Park Overview
Epcot is really two totally different theme parks in one. There's Future World, which offers rides and attractions, each showcasing or demonstrating human progress in science and technology. And then there's the World Showcase, which is designed to examine the cultural achievements, food, artistic products, and classic architecture of eleven countries from around the world.
Guests of all ages, especially adults, will find Epcot to be educational and thought provoking. This theme park takes an extremely innovative and entertaining approach to teaching people about the world in which we live. Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes when you visit Epcot, because a considerable amount of walking is required.
There's an awful lot to see and do at Epcot. In order to see everything, plan on spending a minimum of two days visiting this park. Ideally, you'll want to spend one full day exploring Future World, and one day visiting the World Showcase pavilions. If you can't allocate this much time to visiting this park, choose a handful of attractions that are of interest to you from each area.
Looking at a map of Epcot, you'll discover that the park is laid out in the shape of an eight. The bottom loop comprises the attractions, shops, restaurants, and rides in Future World. The top loop comprises the World Showcase pavilions, which circle around the World Showcase Lagoon. For parents and educators, Epcot features two Discover Centers in Future World that offer educational resources and products.
FAST FACT
Did you know that EPCOT was an acronym for, Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow? Walt actually wanted to make it a community of people living with the highest technology, where guests would watch them fishbowl-style. As of January 1, 2006, it was deemed no longer an acronym.
Getting to Epcot
Just like The Magic Kingdom, Epcot is connected to the WDW monorail system, so you can reach this park via monorail by departing from the Ticket and Transportation Center or magic Kingdom. If you're staying at the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, or the Polynesian, take the monorail from the hotel to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then switch monorails and take the one that goes directly to Epcot's main entrance.
To reach Epcot's World Showcase entrance (a.k.a., “The International Gateway” entrance by France), take a short walk along a paved pathway from the Disney Yacht and Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, and BoardWalk hotels, or take a water taxi.
TRAVEL TIP
The World Showcase generally doesn't open until 11:00 A.M., so there's no sense in rushing to the back of the park unless you have made reservations for Norway's Princess character breakfast or an Epcot tour.
From all other WDW Resort hotels, you can take a WDW bus to Epcot's main entrance. If you're arriving at Epcot by car, you'll have to pay $9 per day to park, and then ride a tram to the entrance. Keep your parking ticket so that you can leave and re-enter the parking lot during a single day. Guests who are staying at any WDW Resort hotel and are already paying for parking at their hotel will receive free parking at any of Epcot's parking lots.
Admission to Epcot
Admission to Epcot requires a ticket. For details about the various ticket and pricing options for visiting Epcot and all of the theme parks within the WDW Resort, see Chapter 3.
Same-Day Re-entry
As you leave Epcot, be sure to have your hand stamped as you exit in order to be granted readmission into the park later that day or evening. In addition to the hand stamp, be sure to retain your ticket stub. The hand stamps are designed to be water-resistant, so don't worry if your hand gets wet if you choose to return to your hotel in the middle of the day to go swimming and then want to return to Epcot later that evening. Try to refrain, however, from scrubbing your hands clean with soap until your day's visit to the park is complete.
Hours of Operation
The hours Epcot is open vary throughout the year; however, during much of the year, the park is open from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., although there are exceptions. Future World is typically open from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., though the popular Spaceship Earth and Innoventions attractions remain open until 9:00 P.M. The World Showcase, on the other hand, typically opens daily at 11:00 A.M. and remains open until 9:00 P.M. During the summer or during a peak holiday period, Epcot's hours are extended. To obtain the exact park operating hours for the dates of your visit, call (407) 824-4321.
What to Bring
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes! Depending on the weather, you might want to take along a jacket (you can always store it in a locker). Try to avoid carrying too much stuff with you. You'll enjoy your visit more if your hands are as free as possible.
Don't forget to bring your camera, along with plenty of film and batteries. Avoid having to purchase high-priced film, batteries, or camera supplies in the park.
FAST FACT
Most of the things to see and do within Epcot are located inside. In fact, many of the attractions even allow you to wait in line indoors. You will, however, have to walk outside to go from attraction to attraction in Future World and from pavilion to pavilion in the World Showcase.
In case of rain, plan on getting a bit wet. Wear a raincoat or plan on purchasing an inexpensive Mickey Mouse poncho. Avoid bringing an umbrella into the park. You'll find it frustrating trying to walk around the crowded park with an open umbrella. For an up-to-the-minute weather report for the Orlando area, call (407) 824-4104.
Choose a Place to Meet
As soon as you arrive at either Future World or the World Showcase at Epcot, choose a place where you'll meet up with the other people in your group if you happen to get separated. Choose to meet on the half-hour or on the hour after being separated.
If you're traveling with children, upon arriving at Epcot, set some ground rules. Instruct your kids to stay close to you at all times. They should know that if they get lost, they should immediately contact any Disney cast member.
FAST FACT
Over the years guests have come up with their own humorous acronyms for Epcot; Every Person Comes Out Tired, Every Parent Carries Out a Toddler, and Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed. Cast members have their own as well; Experimental Polyester Costumes of Torture and Every Paycheck Comes Out Tiny.
There are several good meeting locations in Future World, such as in front of Spaceship Earth or in front of the fountain near Epcot's main entrance. While visiting the World Showcase, you can choose a meeting location in front of a particular pavilion, such as the American Adventure, which is located exactly halfway around World Showcase Lagoon (opposite Future World). Cell phones and walkie-talkie radios are goods sources of communication s well.
Guest Relations
Located near Spaceship Earth is the Epcot Guest Relations building. The Disney cast members here are exceptionally helpful and will answer any and all of your questions regarding what to see and do at Epcot or anywhere at the WDW Resort. You can also make dining reservations here, or borrow a special wireless translator device that will translate the audio portion of many attractions within Epcot into Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, German, or French.
