Florida has many theme parks and EPCOT is certainly one of the best. Find out what Future World and World Showcase have to offer.
When thinking of EPCOT, what may first come to mind is the huge white "globe" or sphere that marks the entrance to the park. Inside of this structure is a ride that tells the story of man's ability to communicate and how it evolved throughout history and will continue to evolve in the future. This attraction is called Spaceship Earth and the ride has a duration of sixteen minutes. This section of the park is Future World.
Another Future World attraction is The Living Seas. Within this building is the world's largest saltwater aquarium, holding almost six million gallons of salt water. Guests watch sharks, dolphins, exotic fish, and many other forms of marine life (over 70 varieties and 8,000 sea creatures!) from the observation decks. Be sure to look for the manatees on the second level. If you care to dine here, you can get a table by the coral reef at the Coral Reef Restaurant.
Be sure to stop by Ice Station Cool near the park entrance. This is sponsored by Coca Cola and guests can try free samples of Coke from around the world. Built to resemble a polar expedition, walking through the chilled atmosphere and the manufactured snow is a great break from the Florida heat!
The Land is also one of Future World's attractions. The theme, as the name suggests, is about the land that gives us food. There is a rotating restaurant and food court here as well as a boat ride. This attraction offers a movie about the environment called The Circle of Life.
One of Journey into Imagination's features is called Honey I Shrunk the Audience. It is a 20 minute 3D movie with some great special effects. This area also offers a ride called Journey Into Your Imagination and a "What If Labs" area.
Stop by the Innoventions building for all things technology related. See demonstrations for voice recognition, video games, computers, and much more. Be sure to stop at the IBM area and send a free picture of yourself back home or to friends via email. Another interesting attraction here is the "House of Tomorrow" walking tour. See a smart home of the future as well.
Also in the Future World section of EPCOT, look for the Mission: SPACE attraction, Wonders of Life, Universe of Energy, and Test Track.
The other section of EPCOT is World Showcase, highlighting eleven countries. Purchase items directly from these countries in the shops and eat the ethnic foods from the represented country. There is too much to mention in one article, but some of the highlights will be listed here.
In Mexico you will see an Aztec Temple and shop at a Mexican marketplace. There is a boat ride here called El Rio del Tiempo (The River of Time). The restaurant here is called San Angel Inn. Diners see and experience a calming ambiance in the presence of a volcano. The counter service in the Mexico area is Cantina de San Angel for a quick meal or a frozen margarita. Entertainment here at various times of the day is the Mariachi Cabre, a 12 piece band. Shopping in Mexico will offer home decor, fashions, crafts, leather, and more.
In Norway, the Viking boat ride is called the Maelstrom. The restaurant offers a Norwegian smorgasbord buffet for either lunch or dinner and is called Restaurant Akershus. Look for the replica of the old Stave Church found in Oslo. If you are not ready for a full meal, Norway offers the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe with pastries and desserts. The entertainment here is Norwegian folk music and shopping offers wool items, pewter, housewares, and of course trolls!
In China, the spectacular building is the Chinese Hall of Prayer. There is a CircleVision movie here, exhibits, the Dragon Legend Acrobats and folk music from Si Xian for entertainment. The restaurant here is Nine Dragons and the counter service is the Lotus Blossom Cafe. Things found in stores here include housewares, rugs, silk, fans, jewelry and much more.
In the Germany section, visitors will feel as if they stepped into an authentic German village. The restaurant is called Biergarten and offers an Oktoberfest buffet of many German foods. Diners will be treated to dances and yodelers straight from Germany. The counter service here is called Sommerfest where light fare such as bratwurst and beer is served. Entertainment in the Germany section includes a strolling band and a trio of singers. Shopping will offer collectables of Hummel and Goebel, crystal, German cuckoo clocks, wine, teddy bears, steins, and German chocolate.
Italy's section of EPCOT offers a Florentine style restaurant called L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante. For entertainment,try to catch the living statues called Imaginum. Shopping here offers Italian chocolate, crystal, gourmet food, housewares, wines, and more.
American Adventure is where to find a stage show about America's past using Audio-Animatronics, also called American Adventure. The buildings in this section were inspired by architecture of colonial America. Dining choices here are the Liberty Inn counter service and a funnel cake kiosk. There is a theater here for live stage shows and visitors may also catch the Voices of Liberty a cappella group and The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps. The shops offer Americana items.
Japan's pagoda rises tall as visitors enter World Showcase's Japan section. See exhibits about Japan here and dine at Teppanyaki or one of the other restaurant choices. Entertainment includes the Japanese drums of Matsuriza and a Japanese candy artist. Japanese items including pearls, swords, kimonos, porcelain, dolls, and Pokemon items are found in the stores here.
Enter intriguing Morocco and spend some time shopping and looking at the displays here. See what life in a Moroccan home is like at the Fez House. Dining here will be at the Restaurant Marrakesh or the counter service of the Tangierine Cafe. Entertainment is the music of MoRockin and a 45 minute Treasures of Morocco show. Shop for many items directly from Morocco including baskets, brass, leather, carpet, clothing, musical instruments, and jewelry.
In the France section of World Showcase, visitors can buy French perfume, books, wine, and art. Be sure to see the presentation Impressions de France, a movie tour of France from the air. Dine at Chefs de France, Bistro de Paris, or the Boulangerie Patisserie pastry shop.
The United Kingdom offers the Rose and Crown Pub for your favorite British fare and ales. Counter service here is Yorkshire County Fish and Chips. For entertainment, catch a Beatles imitator group or an Improv group. For sale at the stores, shoppers will find perfume, jewelry, Scottish kilts, fabrics, and knits, china, teas and candies, and British toys.
Finally last but certainly not least, is the Canada section of the World Showcase. There is a CircleVision film here that lasts for seventeen minutes and a band playing Celtic music here for the entertainment. Visitors also often find bagpipes here. Dining choices are Le Cellier and the Trapper Bob's Beavertails kiosk for these very rich and delicious pastries. Shops offer gifts from Canada including maple syrup, art, jewelry, lumberjack clothing, and toys.
At closing time each night, be sure to see the light show called IllumiNations. It is a thirteen minute pyrotechnic, laser, and LED spectacular and is held above the Lagoon at World Showcase.
