Epcot

Dedication Plaque - October 1, 1982

To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome.

Epcot Center is inspired by Walt Disney's creative genius. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.

May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire. And, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.

History and Introduction

Disney called his dream the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, better known today as Epcot. Although it is most likely the lure of Mickey and Minnie that brings most visitors to Walt Disney World, many adults and quite a few children will tell you that Epcot is the memory they bring home from Florida. This theme park consists of two very distinct areas of exploration, Future World and World Showcase. In continuing with Epcot's mission, the theme park regularly hosts special events that are either scientific and/or educational.

From the moment you enter Epcot you are instantly transported into two unique worlds:

• Future World, a high-energy, high-tech land where guests interact with exhibits, experience internet zones, and visit a home of the future.
• World Showcase, a world of multi-cultural enchantment, featuring marketplaces bustling with international flavor and a dazzling display of countries that transports guests through the magical worlds of 11 nations with just a few steps.

Epcot includes an interesting range of special events and entertainment. However, one of the highlights of each visit is Illuminations. Each night you will be able to enjoy an extravaganza of lights, lasers, fireworks and classical music around the World Showcase Lagoon. The buildings in World Showcase are also part of the spectacle. This show is magnificent! Be sure not to miss it.

We're sure you're wondering, "All these things to see and do, just how big is this theme park anyway?" If you double the size of the Magic Kingdom you will have an idea of just how large Epcot really is. The World Showcase Lagoon is about 40 acres; the promenade that circles it is 1.3 miles in length. And yes, because of its size it's almost impossible to see it all in one day without skipping an attraction or two.

Getting Around

Epcot is unique among the four Disney theme parks in that it has two entrances. The main entrance, which will lead you directly to Spaceship Earth, is also convenient to Epcot's 162-acre parking area and the Epcot monorail station which runs between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom Transportation and Ticket Center. In 1990 a second entrance was added at the International Gateway in World Showcase, between the pavilions of the United Kingdom and France. Although this entrance is less used it provides park access to guests that may be staying at an Epcot resort hotel. Trams or little ferry boats run between the International Gateway and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin. Plus, the entrance is just a walk away from Disney's BoardWalk. You may also take the boat from Disney's Hollywood Studios.

One of the first things you should do upon entering the park is stop by Guest Relations to pick up an entertainment schedule. Every World Showcase pavilion is the site of authentic ethnic entertainment. You'll find musicians, acrobats, and dancers. You can watch street theater performers in the United Kingdom, and Matsuriza drumming in Japan. There's something to suit every interest. Also, many of the International pavilions around World Showcase celebrate holidays and festivals in a manner similar to the way they are celebrated at home on their national holidays. Events and activities will vary throughout the year, meaning there's always something new and different.

An In-Depth Tour of the Park:

• Map of Epcot
• Two Unique Worlds, The Pavilions
• Attractions
• Touring Tips
• Magictrips Community Discussion Forum

Transportation:
If you are arriving by car take exit 26B off I-4. Continue to the Epcot Auto Plaza and you have the option of taking the tram to the entrance.

WDW Transportation: From the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary resorts, take the hotel monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center, disembark and board the monorail to Epcot. From the Magic Kingdom, take the monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center and, again, disembark and take the direct Epcot monorail. From Downtown Disney & Fort Wilderness, buses to the Ticket & Transportation Center, then switch to the monorail to Epcot. From Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and all other Disney resorts, including the Hotel Plaza Boulevard resorts, take WDW transportation buses directly to Epcot.

There is a second entrance to Epcot called The International Gateway that provides direct entry into World Showcase. This entrance can be reached via ferry from Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Swan & Dolphin, BoardWalk, and the Yacht & Beach Club resorts. In addition, you may also purchase theme park tickets at the Gateway.

Once inside Epcot don't forget to take advantage of the FriendShip water taxis, they escort guests across the World Showcase Lagoon. The docks are located near Mexico, Canada, Morocco and Germany.

Credit Cards & Money Matters:
American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card, Diner's Club, JCB Card, Disney Visa and Disney Credit Card are accepted at all locations, as well as Traveler's Checks, Cash, and Disney Dollars. ATM machines are located near the main entrance on the pathway between Future World and World Showcase and also in Germany.

Fun Facts:

• If Spaceship Earth were a golf ball, the person playing golf with it would have to be approximately 1.2 miles tall to be in proper scale.
  
• The Living Seas holds approximately 6 million gallons of water making it the world's sixth largest "ocean". It is the largest man-made salt water environment in the world.
  
• The 75 foot tower that stands in front of the Wonders Of Life pavilion is an artistic representation of a DNA molecule. A human who would accommodate a 75 ft. DNA molecule would stand millions of miles high.
  
• The traveling theatre cars in the Universe Of Energy pavilion are electronically guided along by a buried wire that is only 1/8 of an inch thick.
  
• In the Canada pavilion, the Victoria Gardens were inspired by Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. In honor of the country's national symbol, maple trees are planted.
  
• The crests of the UK's 4 major schools, namely, Oxford, Eton, Edinburgh and Cambridge can be seen in the upstairs window of The Queen's Table.
  
• The park bordering the canal along the right side of the France pavilion was inspired by the famous painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by post Impressionist artist Georges Seurat.
  
• The prayer tower at the entrance of the Morocco pavilion is a detailed replica of the Katoubia Minaret, which presently stands in Marrakesh.
  
• In Japan, the red Torji or "Gate Of Honor" that stands at the entrance is a popular good-luck symbol.
  
• A Showcase fact from the American Adventure pavilion explains that the architecture combines elements from classic English Georgian style buildings such as Independence Hall in Pennsylvania; the Old State House in Boston; Thomas Jefferson's home, "Monticello", and various structures in Colonial Williamsburg.
  
• The statues on the Doge's Palace in Italy are hollow and are held in place by steel rods which run through the base into the statues themselves.
  
• The three-tiered, circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one half scale reproduction of it's counterpart inside the Temple of Heaven complex near Beijing in the China pavilion.
  
• Stave Churches, one of which is represented in the Norway showcase, that once numbered in the hundreds in Norway, sadly, now number just 30.
  
• The Mexican pavilion's pyramid is modeled after the Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the God of life) at Teotihuacan, Mexico.
  

Additional Tidbits:

Ice Station Cool
A fantastic way to beat the heat of the summer months is to visit Ice Station Cool. Located near Innoventions, inside you will travel through an ice tunnel that is cooled to an icy 32 degrees. Watch out for the real snow! At the end of the tunnel you will come out into Coca-Cola's Internations Tasting Station. Here you may sample eight different soft drinks from around the globe and also purchase Coke themed merchandise.

Dolphins in Depth
A 3-1/2 hour program that will instruct guests on how to interact with Dolphins and their behavior. You will observe trainers working with the Dolphins and researchers. Additional fee for this program and park admission is not required or included with the charge. You will need to wear your own bathing suit, and wetsuits are provided.

Epcot DiveQuest
A 3-hour program that includes an underwater dive adventure complete with turtles, rays, sharks and other fish in the Living Seas aquarium! You hare guided by a Living Seas specialist for a 20-minute dive, followed by a 20-minute free dive. There is also a presentation on marine research. All divers must show proof of scuba certification and sign a waiver. You are provided with lockers for showering and changing and all dive gear. Admission to Epcot is not required and there is an additional fee for this program. For reservations and charges please call: 407-939-8687.

Gardens of the World Tour
Hosted by a horticulturist, this 3-hour program will guide guests through a study of trees, plants and flowers around World Showcase. Tour is normally offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the Flower & Garden Festival from 9 a.m. to noon, for ages 16 and older. Park admission is required.

Behind the Seeds Tour
A one hour walking tour of the Land's greenhouses and labs. You may sign up at the Green Thumb Emporium located on the lower level. There is a limited amount of spaces for this particular tour and you can also call: 407-939-8687 for more information.

The Undiscovered Future World Tour
A 4-hour tour where guests are taken back to learn about the beginnings of Epcot and also about Walt Disney's legacy & his proud ambitions. Park admission is required and not included in the price of the tour. Guests must also be at least 16 yrs. old to join in this walking tour.

Additional Epcot Pages:

• International Food & Wine Festival
• Leave A Legacy
• Living With the Land
• Mission: Space
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track

Last Updated: May 9, 2009