Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Epcot has something for every Disney guest, young and old. With its thrilling rides, unique restaurants, lovable character interactions, charming shops, intriguing attractions, and overall exciting atmosphere, it’s easy to spend more than one day here. Measuring twice the size of the Magic Kingdom, there are two distinct sections to explore. Future World is devoted to attractions showcasing technology, communication, the natural sciences, and transportation. World Showcase is situated around a beautiful lagoon and invites guests to explore fascinating cuisine, cultures, entertainments, and architecture of 11 countries. Epcot is hands down my favorite theme park at Walt Disney World, and these are some of the reasons why we love going back!
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1. Dining Adventures
Epcot is brimming with top-notch restaurants, and so many of them are must-dos for my family. The World Showcase offers international menu options to please every palate. Enjoy a romantic Mexican meal under a twilight sky at the San Angel Inn Restaurante or try an exotic Moroccan dinner, complete with belly dancers, at Restaurant Marrakesh. The Canada pavilion invites guests to dine in the quaint Le Cellier Steakhouse, or sample authentic Italian specialties at Via Napoli Ristorante in Italy. The Coral Reef in Future World is a truly unique dining experience that lets guests enjoy a meal with an up-close view of amazing sea creatures. And this is just a small sample of the variety of eateries available, so there are always choices available for return visits.
2. Character to Love
I love how easy it is to get a great picture with your favorite character in Epcot. Park schedules list times that various princesses and characters will be available for a picture and hug. If you don’t want to stand in line outside, check out the convenient Character Spot in Future World for an air-conditioned opportunity that features friends like Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. You can also meet newer characters like Baymax, Sadness, and Joy Don’t forget about restaurants that feature characters too. The Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway lets you meet favorite princesses (plus Anna and Elsa are also located in Norway), while The Garden Grill gives guests the chance to meet Mickey, Chip, Dale, and Pluto in a family-style dining setting.
3. Amazing Festivals
If you really want to see Epcot at its finest, visit during a festival. In late winter Epcot offers the Festival of Arts which hosts beautiful presentations of the arts through paintings to masterful food. The spring season offers the International Flower & Garden Festival. The park comes alive with color, and there are topiaries of your favorite Disney characters. Each fall the International Food & Wine Festival is held. It features dishes and beverages from around the world that you can’t usually find in the park. Epcot also has an early winter festival called the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This is perfect time to take in all the holidays from around the world! These festivals include seminars, demonstrations, free concerts, and event merchandise. The festivals are included with park admission, although there is a fee for some of the extras.
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4. A Fireworks Spectacular
Watching Illuminations-Reflections of Earth from a great spot around the World Showcase lagoon is a fantastic way to end the evening. The show delights guests with an incredible display of lasers, music, and fireworks over the water. I never get tired of watching Illuminations from one of the many excellent vantage points in World Showcase.
5. Lively Entertainment
Check out an Epcot schedule, or just stroll through the World Showcase, and you’re likely to find some of the fantastic entertainment acts. Catch a show of the talented Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in China or the amazing antics of the Serveur Amusant in France. Sing along with the British Revolution band in the United Kingdom or enjoy a refreshing margarita listening to the Mariachi Cobre in Mexico. Catching some of the “streetmosphere” acts and performers as you soak up the charming atmosphere of the World Showcase is a fantastic way to spend a few hours or the entire day.
6. Overlooked Attractions
While the thrill rides and new character interactions get a lot of the attention in Epcot, there are so many equally amazing things to do in this park that often get overlooked. Have fun in Club Cool trying out complimentary soft drinks from around the world. Don’t rush through the Seabase aquarium after you disembark from The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and take time to listen to the cast members explaining the animal inhabitants. Learn something new with the Behind the Seeds tour that explores the greenhouse in more detail with hands-on interactions. These are just a few of the many adventures that might be ignored with shorter trips, but these attractions alone are worth repeat visits in my book!
