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Epcot Guide
Epcot Guide

Epcot Guide

The Epcot is 1 of 4 theme parks in Disney World Florida, and the third most-visited theme park in the USA!

Even if you’ve never been to Disney World, you’ll definitely recognise its mascot – Spaceship Earth – which very much resembles a giant golf ball!

What does EPCOT stand for?

EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

This theme park was based on an idealistic, utopian vision of the future envisioned by Walt Disney himself.

Want to know what to expect from Epcot – here’s a short video for you!

Epcot Overview

Epcot is divided into 2 lands – Future World & World Showcase

Future World

Future World is the place where ideas become reality!

Everything in Future World is focused on innovation and technological advancements. Get ready to explore pavilions featuring inspiring entertainment, sensational attractions and shows.

Future World
Morocco

World Showcase

Epcot World Showcase pavilions are based on 11 countries from around the world, with restaurants, shops, live entertainment and attractions which represent the culture of each country.

The 11 countries featured at World Showcase are:

  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • China
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • Norway
  • United States
  • Japan
  • Morocco

Future World Rides & Attractions

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

This 16-minute ride takes you on a journey back over 40,000 years to see the landmark moments that made some of today’s amazing technology possible! From the Stone Age to the computer age, you can see how early man painted his thoughts on cave walls, and the Phoenicians devised the alphabet, right up to the televised broadcast of the moon landing and beyond.
Fun Fact

The Spaceship Earth ride is narrated by none other than Dame Judi Dench!

Ride Type: Slow Ride

FASTPASS+ Available

Min Height: None!

Mission: SPACE

Mission: SPACE

Ever daydreamed about being an astronaut? This shuttle simulator is your chance to experience authentic NASA-style training and even a space launch.

Assemble your 4-cadet crew and get ready for a mission – dodge meteors, navigate nebulae and slingshot around the moon. Each member is key – your crew is counting on you!

Top Tip

You can pick intensity level on Mission: SPACE, so if you are prone to motion sickness, choose the Green Team – it’s less intense but still thoroughly exhilarating!

Ride Type: Thrill Ride

FASTPASS+ Available

Min Height: 40”/3ft4”/1.02m

Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot

Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot

Head for this brightly-coloured cartoon clubhouse of the future for the chance to meet & greet your favourite Disney characters!

Take photos with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck and the rest of the gang. You get lots of hugs too!

Epcot Character Spot is open throughout the day, with various characters appearing at set times. Ask at the Epcot Guest Relations for details.

Ride Type: Kid-friendly

FASTPASS+ Available

Min Height: None!

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Splash Mountain

Nemo has gone missing again! Can you help Marlin and Dory find him?

Jump on board the “clamobile” and get ready to descend below the waves into Nemo’s Big Blue World. Meet some real fish when the “Finding Nemo” characters join real, live sea creatures in the gigantic aquarium.

Learn as you explore – there’re lots of hands-on activities to teach smaller children about marine biology, shark safety & more!

Ride Type: Kid-friendly, Slow Ride

FASTPASS+ Available

Min Height: None!

Soarin'

Soarin'

Get Soarin’ Around the World! Delight in breath-taking views as you discover the sensation of hang gliding 40 feet in the air, thanks to a state-of-the-art 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX projection dome.

Fly over stunning landmarks around the globe – from the Great Wall of China, to the Iguazu Falls in South America, to Australia’s Sydney Harbour.

Ride Type: Slow Ride

FASTPASS+ Available

Min Height: 40”/3ft 42/1.02m

Test Track

Test Track

Almost a mile long, reaching speed of 65 mph Chevrolet’s Test Track is the perfect ride for car lovers.

Design your own virtual concept vehicle, strap up in a 6-passenger “simulation car” and put your creation to the test!

Facing inclement weather, 50-degree hug curves and 3-stories high scale hills, you’re up for a truly adrenaline-filled ride.

Ride Type: Thrill Ride

FASTPASS+ Available

Min Height: 40”/3ft4”/1.02m

World Showcase Shows & Attractions

Live Entertainment at World Showcase

The Epcot live shows are usually around 20 minutes long. Some of our favourite shows at World Showcase include:

Mariachi Cobre

  Mexico

Everyone loves a mariachi band! Make sure you pass through the Mexico Pavilion to see this one perform the traditional folk music of Jalisco, Mexico.

Matsuriza

  Japan

Feel the thunder of Taiko, a time-honoured style of drumming, performed with synchronized movements by an entertaining percussive troupe.

Jeweled Dragon Acrobats

  China

These guys are simply amazing – an energetic acrobatic troupe from China whose performances will leave you speechless at their strength, agility and balance.

Mexico
Snow White in Germany

Character Meet & Greets at Epcot World Showcase*

In the different pavilions around World Showcase you can meet lots of Disney characters for photos, autographs and hugs! Just some of the characters you might see include:

  • Frozen’s Anna & Elsa in Norway
  • Princess Aurora in France
  • Snow White in Germany
  • Winnie the Pooh & friends in the UK
  • Mulan in China
  • Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco
  • Alice in Wonderland in the UK
  • Belle in France
  • Mary Poppins in the UK
  • Donald Duck in Mexico

 

*Characters may change seasonally, so you may not be guaranteed to meet a certain character at a certain place.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

You can use your Disney Genie for the Epcot Fireworks!

The Epcot Fireworks are legendary, and are a definite can’t miss when you’re here, so make sure you stick around to catch them at around 9-9.30pm (depending on the season)! This incredible fireworks display celebrates the past, present and future of Earth with three parts to the show:
  • Part One: The Earth Is Born – Flames and fireworks erupting from the lagoon as Earth’s fiery birth begins
  • Part Two: The Triumph of Life – See the history of humanity and our achievements come to life on the illuminated surface of the globe
  • Part Three: Hope for the Future – Comets of light fill in the sky with glorious bursts of white light

 Fun Fact

The Epcot Fireworks show is narrated by Jim Cummings—the voice of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and other Disney characters!

 Top Tip

You can view the fireworks show anywhere throughout Epcot that has a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon
Illuminations

Epcot Restaurants

Here are some of the places we like to eat in when we go to Epcot!

Themed Dining

Coral Reef Restaurant

Future World

Dine surrounded by beautiful sea creatures – see sharks, turtles, rays & fish through the panoramic windows of Epcot’s aquarium.

Identify the marine life with the help of your souvenir Fish Guide while you wait for your next course!

American, Seafood Cuisine

Themed Dining

$$

Character Dining

The Garden Grill

Future World

Meet some of your favourite Disney characters while you feast on all-you-can-eat family-style fare!

This rotating restaurant has fabulous views of Epcot’s “Living with the Land” attraction, with scenes like the rainforest, farmhouse, thunderstorm, sandstorm & prairie.

American Cuisine

Character Dining

$$-$$$

Fast Food

Joy of Tea

World Showcase

Tea is one of the world’s most popular drinks, and the Chinese definitely know how to make a simple cup of tea into a special occasion!

Choose from the various aromatic flavours – from delicate and refined to bold and strong

Chinese Cuisine

Fast Food

$

Themed Dining

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room

World Showcase

Have a taste of home in a traditional British pub setting.

Enjoy the view from the patio as you tuck into pub classics such as cottage pie and fish & chips.

Popular venue –  reservations recommended!

British  Cuisine

Themed Dining

$$

Themed Dining

Biergarten Restaurant

World Showcase

Taste authentic German cuisine in the atmosphere of a lively Bavarian village and celebrate Oktoberfest all year round!

The buffet filled with bratwurst, schnitzel and other delicious German classics will keep you coming back for more.

German Cuisine

Themed Dining

$$-$$$

Desserts

Gelati

World Showcase

Make a stop at this fabulous gelato parlour & try some of the finest Italian ice-cream in the world!

Have your gelato the way you like it – in a cono, a coppetta or sandwiched between 2 chocolate chip cookies.

Italian Cuisine

Desserts

$

Fast Food

Lotus Blossom Café

World Showcase

Chow down on Chinese favourites like egg rolls, orange chicken, shrimp fried rice & noodle soup!

Then take your taste buds on a trip with ginger ice cream and wash it all down with some delicious plum wine!

 

Asian Cuisine

Fast Food

$

Themed Dining

Tokyo Dining

World Showcase

Experience the vibrant feel of modern Tokyo!

Watch talented sushi chefs prepare their culinary works of art & discover the taste of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Popular venue – reservations recommended!

Asian, Japanese Cuisine

Themed Dining

$$

Dietary Requirements & Healthy Options

Most of the restaurants at Epcot are able to cater for special dietary requirements, food allergies and intolerances, as well as healthier meal options.

Just ask to speak with the chef about your needs when you arrive at the restaurant!

Healthier Meal Options
Food & Wine Festival

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival*

This annual festival takes place every autumn at Epcot.

You can look forward to sampling all kinds of unique, exotic, new and traditional foods from around the globe – as well as some of the finest wine country offerings!

*Some of the experiences may require a separate entry fee.

Epcot Facts

Epcot Opening Hours

Opens: 9am

Closes: 9pm

Opening times may vary depending on time of the year. If you need to know times for a specific date, we recommend checking with the park just before you visit.

Epcot Parking

Epcot has a huge paid parking area, from which you can walk to the Disney parks or take a tram right to the park entrance.

Parking Prices:

Car or Motorcycle

$20

Preferred Parking

$40

Other Vehicles

$22

 Parking Tip 1

Once you’ve paid for parking at one Walt Disney World park, you can park at any of the other parks for free that day.

Staying at a Disney hotel?

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can park at Epcot park for free. Just make sure you have a valid Key to the World Card or Resort Parking Permit.

 Parking Tip 2

The car parks at Disney World are BIG! Make sure you don’t lose your car by writing your row and lot number on something that won’t run if it gets wet.

If you do forget where you’ve parked, find a car park tram driver and let them know the approximate time you arrived – they should be able to direct you to the right area.

Directions to Epcot

  • The Disney World Resort is in southwest Orlando, west of Florida’s Turnpike off Interstate 4.
  • For Epcot, take Exit 64 from Interstate 4.

Address: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

What can I bring into Epcot?

Food items, such as snacks or food that does not require heating, are allowed to be brought into the Disney World parks. However you must let a Security Cast Member know if you are bringing in any food items when you enter the park.

Alcohol is not allowed to be brought into the Disney parks.

What to wear at Epcot

Casual and comfortable clothes are a must for a day at the Disney parks, as are good walking shoes – you want to have fun, not worry about sore feet!

Rain showers are common in the afternoons, so you may want to bring a waterproof jacket or poncho just in case.

Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times inside the Disney parks.

What am I NOT allowed to wear at Epcot?

  • Adult costumes or clothing that could be viewed as representative of an actual Disney character
  • Masks
  • Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
  • Excessively torn clothing
  • Revealing clothing that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
  • Objectionable tattoos

Looking for Epcot Tickets?

Our Walt Disney World tickets include admission to all the Disney World parks, including Epcot!

Normal opening times:

Mon – Fri: 10am – 4pm
Sat, Sun: Closed