Visiting Walt Disney World can be a confusing experience — you have to contend with 4 different theme parks, 2 water parks, over twenty resorts and hotels, a shopping and dining district, and even golf courses! It is easy to get confused and potentially overwhelmed in planning your Disney trip, but here are ten questions and answers about your trip to Epcot!
1. I heard the park is under construction. Is this true?
All the parks at Disney World will occasionally deal with renovations, as well as new attractions being built. Epcot is receiving some new improvements for the 50th anniversary, but you are still able to enjoy all the areas of the park with some slight detours.
2. Someone told me that Epcot is educational. Won’t we get bored?
While Epcot does focus on edu-tainment, there is plenty to keep everyone happy — there are nine attractions for guests to experience, in addition to five films that guests can watch to learn about new cultures across the globe.
3. How can my family eat when it is all international options?
World Showcase is a phenomenal option for guests who have curious tastebuds, but know that each of the countries offer an introduction to their cuisine, so no one should feel that they are going to be overwhelmed with options that may not appeal to them. Additionally, guests can choose from other dining options in Future World like Sunshine Seasons which offers a meal served family-style with delicious traditional offerings.
4. My kids LOVE characters, but where can they see them at Epcot?
Epcot is home to an amazing array of characters — guests can see a variety of characters in the Character Cavalcades that journey throughout the park, while other characters pop up for spontaneous photos opportunities in the countries of World Showcase — last time we visited, we caught Alice in the gazebo in the United Kingdom Pavilion, while Anna and Elsa were waving at passing guests from the doors of their Summerhaus!
5. What else is there to do there besides walk around?
We would recommend checking out one of the thrill stunning thrill rides at Epcot — guests can speed around in a car at Test Track, board a spaceship for a journey to another planet on Mission Space or view visual marvels aboard Soarin’ Around the World.
6. What are the entertainment options?
Epcot just re-introduced the nighttime fireworks spectacular, Epcot Forever. It has already been announced that it will be ending this fall in time for the 50th Anniversary Celebration where a new nighttime show will be introduced. Guests can also experience various, rotating entertainment throughout the day in the various pavilions of World Showcase. Additionally, throughout the year, Epcot hosts four festivals that deepen the guest experience at the park. From January through February, guests can experience the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, March through June is home to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. The summer and fall is home to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, while December is home to the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays!
7. Isn’t it hard to get there?
Quite the contrary! Epcot may be on the easiest parks to get to — guests can gain access to this park via the Monorail, Friendship Boats from Hollywood Studios and the surrounding Crescent Lake Resorts, as well as via the Skyliner. All of these transportation methods are in addition to the Disney Resort busses, and, of course, driving yourself there.
8. There isn’t anything for my kids to do. How can I keep them entertained?
Kids love Epcot! While traveling around World Showcase, kids can visit special Kidcot stations in each country to learn about the country, as well as collect proof that they’ve visited the country. In addition, during the various festivals offered throughout the year, kids (and adults who are kids at heart) LOVE doing the scavenger hunts as they walk the park — currently, guests are searching for Remy hidden throughout the pavilions for the Food and Wine Festival, but these scavenger hunts exist for each festival!
9. My teenager will NEVER like it there because there isn’t anything for him to do. How can I convince him to go?
THRILL RIDES! Teenagers love an exhilarating spin on Test Track or the weightless feeling of riding Soarin’ Around the World!
10. What’s the deal with the giant golf ball?
That’s Spaceship Earth – the flagship attraction for the entire park. It is slated to undergo renovation in the near future, so if you have a trip planned in the near future, we would recommend experiencing it one last time before it changes!
Visiting Epcot can be an amazing experience where guests can learn about the physical world, as well as explore new cultures. We guarantee that the entire family will love taking a trip there on your next visit to Disney World!