EPCOT Theme Park Guide – Walt Disney World

EPCOT, Walt Disney World’s second-oldest theme park and “a showcase to the world of the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise.”

After more than 40 years, EPCOT park is still a celebration of human achievement brought together in Future World and World Showcase, and the 4th-most popular theme park in the world.

Even though its vision has changed since the park’s opening, it continues to entertain in ways other theme parks can’t. There is something so comforting and majestic about watching Spaceship Earth from across the lagoon, and we still love strolling around World Showcase, through all 11 unique countries.

In this post, we’ll share with you everything there is to know about EPCOT in Disney World, including all the attractions, restaurants, shows, characters, and what you need to prepare for your visit.

Even though EPCOT has changed immensely in the last few years, it’s still well worth a visit during your trip and shouldn’t be skipped. Rides like Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, and Spaceship Earth are musts.

Not to mention all the time you’ll want to spend in all the amazing countries like Japan, France, Germany, and Mexico.

We’ll share with you the history of the EPCOT theme park at Walt Disney World, help you get tickets, parking and let you discover all the different pavilions in Future World and World Showcase.

Before we get started make sure to read these other useful resources we’ve put together on EPCOT to help you plan your visit:

• Best EPCOT Rides & Attractions
• Visiting EPCOT After Reopening (What’s Changed?)

Before we get started, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. There we bring you the latest updates on all the newest EPCOT additions as well as vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

Overview

• Location: Walt Disney World, Bay Lake, Florida, United States
• Opened: October 1, 1982
• Future World Pavilions: 9
• World Showcase Countries: 11
• Attractions: 21
• Restaurants: 42
• Status: Operating
• Operated By: Walt Disney World Resort
• Park Capacity: 110,000

What is EPCOT?

EPCOT is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake near Orlando, Florida, USA. It was the second theme park built at the resort and is themed after human achievement through technological innovation and international culture.

Disney’s EPOCT Center opened on October 1, 1982. It has a unique design and is actually 2 theme parks built into one with two completely separate areas, each with smaller subareas called pavilions.

The two themed areas are called Future World and World Showcase (though Future World will soon be split into 3 separate areas). EPCOT has 20 different pavilions with over 20 different attractions, 51 restaurants, and numerous shops and entertainment options.

Originally, EPCOT was planned by Walt Disney himself to be a prototype of a utopian city of the future. This city would be on the cutting edge of American enterprise and have an urban city center, schools, residential areas, and more.

Walt’s concept of EPCOT however was abandoned after his death in 1966, and the project developed into a second theme park at Walt Disney World to go along with the Magic Kingdom.

Where is EPCOT Located?

EPCOT is one of the 4 theme parks at The Walt Disney World Resort. Some people get confused about the parks, but it is not Disney World itself, but part of the larger resort.

When looking at a map of Walt Disney World, EPCOT is almost in the exact middle of the property. The official EPCOT address is: 1200 Epcot Resort Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

To the East of EPCOT is the Disney Springs area. To the North, Disney’s Magic Kingdom. To the West are the EPCOT-area hotels. And to the South is Hollywood Studios and nearby Disney World Resort Hotels.

What does Epcot Stand for?

The acronym EPCOT stands for “Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow,” and is the name Walt Disney gave to his utopian city of the future.

When the park opened in 1982, its official name was “EPCOT Center.” That name continued until 1994 when “Center” was dropped from the title and it became just “Epcot.”

You also may have noticed the name Epcot is sometimes capitalized and sometimes not. From 1994 to 2019 it was written as “Epcot.” Then ahead of the major changes coming to the park, Disney announced it would now be written in all caps as “EPCOT.”

EPCOT Logo

EPCOT had been using the same logo as its symbol for 23 years until Disney recently shared the new logo for the park, as well as new logos for the various pavilions.

Here is the current official EPCOT park logo:

The font is identical to the original EPCOT Center logo, just without the word “Center” included.

Here is the old EPCOT logo that was in use from 1996 – 2019:

We also mentioned that there are new individual logos for each pavilion throughout the park:

The logos all have an old-school look and feel, and we absolutely LOVE them! They bring us back to the original EPCOT.

What is EPCOT known for?

All Walt Disney World theme parks are known for something. When you think of the Magic Kingdom you think of characters and fantasy. Hollywood Studios, movies, and the film industry. Animal Kingdom is obviously themed around nature and animals.

What about EPCOT? What is it known for?

EPCOT was created around the idea of human achievement and ingenuity, science, and technology. While those messages are not emphasized nearly as much as they were in years past, they are still woven into the park’s attractions.

Of course, when you think of EPCOT you think of Spaceship Earth, the iconic geodesic sphere located at the front of World Celebration (the former Future World). EPCOT is also known for the 11 countries around World Showcase Lagoon with their themed dining and shopping areas.

In recent years, EPCOT has become the “Festival Park” in Disney World. There are 4 seasonal festivals in the park which last for 9 months out of the year. These festivals attract foodies and many locals who come to EPCOT as the “weekend hang-out spot.”

Is EPCOT Closing?

No thankfully! Many have wondered that with the recent construction throughout the park, but we are glad to report that the answer is no. EPCOT remained opened throughout the construction phases with parts of the park walled off in areas before its completion at the end of 2023.

Buying Tickets

The first thing you need to do to go to EPCOT is buy park tickets. That requires figuring out how many days to go for.

At this time, we recommend visiting EPCOT for one day during your trip. With the recent construction finishing, EPCOT is absolutely worth AT least one day if not more.

While it somewhat depends on what type of group is visiting, one day is usually enough if you have kids, who will see all the interesting attractions in half a day.

If you are only with adults, and you like food festivals, and taking in some of the sites and cultural attractions the park has to offer, then you might want to consider visiting EPCOT for two days.

You might want to consider purchasing a Park Hopper Ticket which allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. That could come in handy with EPCOT if you are staying at one of the nearby hotels.

We love to go to a different park or stay at the pool during the day, then head to EPCOT for dinner, and we do this multiple times each trip.

Both Single and Multi-Day tickets are available to purchase dates for 2025. Tickets are available right now through until the end of 2025.

Disney World park tickets use dynamic pricing which means the cost changes depending on the date you go. If you want to save money, go in the off-season when ticket prices are cheaper. The closer you go to a holiday, the higher ticket prices will be.

The best place to buy tickets is a trusted reseller or the official Disney World website. Be careful when buying third-party tickets to EPCOT. Some resellers even offer discount tickets that cannot be used. Our Discount Disney World Tickets Guide explains what to look for and how much you can save.

Our favorite place to get discounted tickets is Orlando Vacation.  Readers of this site will find they usually have the best deals and will save you the most money, which is never a bad thing! We also highly recommend Undercover Tourist for discounted tickets.

For more info on Disney tickets in general, ticket types, prices, and tips read our Disney World Tickets Guide.

How Much Does EPCOT Cost?

EPCOT is a wonderful place to visit, but like all Disney Parks, it isn’t cheap.

Ticket prices vary depending on the exact day you want to visit. 1-Day Disney World theme park tickets range from $129 to $184 per day, depending on when you go.

Tickets aren’t your only cost when visiting EPCOT however. You also have to consider food, shopping, and parking costs.

Food costs vary greatly based on how much you eat and if you prefer sit-down meals or counter service. Prices for food in EPCOT can range anywhere from $40 to $100 or more per person per day.

If you have a car, standard parking is $30 per car or motorcycle.

If you are going to EPCOT for the whole day, you should easily plan on spending $180 to $250 per person.

Read our post on How Much Does it Cost to Visit Disney World? It will break down all the expenses you might have during your vacation and is great for budgeting.

Park Pass Reservations

While Theme Park Reservations are still required for SOME ticket types, they are no longer required for most guests! What is the Park Pass Reservation System?

The Disney Park Pass Reservation System was implemented back in 2020 due to the health restrictions and helped Disney manage the crowds and kept them from exceeding the capacity limits.

Park reservations can still be made on the Disney World website, but again, you’ll need to have a valid park admission before making a park reservation. Remember, you ONLY need to do this with certain ticket types.

Read our post on How to Make Disney World Park Reservations for a detailed walkthrough of how the system works.

Park Hours

EPCOT park hours are usually very steady and don’t change that much throughout the year. However, during special events, holidays, or when Extra Evening Hours are running hours can fluctuate some.

Again, knowing if these events are happening is crucial to planning your day.

Normal Schedule – On most days, EPCOT opens at 9:00 am and often closes at 9:00 pm. Occasionally it has earlier openings at 8:30 am and later closings at 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm depending on the season.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery have different hours than World Showcase, and they aren’t all always open at the same time. Here is a typical schedule:

• World Celebration/World Nature/World Discovery Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
• World Showcase Hours: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

Even though World Showcase doesn’t officially open until 11:00 am most days, some parts of it are open at 9:00 am such as Frozen Ever After in Norway as well as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in France.

Holidays and Busy Days – EPCOT times can vary during the holidays and the busy season. At this time, EPCOT usually closes at 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm.

Extended Evening Hours – EPCOT seasonally runs Extended Evening Hours on certain evenings for 2 hours after the normal park closing. If EPCOT closes at 9:00 pm, that means it stays open until 11:00 pm on the nights Extended Evening Hours is running.

Early Theme Park Entry – This lets guests who are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel gain access to the theme parks 30 minutes before the general public each day. This is the case for all 4 Disney World theme parks, 7 days a week.

Special Events – Hours also vary when EPCOT is running a Disney After Hours event or another special event.

This is only a quick overview of the various opening and closing times. For more detailed info, read our EPCOT Park Hours Guide.

Check the official Walt Disney World park schedule for the latest EPCOT Hours.

Future World Renaming

The front half of EPCOT used to be called Future World and it covered the park’s main entrance and the rest which was divided into 2 areas: Future World East and Future World West.

After decades with the same name, EPCOT’s Future World has been split into 3 separately themed neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery, completely eliminating the Future World name.

The overall theme of the area remains the same. It was always about science, technology, and human achievement, which are separated and explored through its various pavilions. Each pavilion has a distinct architectural style and design.

The attractions in the front half of the park are themed to the ocean, the land, space, transportation, imagination, communication, energy, and the environment.

Let’s take a brief look at each one…

World Celebration

This is the first part of the park you walk into when you enter the park. It includes the EPCOT entrance, Spaceship Earth, and the former location of the Innoventions buildings.

It houses various stores and dining locations and will be the home to the new EPCOT festival center. Disney was planning a 3-story festival center called “Dreamer’s Point,” but it is now building a much similar area than originally planned.

World Celebration is the area that includes Spaceship Earth and the area behind including the old Innoventions buildings and working towards World Showcase.

• Spaceship Earth – Located at the front of the park, this 180-foot geodesic sphere is the symbol of EPCOT. It also houses a classic dark ride attraction that takes people through the history of human communication.
• Club Cool – This popular spot in EPCOT allows you to taste test soda from around the world, and it’s entirely free.
• Creations Shop – This EPCOT shop is a new center for merchandise in the park and the largest store with the most selection.
• CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza – Here is where you will find all things related to the various EPCOT festivals. This area was opened back in June 2024, and with the budget being cut significantly, therefore being somewhat of a watered-down version of the original plans.
• Dreamer’s Point – This is behind Spaceship Earth and heading up through the middle of World Celebration. It is home to lush greenery, and a new statue of Walt Disney himself.

World Nature

The former location of Future World West. Disney says this area will be about “understanding and preserving the beauty, awe, and balance of the natural world.”

• Imagination! – A fun look at one of the more underrated senses, imagination. Here you’ll find Journey Into Imagination with Figment and the Disney & Pixar Short Films Festival.
• The Land – Focuses on the study of agriculture, ecology, and humans’ interaction with the planet Earth. It’s home to 3 attractions: Soarin’ Around the World, Living with the Land, and Awesome Planet.
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends – Originally called “The Living Seas,” this pavilion focuses on ocean life and exploration. It features a Nemo-themed omnimover ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, and one of the largest saltwater tanks in the world.
• Journey of Water – The first Moana-based attraction in a Disney park. This is a walkthrough experience with fountains and springs, where guests are able to interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

World Discovery

The former location of Future World East. According to Disney, it will be an area with “stories about spaces, science, technology, and intergalactic adventure comes to life.”

Test Track, Mission: Space, the Play! Pavilion, and the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster are all located here.

• Test Track (Currently Closed) – The former location of the World of Motion pavilion and current home to the thrilling high-speed car ride Test Track. It also includes an exhibit for General Motors in the post-ride area. Sadly, Test Track is currently closed until sometime in 2025 while it undergoes its 2nd major renovation project and will shortly become the 3rd iteration of the Test Track, or as some are calling it Test Track 3.0.
• Mission: SPACE – The former home of Horizons, this pavilion focuses on space exploration. The motion simulator attraction Mission: Space is located here, as well as a space-themed restaurant.
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – This indoor roller coaster has taken over the old Universe of Energy pavilion.
• Space 220 – Located next to Mission: SPACE, this is literally a restaurant that gives guests the opportunity to see what it’s like to dine in space.
• Wonders of Life (changing into Play! Pavilion?) – This pavilion has been mostly closed for years now and is only used as an EPCOT Festival Center. It was announced to be transforming into the Play! pavilion, a new interactive area with attractions and activities. And while this was supposed to be finished already, Disney has NOT announced whether this project is on hold or completely canceled.
• The Odyssey Events Pavilion – The Odyssey pavilion has served many purposes through the years and is usually the home of an EPCOT festival marketplace.

World Showcase

World Showcase is the other half of EPCOT and consists of 11 countries, each uniquely-themed to represent that specific country. Think of it as a sort of permanent world’s fair that’s always on display.

The 11 pavilions are located around the large man-made World Showcase Lagoon and are connected by a large walkway called World Showcase Promenade. The entire perimeter of World Showcase Lagoon is 1.2 miles (1.8 km) long.

List of World Showcase countries in order (Clockwise from Future World):

• Mexico
• Norway
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• American Adventure
• Japan
• Morocco
• France
• U.K.
• Canada

Each of the 11 countries in World Showcase contains attractions, restaurants, and shops specific to that country and represents that country’s culture and cuisine.

To make things more realistic, Disney hires citizens of those countries to work inside that pavilion, giving it a truly authentic look and feel.

For a more in-depth look, read our full guide to EPCOT World Showcase Countries.

Rides & Attractions

With 22 attractions, EPCOT doesn’t have the most rides in Walt Disney World, but there are definitely some rides you do not want to skip. Most of the best rides are located at the front of the park in Future World, and you’ll definitely spend a good amount of time riding Test Track, Soarin’, and Spaceship Earth.

Known more for its dining and shops than for traditional rides, World Showcase still has a lot to offer guests. While most of the attractions are geared toward adults, Disney has slowly been adding more kid-friendly attractions into World Showcase, with more coming in the near future.

• Further Reading: EPCOT Rides & Attractions Guide

Here is a list of all the EPCOT attractions grouped by area:

World Celebration

• Spaceship Earth

World Discovery

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Mission: SPACE
• Test Track (Currently closed until sometime in 2025)

World Nature

• Awesome Planet
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Journey of Water
• Living with the Land
• Soarin’ Around the World
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

World Showcase

• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (France)
• Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 (Canada)
• Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure
• Frozen Ever After (Norway)
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (Mexico)
• Impressions de France (France)
• Kidcot Fun Stops (Every pavilion)
• Reflections of China (China)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (France)
• The American Adventure (America)

EPCOT Must Do’s

There sure are a lot of attractions to enjoy in EPCOT, but which are the best ones? What are the ones you absolutely must do when you visit? Here are some of our favorites:

World Celebration

Spaceship Earth – The very first attraction you run into when you enter EPCOT is one of our absolute favorites, Spaceship Earth. Yeah, there is an actual ride inside that huge geodesic sphere, and one of the few classics that remain from opening day.

This is a 15-minute long dark ride taking through the history of human communication from prehistoric times all the way down to the 21st century. Everything about this ride is fantastic, from the musical score to the narration by Judy Dench, and timeless scenes.

World Discovery

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – This is EPCOT’s newest attraction, and is already the most popular. Join Star-Lord, Groot, Rocket, and friends as you fly through the cosmos to save the galaxy in this fun and groundbreaking experience.

Test Track (Currently unavailable) – When Test Track reopens in it’s 3rd version of the ride sometime in mid to late 2025, we expect it to once again be a MUST DO attraction for families. While we LOVED the first version, the second version unfortunately wasn’t as good.

Mission: Space – Discover the thrill of space travel and what it’s like to be an astronaut in this centrifugal space simulator. We guarantee you’ve never felt G-forces like this before. Choose between the Green or Orange version depending on how intense you want the ride to be.

World Nature

Soarin’ Around the World – One of the best rides in Disney World, Soarin’ simulates what it’s like to hang-glide over some of the most famous and picturesque locations in the world. Visit Paris, the Taj Mahal, Fiji, The Great Wall of China, the Egyptian pyramids, the African Savanas, and more.

Living with the Land – Definitely, one of the more low-key rides in EPCOT, Living with the Land brings you on an informative boat ride around the world and shows you how scientists are coming up with new solutions to sustain the Earth’s growing population.

You also get to see first-hand the techniques used by Disney’s horticulturists and some of the produce grown for restaurants in the park.

Journey Into Imagination with Figment – We know it’s a shell of the beloved original attraction, but we always have to stop in and see Figment when in the park. Learn about the five senses and see what kind of trouble this loveable purple dragon gets into.

Journey of Water – This new walk-through attraction inspired by Disney Animated Film Moana, Journey of Water takes guests on a self-guided exploration trail where guests can play with water and see the magic of water in a ton of unique ways.

World Showcase

Frozen Ever After – Fans of the Disney classic will not want to miss this dark boat ride in the Norway pavilion. Join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and friends on a trip through the Scandinavian countryside and into Arendelle.

Impressions de France – Our favorite of all the EPCOT movies is the captivating look at France and the French culture in Impressions de France. Whether it’s taking a hot-air balloon over the Loire Valley, visiting castles in the French countryside, or the bustling streets of Paris, we never get tired of this film.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – Shrink down to the size of a rat, and take a trip with Remy through Gusteau’s restaurant and watch all the madness unfold. Guests ride in trackless vehicles and use 3D glasses to be immersed in an experience you’ll never forget.

The American Adventure – Take a trip through American history with Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. You’ll also enjoy the American Heritage Gallery in the lobby with incredible African-American art and history on display.

Read our guide to the top attractions at Walt Disney World to see where all of the EPCOT rides rank.

Lightning Lane Multi and Single Passes

You may have heard that Disney eliminated the FastPass+ system at the Disney World parks, and has introduced the Lightning Lane system as its replacement. What is this exactly?

• Disney Genie is a free service in the My Disney Experience app that helps you plan out your day.
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a paid version of FastPass+ that lets you make attraction reservations ahead of time and skip the lines ranging from roughly $15-35 per person, per day. The price is dependent on the park in which you select to choose your first 3 attractions.
• Lightning Lane Single Pass let you pay to skip the line on a specific ride for one time only and not the whole day. It’s essentially an a la carte offering to pay for one ride. Not many rides offer this, only the most popular rides in the parks.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass lets you skip the lines for any LL attraction in a given theme park without having to make reservations. From $129 to $449 per person, per day.

Lightning Lane will have a big impact on your next trip to EPCOT, whether you are using it or not. The fact is that with this new pay-to-ride system, guests who are not willing to pay will have to wait even longer than normal. You will need to take this into consideration when planning your day and estimating wait times for the attractions.

You can make your Multi Pass and Single Pass reservations using the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone or on your computer. For guests staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can choose to make your Lightning Lane selections up to seven days prior to the start of your trip. (Up to 14 days in total)

And guests NOT staying at a Disney World Resort can select their passes up to three days in advance of their visit to the park. Just keep in mind that you will need to have a valid theme park admission prior to making your Lightning Lane selections. And if you have an older ticket type, you might need to make a Theme Park Reservation still.

If you are going to EPCOT, you need to consider taking advantage of either Lightning Lane Single or Multi Pass. While it’s not as advantageous here as it is at some of the other parks, if you are pressed for time it can be a big help.

The best choices for your Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections at EPCOT are any of the following:

• Test Track
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Frozen Ever After
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Mission: SPACE (Orange and Green)
• Spaceship Earth

Pick as many from that list as you can as it will save you a bunch of time. The rest of the attractions at EPCOT typically have shorter wait times and you should prioritize Multi Pass selections on the above-listed attractions first.

The only Lightning Lane Single Pass selection in the park right now is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. It can be worth spending the extra money for this depending on wait times. If you get a boarding pass in the virtual queue for Cosmic Rewind, there is no need to pay for it with a Lightning Lane Single Pass selection. If for some reason though you didn’t get one, this is another option.

For guests who choose not to use Lightning Lanes, all the attractions in EPCOT use a standby queue (except Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) so you can wait in line like everyone else.

Read our Lightning Lane at EPCOT Guide for more tips and specific EPCOT Touring Strategies.

Make sure to check out our Lightning Lane Guide where we cover every aspect of this new service and answer all your questions.

Entertainment

Just like in any Disney theme park, entertainment options are numerous in EPCOT. Between the concerts, character meets, street performers, and epic fireworks shows, there is more to experience than can be done on just one trip.

Fireworks

“Luminous – The Symphony of US” and made its debut on December 5, 2023. While it’s definitely a step up from the temporary firework show EPCOT Forever, it still doesn’t reach the heights of the long-running show Illuminations for us. While everyone certainly is entitled to their opinion, we were sadly disappointed with Luminous.

It still is a stunning and beautifully delivered show with impressive water elements, spectacular fireworks, and moving songs that we think most guests will love!

Street Performers and Musical Acts

• Command Performance (United Kingdom) – A cover band of the most popular British rock groups of all time. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, and more are covered.
• Entertainment at Canada Mill Stage (Canada) – This is a revolving door of live music groups acts. The last group to play here was Alberta Bound.
• JAMMitors – Have you ever seen musical theme park custodians? This high-energy group uses their trash can drum sets to play songs, and they throw some humor in too.
• Matsuriza (Japan) – Traditional Taiko, a form of Japanese drumming. Performances include dramatic dances.
• Mariachi Cobre – Enjoy the warm melodies of the world-famous traditional folk music from Jalisco, Mexico.
• Rose & Crown Pub Musician (United Kingdom) – Great songs inspired by the British pubs.
• Sergio (Italy) – This Italian mime puts on a show and gets the whole crowd in on the act.
• Viva Mexico (Mexico) – Traditional Mexican music group. Performs when Music of Mexico is not playing.
• Voices of Liberty (American Adventure) – Step in the American Adventure and listen to this 1800s eight-person a cappella group singing patriotic melodies. The acoustic setting in the rotunda is the perfect location for their harmonies.

Characters

• Anna and Elsa – (at Royal Sommerhus in Norway pavilion)
• Mickey Mouse – (Mickey & Friends at World Celebration, Also at the Disney Visa Cardholders Exclusive Character Spot Near ImageWorks)
• Minnie Mouse – (Mickey & Friends at World Celebration, Also at the Disney Visa Cardholders Exclusive Character Spot Near ImageWorks)
• Goofy – (Mickey & Friends at World Celebration, Also at the Disney Visa Cardholders Exclusive Character Spot Near ImageWorks)
• Pluto – (Mickey & Friends at World Celebration, Also at the Disney Visa Cardholders Exclusive Character Spot Near ImageWorks)
• Alice – (UK Pavilion)
• Asha – (World Showcase Plaza inside the Friendship Ambassador Gazebo near Mexico Pavilion)
• Aurora – (Inside the Gazebo Between France and Morocco pavilions)
• Belle – (Between France and Morocco pavilion along the water)
• Daisy Duck – (Near Dreamers Point in World Celebration)
• Donald Duck – (Mexico Pavilion)
• Figment – (ImageWorks)
• Jasmine – (Lamps of Wonder Meet in Morocco pavilion)
• Moana – (Near Journey of Water Attraction)
• Mulan – (Inside the Great Hall of China inside the China pavilion)
• Snow White – (By the Wishing Well in the Germany pavilion)
• Winnie the Pooh – (Christopher Robin’s room in the U.K. pavilion)

Characters have become more and more popular at EPCOT in recent years and now Character Meets are back on a daily basis here, as there are in any of the Disney World theme parks. They can be found in almost every area of EPCOT so it shouldn’t be difficult to find your favorites.

Read our post about Character Meets Returning to Walt Disney World for the latest info on what these experiences are like now.

Dining

Maybe more so than in any Walt Disney World theme park, EPCOT is known for its food and drinks. Nothing is better than a stroll around World Showcase Lagoon and dining at one of its dozens of authentically-themed restaurants.

No matter if you are looking for a sit-down meal or something on the go, this park has you covered. You might even just spend the whole day snacking around World Showcase enjoying the best snacks at EPCOT.

Here are lists of all the restaurants, food stands, snack carts, bars, and lounges in EPCOT.

Quick Service Dining

• Connections Cafe (World Celebration)
• Connections Eatery (World Celebration)
• Katsura Grill – (Japan)
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe – (Norway)
• La Cantina de San Angel – (Mexico)
• Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie – (France)
• Lotus Blossom Cafe – (China)
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue – (American Adventure)
• Refreshment Outpost – (between China and Germany)
• Refreshment Port – (Canada)
• Sommerfest – (Germany)
• Sunshine Seasons – (Future World West)
• Traveler’s Café – (Starbucks)
• Tangierine Café – (Morocco)
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop – (United Kingdom)

It’s super easy to find a quick and cheap meal in EPCOT as there are a plethora of options with 14 quick service dining locations. The nice thing about it is that most of them are really good too!

Quick service meals come in handy when you don’t want to waste too much time with a sit-down meal and want to get back to the attractions as soon as possible.

Our favorite quick service restaurants in EPCOT are:

• Katsura Grill
• La Cantina de San Angel
• Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
• Connections Café and Eatery
• Tangierine Café

Any one of them would be a great meal for you and your family.

Make sure to take advantage of Disney’s Mobile Ordering service which allows you to order your food ahead and skip the lines at quick service restaurants.

Read our post on the Best EPCOT Counter Service Restaurants to see where to eat when you are looking for a quick meal.

Table Service Dining

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – (Norway)
• Biergarten Restaurant – (Germany)
• Chefs de France – (France)
• Coral Reef Restaurant – (Future World West)
• Garden Grill Restaurant – (World Nature)
• La Hacienda de San Angel – (Mexico)
• Le Cellier Steakhouse – (Canada)
• Monsieur Paul – (France)
• Nine Dragons – (China)
• Restaurant Marrakesh TEMPORARY CLOSED – (Morocco)
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – (United Kingdom)
• San Angel Inn Restaurante – (Mexico)
• Space 220 – (World Discovery)
• Spice Road Table – (Morocco)
• Takumi-Tei – (Japan)
• Teppan Edo – (Japan)
• Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – (Japan)
• Tutto Italia Ristorante – (Italy)
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – (Italy)

Even more abundant than quick service dining are the 19 table service restaurants you will find in EPCOT. Most of them are located around World Showcase Lagoon, but a few are also located in Future World.

Among the table service restaurants in EPCOT, there are 2 character meals and 2 buffets.

Our favorite table service restaurants in EPCOT are:

• Chefs de France
• Le Cellier
• Takumi-Tei
• Teppan Edo
• Via Napoli

Read our post on the Best EPCOT Restaurants to see where and what to eat when you visit.

TIP: A common strategy is to book one of the restaurants and then exit in time to watch the fireworks show at the end of the night. Some of the restaurants even have fireworks viewing areas as you are dining.

Like in all the theme parks, make sure you make advanced dining reservations ahead of time, especially for the character meals or Le Cellier as they book up fast. Dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance which we recommend.

Read our guide to Disney Advance Dining Reservations for more info.

Food Stands and Carts

• Block & Hans – (American Adventure)
• Cool Wash – (Future World East)
• Crepes des Chefs de France – (France)
• The Donut Box – (Future World East)
• Eats at the EPCOT Experience – (Future World West)
• Fife & Drum Tavern – (American Adventure)
• Funnel Cakes – (American Adventure)
• Gelati – (Italy)
• Germany Bier Stand – (Germany)
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company – (5 EPCOT locations)
• Joy of Tea – (China)
• Kabuki Café – (Japan)
• Karamell Küche – (Germany)
• L’Artisan des Glaces – (France)
• Les Vins des Chefs de France – (France)
• Morocco Coffee & Pastries – (Morocco)
• Norway Beer Stand – (Norway)
• Oasis Morocco Bar – (Morocco)
• Popcorn in Canada – (Canada)
• Promenade Refreshments – (Canada)
• The Land Cart – (Future World West)
• Trading Post Refreshments – (Canada)
• UK Beer Cart – (United Kingdom)
• Via Napoli Pizza Window – (Italy)

Bars & Lounges

• Choza de Margarita – (Mexico)
• Enoteca Castello – (Italy)
• Garden House – (Japan)
• Germany Weinkeller – (Germany)
• La Cava del Tequila – (Mexico)
• La Maison du Vin – (France)
• Mitsukoshi Sake Bar – (Japan)
• Rose & Crown Pub – (United Kingdom)
• Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – (Italy)

Drinking Alcohol

Unlike the Magic Kingdom, drinking alcohol is very easy to do in EPCOT and there is an unending variety of beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits available to try. This is hands-down the best park for alcohol at Disney World.

Each country you go to in World Showcase features its own regional alcoholic beverages, so you can taste many different kinds of drinks from all over the world.

Most of the year there is a festival happening in EPCOT and that’s a great opportunity to try small samples of alcohol while you are making your way from booth to booth. During these events, there are also wine and beer tastings and classes on mixing drinks.

Some guests even like to participate in the “Drink Around the World” challenge where you get an alcoholic drink from each country.

Shopping

Just like dining, there are an endless number of shops and stores to explore in EPCOT, which can be quite dangerous to your wallet.

EPCOT isn’t full of your typical Disney merch, but all of the shops in World Showcase feature crafts, apparel, and souvenirs specific to that country. That means every shop you go to will be completely different and sell gifts you otherwise wouldn’t be able to find unless you actually go to that country.

For that reason, it’s also the best park to buy a gift for someone who isn’t the biggest Disney fan as you will find completely non-related merchandise.

Some of our favorite shops in EPCOT include:

• Mitsukoshi’s Department Store – This famous Japanese store is the highlight of shopping in EPCOT and sells everything from Japanese snacks and candies to handbags, scarves and kimonos. Don’t forget the sake bar in the back or take your chance at finding a pearl in a live oyster.
• Plaza de los Amigos – This is the most beautiful shopping experience in EPCOT as it is set inside the Mexican pyramid and is designed as an open-air market at night. You might as well stop in at La Cava while you are there and take a ride on the Gran Fiesta Tour.
• Creations Shop – If you are looking for more classic Disney World merchandise in EPCOT, this is where you need to go. This store was just remodeled and it is where you will find all the newest merch.

Special Events & Experiences

EPOCT is big into events, in fact, at least 9 months out of the year, there is some kind of festival going on in the park. Most of the festivals consist of various food and drink marketplaces set up throughout World Showcase and Future World, all with small snacks available for guests to purchase.

The idea is to walk, eat, and drink your way through the various areas of the park and be able to sample a wide variety of things. Each event has a slightly different theming being inspired by horticulture, the arts, the holidays, or just plain food!

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

One of our favorite festivals, this event is a showcase of art featuring Disney artists both historical and current. Even the small plates at the various marketplaces are beautifully created and works of art themselves.

There are also plenty of interactive activities for young and old alike, all centered around art.

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts usually runs in January and February.

Read our Full Guide to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts for more information.

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is a unique experience because you can walk around the park and look at the dozens of Disney topiaries, flower beds, gardens, and interactive exhibits.

There is no time of the year when EPCOT looks more beautiful than during the Flower and Garden Festival! There are also dozens of food and drink marketplaces with completely unique themes and offerings to enjoy.

The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival usually starts in March and runs through May, but this year it lasted into July.

Read our Full Guide to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival for more details and reviews.

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

EPCOT’s most famous festival is the one that attracts foodies for miles and miles. This is Disney’s celebration of food as 30+ different food and drink marketplaces are set up throughout the park, and it offers the widest selection of food and drink of any EPCOT event.

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival usually starts in July and runs through early November.

Read our Full Guide to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival for more details and reviews.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

This is a typical EPCOT festival but themed to the holidays and the cultures and traditions of each nation. There are unique holiday kitchens, menus, and merchandise throughout the park.

Some events here include concerts, the Candlelight Processional, and the storytellers.

The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays usually runs from mid-November through December.

What’s New Coming to EPCOT?  Big Expansion Project

You may have heard that EPCOT just finished a huge expansion project, the biggest one the park has ever had in its history. In fact, half of the park was a giant construction zone during the last couple of years.

There are many new attractions and changes to existing ones coming, plus an overhaul of the entire front half of the park.

Here are all the new additions coming to EPCOT you need to know about:

COMING SOON:

• Update to Test Track (Opening in 2025)
• Spaceship Earth Lounge (Opening in 2025)
• Play! Pavilion (Temporarily Paused)

NOW OPEN:

• Future World Dividing into 3 Neighborhoods (NOW OPEN)
• New Entrance (NOW OPEN)
• Space 2020 Restaurant (NOW OPEN)
• CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza (NOW OPEN)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (NOW OPEN)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (NOW OPEN)
• Moana: Journey of Water (NOW OPEN)
• France Pavilion Expansion (NOW OPEN)
• Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure (NOW OPEN)

Of all these new additions, the Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster is our favorite one right now. EPCOT was in desperate need of new attractions and this has ended up being arguably the best one in the entire park and a must-do when visiting.

We are thrilled with the opening of Moana: Journey of Water. It’s not a ride, but a walkthrough experience guests can do at their own pace. It’s an adorably done attraction that the whole family can have fun doing together.

The other thing we are incredibly excited about is the new reimagining of Test Track! While we loved the original Test Track and of course World of Motion prior, the latest Test Track update back in 2012 significantly hampered the overall guest experience. It lost a lot of the previous magic of this former great attraction so hopefully Disney fixes that!

While this won’t open until likely sometime later in 2025, we look forward to seeing what Disney has up there sleeves to renovate this attraction with inspiration of the former Test Track and World of Motion, which they promised.

In terms of other updates, there were even more new changes were being planned for the EPCOT expansion, but due to the company’s current lack of finances and budget cuts, we don’t know if those projects have been cut for good, or just put on hold.

See the following posts for the latest news on all the new additions to EPCOT and Walt Disney World:

• EPCOT Changes – Expansion Project Details & Updates
• New Disney World Rides – Everything Coming in the Next Few Years
• Walt Disney World Construction Updates

Tours

Like all of the theme parks, EPCOT offers some amazing tours that give you a whole new perspective on visiting that park. You might not even know some of these exist and there is a different tour for everyone.

Behind the Seeds at Epcot – Go behind the scenes in EPCOT’s greenhouse at The Land pavilion and see up close how Disney is creating alternative ways to grow crops using experimental, techniques. Definitely educational, but very fun and one of the cheapest tours in EPCOT.

Disney After Hours at EPCOT – This ticketed event allows guests to essentially have EPCOT all to themselves with only minimal amounts of other guests in the parks after park closing. Enjoy your favorite attractions and indulge in snacks and beverages throughout the evening.

Gardens of the World Tour (Seasonal) – Only available for the Flower and Garden Festival. This tour follows a Disney horticulturist who takes you behind the scenes to see how all the vegetation, flowers, and how they turn plants into the beautiful topiaries you see around Epcot.

English Tea Garden Tour (Seasonal) – Another tour you can take when Flower and Garden is running. A great option for tea fans and you learn the history of tea and how different flavors are blended together. It lasts 20 minutes and the best part is that the tour is FREE!

EPCOT Tips

Whether you are a long-time vet of EPCOT or going for the first time, here are some of the most important tips to know before you go.

Best Days to Visit EPCOT

Any day is a good day to visit EPCOT, but some still are better than others.

We recommend avoiding EPCOT on the weekends since many locals tend to come to hang out and grab something to eat or drink and it can get really crowded. This is especially true if you are there during one of the EPCOT festivals. Avoid EPCOT in that case!

It’s best to go to EPCOT on a weekday as the crowds will be significantly lower. Try to choose a non-Extra Magic day, since those tend to bring higher crowds too.

Make sure to read our post on The Best Times to Go to Disney World which takes into consideration all the factors and breaks it down month by month.

Have a Plan

With so much to see and do at EPCOT, you need to be prepared and that means having a good plan before visiting.

Make a list ahead of time of everything you want to do (attractions, entertainment, characters, etc). Also, make sure to make reservations for any restaurant you want to eat at and write down any snacks to try throughout the day.

Prioritize the most important ones and do them first. Don’t leave them until the end because things can come up and you might not be able to do it all.

You can get Lightning Lane Multi Pass if you want to skip the lines on your favorite attractions and get there early to rope drop the other popular ones.

If you are only going to EPCOT for one day, we recommend making it a full day, which means getting an early start. You will get more done in the first 2 hours than the following 4, so be there at the park opening to take advantage.

Eat…A Lot!

Sure EPCOT has great entertainment and some can’t-miss rides, but the main attraction here is the Food and drinks!

If there is a festival going on during your visit, we suggest carving out some space in your day to try some of the best snack offerings available. Take a good 2-3 hours of your day to just stroll your way around World Showcase Lagoon eating and drinking.

EPCOT also has the best in-park dining of all 4 Disney World theme parks, so make sure you take time to stay for a meal or two.

Go at Night

Make sure to visit at night. This goes for EPCOT, as well as ALL the Disney theme parks. Nighttime is much better for so many reasons.

For one, you don’t have to deal with the sweltering heat in the evening like you do during the day. Daytime in EPCOT can be especially brutal since there are very few shaded areas around World Showcase. It’s hard to enjoy the cheddar cheese soup from Canada when it’s 95 degrees out, but a little easier when the sun isn’t beating on you.

You also need to make sure you stay in EPCOT to see the fireworks show. Since you will follow our previous advice to stay for dinner, the timing is perfect. Finish up your meal and then find a spot around World Showcase lagoon for the show!

Drink Lots of Water

EPCOT is an extremely hot park, which means you are going to get dehydrated very quickly. To fix that, drink as much water as you can throughout the day.

All the quick-service restaurants in EPCOT give out paper cups of free ice water, so make sure you stop by often, especially if you are drinking alcohol.

What Can I Bring With Me Into EPCOT?

When visiting the EPCOT, guests are allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages into the park, as long as they are for self-consumption, are not in glass containers, and do not require heating, refrigeration, or temperature control.

Normally, we would recommend you bring some small snacks with you like chips, candy, and granola or protein bars so you don’t have to spend money on those things at the park.

The food in EPCOT is so good however, we say unless you are on an extremely tight budget, forget it and leave space for the snacks in the park!

We do recommend bringing some bottled water with you, however, especially if you prefer it to Florida tap water.

Bring a backpack with you to hold any important items you need, but don’t pack too much. Wearing a backpack all day is tiring, especially in the heat so pack light.

Definitely wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing A LOT of walking!

For more planning tips EPCOT as well as the other parks, check out 150+ Best Disney World Tips.

Transportation to EPCOT

Transportation to EPCOT Park will vary depending on where your hotel is located. Some of your options include:

• Bus
• Disney Skyliner
• Monorail
• Ferry Boat (Friendship Boats)
• Car
• Ride Sharing (Uber or Lyft)
• Walking

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, free transportation is provided to Disney theme parks for all guests. This is one of the best reasons to stay at a Disney World hotel. No matter which one you take (monorail, bus, ferry boat, etc), they are all complimentary.

Buses – This is possible from almost all The Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, with the exception being the EPCOT-area resorts themselves. We tend to avoid the buses since they have long waits, so if you have an alternative from your resort, take it.

Make sure to calculate at least 30-45 minutes if taking the bus.

Disney Skyliner – Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, Art of Animation, and Riviera Resort are all conveniently located on the Skyliner route, a fun and fast way to get there. Allow about 15-20 minutes depending on how far down the route you are staying.

This can be extremely crowded at night and if you try to get on right after the fireworks, you could be waiting in line for an hour or more. Because of that, we like to take our time and stroll EPCOT until much of the crowds have left and the line ends up being much shorter.

Monorail – Traveling to EPCOT by monorail is possible if you are staying at one of the Magic Kingdom-area resorts like Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Ferry Boat – Friendship boats run back and forth to EPCOT from Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, and Swan and Dolphin Hotels. The boats run approximately every 20 minutes.

Walking – Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, and Swan and Dolphin Hotels all are conveniently within walking distance of EPCOT’s back entrance at the International Gateway.

Ride-Sharing – This can be done from anywhere in Walt Disney World with a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.

Car – If you live locally or are taking a car to EPCOT, parking is easy to do and located in the EPCOT parking lot. Read our Guide to Renting a Car at Disney World for all the pros and cons.

Parking

If you are bringing a car to EPCOT, you’ll need to leave it in the parking lot outside the park. Parking is easy to find even on the busiest of days.

Here are the latest EPCOT parking prices.

• Standard parking for a car or motorcycle costs $30 per day.
• Preferred parking for car or motorcycle costs $45 per day in off-peak seasons and $55 during peak season.

The EPCOT parking lot is huge, but trams are provided to bring guests from the lot to the front of the park. From there you can walk to the entrance.

We recommend reading our Disney World Parking Guide for prices and more in-depth info.

Best Hotels to Stay at Near EPCOT

If you are like us, you will be going to EPCOT multiple times during your trip, and to make that easier, it’s better to stay at one of the nearby EPCOT resorts.

If you are going to EPCOT multiple times on your trip, staying close by will save you valuable travel time getting there.

This also allows you to go early in the morning, and head back to your resort for a mid-day nap if you need one.

Staying at an EPCOT resort also means access to dozens of amazing restaurants within walking distance of your room. Go to another park in the morning and afternoon, then make dinner reservations at one of the EPCOT restaurants and catch the fireworks.

We do this probably 3-4 nights each trip and have a blast!

EPCOT Hotels within walking distance include:

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

Our favorite EPCOT area hotel to stay at is the Beach Club. We’ve been going there for decades now, and it is super convenient for all the reasons we mentioned above. Plus it has a sweet pool, the best in Disney World!

If you are on a budget then we recommend the Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, or Art of Animation. They are farther away, but easy to get to from the Skyliner.

Our ranking of the Best Disney World Resorts will help you understand the pros and cons of each resort and make the best choice for your family.

EPCOT History

Imagine if Walt Disney had been alive to see the EPCOT project through to completion. It’s very likely it would be very different than the theme park we have today.

That’s right, Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT was not for a theme park, but for a cutting-edge, utopian city. A place where American industry could thrive and real families would live and work.

Hence the acronym EPCOT…Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

The project was going to be built as part of the Walt Disney World Resort complex near Orlando, Florida.

Concept art for the EPCOT project shows that it would have been built in a huge circle, with the commercial and business areas in the center, community buildings, schools and recreational areas outside that, and finally residential areas on the outer perimeter.

Walt’s dream was to put automobile traffic underground and have monorails and PeopleMovers be used as the transportation above ground.

In order to gain the proper financing for the EPOCT project, Disney first agreed to build a Disneyland-inspired park first, this became the Magic Kingdom.

Unfortunately, Walt Disney never even got to see that built as he died in 1966, 5 years before the opening of Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney Productions did not want to be in the city-building business and decided to turn the project into a second theme park for Walt Disney World, yet keep it in theme with Walt’s original idea.

Many principles established by Walt served as the backbone of ideas that would later become EPCOT Center. Even adding the word “Center” into the name was a reference to Walt’s vision.

Disney finally settled on the idea of combining technology, science, and human achievement, with a permanent World’s Fair of sorts, which also was a big interest of Walt Disney.

Construction got started in 1979 and at the time it was the largest construction project on Earth. Problems quickly inflated the project costs to three times as much as the original projection called for and EPCOT was constructed for well north of $1 billion.

On October 1, 1982, Disney CEO Card Walker dedicated EPCOT Center and it opened to the public.

Original EPCOT Center Pavilions

When EPCOT Center opened in 1982, it looked a whole lot different than it does today. Here are the original opening day pavilions and attractions:

Future World Pavilions:

• Spaceship Earth (1982 – Present)
• Communicore (1982 – 1994)
• Universe of Energy (1982 – 1996)
• World of Motion (1982 – 1996)
• Odyssey Center (1982 – 1994)
• The Land (1982 – Present)
• Journey Into Imagination (1982 – 1998)

The following were added later:

• Horizons (1983 – 1994)
• The Living Seas was added in 1986.
• Wonders of Life opened in 1989 with Body Wars and Cranium Command.

World Showcase:

• Mexico
• Norway (Opened in 1988)
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• American Adventure
• Japan
• Morocco (Opened in 1984)
• France
• United Kingdom
• Canada

Closed EPCOT Attractions

• Captain EO (1986 – 1994; 2010 – 2015)
• Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (1995 – 2018)
• Communicore (1982 – 1994)
• Ellen’s Energy Adventure (1996 – 2017)
• Food Rocks (1994 – 2004)
• Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (1994 – 2010)
• Horizons (1982 – 1999)
• Innoventions (1994 – 2019)
• Journey Into Imagination (1983 – 1998)
• Journey Into YOUR Imagination (1999 – 2001)
• Kitchen Kabaret (1982 – 1994)
• Maelstrom (1988 – 2014)
• Magic Journeys (1983 – 1986)
• Millennium Voyage (1999 – 2001)
• The Living Seas (1986 – 2005)
• Universe of Energy (1982 – 1996)
• Wheel of Fortune Live (2017 – 2018)
• Wonders of Life (1989 – 2007)
• World of Motion (1982 – 1996)

EPCOT Facts & Trivia

• EPCOT is 305 acres in size (1.23 km²), which is more than twice the size of Magic Kingdom Park.
• The parking lot is huge at 141 acres and can hold 11,211 vehicles.
• It is the 3rd most visited theme park in North America and the 6th most visited in the world.
• Spaceship Earth is made of 11,520 total isosceles triangles and weighs 15,520,000 pounds.
• There are 11 countries represented in World Showcase.
• Only 9 countries opened with the park in 1982. Morocco and Norway were added later in 1984 and 1989 respectively.

• EPCOT is home to Disney World’s fastest attraction Test Track, which speeds guests up to 64.9 MPH.
• The fruits and vegetables grown at the “Living with the Land” greenhouse are actually used as ingredients in EPCOT restaurants and festivals.
• There were plans to build a version of EPCOT at the Disneyland Resort called WestCot. Those plans fell through when the company ran into financial trouble in the 1990s. The land is the current home of Disney California Adventure.

FAQs

If you are going to any of the other Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, read our full guides to those below:

• Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park Guide
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park Guide
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Guide

If you are planning a trip make sure to read our Disney World Crowd Calendar which will explain when the least crowded time of the year is to visit.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about EPCOT…

• What is your favorite thing to do at EPCOT?
• Which is your favorite EPCOT Country?
• What is your favorite attraction at EPCOT?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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