What are some fun, underrated things to do at Epcot?

[ladycollector]

My family and I have been visiting Disney for over 6 years now.. And I know Epcot has a lot more to offer than we have seen so far. We recently discovered the bands in England and Canada, and loved that. I also found out that there is a butterfly garden during the Flower & Garden Festival, so I will make sure we see that. What other kind of fun things like this are your favorite? What should we not miss?

Just curious as my parents arrive tomorrow for our 3 day trip and I'd like to show them/ see some new things.

Thanks!

 

[Dopey19]

One of my husband and my favorite things to do is get a coffee and pastry from France and find a little nook somewhere to sit and watch the fireworks.

We also always eat at Teppon Edo - we love the "show" put on by the chef at the hibachi table. Also don't forget a monorail ride around the park; at night is the best. What a view!

 

[puffkin]

The Candy Maker in Japan is fantastic. We also enjoy getting a treat at the Norway pavillion. Mo'Rockin, the Beatles show, and Offkilter are also really good.

 

[TKL SHOP]

We love tappan Edo too! We also enjoy listening to the live music in the Uk

 

[andrews_dad]

Go at Xmas season and hear from the traditions of each country by a special preformer. It is great and very interesting/educational. From Papa Noel to the Monkey King....

 

[Freddy Bear]

Take a break and walk or ride the boat to the Boardwalk.

Get the schedule for all of the performers in the World Showcase. Italy has amazing street performers / acrobats (I guess that is what you would call them).

 

[landshark]

I don't remember exactly where it's at (near/in Innoventions?), but in a large building next to where Club Cool is, there's an exhibit on the history of the park. I don't recall it really being marked other than a timeline hanging on the wall in that corridor.

All kinds of photos, artwork, models, and info on how the park was built and it's timeline. They also had some old CM outfits on display. Really neat to see.

EDIT: Found a link to what I'm talking about. Exhibit was still there last summer. http://land.allears.net/blogs/lindamac/2007/10/epcots_25th_anniversary_celebr.html

 

[cchev]

Yeah I second this...it was my first time going during Christmas this year and the stories were great...I loved the Canadian Santa

 

[secretpantssam]

There is a tin toy shop in Japan that's really interesting. I could spend all day in Japan...I love it!

 

[zackiedawg]

Things I like to do that some folks overlook:

Living with the Land boat ride in The Land. Peaceful, educational, and just kinda cool. Even in busy season, I've seen lines of less than 5 minutes.

Innoventions East - Fantastic Plastic works, and some of the interactive environment and business games. Just a fun way to spend some time, and it's air conditioned for those hot days.

American Adventure - the walk-through Americana museum/display...there are some very cool things in there - lots of history.

Japan - always like to stop and listen to the Taiko drummers at least once a trip.

Canada - Love the 360 degree movie...the old one was even better, but the new one is still beautiful. And of course, sit in for a show or two with Off Kilter...fantastic and highly skilled band who plays a variety of rock/folk/irish/scottish tunes.

If you're willing to pay extra, the Land's greenhouse tour is also very cool, and very educational.

Some folks may not like the educational/historical stuff as much...but being the nerd I am, I loved that about Epcot when it first opened, and it quickly became my favorite park. They've watered some of it down and added more 'action' stuff to keep people's attention spans in a changing world, but I still like to seek out the stuff that educates about history, cultures, and customs. Talk to cast members, especially the guest workers from all of the various countries - they love to share info about their homelands, cities or towns, geography, history, etc...and are very friendly people.

 

[HdnMickeyGrl]

In World Showcase I think every single country has some kind of "performance" that takes place throughout the day. They are listed in the times guides. My favorites are the Beatles and the World Showcase Players which are an acting group that performs in Britain and Italy.

You can also wait until the hour chimes and watch the big clock in Germany for the mechanical people to come out.

I think the butterflies are only there during the Flower and Garden Festival so since that is going on you can take them to see the butterflies.

There is also usually a hidden mickey hunt in the Flower and Garden Festival you can find that in the Festival Guide (if they are doing that this year). They stick mickeys throughout the topiaries and what not.

You can make digital postcards to send back to people at home (or just yourself). Hey free momentos! They had one in the Innoventions closest to The Land but not sure if that is there anymore. They also have one where you can pretend you are in space in the end part of the Mission Space ride. You don't have to ride the ride. You can go in the gift shop and keep going to the back through the doors and you will see the postcard machines on your right. They have this at the end of Spaceship Earth where you can send the story you made to someone by email. And also in Mexico you can send a digital postcard. When you go into the main bazzar area on the left just before the boat queue there is a house set up. You can go up into the "house" I think this is also where kidcot is. And on the left is a little computer monitor and you can make a postcard there.

During the Flower and Garden Festival they have terrific bands play in the evenings. They used to play every evening but I've heard they cut back on that. I'm sure the Dis has F&G info about who would be playing when you are there.

Check out the train town in Germany. They actually modify the town decorations when they have events. During the flower and garden festival the little train town has flowers everywhere.

You can make a velcro frog in the Inoventions closest to Test Track. You can also live through a hurricane in the Inoventions closest to Test Track.

Of course there is club cool for the ever popular Beverly tasting. And somewhere outside of club cool or near there there is a drinking fountain that talks to you.

I just love spending time in the Living Seas and talking to the CM's there. They are full of information. For example, did you know the dolphins all had previous jobs. One of them even worked for the US Navy.

Some paid overlooked opportunities: The Behind the Seeds Tour at The Land. If your folks are into gardening etc... this is a fun tour that can be booked minutes before it starts (because it's never busy) and I think it was only $12 when we did it a few years ago. It might be $15 now. You can also do a Segway Tour of the World Showcase in the morning before it opens. I think this was in the $75 to $99 price range and there were age requirements.

That's all I can think of for now.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I love looking at the timeline in the building near club cool, and of course going to club cool!

 

[IMwink]

I've seen some great tips on here. There are one or two that I haven't come across yet.

You say you are a Disney veteran, well Have a thread that ihave been compiling tips from disney vets like yourself. Maybe you will find some info there that you haven't experienced. Please give me some of the knowledge that you have too.

Epcot Tips
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2165142

 

[BeccaBellePA]

The gardens of Great Britain are a great place to relax when the band isn't playing. If you have good timing, sometimes Alice comes out. We've seen her a few times when it wasn't crowded. Nobody else was around and she just wandered through the garden and picked flowers and sang little songs to herself. So cute!
Granted...this isn't exactly an "underrated" Epcot thing, but if you're lucky enough to be there at the right time, it's really great to see. Your kids can also interact more with her (or other British characters) since not many people wander through there when the band isn't playing.
You can check with a CM, too, to see what time characters are scheduled to make an appearance.

 

[Mickeygolf]

It's pretty new and not just for kids, so I'd suggest the New Kim Possible adventure. I know I'm looking forward to it just as much as my kids are. We also love playing the games when you get out of Mission Space. My kids and I end up staying in there much longer than the boss (DW) wants us to. If you get the chance to watch the diver in the Seas with Nemo and Friends that's pretty interesting too.

 

[lizet313]

Subbing for info

 

[vicki_c]

I don't remember exactly where it's at (near/in Innoventions?), but in a large building next to where Club Cool is, there's an exhibit on the history of the park. I don't recall it really being marked other than a timeline hanging on the wall in that corridor.

All kinds of photos, artwork, models, and info on how the park was built and it's timeline. They also had some old CM outfits on display. Really neat to see.

EDIT: Found a link to what I'm talking about. Exhibit was still there last summer. http://land.allears.net/blogs/lindamac/2007/10/epcots_25th_anniversary_celebr.html

It's gone, sorry to report! We wanted to see it in December because we didn't know about it earlier in the year and it was gone.

 

[bopper]

In Innoventions you can take a very short ride on a Segway (like maybe 25 feet).

 

[Traveliz]

In Innoventions is a short "game" about velcro...corny but since the closing of Pleasure Island some of the comedy warehouse entertainers are now here and it is enjoyable to see them again and the show is clever/cute.

Also like the World Showcase players in Britain - their show is very cute as well.

My favorite thing to do is to get a margarita in Mexico and sit by the water just watching everything.

Liz