Do You Know These 6 Secrets About EPCOT?

Epcot offers innovative technology with the inclusion of cultural diversity all in one park. It is loved by many and incorporates many Disney concepts in its beautiful attractions, rides, and shows. Here are 6 secrets that people don’t know about Epcot!

6. The Original Plans

Walt Disney came up with the idea for Epcot (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) in a time where the technology and advancement needed for this project did not exist. Walt wanted to create the perfect utopian city that was free form violence, green for the earth, and even possibly having a dome over it to control the environment. Transportation like the monorail and people movers would be the only source of transportation. If a resident owned a car, it would only be for weekend or pleasure trips, and all activity, such as deliveries from large trucks, would be ‘invisible’ because it would all be done underground. Commercial areas would be in the center of the town and would not interfere with residential areas. While this sounds incredible (especially considering that he came up with it during a time where technology wasn’t as present as it is now), it is out of reach and was never actually implemented. Instead, the theme park we know and love was constructed.

5. Morocco

During the amazing Illuminations firework show, all of the countries pavilions are lit up. If you take a glance over at Morocco, you’ll notice that it remains mostly dark. In order to not violate the religious beliefs of the county, Disney honors this by not lighting up this pavilion. If you look at the tiles that create the murals in this pavilion, you’ll notice that they all have some type of flaw. This is because the people of Morocco believe that only Allah can make anything that is perfect. Along with these cool facts, you will notice that the Tower of Terror blends in well in the background in this pavilion.

4. American Pavilion

The American Pavilion is a favorite among many guests. If you are going to see the show, The American Adventure, you will notice that you will have to go up to the ‘second floor’. The reason for this is the audio-animatronic presidents used in the show are actually stored right under your seats! The building that hosts The American Adventure appears to be 3 stories high, but it is in fact 5 stories high! This was done with the ‘forced perspective design’, which was also used to make the Cinderella Castle!

3. China

The Chinese pavilion has some of the most beautiful architecture and culture that any of the pavilions at Epcot have to offer. If you walk into the temple, you will have the opportunity to experience perfect acoustics. If you stand in the very center, your voice will echo right back to you.

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2. Japan

In addition to China, there is some stunning architecture in the Japanese pavilion, starting with the five story pagoda that sits just as you enter the pavilion from the east side. Each story of this pagoda represents the elements that the Buddhists believe create the entire universe; earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. There is also a statue located here that was a (very expensive) gift from Japan to Disney when the Magic Kingdom was opened in 1971. When Epcot was built, the statue was transferred to this pavilion.

1. Equal Opportunity

Disney wanted to make sure that each country is seen as equal in Epcot. For this reason, every frontage of each country is exactly the same and the height of each countries tallest feature is equal in height. The reason some of the features appear larger than others is due to the use of forced perspective. For example, the Eiffel Tower in France is set in the rear of the pavilion, where as the pagoda in Japan sits right in front where visitors enter.

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