8 Things That No One Tells You About Visiting Epcot’s World Showcase in Walt Disney World

One of the two themed lands at Epcot is the World Showcase. This area houses 11 different countries and displays the culture, food, and drink of their host nations. It is a HUGE area surrounding the World Showcase Lagoon. When touring the World Showcase, there are things that you need to know to make your trip better – and here is our list for the top 8!

8 – Size – the World Showcase area of Epcot covers 40 acres of land and the promenade that guests walk along measure 1.2 miles! Definitely make sure you wear some comfortable shoes for the walk, especially if you plan on doing multiple trips around the lagoon. If you get tired, there are Friendship Boats that will ferry you across the lagoon. These boats take guests back and forth from the front of World Showcase Lagoon to either Germany or Morocco. It is a great way to relax and rest your legs, as well as a new way to view the pavilions of World Showcase!

7 – Lack of Rides – with the shuttering of Maelstrom in October 2014, World Showcase is only home to one “ride.” It is housed in the Mexico Pavilion, El Gran Fiesta Tour. This is a slow-moving boat ride starring the Three Caballeros and showcases Mexican culture. It rarely has much of a wait and is definitely worth doing if you stop inside the Mexico Pavilion. While lacking rides, China, France, and Canada have movies about their culture, and the American Adventure has an Audio-Animatronic show – all are definitely worth the wait!

6 – Entertainment Options Abound – all of the countries of World Showcase have varying entertainment options that are sure to please every member of your family. The showtimes vary, so make sure you pick up a Times Guide when you enter the park so you can see what is playing when. You can watch a lumberjack competition in Canada or watch the acrobats perform in China. If you want something more mellow, you can watch the British Revolution or the American Music Machine. All of these great entertainment options are featured on the My Disney Experience App so you can make the best choice!

5 – Bring an Empty Stomach – World Showcase is home to some of the best dining options at Walt Disney World. Each country (except the American Adventure) houses at least one table service dining option and one counter service option. Regardless of what route you decide go down, make sure you bring an appetite so you can sample as many options as you can. If you are visiting for an extended period, you might want to consider making Epcot and World Showcase your evening stop so you can sample the tastes from as many countries as possible!

4 – Drinking Around the World – while not an officially sanctioned Disney activity, many guests are aware of the challenge of having a drink in each of the pavilions in World Showcase. Be sure to be smart about it if you do attempt to do this. First, pace yourself – World Showcase opens at 11 AM daily and is open till 9 PM. You’ll want to use as much of this time as possible. And much like when enjoying drinks outside of Walt Disney World, make sure you are consuming water and snacks when enjoying your drinks.

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3 – Shopping – no Disney park would be complete without souvenir shops. However, the shops in the World Showcase have specialty merchandise that isn’t readily available in the other parks. You can find a Dr. Who t-shirt in the United Kingdom or Chinese toys and umbrellas in China. The shops meander around in each of the pavilions, so take some time to explore them all and find something unique to remember your vacation by!

2 – Hidden Nooks – World Showcase is home to a lot of hidden areas for you to enjoy. You’ll definitely want to travel into the pavilions to make sure you aren’t missing anything. This is underscored by the fact that there is a second entrance to Epcot located at the International Gateway between France and the United Kingdom. You can also enjoy the hidden details in the theming in the pavilions by taking your time and exploring what World Showcase has to offer.

1 – Its Hot – Central Florida is a hot place most of the year, but Epcot seems to be the hottest. In comparison to the other parks, Epcot lacks shade and temperatures can quickly rise while you’re here. I’ve gotten a pretty bad sunburn before while in the World Showcase walking only to the American Adventure in search of a souvenir. So, be sure that you are wearing sunscreen and also make sure you are drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated!

The World Showcase is an amazing place and a place that my family stops at on almost every trip that we make. Be sure to give it the time it deserves so you can appreciate everything it has to offer! Have you been to World Showcase? What do you wish you had known for your first trip?

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