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As huge fans of Disney World, we knew we had to visit Epcot given the opportunity, so in typical Andrew & Talita style, we decided last-minute to visit while in Florida during our trip to Fort Lauderdale & Orlando.
Epcot is one of the four Disney theme parks and is known for its futuristic attractions, international pavilions, and incredible food. It's also one of the more Adult friendly parks that focuses more on experiences and less on rides.
Getting to Epcot
About a 3 hour drive from Fort Lauderdale, Epcot is located in the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Orlando. We arrived at the park in the mid-morning and were amazed by the park's sheer size and beauty. The weather was perfect, and the Sunday crowds were actually extremely manageable.
The Epcot theme park is divided into two main sections: Future World and World Showcase. We bounced around between the two, depending on where we stood in the virtual queue for our next ride. 😉
Speaking of lines, Disney is notorious for them. There are a few options, however, that can help make your day as efficient and line free as possible. The first thing you should do is download the mobile app. Through it you will be able to join virtual queues and navigate the park easier.
Line Options:
FastPass+: This allows guests to reserve a specific time to ride select attractions, minimizing wait times. INFO
Single Rider Lines: If you don't mind riding alone, Single Rider Lines offer a shorter wait time compared to the regular lines.
Early Entry: Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel can enter the park an hour earlier than the general public, which can be helpful in avoiding long lines.
Extra Magic Hours: On select days, Disney Resort hotel guests and select ticket holders can enjoy additional park hours before or after regular park hours, with fewer crowds and shorter wait times.
Mobile Ordering: With the My Disney Experience app, guests can order food and beverages from select restaurants and have it ready for pick-up without waiting in line. Access thru app
Note, if you have a medical condition that does not allow you to wait in person for an attraction, you can also utilize Disney DAS.
World Showcase
One of the dopest parts of Epcot is the World Showcase, where we got to experience different countries from around the world mere steps from each other. The park is home to 11 different country pavilions, each showcasing the culture, food, and architecture of a different country. We felt like we were transported to different parts of the world as we walked each uniquely different neighborhood.
As we entered France, we felt like we had been transported to the charming streets of Paris. The area is designed to emulate a quaint French village, complete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower and cobblestone streets.
One of the first things you'll notice is the delicious aroma of freshly baked pastries coming from the patisserie. The selection of pastries and desserts is truly impressive, and you'll find everything from macarons to éclairs to croissants. Be sure to try the crème brûlée, which Dre will never not pass up if served. 😂
There are also several restaurants serving classic French cuisine, including the popular Chefs de France. The menu features traditional dishes such as escargot, coq au vin, and bouillabaisse. For a more casual dining experience, check out the Boulangerie Patisserie, which offers sandwiches, quiches, and other light bites.
Also in France is the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride, an incredible virtual experience that makes you feel the size of a mouse, scouring through the walls and into an exclusive Parisian restaurant.
Our Reel from that day highlights our Adventures!
In Mexico, where we went on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. The ride takes visitors on a boat ride through Mexico, where they encounter The Three Caballeros: Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles. It was a fun, family-friendly ride that showcased the beauty of Mexican culture. If you love a good margarita or are a tequila fan, we recommend stopping at La Cava del Tequila.
We next explored England, Canada, and Japan. Each pavilion was unique and had its own charm. In England, there was a performance by a Beatles cover band and the overall scenery reminded us of our brief stop in London after Christmas.
In Canada, we were amazed by the beauty of the waterfalls and saw a 360-degree film about the country's natural beauty.
In Japan, we experienced the Anime pop-culture and had a delicious lunch at Katsura Grill. Dre couldn’t resist buying some Kasugai gummies. 😋
Next, we visited Norway, which is home to the popular Frozen Ever After ride. The ride takes visitors on a journey through the story of Frozen, complete with cutting edge animatronics of Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.
Talita couldn’t resist singing along to Let it Go. 😂
The German Pavilion offers a taste of Old World charm, with half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and a picturesque clock tower that will transport you straight to the heart of Bavaria.
No visit to the German Pavilion is complete without sampling some of the country's most delicious cuisine, including bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels, and of course, beer! Don't miss the chance to indulge in a refreshing pint of German brew at the Biergarten restaurant or one of the pavilion's outdoor beer carts.
Future World
Separate from the World Showcase is Future World, Epcot's technology-focused section, where visitors can experience cutting-edge attractions and get a glimpse of the future.
This is where the Iconic geodesic sphere that houses the Spaceship Earth ride is located. The ride takes visitors on a journey through the history of human communication, from cave drawings to the internet.
Next, we visited Test Track, a high-speed thrill ride that allows visitors to design their own virtual concept car, then take it for a spin on a test track. Talita would have loved to partake in this part of the experience but Dre took over like a 12 year old, geeking out to all the aerodynamic and performance options.🤓🤦🏽♀️
We also checked out Mission: SPACE, a simulator ride that takes visitors on a mission to Mars. It was a thrilling experience which simulated a space launch and was so realistic that we felt like we were really in a spaceship.
One caveat, it's also a bit scary if you are claustrophobic. It also accelerates very quickly and if you have neck or joint issues it can be unpleasant.
An unexpectedly fascinating attraction was Living with the Land, an immersive journey into the world of sustainable agriculture and farming. The ride was a fascinating glimpse into the future of sustainable food production, making it a must-see for anyone interested in science, technology, and agriculture.
Visitors board a boat and embark on a 14-minute cruise through four different environments: a rainforest, a desert, a farmhouse, and a futuristic greenhouse. Along the way, guests learn about innovative farming techniques, including aquaponics and hydroponics, and see a variety of crops and plants being grown in unique ways.
If you're looking for some thrills, the best ride of the day was the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This high-speed roller coaster takes you on a wild ride through space with your favorite Marvel characters.
Important note, you can only access this line through a virtual queue that you opens up each day at 7AM and again at 1PM.
You do not need to be in the park to join the line and it will fill up in SECONDS. You need to have the Mobile App open and refresh right when the queue opens to have a chance to join.
We stayed at Epcot until the park closed at 9PM to watch the fireworks show, and it was a magical experience. The fireworks lit up the sky, and the music added to the already enchanting atmosphere. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Overall, our experience at Disney Epcot was unforgettable. We loved every minute of it and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the magic of Disney, especially as an adult without kids. From the different pavilions to the thrilling rides, there was something for everyone. We can't wait to go back and experience it all over again.
Our Dope Life Continues...
Social | Useful Links:
Our Epcot Reel
Disney Mobile App Info
FastPass+ INFO
Disney DAS Info
Food/ Drink
France: Chefs de France
France: Boulangerie Patisserie
Mexico: La Cava del Tequila
Japan: Katsura Grill
Germany: Biergarten restaurant
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