By Edward Drummond
Spaceship Earth is the signature landmark of Epcot.
Epcot in
Orlando, Florida, has undergone a slow makeover since the late 1990s, turning what had been a somewhat sleepy park based on education and culture into one with some major thrills. Now, Mission: SPACE flings riders off to Mars; Test Track brings you through the paces of a new-car test and Soarin' gives you the exhilaration of hang-gliding over California. Meanwhile, World Showcase brings a little piece of 11 nations to Florida.
Wows and Woes
Wows
In addition to some great rides, Epcot offers some of the most diverse dining options of any theme park.
Woes:
A few places still feel badly dated, including Ellen's Energy Adventure and the film-based attractions in World Showcase.
Insider Tips
During peak travel times, Soarin' can have some of the longest lines of any ride in any Disney park, with every Fastpass distributed well before lunch. Arrive when the park opens and get a Fastpass, but wait in the standby line first if you're there early enough and the wait isn't too long. Then, get on a second time with your Fastpass. If you do it right, you'll get two rides for one short wait.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
A popular adult activity here is drinking around the world, and one night I tried this with some friends. We enjoyed an alcoholic beverage from each nation, including beer, margaritas, sake and a Grand Marnier slushy. After staggering out the "back" exit by France, we found Disney's only microbrewery over on the Boardwalk for a nightcap. It's one of the most unique drinking experiences I've ever had, but I'm not sure I'd do it again!
Bottom Line
Epcot has some great rides and some of the best walking in a theme park with the 11 nations of the World Showcase offering something completely different around every bend.
Resources
About the Author:
Edward Drummond has been writing for newspapers, magazines and the Web since 1992. He's been a first-hand witness to some of history's biggest events, and written about some of the world's most remote and unique places from Asia to Antarctica for publications around the world. Drummond has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and political science from SUNY New Paltz.
Photo Credits:
Edward Mazza
