Talk me into Epcot!

[imfortune8]

In our upcoming trip we are currently planning on not visiting Epcot at all. However, now that I am rededicated to reading these boards, I am hearing a few new things about Epcot that I need some clarification on.

When is Soarin due to open? We will be in Orlando the first two weeks of April and would love to see this. We adore the one in California. I have heard dates for AP holders, and "soft opening", but I am not sure what all that means. When can just normal visitors try this out?

What is "Turtle talk with Crush" - My kids are huge Nemo fans and we think this would be great fun. Is it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't know when Soarin is due to open.

Turtle Talk is a very cute interactive show that allows the kids in the audiance to talk to Crush. He calls out to them based on what they are wearing and asks them questions. The show is never the same twice due to the interaction with the kids. Very cute!

 

[FigmentGuy]

Hi, Im sorry but I dont know much about Soarin..but... I do know Turtle Talk. This is a bit of a show for all ages, and geared for the younger crowd. Im not sure how old your kids are, but they usually have preschool-1st graders sit up front of this large screen of the ocean. A host CM comes out and you pretty much call Crush out. From there it is a GREAT interaction session with the kids! Its actually a video screen that you view crush, but due to great technology crush can move and interact on command and talk to the lil "squirts" in the audience. He prompts for questions out of the kids, and answers them etc. Its really quite a delite to watch! Me and my partner are 22 and 24.... and we really enjoyed the show! It was also fun seeing the kids get excited. Its found at the living seas, you line up at the door, and shows were rotating out about every 10 mins. I think its a must see for all ages.

I have a question about soarin, is this a full moving ride? or a bit of a simulator? How fast does it move and how high up are you trully? (bit of a fear guy here haha ) Anyone?

 

[dbanzai]

Soarin' isn't opening until May, and then I believe it is only a soft opening, for AP passholders.

As a ride though, it is awesome. I rode it at DCA.

 

[stemikger]

I received my Disney vacation planner a few weeks ago and on the DVD I believe it says that Soarin is due to open in May.

 

[Disney Fool]

There is a soft opening for annual pass holders in mid-April; I think it's the 15th to the 17th.

 

[zurgswife]

Not sure the ages of the kids but Epcot shouldn't be missed there is so many great things todo. My kids 13, 12, 11, 7 Epcot is there favorite park...There are great thrill rides (Mission Space, Test Track), Seated shows (Ellen, Spaceship Earth, Honey I shrunk the audience), Interative stuff (Innoventions East, kodak playground). Then the world showcase is great...they have a number of "acts" that are performed street still at differnt times we love these also...Don't miss Epcot

 

[bethzfl]

I go to Epcot for one reason: The world showcase.

My bf goes for Mission Space, Test Track, etc.. he also likes to eat at WS.

 

[melanie18]

I agree with the others, the AP preview of Soarin is in mid-April. I believe Soarin and the stunt show at MGM are scheduled to due to open around May 5.

When DH & I started going to WDW 15 years ago, we avoided Epcot like the plague. Something about having to learn while on vacation just didn't appeal to us in our late teens/early twenties.

Now, Epcot has become our favorite park! From the rides in Mexico and Norway to the Kidcot stops at every country for DD4, to the great snacks like the lefsa in Norway's bakery and the Kaki Gori in Japan. We love it now!

 

[funhouse8]

This also is my families favorite park. We never spend less then two days here. Have you ever been to Epcot? It has something for everyone!

 

[Leota]

I can't add anymore info to your questions than has already been posted. Just wanted to say - don't write of Epcot. It's pretty much tied with MK as our favorite Park. We start & end every trip with Epcot/MK.
It is so rich in experiences for all age groups, really.

 

[TXTink]

I have a question about soarin, is this a full moving ride? or a bit of a simulator? How fast does it move and how high up are you trully? (bit of a fear guy here haha ) Anyone?

Soarin is an I-Max type ride/movie.

You get in a seat that looks like a hang glider, I think there are 4 people per row in each hang glider (there are several rows of gliders). You feel like you are being lifted up, but you never go very high (and of course you are belted in). We never felt like we were going to fall out or anything, so no worries there.

With the I-Max movie in front of you, you feel like you are soaring over California. When you soar over the trees, you smell pine, over the orange groves you smell oranges, over the snow covered mountains they blow cold air at you. Sometimes I felt like I needed to pull my feet up to keep them from skimming over the things in the movie.

It is a very invigorating, yet calming ride. I didn't find it scary at all. In my opinion, it is a "not to be missed" ride!

 

[TXTink]

I can't add anymore info to your questions than has already been posted. Just wanted to say - don't write of Epcot. It's pretty much tied with MK as our favorite Park. We start & end every trip with Epcot/MK.
It is so rich in experiences for all age groups, really.

ITA

 

[Princess Wannabe]

I posted this on another thread, but I'll post it again....these are just a FEW of the reasons we LOVE Epcot! (And this isn't even the half of it...notice I don't have Future World listed, or any of the yummy snacks & treats you can find in the WS!!!!)

There's LOTS to do in the World Showcase! Below is a sample itinerary for a Wednesday, and has the exact show times of each of these performers in their pavilions. There's also Mo'Rockin, in Morocco! Each of these below are considered 'not miss' shows!

Time Pavilion Act/Group
11:30 England World Showcase Players
12:55 Japan Miyuki - Candy Maker
1:35 France Chair Act
2:00 England British Invasion
2:30 Canada Off Kilter
3:30 Japan Matsuriza - Drums
4:15 American Voices of Liberty
4:30 American Fife & Drum
4:45 American American Vybe
5:00 Italy Living Statue
6:15 China Dragon Legend Acrobats

Don't miss Epcot!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Hi, Im sorry but I dont know much about Soarin..but... I do know Turtle Talk. This is a bit of a show for all ages, and geared for the younger crowd. Im not sure how old your kids are, but they usually have preschool-1st graders sit up front of this large screen of the ocean. A host CM comes out and you pretty much call Crush out. From there it is a GREAT interaction session with the kids! Its actually a video screen that you view crush, but due to great technology crush can move and interact on command and talk to the lil "squirts" in the audience. He prompts for questions out of the kids, and answers them etc. Its really quite a delite to watch! Me and my partner are 22 and 24.... and we really enjoyed the show! It was also fun seeing the kids get excited. Its found at the living seas, you line up at the door, and shows were rotating out about every 10 mins. I think its a must see for all ages.

I have a question about soarin, is this a full moving ride? or a bit of a simulator? How fast does it move and how high up are you trully? (bit of a fear guy here haha ) Anyone?

Thank you for your review of Turtle Talk. My SO and I are in our late 20's/early 30's but we are kids at heart and we were thinking "yeah, it's geared to toddlers but we'll probably love it". SO is a big fan of Crush!

Soarin is a simulator from what I understand. Aside from that...I have no idea...

 

[bustamelon]

found this on google:

http://www.talkdisney.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26046&page=1

 

[bustamelon]

Personally, a lot of the FutureWorld attractions are dated and not as exciting as others at MK, etc. However, as an adult, I found during our last visit that the World Showcase is a *great* place to spend the evenings. My wife and I had hopper tickets and wound up back at EPCOT 3 out of 4 nites, for dinner, for the amazing fireworks show, and for the cultural parade thingy they do, with the dudes on stilts. The food at the different nations is great: I recommend the Teppanyaki restaurant in Japan, the Rose and Crown in the UK, and the Mexican place.

It's a nice change for grown-ups when you start to tire of the kiddie stuff (if that's possible).

Personally, I could skip Animal Kingdom altogether, but EPCOT is a must.