Epcot

If you think Epcot feels like two theme parks in one, you're right. It is.

After Uncle Walt's death, the Disney Imagineers struggled with Walt's ideas for the new them park. They had two competing models. They argued for a long time until on of them pushed the two models together and boom a really good theme park was born.

Epcot Center (as it was originally called) was designed to be an educational haven full of exhibits that would show the wonders of the world. And it did start out that way, and to some extent still is that way. But along the way, Disney found a way to make the education a little more fun.

Spaceship Earth at night. Photo by Jeff_B.

Future World

Future World looks at the future of the world. (Tell us something not so obvious. OK.) Each of the pavilions in Future World showcase a different technology that is prevalent in our world today. From The Seas, all the way around to Test Track, technology and innovation are on display.

Future World has evolved over the years from the slightly boring exhibits that Epcot Center started with. Now, with the addition of Soarin', Future World is one of Walt Disney World's premier vacation attractions.

Here's a little bit about each of the pavilions -

• The Seas - Joe Penniston

  The Seas, with Nemo and Friends - The Seas is a fascinating look at what is happening in the two-thirds of our planet that we take for granted. See divers going into the world largest aquarium. Eat at the Coral Reef Restaurant and watch the fish swim round and round.
• The Land - The Land is home to Epcot's newest ride, Soarin'. (Read Dad's Ode to Epcot Food Rocks) It's also home to the best place for a family to grab a bite to eat. Living the the Land is a boat ride through the future of agriculture. There's something here for everyone, including good food at Sunshine Season Food Fair.
• Journey into Imagination - This pavilion is due for an overhaul. It's the home to Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, Disney World's first interactive 3-D movie which has been replaced for a short time by Captain EO, the Michael Jackson thriller. Las but not least there is Journey into Imagination, with Figment.
• Innoventions Plaza - See and play with the latest gadgets for the home in the Innoventions East and West. You'll have to pull teenagers out of here. You can grab a quick bite at the Electric Umbrella Restaurant.
• Universe of Energy - This is the home of Ellen's Energy Adventure. See how fossil fuels are made. Starring Ellen Degeneres and Bill Nye, The Science Guy.
• The Wonders of Life - This seldom open pavilion is home to Body Wars and Cranium Command. Classic Disney attractions.
• Mission Space - Take a ride to Mars. This ride is the total package. A centrifuge creates up to 4 g's of pressure. It's very intense and not for the faint of heart.
• Test Track - GM shows how cars are tested. Take a ride, almost everyone comes back.
• Spaceship Earth - The big silver ball in the middle. See how communications developed through the years.

World Showcase

Epcot's World Showcase is Disney's tribute to the concept of a World's Fair. It has offerings from a number of different countries and cultures. Each of the countries is staffed by cast members from the country, which brings a real authenticity to the experience.

Each of the eleven pavilions have shopping, authentic cuisine, art and crafts. Stroll around, you never know what you'll find. Not every country has an attraction, but they all have great history represented.

Here are the countries and the attractions in each.

• Mexico Pavilion - The first pavilion Dad visits in the World Showcase
  • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros - a boat ride through the history and beauty of Mexico
• Norway Pavilion - The newest pavilion in Epcot
  • Maelstrom - a boat ride through Norway's history and future
• China Pavilion - See the Circle-Vision 360 presentaion of Reflections of China
• Germany Pavilion - High class shopping
• Italy Pavilion - Statues and food, interesting combination.
• The American Adventure- The host pavilion.
  • The American Adventure attraction
• The Voices of Liberty - The great preshow to the American Adventure experience.
• The Candlelight Processional - The crowning jewel of any Christmas celebration
• Japan Pavilion - Beauty and order and good food
• Morocco - See both the old city and the new city in this beautiful pavilion
• France - Great food and a good movie
  • Impressions de France - sit down CircleVision 200 movie
• United Kingdom - Gardens and grub
• Canada - O Canada is the featured film in this beautiful area.
  • O Canada - An Epcot Circle-Vision 360° movie

Eating and Drinking at Epcot

Everyone eats while on vacation, right. The World Showcase is one of the best places in all the world to eat. The World Showcase is home to some of Disney World's finest restaurants. The collection of restaurants here is by far the finest collection of restaurants that can be found in a theme park anywhere. From Le Cellier in Canada, to Chefs de France, around to the San Angel Inn in Mexico, Disney offers some of the finest cuisine available for hungry families on vacation.

Drinking around the world. This was Disney's first theme park to serve alcohol. And boy do they. Each year the International Food and Wine Festival draws people to the park all fall. Many of the restaurants have great wine lists filled with special imports. Please Drink Responsively.

Future World Restaurants

• Coral Reef Restaurant - Located in The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Sea Food is the specialty served at lunch and dinner.
• Sunshine Season - The food court in The Land Pavilion.
• The Electric Umbrella - Fast food in the middle of Future World

World Showcase Restaurants

• San Angel Inn - authentic Mexican Food
• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - Princess Storybook Character Meals
• Kringla Bakeri og Kafe - Sandwiches and pasteries
• Nine Dragons - Sit down Chinese restaurant
• Lotus Blossom Cafe - Chinese fast food
• Biergarten - German food at Octoberfest
• Liberty Inn - Fast food in America
• Teppan Edo - Food fixed at your table
• Chefs de France - top notched French food
• Rose and Crown Pub - good sounding food in an English pub
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop - Fish and Chips
• Le Cellier - The Steakhouse in Canada

Shopping

The World Showcase is a great place for shopping. Each country has great stores that carry merchandise native to the country. Future World is home to Mouse Gear the largest gift shop in any of the Theme Parks.

Special things

Epcot is home of lots of special celebrations and events. Daily events include shows by the Jammitors, Off Kilter, and of course the evening wouldn't be compete without a great fireworks show. Illumination: Reflections of Earth is shown nightly and is absolutely not to be missed.

Make sure you take time to see some of the little things. The Rose Garden in the United Kingdom pavilion is spectacular. Uncle Walt loved toy trains, and you can see a really interesting toy train exhibit between Germany and Italy.

Dad's Bottom Line

You won't want to the top thrill rides in Disney World in the Future World section, but you also should at least walk through each of the national pavilions. There is a awful lot to see and appreciate.

Dad's Disney World home page