As you approach Disney World's Epcot Center, you can feel the excitement build.
Two of the most impressive things you will ever see begin to present themselves: the magnificent
Cinderella castle you are familiar with from the movies and the huge globe for the Epcot Center itself. The
globe represents all of the different countries of the world that are
represented at this unique park and each has its own section of the park that includes various exciting rides that make each one unique.
You and your family will be enthralled with the wonders and activities the park
as a whole has to offer you. Don't forget to bring along your appetite because
the park is home to many wonderful restaurants and food courts. As with all the
other parks, you will have to pick and choose what you do here since there is such a variety of
activities to choose from. The following 15 items will help you plan your entire
stay at Disney World's Epcot Center.
15) Watch Amazing
Feats at Spaceship Earth
The giant globe that is seen from far away when approaching Disney is Spaceship
Earth. This attraction has information and interactive features the whole family
can enjoy. Not only can you learn about the history of the earth but it is
possible to learn about the kinds of innovations that are being planned for the
future as well. Best of all, when you are finished with your visit to Epcot then
you can go back home and keep enjoying your experience by interacting with the
information on your computer. It is a great way for you and your family to learn
as well as have fun at the same time.
When visiting Spaceship Earth go behind it to see the dancing water fountain
and watch the water flow backwards. If you go at night, the walkways leading
there will twinkle but this is only one of the many dazzling items on display.
You can watch the movie that was made with award-winning actors
just for the attraction and you won't hear the movie's unique score anywhere
else but here. As with so many of the things at the park, Spaceship Earth should
be on your "must-vist" list.
Spaceship Earth, the Icon of Epcot, Illuminated at Night
By Benjamin D. Esham, via
Wikimedia Commons
14) Enjoy Playing in
the Magic Water Fountain
Take time to play in the Magic Water Fountain located between the World Showcase
and FutureWorld, the fountain is perched on the walkway between these locations.
There are a number of fountains that you can enjoy, among the favorite
for most people is the jumping water fountain that gives the appearance that the
water is jumping from one location to another. The high-powered jet of water is
perfectly measured and calibrated so that it will leave the jet and enter a
small hole in a different location without a single drop of water being spilled.
This does not work as well when there is wind but on a normal day, it is an
amazing sight.
The rest of the fountains are more like normal water fountains but they
create music based on the rhythm of the water and the way it hits the pools
under the jets. Several people will stop and watch all of the water shooting
from one location to another. Be ready to catch the images on camera or with a
video camera because this is something you will not see anywhere else.
13) Taste Something
Unique from around the World
Take the family to Club Cool to sample various Coca-Cola products from around
the world; this sampling station is set up similarly to the one found inside the
World of Coke in Atlanta, GA. While many of the flavors are just variations of
the flavors you will find in the United States, there are others you will only
be able to find in the countries they are unique to. While tasting a different
version of Coca-Cola is not all that exciting, you might enjoy a bitter lemon
soda from England or one of the exotic fruit flavors from other countries.
Do not expect to be able to walk away from the tasting station with a full
cup of your favorite flavor. The drinks are intended for you to simply taste and
give you a unique perspective on the flavors that people enjoy throughout the
world. It'll be fun to see which members of your family like the different unusual flavors. Just watch out for some of the flavors that are extremely
unique as you may not enjoy them as much as you like the sweet flavors that you
are used to with American sodas.
Entrance to Club Cool
Inside Club Cool
12) Talk with a
Fountain and Get a Drink
Quench your thirst at one of the three talking drinking fountains in Walt Disney
World's Epcot Center for something completely different to do. These are a lot
of fun, it's not every day that you get to interact with a water
fountain. Simply walk up to one and the fountain will start talking with you.
You can answer questions and hold a small conversation with it, while you are
getting a drink. It's entertaining to see how children will interact with this
attraction, so let it be a surprise and don't tell them what is about to happen
as they approach the fountains. They will simply be amazed and have a blast
interacting with the fountain.
Finding the water fountains can be a bit tricky since there are so few of
them in such a massive park. You can ask some of the cast members where the
fountains are located but not all cast members know where you can find the
water fountains. You can find some of them outside the Mouse Gears Shop, behind
Innovations West and there is another near the Magic Mountain between FutureWorld and World Showcase. This will give you a fun way to get a drink of
water in a hot park like Epcot.
11) Fulfill Your
Need for Speed
Those who have a need for speed should ride the fastest ride in Walt Disney World.
Test Track runs at 65 mph using a SIM Car that you have designed before you
start the ride. The idea behind the ride is that you are part of the design team
at Chevrolet creating a new car that will be tested before it is sent out on the
street. Your job, after you design your car, is to buckle up into your SIM Car
that has all of the properties that you put into your car. In the test drive,
you will be testing to see how efficient the car is, how it handles, how
maneuverable it is and what the top speed is.
After you have had fun riding in your test vehicle, you will be able to see
the results of your test drive. You will see how your test vehicle scored for
all of the criteria mentioned above and you will be able
to make a commercial lasting for 15 seconds where you tell the public about
your vehicle and why they should buy it. You can then take the car out for a
test spin and see how it handles in a virtual test ground. Last, you can choose
a backdrop and take a picture of you and your design team with the car you
designed as a keepsake of the journey you just experienced.
10) Visit Canada and
Enjoy a Rock Band
If you are looking for something to do other than riding another ride then you can
visit Canada and watch the band, Off Kilter. This band consists of five members
wearing kilts, hence the name, and playing a variety of instruments you may not
normally associate with rock and roll, like the violin. You can enjoy the truly
Canadian sounds of the rock band as you rest your tired feet. The band is happy
to take requests, playing some of the traditional tunes you may have grown up
with. When they are not playing the songs you request, they are playing original
pieces that they have written.
It is important to remember that this is a live rock band, while the volume
will be slightly lower than if you were at any other rock concert, it will still
not be very quiet. As such, it is recommended to protect your children's ears
when they are in attendance. The use of earplugs might not be a bad idea or
simply making sure you don't sit too close to a speaker. The one thing you do
not have to worry about at this concert is rowdy fans or lyrics that you do not
want your kids listening to, so it is still a great way for the entire family to
have a little fun.
If you have a princess in your brood who insists on seeing something to
do with Belle then you can head over to France. Here, you will find a library that
is dedicated to Belle. Just like the library that was given to Belle by the
Beast, this one is absolutely loaded with books. They include most of the
fantasy stories from Disney as well as some other stories you can look at and
tell your children about. There are some interactive features to the library as
well, including some of the gargoyles located inside of the library. These help
you feel like you're in a castle that could easily have found in France during the
time period in which Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is set.
Belle's Library
There are other great knick knacks and references to the movie that any true
fan will appreciate, even the rose is in attendance. Some of the other images
you might notice are stories traditionally from France, which
includes "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". There are even some amazing stained
glass windows you will be able to enjoy and these windows are similar to the ones
you see at the beginning of "Beauty and the Beast".
8) Get Candy Shaped
Like an Animal
Be on the lookout for a woman outside of Japan making candy animals. Her name is
Miyuki and she is a candy sculptor. After making the rice candy treats, she
will often give them away for free. The animals are made from sweetened rice
dough that can be manipulated similarly to taffy. When they are finished, the
candy animal is placed in front of a fan to cool and harden. The process is
almost magical in how quickly she is able to form the dough into the shapes of
animals and then candies them. Your kids will be amazed by how easily she can
create these beautiful little animals.
Those who spend some time hanging around will be able to hear Miyuki talking
to the audience. She has a very sweet voice that will enchant you as she is
making the different animals. It is no wonder that she is one of the first
things you see when you visit the Japan pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. She
performs Sunday-Thursday and times can be found in the Epcot Times Guide.
Miyuki, Epcot's Candy Sculptor
7) Enter a Secret
Garden
The secret garden can be found in the UK, it is located beside the Rose and
Crown pub on the side near France. All you have to do is follow the path along
the side of the pub and you will find the secret garden. There are no characters
that are scheduled to stop by and there are no interactive features of the
garden. It is simply a very relaxing place to hang out instead of worrying about
being in a line or trying to get a picture taken with one of the characters that
your kids want to go to. It is best to come here without the kids if possible.
The lagoon is a lovely place, so there are often special and private events
scheduled for the garden. Be careful when you try to enter the garden, if there
is something blocking the entrance then you may not be
able to enjoy it. If there is an event, you can ask a cast member when it will
end so you can return at a more opportune time.
Easter Egg hunt in the Secret Garden
By Kristin Ford, via
land.allears.net
6) Press the Red
Button
Press on the red button found in Italy labeled “press for a surprise”. These
buttons are located behind the shops in Italy and are a complete shock to many
who come across them since this is a less traveled area of Epcot. In fact, even
many of the people who go to Disney on a regular basis don't know that these
buttons exist. Therefore, pressing the buttons will allow you to get a complete
surprise not only for yourself but for anyone else who is walking with you.
What happens when you press the red button, you ask? Contrary to a theory
advocated by some of the nuttier visitors, you will not inadvertently launch an
attack on Universal Studios. Instead, water will shoot from hidden locations.
You never know what location the water will shoot out from, so this will be a
complete surprise to you every time you press the button. Since this is not an
interactive feature for anyone but you, you will end up completely surprising
any passersby. It can be a lot of fun to watch the reaction people have to the
water shooting around.
Epcot Italy
5) Kick Back at the
Kidcot Fun Stop
If you are looking for a great way to get a rest while allowing your kids to
play then go to one of the “Kidcot Fun Stop” locations, they are located outside the
entrance to each country. Here kids can make a mask they wear, using paint, popsicle sticks, paper
and glitter. Every station has something a little different, themed to the
country they represent. You can encourage your little ones to try to make a mask
that will represent the country you are about to enter. It is a great introduction to the different
cultures that they are about to experience.
While the kids are enjoying putting together their masks, you can simply
relax. Along with making masks, your kids can decorate the free cardboard Duffy
the Disney Bear that is provided for your kids. Since the activity area is
secure, you can even leave your kids if you want to wander alone as an adult.
You don't even have to worry about your kids clothes being ruined because they
can wear a smock that is provided to them. This activity is free of charge.
Kidcot China
4) Check Out Your
Genealogy
While in the UK, you can research your family connection to the country at the
Heritage House. Cast
members use computers to research and pull up the history of your family based
on your last name. The research starts with a book and will move to the computer
once you have found a little bit of information about your family name. Is your
last name not one that comes from England? Not to worry! The information that is
included in the book and in the computer is for people from every single country
throughout the world. It can be a lot of fun learning about the history of your
family and some of the lesser known facts about what made your family what it is
today.
While you are inside the genealogy room, you will be able to buy mugs as well
as other kinds of gear with your family crest and other heraldic images. You can
even have a plaque made that you can hang up at home, it will be a great
memory of your trip and it's a meaningful connection to your family's past.
3) Talk with Crush
in Turtle Talk
If your kids have been asking you tons of questions about Finding Nemo and life
under the sea, you can finally get all of the answers you have been looking for.
Simply take them to go and talk with Crush the surfer sea turtle at Turtle Talk,
this is one of the most interactive features at the park. Here, it is possible to talk with Crush and ask him questions
about anything your kids want to know.
The whole experience starts off with Crush swimming right up to the screen
and talking directly to your kids. Crush will address your child by name and
answer any questions. Kids are given 15 minutes to interact in the session and
ask as many questions as they want to ask. This is one of the attractions that
kids can check out as many times as they want to since it will be different
every single time they go. The interactive features allow your children to have
control over what is going to happen in the show. As long as you have Crush at
the underwater microphone, your kids can keep asking questions. Have fun
watching the interaction between the two.
One of the newest additions to the culinary world is found at Chefs de France,
in Epcot's France. At the restaurant, you not only get to enjoy the delicious
flavor of French food but you can get the opportunity to eat dinner with Remy, the little chef from the movie Ratatouille. The star
of the film makes an appearance four times a day and six days a week. Don't
worry, though. A rat won't come running up to the table to introduce himself.
Instead, you can engage with Remy when he comes around on a rolling chef’s cart.
When Remy comes to the table, it is possible to interact with him and even
pose for pictures with him. Remy will say cheese to make sure that you are able
to have a picture in which everyone is smiling. The restaurant itself resembles
the restaurant in which Ratatouille takes place. Keep in mind that the times in
which Remy makes an appearance are highly popular, so you may want to make a
reservation and double check to make sure the character you want will be
available at the time of your reservation.
Remy from Ratatouille
1) Enjoy the
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth Display
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a spectacular laser show which
incorporates fireworks and neon lights all set to music. It is the best way to
end the day at Epcot. The show actually has a story to it and contains lots of
symbolism. The show begins with a representation of big band music and moves
into the sounds of nature. The show moves through the history of the earth from
dinosaurs to the present day.
During the lights and fireworks, images are displayed on a large screen and all
of this culminates with a massive fireworks display. It is interesting to note
that during the show all of the buildings for the various countries represented
in Epcot are illuminated in various colored light with the exception of one
country, Morocco. This is because the lighting of their buildings is against the
religious beliefs held in that country. The entire spectacle is not to be
missed, as it's become a trademark of the Disney World experience.
Conclusion
Any of these choices will be great when you are planning your trip to Disney
World’s Epcot Center; after all it is one of the most fascinating places in the
world to visit. Keep in mind that while these are 15 of the greatest things that
you can do while you there, they are just a few of the many wonderful ways in
which you can spend your time and entertain yourself as well as your family. You will
find so many other great things to do that you will wish you had more time to spend at
the park. This is why everyone suggests that you have at least two days to visit
all of the different parks that are available. As always, bring your camera
because you will want to have lasting memories of all the wonderful and exciting
things you did during your stay.
References:
14) Enjoy Playing in the Magic Water Fountain
Dis, a Walt Disney World theme parks tourist website. – (Information
about the water fountains, as well as other attractions and features at
the park.)
//www.wdwinfo.com/best-kept-secrets_EPCOT.htm
The Dibb, a website designed for British tourists visiting Disney theme
parks, - (Lesser-known attractions and secrets to look for, such as
Belle's Library, the Kidcot Fun Stop stands, and Off Kilter.)
//www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/Disney-Secrets-p-219.html
