutureWorld is as "lost" as Hollywood Studios was (until the announced makeover).

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

The OP's friend already shared that sentiment, so I don't think they feel like they have to love it. They just seem to want to make the most out of touring it while not focusing on the food/beverage component. The link I provided lists the highlights and shows how easy it is to spend the day there. Hopefully they'll look into the history of WS and explore the pavilions/catch the entertainment. Whether they love it, like it, or not is certainly up to them

I agree. We're actually going back to WDW after three years this summer, and we're giving Epcot a second (likely boozy!) chance. The first time with anything at WDW can always be so fraught. You just have to keep an open mind

 

[DSMVP]

Don't miss the Pixar film festival!

What is it and where is this? I have never heard of it.

Epcot is mine & my families favorite park. We visit it multiple times during our trips. My kids have always loved it and would always say it's their favorite park. They have been going yearly since they were infants & are now 18 & 13. I think epcot has something for every age group.

 

[Kona65]

My kids loved figment, especially the play area after the ride. I had to pry them away from it.

I miss "DreamFinder".

 

[Moback]

I feel super lame asking, but can you all please help me understand what you actually DO in a day at EPCOT?

We are historically DLR people, went to WDW 2 years ago for the first time and were told by friends to skip EPCOT, that our kids wouldn't like it, so we skipped it. Now with DS9 and DD6 we are returning in Sept and DS saw TT on the planning DVD and wants to go. I figure we need to do it all at some point, so yay, right!??

I have read many threads about individual pieces of EPCOT on here, and I have tried doing a touring plan for it but there are not a whole lot of things to enter on a touring plan. I understand the Future World and World Showcase separation. I have to believe it's just a lack of experience that makes me feel like it would be hard to fill a day at this park. (We filled a day at each AK and HS last trip no problem and I know many here don't think of those as full day parks, so I know I'm missing something when it comes to EPCOT.)

Right now I have FP+ for TT, Spaceship Earth and Meet Disney Pals (who are these pals, anyway? do they need a FP+?). ALso have a dinner at Akershus planned. We aren't really food/wine people.

Can you give me descriptions of what you actually do that takes the whole day here?

THANK YOU!

Epcot is a favorite for the adults. We go to actually just do a lot of strolling around and people watching. It's mostly a mall with each area trying to sell wares or food & drink. We really like interacting with the cast members from each country. I do recommend getting out of there before it gets dark due to the drunks.

 

[disneysteve]

What is it and where is this? I have never heard of it.

The Pixar film thing is at the Imagination pavilion in the theater that used to house Honey I Shrunk the Audience. We haven't actually done it yet.

 

[Raimiette]

Count me in with the (evidently massive minority lol) of people who don't care for Epcot.

I just find it very dull. I don't drink and am not much of a foodie so most of the restaurants don't appeal to me.

I enjoy the rides and find some of the museum type buildings in World Showcase to be interesting (but feel they only need to be seen once) and like the aquarium but I don't care for any of the video presentations. I actually felt a bit embarrassed by the show in Canada since it was so incredibly outdated.

Having said that, even for a person who doesn't care for the park, there is definitely enough there to fill a day.

 

[Dis703]

When we are down there for our usual family trip we spend at least 2 to 2 1/2 days in Epcot.

We do Test Track and Soarin, usually more than once. (Could do MissionSpace but have bad motion sickness so we skip it)
The Frozen Ride will be on our list for trips to come.
A handful of meet and greets around the park, including the special one for Disney Visa cardholders.
Living with the Land
Ellen's Energy Adventure (just did this for the first time and while not dying to do it again it was a nice way to cool off in the afternoon)
Journey into Imagination
Nemo and Turtle talk with Crush followed by some time hanging out in the aquarium
Spaceship Earth
The boat ride in Mexico
Illuminations fireworks show

Then a lot of walking around, eating (our favorite park for food), drinking, and taking in the sights and little shows in each of the countries. We love the acrobats in China, the drummers in Japan, the rock band in the UK, etc.

If you have little ones there are extra things for them as well that they may enjoy like the Kidcot stations and Agent Ps World Showcase Adventure.

Not a park we'd ever choose to skip. I took a short trip back in February with one of boys and only did two parks, and I was heartbroken we didn't fit in any time at Epcot. But we got to go and make up for it just a few months later.

 

[kreckl]

Would the agent p be good for 14 year old boys?

 

[emij]

I really appreciate all the responses... so much variety in how people tour and feel about the park! Thank you!!

 

[Disneymom1126]

The first time I took my daughter to Epcot she was 6 and I wasn't sure that she would like it, or like you are saying whether we would fill a whole day there. It was the most relaxing day of our trip. We had the morning (rope drop) planned so that we could ride the rides we wanted in the morning. We made no plan for the rest of the day. We wandered around world showcase, did pick a pearl in Japan, got ice cream in France, watched the performers, met some characters, etc. We had dinner then just hung out till time for Illuminations - we could have went back and did some rides again, but we were tired from walking around world showcase. In the other parks are day is usually planned from rope drop to close, so it was fun to just relax and check everything out with no real schedule.

 

[DSMVP]

The Pixar film thing is at the Imagination pavilion in the theater that used to house Honey I Shrunk the Audience. We haven't actually done it yet.

Thank you! I had no idea about this and will be sure to check it out on my upcoming trip!