Epcot, Two Unique Worlds, The Pavilions

From the moment you enter Epcot you are instantly transported into two very unique worlds. Future World is a high-energy, high-tech land where guests interact with exhibits, experience internet zones, and visit a home of the future. Beyond that you'll find World Showcase to be 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. Below is a separation of the two worlds, with a listing of the pavilions to be found in each one.

Future World:
The future is now! Future World examines the newest and most intriguing ideas in both science and technology: the ocean, agriculture, imagination, transportation, health, energy, and communication. Guests are taken to new dimensions with high-energy passports to excitement.

• Spaceship Earth, presented by Siemens, is Future World's landmark adventure. Dramatic scenes in the attraction and its post show depict life in the 21st century's Global Neighborhood. With narration by actress Dame Judi Dench and an impressive musical score, guests experience a time-travel journey from the beginning of time to the electronic age. (1982)

• The Land features the motion picture "Circle of Life," an environmental fable starring several characters from "The Lion King"; Living With the Land boat ride through greenhouses of the future; and the newest addition Soarin', which takes you for ahang-gliding flight over the Golden State of California. (1982)

• Imagination!, presented by Kodak, includes Journey Into Imagination with Figment, a newly updated attraction featuring the playful purple dragon demonstrating the power of imagination; ImageWorks-The Kodak "What If?" Labs; and the 3-D sensation "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience." (1982)

• Universe of Energy, "Ellen's Energy Adventure" features Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Lee Curtis and Bill Nye the Science Guy. DeGeneres plays a woman who dreams she's on the popular game show "Jeopardy!" -- only to discover that all of the categories deal with one thing she knows nothing about -- energy. As part of the show, guests venture into a re-creation of the primeval world complete with moving, roaring, life-size dinosaurs. (1982)

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends includes a ride through a Caribbean coral reef filled with colorful marine life. And your kids can have a one-on-one conversation with Crush, the talking turtle from Disney·Pixar's "Finding Nemo". (1986)

• Innoventions, a dazzling showcase where guests can be among the first to experience the technologies of today that will shape their lives tomorrow. (1994)

• Test Track, presented by General Motors, invites guests to buckle up and brace themselves for the longest and fastest ride ever in Vacation Kingdom history. (1999)

• Mission: SPACE presented by HP, the newest attraction at Epcot offers guests a one-of-a-kind simulated space adventure -- from heart-pounding liftoff to the weightlessness of outer space. (2003)

World Showcase:
Discover your world across World Showcase Lagoon where you'll find 11 nations displaying authentic wares, ethnic cuisine, shows, entertainment and architecture representing their cultures. World Showcase ambassadors come from across the globe to represent their homelands. As part of the show, holidays and festivals are commemorated by the ambassadors in ways they would be celebrated "back home," allowing Epcot guests to join in these international celebrations. Even the landscaping changes from country to country around the 1.3-mile promenade. Clockwise around the promenade:

• Mexico, with an authentic marketplace, lively Mariachi bands and a boat ride through Mexican history. (1982)

• Norway, where guests embark on a voyage through time beginning in a 10th century Viking village. (1986)

• China, with unique live entertainment and a Circle-Vision 360° film that showcases past and present China and takes guests to seven cities around the country. (1982)

• Germany transports guests with authentic surroundings inspired by towns along the Rhine and in Bavaria. (1982)

• Italy, romance and beauty featured in a reproduction Doge's Palace of Venice. (1982)

• The American Adventure showcases important moments in U.S. history. (1982)

• Japan, featuring spectacular gardens and outdoor entertainment. (1982)

• Morocco, where 19 Moroccan artisans spent months re-creating the intricate, colorful tile masterpieces of this North African country. (1984)

• France, the setting for fresh bakeries, beautiful shops and gardens, artists and an enchanting film tour through its cities and countryside. (1982)

• United Kingdom, with lovely flower gardens, cobbled streets and corner pub. (1982)

• Canada, with entertainment by a bagpipe band and a Circle-Vision 360 film through some of Canada's most picturesque regions. (1982)

Every World Showcase pavilion is the site of authentic ethnic entertainment; from street theater performers in the United Kingdom to Matsuriza drumming in Japan. If it's music you like, make it a point to see The British Invasion in the United Kingdom, and Off Kilter in the Canadian pavilion. 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.

Every May the park explodes with color as millions of flowers are in full bloom for Epcot's International Flower & Garden show. During this month-long celebration you'll find special topiary and themed gardens, music series, lectures, tours and demonstrations. If you enjoy gardening, you should try to vacation here at least once during this showing. The park is absolutely breathtaking this time of year!

Each fall the World Showcase becomes a menu of authentic tastes at the International Food and Wine Festival. More than 30 nations are represented in an outdoor festival around World Showcase Lagoon, complete with exotic cuisine, international entertainment and cooking demonstrations. We were able to attend this for the first time in 1998.

The customs and cuisine of winter holiday celebrations worldwide take center stage in December. Students from 11 Epcot World Showcase countries share their traditions of the season along with special holiday storytellers. The celebration also includes nightly lighting of the 30,000 Lights of Winter display plus special holiday performances of the "IllumiNations" light, laser and fireworks spectacular. To date a special "Holiday IllumiNations" has been presented every winter holiday season. In continuing Epcot's mission, the theme park regularly hosts special events of the scientific and education communities.

Last Updated: May 17, 2009