The EPCOT is 1 of 4 theme parks in Walt Disney World Resort, and the third most-visited theme park in the USA!
Even if you’ve never been to Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll definitely recognise its landmark – Spaceship Earth – which very much resembles a giant golf ball!
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 is divided into 2 lands – Future World & World Showcase
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.
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and it was based on an idealistic, utopian vision of the future envisioned by Walt Disney himself.
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:
The Spaceship Earth ride is narrated by none other than Dame Judi Dench!
Ride Type: Slow Ride
FASTPASS+ Available
Min Height: None!
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
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!
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!
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
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
EPCOT’s live shows are usually around 20 minutes long. Some of our favourite shows at World Showcase include:
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.
Japan
Feel the thunder of Taiko, a time-honoured style of drumming, performed with synchronized movements by an entertaining percussive troupe.
China
These guys are simply amazing – an energetic acrobatic troupe from China whose performances will leave you speechless at their strength, agility and balance.
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:
*Characters may change seasonally, so you may not be guaranteed to meet a certain character at a certain place.
Brace yourself for Luminous – A Symphony of Us, the newest nighttime spectacle lighting up the skies! Think dancing lights, stunning fireworks, & a backdrop of magical music, all coming together to convey a message of the beauty of human connection…new year, even more magic!
You can view the fireworks show anywhere throughout Epcot that has a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon
Here are some of the places we like to eat in when we go to Epcot!
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
$$
Future World
Meet some of your favourite Disney characters while you feast on all-you-can-eat family-style fare!
This rotating restaurant has fabulous views of Epcot’s “Living with the Land” attraction, with scenes like the rainforest, farmhouse, thunderstorm, sandstorm & prairie.
American Cuisine
Character Dining
$$-$$$
World Showcase
Tea is one of the world’s most popular drinks, and the Chinese definitely know how to make a simple cup of tea into a special occasion!
Choose from the various aromatic flavours – from delicate and refined to bold and strong
Chinese Cuisine
Fast Food
$
World Showcase
Have a taste of home in a traditional British pub setting.
Enjoy the view from the patio as you tuck into pub classics such as cottage pie and fish & chips.
Popular venue – reservations recommended!
British Cuisine
Themed Dining
$$
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
$$-$$$
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
$
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
$
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
$$
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!
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.
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 has a huge paid parking area, from which you can walk to the Disney parks or take a tram right to the park entrance.
Car or Motorcycle
$20
Preferred Parking
$40
Other Vehicles
$22
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.
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.
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.
Address: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA
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.
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.
Our Walt Disney World tickets include admission to all the Disney World parks, including Epcot!
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Normal opening times:
Mon – Fri: 10am – 4pm
Sat, Sun: Closed