Epcot (or Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) is one of our favorite theme parks at Disney World. Separated into two sections, FutureWorld and the World Showcase, and connected by the Odyssey Bridge, Epcot is two times the size of Magic Kingdom. Because there is so much to see and do in Epcot, we like to take two days to explore the park - one day for each section.

Future World is a wonderful leap into the future - rides like Mission:SPACE, Test Track, and Soarin' make it a crowd favorite.

The World Showcase has wonderful performers, shops, attractions, and restaurants, and with 11 countries represented, you can take a walk into 11 different cultures in just one day!

Each section has attractions for all ages, and with all sorts of tours, shopping, and entertainment, you won't want to miss a thing!

On this page we give a brief overview of the entire park - it's dining, attractions, entertainment, and more. Click on any of the links to get a more detailed description of the most popular ways to spend your day in Epcot.

Attractions at Epcot are plentiful. Most are located in Future World, however some (but not all) countries also have small rides. All of the countries do however, have a presentation or show of some sort, exhibiting their country's culture and history. These are usually very interesting and educational - well worth your while.

Captain EO starring Michael Jackson is a 17-minute film that ran from 1986 to 1994 and is now back! Executive producer George Lucas and Director Francis Ford Coppola orchestrated Caption EO to be a stunning show for the whole family. This attraction offers Fast Pass!

The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is a brand new, fun filled mission to save the world from super-villains! Young kids will love following their Kimmunicator to their missions all throughout the World Showcase. Sign up for Team Possible in Innoventions at The Road to Tomorrow and on the Odyssey Bridge.

Ellen's Energy Adventure is a multimedia attraction, starring comedian Ellen Degeneres! Explore what powers the universe and our daily lives as you travel through time with Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ellen, making your way from the big bang and dinosaurs to the present.

Image Works-The Kodak "What If" Labs is an interactive play area. Activities, exhibits, and hands-on sensory themed experiences allow kids of all ages to unlock their creativity.

Innoventions is a pavilion separated into two buildings (East & West) filled with wonderful activities and exhibits for kids of all ages. All of these fun activities explore the innovations that make our lives better!

Journey into Imagination with Figment is full of mischief and music! This ride is located in the Imagination! Pavilion and is fun for little ones with big imaginations!

Living with the Land is a 15 minute boat ride through living laboratories that display the latest advancements in aquaculture and desert farming. This attraction offers Fast Pass!

The Mission: SPACE Pavilion contains- Mission: SPACE, and interactive play space called Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab, and the 1,500 sq. foot gift shop named Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay.

Mission: SPACE is a motion simulator ride, for kids 44 inches and taller. Riding in a space capsule, you get to become a member of a flight team on a mission to Mars! This attraction offers Fast Pass!

Soarin' is a multi-sensory attraction that simulates a hang glider's flight. For kids 40 inches and taller, you get a bird's eye view over some wonderful monuments and natural wonders! This attraction offers Fast Pass!

The Spaceship Earth Pavilion is the 18 story geodesic sphere that contains the Spaceship Earth attraction and Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future post-show.

Spaceship Earth is a 15 minute ride throughout the Epcot ball. Audio animatronic scenes depict the story of human connection over 40,000 years, from the beginning of recorded time to the dawn of the internet age!

The Test Track Pavilion hosts the Test Track attraction, a high-tech automotive testing facility, and a gift shop.

Test Track is a high speed vehicle simulation ride. For kids 40 inches and taller, this nearly one-mile long ride is a thrill a minute! This attraction offers Fast Pass!

The Land Pavilion includes Soarin', Living with the Land, The Circle of Life, and the Garden Grill Restaurant.

The Seas With Nemo and Friends Pavilion contains: The Sea Base and Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium, The Seas with Nemo and Friends Ride, the Turtle Talk With Crush Show, the Coral Reef Restaurant, special programs, and the ocean-themed gift shop.

The Seas With Nemo and Friends is a gentle ride in a "clammobile" with your favorite characters from Finding Nemo!

Universe of Energy Pavilion is dedicated to energy and the conservation and history of its sources. It also contains Ellen's Energy Adventure.

Entertainment at Epcot can be found around every corner. All of the countries have a show, showcasing some of their culture's talents. Also, there is a special fun and educational experience for the kids: Kidcot Fun Stops. FutureWorld has many shows and fun attractions as well - they're all outlined below. As before, click on any of the links for more information!

Character Greetings are abundant. Meet Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, and many others all throughout the park.

Check your times guide for specifics or visit our page for character greetings.

The Dragon Legend Acrobats are a team of wonderfully talented Chinese acrobats! Located in the China Pavilion at the World Showcase.

The Epcot Character Spot is located in FutureWorld on the West side of Innoventions Plaza. Check your times guide for specifics!

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a fireworks, laser, and water show that celebrates the world's colorful nations. Check your times guide for nights when you can see this spectacular show!

The JAMMitors perform on the breezeway between Innoventions East & West. (Near Mission: SPACE and Test Track) This team of three park custodians perform a wonderful live percussion show on trash cans! Check your times guide for appearances.

Kidcot Fun Stops are wonderful little craft stops where the kids can make their own multicultural mask! Each country around the World Showcase has a stop with cast members from the country represented ready to help your young ones create their masterpiece. Ask the cast member questions about their native country, they love to share stories!

The Mariachi Cobre is a traditional 12 piece Mexican Mariachi band! Find them daily at the Mexico Pavilion. Check your times guide for specifics.

Matsuriza is a Japanese percussion troupe that performs daily at the Japan Pavilion. Check your times guide for specifics!

Miyuki is an amazing sculptor. She uses rice dough and brightly colored food dye (a Japenese art form that goes back hundreds of years!) to create all sorts of beautiful animals and shapes. She performs for 20 minutes at the Japan Pavilion throughout the day, and she loves to take requests. Check your times guide for more info!

Mo'Rockin is a 6 person musical group that plays wonderful world music at the Morocco Pavilion. They perform 20 minute sets throughout the day, so check your times guide for specifics!

Off Kilter is a 5 person Celtic rock group that play in Epcot's Canada Pavilion. This kilt-wearing group is loads of fun, check your times guide for specifics!

Oktoberfest Musikanten is a 6 person musical group. They perform traditional Bavarian music in 25 minute shows throughout the day at the Germany Pavilion. Check your times guide for specifics!

Serveur Amusant is a two server act of wonderful amusement! Watch them balance and perform gravity defying acrobatics on the streets of the France Pavilion! Check your times guide for times of performances.

SI XIAN is a performance of beautiful harp-like music on the Chinese zheng. This 25 string instrument produces beautiful sounds- be sure to catch it at the China Pavilion! Check the times guide for specifics.

The Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps is a 4 man, colonial-era band that plays wonderful marching band music and performs military style formations. This patriotic performance is at the American Adventure Pavilion, be sure to check your times guide for specifics!

The British Invasion is a 4 man rock group that plays famous British pop hits from the 1960s! Make sure to check your times guide for specifics.

The Hat Lady is a wonderful singer, pianist, and entertainer. She performs in the Rose & Crown Dining Room & Pub- be sure to check your times guide for specifics!

Turtle Talk with Crush (Located in The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion) is a live show featuring Crush from Finding Nemo! Kids of all ages can have a conversation with Crush, while he talks back, making jokes and educating everyone on the importance of protecting the world's oceans. Check your times guide for times when you can talk to Crush!

Voices of Liberty is an 8 person a cappella group, that sings beautiful folk, Americana, and patriotic songs in the American Adventure Pavilion. Check your times guide for specifics!

What's Your Problem? is an interactive game show where you find innovative solutions to problems! Running 10:00am to 5:30pm daily in Innoventions West, this show featuring Velcro brand products is fun for the whole family.

The World Showcase Players are a group of Renaissance performers who perform (as is traditional) right in the street! Their comedic and improvisational skills are wonderful! They perform at both the Italy Pavilion and the United Kingdom Pavilion, so be sure to check the times guide for when they will appear.

Dining at Epcot is multicultural and delicious! Every country has at least one place to eat, and usually a great place to get snacks, pastries, and all sorts of cultural goodies. There are several different types of dining experiences: character dining, unique dining, quick service, signature, casual, and fast causal. The restaurants at Epcot are divided into these categories below, for easy referencing, depending on how much time you have, how much you want to pay, and what kind of experience you are looking for.

Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

The Garden Grill Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Les Chefs de France

Nine Dragons Restaurant

Restaurant Marrakesh

Rose & Crown Dining Room & Pub

San Angel Inn

Teppan Edo

Boulangerie Patisserie

La Cantina De San Angel

Electric Umbrella Restaurant

Fountain View Ice Cream

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe

Liberty Inn

Lotus Blossom Cafe

Sommerfest

Tangierine Cafe

The Refreshment Port

Yakitori House

Bistro de Paris

Biergarten Restaurant

Tokyo Dining

Tutto Italia Ristorante

Sunshine Seasons Food Fair

Shopping at Epcot is very distinct. There is one major shop (the largest in all of Disney World!) called Mouse Gear and many specialty and themed shops scattered all over the park. Each country has at least one shop that sells cultural gifts and in many cases beautiful culturally authentic items. And of course, (as is Disney style) every attraction has an attached gift shop (that you exit the attraction through) selling theme based souvenirs.

There are quite a few options for tours at Epcot. Some are general tours of the entire park or it's workings, and others are more specific event oriented tours. For most of the tours you can discern what they are all about by the title- click on the links to head to Disney World's Website for more in-depth information.

Seas Aqua Tour

Backstage Magic

Around the World at Epcot

VIP Tour Guide Services

The UnDISCOVERed FutureWorld

Simply Segway Tour

Epcot DiveQuest

Behind the Seeds at Epcot

Dolphins in Depth

There are several special events planned for 2011. Some are new, and some are annual events, but they're all sure to be a blast!

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: March 2nd, 2011 - May 15th, 2011

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: September 30th, 2011 - November 13th, 2011

Holidays Around the World - Candlelight Processional: November 25th, 2011 - December 30th, 2011

Guest Services is located on the West side of the Main Entrance Plaza, and can provide assistance in many situations, as well as several services. The cast members are always very helpful and will assist you in any way they can. The services provided by guest services are listed below, and as always, click on the links for more detailed information.

Locker rentals

Stroller rentals

Wheelchair and EVC rentals

Kennels

Package Pick-up Service/Delivery Service

Currency exchange

Some of the other specialized kiosks and centers are listed below.

The Camera Center (Hosted by Kodak) in the Main Entrance Plaza provides camera services and film, as well as many other camera needs.

Florist and Gift Basket Shop

ATMs (Presented by Chase) are on the East side of the Main Entrance Plaza on the path between FutureWorld and World Showcase & near the restrooms at the American Adventure Pavilion

First Aid is located at the Odyssey Center: near the Odyssey Bridge between FutureWorld and World Showcase

The Baby Care Center (Hosted by Nestle) is inside the Odyssey Center in the FutureWorld Area

In Mexico: near Animales Fantasticos

In Norway: The Puffin's Roost

In China: near exit from Reflections of China

In Germany: Volkunst

In Italy: outside near La Bottega Italiana

In America: outside near Heritage Manor Gifts

In Japan: in Bijutsu-kan Gallery

In Morocco: Marketplace in the Medina

In France: Souvenirs de France

In the United Kingdom: The Toy Soldier

In Canada: near the exit from the O Canada! attraction

Fastpass is a relatively new addition to some of the most popular Disney World Theme Park attractions. Fast Pass is a system that allows you to skip waiting in long lines for your favorite attractions!

The attractions at Epcot that currently offer Fast Pass are:

Mission: SPACE

Test Track

Soarin'

Living with the Land

"Honey, I Shrunk the Audience"

Maelstrom (Located in Norway)

Characters are plentiful at Epcot. Here are some more specific locations for your favorites! Make sure to check your times guide for specifics and visit our page on Disney World Character Greetings as well!

Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella can be found near Restaurant Akershus in Norway

Dopey and Snow White can be seen in Germany

Belle and The Beast can be found in France

Some other characters like:
Mickey Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Ariel
Aladdin and Jasmine
Mary Poppins
Donald Duck
Daisy Duck
Pluto
& Chip and Dale can be found at the Epcot Character Spot by the West side of Innoventions Plaza, near Journey Into Imagination with Figment, "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience", and Image Works, at the Kidcot Fun Stop near the United Kingdom Pavilion and the International Gateway, along the World Showcase Lagoon, by the France Pavilion and the Morocco Pavilion, and at restaurants with character dining!

Transportation

Transportation to and from Epcot is simple. If you are staying at a Disney World Resort, use the complimentary bus, boat, or monorail (or even complimentary self-parking if you wish) to move to and from the theme parks and your resort. If you are staying off-site, you can use the self-parking for a small fee.

Park hours, extra magic hours, operational updates, entertainment and special events are listed on Disney's Epcot Calendar.

You can also call to receive operational updates: 407-939-6244.

Love thrilling rides? Make sure to go on Mission: SPACE. You feel like a real astronaut!

Make sure to spend time and visit all of the countries. All of the cast members working at each pavilion are natives of that country. Ask them questions! They love to share stories and information with you- you can learn so much!

Some of our other favorite rides in Epcot are:

Ellen's Energy Adventure (a laugh a minute, and very educational too!)

Soarin'

Innoventions East

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