Off the Beaten Path - Epcot Center's Hidden Pleasures
Written: Apr 06 '05 (Updated Apr 12 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Epcot Center is a wonderful park with lots to do!
Cons: Popular attractions will have long lines
The Bottom Line: Epcot provides a wonderful atmosphere and great attractions. This review focuses on some special experiences there that are less well-known.
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| chelledun's Full Review: Epcot |
We all know that a vacation to Disney World will generally be accompanied with much dashing back and forth across theme parks in an effort to see the hottest attractions, obtain character autographs for your kids, and avoid waiting in lines. However, some of the most enjoyable moments of my Disney vacations have occurred when I took a break from the hectic bustle and simply enjoyed some of the smaller pleasures of the parks. Epcot Center offers a variety of major attractions, such as the exciting Test Track, which takes riders outside the pavilion to test the high speed capability of new cars, and the brand new Mission Space, which exposes riders to G-forces similar to those in space. The following review, however, contains a list of some of the less well known but most enjoyable things to do at the Epcot park.
General Info
For those who have never been to the park, understanding the layout is critical to understanding the rest of this review. Epcot Center is divided into two major sections. Future World features themed pavilions focusing on innovative and futuristic techniques in major fields. The themes are the seas, the land, imagination, transportation, inventions, the body, energy, and communication. The back half of the park features a huge lagoon around which the World Showcase is arranged. This section of the park features pavilions themed for various countries around the world, including authentic food, attractions, and shops. The countries are (in order, heading left around the lagoon) Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada.
1. Listen to British Invasion in the United Kingdom
This group performs covers of Beatles songs in the topiary garden behind the UK pavilion of the world showcase. The entertainment schedule gives a list of the group’s performance times. We really enjoy listening to their latest show, which is usually shortly prior to the evening performance of illumination. There was something really special about standing in a recreated English village with a crowd singing and swaying to “Let it be”. It was a rare feeling of kinship, peace, and love for a Disney theme park, until the music ended and we all raced off to push and shove for a good spot at Illuminations.
2. Get your Passport signed!
This is a great activity for parents with children in elementary or middle school. A ‘passport’ is sold at gift shops at Epcot Center, which can be stamped at a designated location in each World Showcase country. Having the passport stamped is a great way to interact with the friendly employees, who are all from the countries they represent. The passport coupled with a photo in each country makes a great start for an educational project if kids are missing school for the trip. I did this one year when I was really young, and my teacher let me share it with the class upon returning.
3. Fun with Fountains
On a hot day, there is a lot of wet fun to be had at Epcot Center. My personal favorite are the fountains near the Imagination pavilion, where water ‘jumps’ from one fountain to the next, or even from one planter to another across a path. Kids (and adults) really enjoy ‘catching’ the water. Directly behind the fountains, Figment from the Imagination pavilion often makes an appearance for photos and autographs in a brightly colored room, so be sure to check if he is available. There is also the beautiful Fountain of Nations located directly behind Spaceship Earth, which is coordinated to music and erupts several times a day.
4. Talk to a turtle!
This attraction is a more minor one which is easily missed. It was recently added as part of the Living Seas pavilion’s “Finding Nemo” update. The theater is small and located on the main floor of Seabase Alpha in the pavilion. Shows start periodically, so if the theater seems closed ask a staff member when the next show starts. This show features Crush, a 152 year-old sea turtle who appeared in “Finding Nemo”. I was very impressed with this show. Although Crush is animated like he is in the movie, he actually interacts with the audience and answers questions for the children. If your child would like to interact with Crush, try to steer him down to the front two rows so Crush and the staff worker can “see” him. The show is fun for adults too, since Crush calls everybody Dude and makes jokes that are amusing for all ages.
5. Have a French Pastry
One tradition my family honors without fail is a visit to the France pavilion’s Boulangerie Patisserie. The pastries here are fabulous, and it is a delight to sit and eat them at the outdoor tables on a warm evening. This is a counter service operation, and it becomes quite busy immediately prior to Illuminations. However, there are two lines and they move fairly quickly, since only pastries are served. Options include my favorite, Palmiers as well as Chocolate Mousse, Cream Puffs and child-friendly fare such as Mickey Mouse Cookies. Prices for most items are between two and three dollars. Soft drinks and water are available as well.
6. Hang out with a Statue
Italy’s pavilion features beautiful scenery and architecture – some of which moves! Imaginum is an act featuring performers dressed like realistic looking marble statutes. The ‘statues’ pose for photos with guests and entertain visitors without saying a word. I have seen these statutes steal people’s hats and pretend like they are falling over onto a startled tourist seeking a photo opportunity. It is especially fun to watch children interact with the performers. Imaginum is available on the front side of the Italy pavilion several times a day. Ask an employee when the statutes will next appear if you want to be sure to catch the fun.
7. Catch a Movie
If you need a quiet place to relax, the fine films in the World Showcase are often neglected by busy tourists. The films in China, Canada, and France are a great place for kids (and parents) to have a little downtime on a hot day of touring. All three of these films are shot in Circlevision, which means you feel like you are in the middle of the action as the many screens around you each show a different picture.
8. Pick a Pearl! (Or just watch)
Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Japan pavilion is home to one of the most fun souvenir ideas at Disney World. For less than $15.00, guests can pick out an oyster guaranteed to have a pearl inside. The friendly staff will crack open your oyster and, with much ooing and ahing, clean it for you and give you the option of having it placed in a piece of jewelry. If you don’t want to try your luck at selecting a pearl, you can at least watch, there is almost always someone picking out an oyster and usually there is a line to do so. I would imagine none of the pearls are amazingly valuable, but some are definitely larger or brighter than others. The department store was recently reorganized and is a lot of fun to walk around. This is definitely the place to find a gift for any Hello Kitty fan on your list!
9. Dine Under the Stars
My very favorite restaurant at Epcot Center is the San Angel Inn located in the Mexico Pavilion. Dining here is a little pricey, with entrees for dinner ranging between $18 and $24. My favorite entrée is Mole Pablano, which is chicken that has a delicious chocolate sauce. If you are only to splurge on one expensive meal at the parks, this would definitely be my pick because of the fabulous atmosphere and high quality food. The restaurant overlooks the beautiful temple scene which are part of the El Rio de Tiempo attraction. The entire pavilion is dimly lit and decorated like a Mexican marketplace at night. Additionally, the margaritas are fabulous! The restaurant is fairly quiet and one of the most romantic and relaxing places for a dinner at any of the parks.
Overall…
Epcot Center has many fabulous and well-known attractions. However, many of the smaller attractions I’ve listed are things that have helped make my many (50ish?) visits to Epcot Center so memorable. Whether these attractions appeal to your or not, do be sure to take some breaks from a hectic touring schedule to relax. My advice for a visit to Epcot or any Disney Theme Park is to enjoy the small pleasures as well as the major blockbusting attractions and allow plenty of time to just soak in the experience. Have fun!
*More reviews on my very favorite place - DISNEY WORLD!
Hotel Reviews
Beach Club
Coronado Springs
Grand Floridian
Restaurants
Victoria and Albert's
Attractions
Stitch's Great Escape
The Living Seas (Finding Nemo Update)
Primeval Whirl
Peter Pan's Flight
Dinosaur
Imagination Pavilion
Theme Parks
Blizzard Beach
Pleasure Island
Magic Kingdom for Adults
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Dec - Feb
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