Disney World – Epcot Park
The Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World is the second most popular theme park at the Disney resort in Florida. While the Magic Kingdom caters to younger children, Epcot Center is geared more towards adults, from teenagers to grown-ups (there's even local alcohol at each of the country pavilions). It's a park full of activities and attractions that discover (in Disney's signature style) the big world surrounding America and the world we live in.
14 Must-See and Must-Do Things at Epcot
- The giant Epcot golf ball
- Fireworks at 9 PM above the lagoon
- The aquarium of Nemo and friends
- Soar over California on the Soarin' ride
- The vintage experience of 3D films at the Imagination Pavilion
- Fish and chips at the British Pavilion
- The Eiffel Tower in Paris at the French Pavilion
- The castle and stylish Japanese garden at the Japan Pavilion
- St. Mark's Square in the Italian Pavilion
- Greasy Currywurst and Dark Beer in the German Pavilion
- The Chinese Temple Reflections (Reflections on) China
- Anna and Elsa in the Norway Pavilion
- River Cruise in the Mexico Pavilion
- Fly to Mars in Space Mission
How much time should you dedicate to EPCOT Park?
Like all of Disney World's theme parks, it's recommended to dedicate a full day to exploring EPCOT. It's not a good idea to rush and try to hop to another park.
This page covers Walt Disney World Epcot Park in detail
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Map of Epcot Park
What is Epcot Park?
Epcot Park is based on the imagination of Walt Disney and the implementation of what he called an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, abbreviated as EPCOT. This utopian concept was conceived by Disney in the 1960s and was carried out in the location where the park stands today.
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- Near Epcot, Disney opened the Disney World complex in 1971, bringing to Florida what had already been in operation in Anaheim near Los Angeles since 1955
- The Magic Kingdom and the whole hotel and resort concept with the presence of Disney characters originated in Los Angeles, but Epcot is a local idea, including the advanced Monorail transportation system that was intended for the experimental community
- Ultimately, Disney withdrew from the original idea, and in 1982 transformed the community into Epcot Park
- Upon its opening, the park was called Epcot Center, but in 1994 its name was officially changed to Epcot
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In the past, the park was divided into two – Future World and World Showcase, but now, after a long renovation currently being completed, it is divided into four themed areas:
- World Celebration
- World Nature
- World Showcase
- World Discovery
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Everything to See and Do at Epcot
Epcot Park is thematically divided into four sections, but all displays and attractions are close to each other with a circular route enveloping the lake. Here are the Epcot attractions starting from the entrance gate and the iconic globe, moving counter-clockwise:
Epcot Ball and Spaceship Earth
Epcot's iconic landmark is the giant golf ball right in front of the entrance gate. It's a geodesic sphere (a construction technique using many small triangles to create a dome or ball shape) or geosphere, with over 11 thousand aluminum triangles painted white. The sphere stands about 55 meters tall and was built in the early 1980s. Inside the sphere is the Spaceship Earth attraction, where you travel for fifteen minutes through time and observe the evolution of technology on Earth.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Near the golf ball is Epcot's large aquarium, now themed around Nemo, based on the Disney movie. It's the second-largest aquarium in the USA after the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, featuring displays of marine and amphibious life.
The Land
The Land is the main attraction of World Nature in Epcot. This exhibit offers an interactive experience teaching about the connections between people and the earth, and the need for sustainable preservation. The attraction features giant greenhouses, each maintaining a different climatic environment. You'll transition between the greenhouses by taking a boat ride through a canal.
Soarin' Over California
One of the most popular attractions in Epcot is Soarin'. Located in the World Nature area next to The Land, Soarin' is a ride with moving seats and a projection of a low flight over California. The interaction between the seat movement and the changing scenery creates the illusion of flying at drone height over the Californian landscape. Currently, the ride offers a wide and changing variety of places to soar over.
Imagination Pavilion
The Imagination Pavilion is the almost iconic home of 3D movies, which might feel a bit outdated nowadays, but the vintage experience is still evident. This is the place that made 3D technology accessible to the general public and was once considered very innovative. The cinema hall screens various films, featuring amazing effects that also include sensations (like mice running between your feet) and smells, alongside impressive visual effects. The pavilion also offers a new Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival display.
Canada Pavilion
The Canada building is located next to the Imagination Pavilion, and it simulates the wild Canadian nature. It's mostly an open pavilion featuring a rose garden with streams and waterfalls. Inside the structure, a panoramic film called ‘Canada Far & Wide' showcases Canada's stunning landscapes. Nearby is the large World Showplace Pavilion, a huge complex of restaurants where the Millennium Village used to operate.
United Kingdom Pavilion
The British Pavilion is one of the favorites among the country's pavilions at Epcot. Beyond the beer and delicious ethnic food (fish and chips are exotic in American terms), it's a small English town with a lovely English garden featuring a maze. The pavilion faithfully represents charming Britain (not the one from the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 that burned Washington, D.C.), complete with afternoon tea and Beatles songs playing in the background.
France Pavilion
When crossing from “Britain” to “France,” you cross the “Channel” (La Manche or the English Channel, depending on personal taste) known as the International Gateway Bridge. This is the canal that connects the World Showcase Lagoon, the central lagoon around which Epcot is built, with Lake Crescent, around which are some of Disney's finest resorts.
Beyond the canal lies the French pavilion, emulating Paris, with the Eiffel Tower above (much smaller than the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas). Inside, there's French food, cafes, and a really fun atmosphere. There's also a panoramic movie showing the urban and natural landscapes of France.
Morocco Pavilion
South of France is Morocco, with a pavilion designed like the city of Marrakech. The building exudes the comfort and sights of North Africa with delightful Moroccan cuisine and a recreated bazaar.
Japan Pavilion
While it might make sense geographically for France and Morocco to be neighbors, next to Morocco lies Japan, home to one of the most stylish and impressive pavilions at Epcot. At the heart of the pavilion is a simply stunning Japanese garden with pools, bonsai trees, waterfalls, babbling brooks, and serene spots to relax and enjoy. Adjacent, there's an exhibition of Japanese art, surrounded by Japanese restaurants and shops selling unique and sophisticated products from Japan.
American Adventure Pavilion
Unlike the fun getaway to Japan, the nearby pavilion is that of the USA in all its glory. Since EPCOT itself and the style of the world are, by nature, the American experience, the American pavilion seems a bit mundane. Still, it's fun to enter and see a reconstruction of the founding states in the colonial period and learn about U.S. history. The area features American-style eateries mimicking fast-food culture, but with Disney World prices.
Italy Pavilion
After we've finished with Boston from 250 years ago, you can hop over to the enchanting St. Mark's Square in Venice. The Italian Pavilion brings all the goodness of Italy, in the shadow of Venice’s stunning bell tower. This pavilion is especially popular because of its restaurants, serving quick but really good Italian food. It's also the perfect place to sit in the sunny square (we're still in Florida!!) and sip an espresso or cappuccino (real ones!!!) at the square's cafes.
Germany Pavilion
After coffee at St. Mark's Square, the neighboring German pavilion offers Munich's beer and classic German food like currywurst or other sausages sautéed in oil. This is a very pleasant spot to rest (if you don't feel like relaxing in Italy) and experience Germany in its stylish form.
Reflections of China
Much like the elegant style of the Japanese Pavilion, the Chinese Pavilion also offers a breathtaking experience of the Far East. The sophisticated name of the pavilion, with its double meaning of reflection and contemplation, truly represents the elegant China of old. The inner courtyard resembles an elegant Chinese garden with stylized vegetation, bridges, and ponds. Surrounding the courtyard are Chinese temples resembling the Temple of Heaven complex in Beijing. The pavilion features popular Chinese restaurants.
Norway Pavilion
The neighboring Norway Pavilion was once one of the duller pavilions in Epcot, but with the release of the movie Frozen and its soaring popularity, it has become one of the most popular in the park. The pavilion includes a boat ride attraction that takes you on a journey to the world of Frozen. You can also catch a glimpse of Norway before the hit movie, in the small, charming Norwegian village with trolls.
Mexico Pavilion
The Mexican Pavilion is definitely very impressive. It's entirely built like an Aztec pyramid, featuring a remarkable display of traditional Mexican art. The heart of the pavilion is the Plaza de los Amigos, which mimics the bustling cities of Mexico. In the pavilion, there's the River of Time attraction, where you can experience Mexico with a canal boat ride. The pavilion is also popular, of course, because of the Mexican food you can enjoy there.
Test Track Ride
Close to the Mexico Pavilion is one of the most popular amusement rides at Epcot. The Test Track simulates an experimental ride of a futuristic car, where you can travel in various changing conditions.
Mission: SPACE
An attraction that departs from Epcot’s general theme of Earth and sends us into space. The ride simulates a spaceship journey to the neighboring planet Mars. The simulator mimics the harsh conditions of launch on a rocket from Cape Canaveral, the journey through dark space, the landing on Mars, and the adventure on the red planet.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The Epcot roller coaster simulates futuristic landscapes inspired by the movie Guardians of the Galaxy. What's important about the ride, of course, is the fast train ride and all the adrenaline that comes with it. The changing theme is a bit less interesting.
