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Parks: Walt Disney World - Epcot
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Info
Status:   Operating since October 1, 1982
Also Known As:   EPCOT Center
Phone:   407-824-4321
Web:   Walt Disney World - Epcot's site
Address:  
Lake Buena Vista, FL USA
Visits:   754
Rating:   This Park's Rating Is: 4
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More About This Park
Notes:
Even before the new Magic Kingdom opened, Walt Disney was developing plans for EPCOT Center , or Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, conceived in 1966 as a real community experimenting with the new ideas and materials of the technologically advancing US. The idea failed to shape up as Disney had envisioned: EPCOT didn't open its gates until 1982, when global recession and ecological concerns had put a damper on the belief in the infallibility of science. One drawback of this park is simply its immense size: twice as big as the Magic Kingdom and very sapping on the feet.

Inside the unmissable 180ft geosphere (unlike a semicircular geodesic dome , the geosphere is completely round), Future World , a reminder of the park's original concept, details the history and possible advances to be made in agriculture, transportation, energy and communications. The best of the rides - all corporately sponsored, so don't expect any mention of alternative power or global warming - are the superb Test Track , a radical combination of simulator and switchback ride in which you test a high-speed car of the future; Body Wars , a fast-paced simulator voyage through the body's immune system; and the 4D cinematic thrill of Honey, I Shrunk the Audience . Occupying the largest area in the park is the World Showcase , with eleven different "countries" represented by street sets. The restaurants here are the best in Walt Disney World, and it's a great place to watch the spectacular nighttime sound and light show, Illuminations .
Travel Info:

In the news...

Rides
Body Wars Fixed Ride SBNO
Ellen's Energy Adventure Fixed Ride Operating
Journey Into Imagination with Figment Dark Ride Operating since 2003
Living With the Land Dark Ride Operating
Maelstrom Fixed Ride Operating
Mission Space Fixed Ride Operating since 2003
Soarin' Fixed Ride Operating since 2005
Spaceship Earth Fixed Ride Operating
Test Track Fixed Ride Operating since 1999
The Gran Fiesta Water Ride Operating
The Sea with Nemo & Friends Dark Ride Operating since 10/2006
Past Rides
Captain EO General Attraction Operated 1986 to 1991
Food Rocks General Attraction Operated 1992 to 2004
Horizons Dark Ride Operated from 1983 to 1999
Journey Into Imagination Dark Ride Operated from 1986 to 1998
Kitchen Cabaret General Attraction Operated 1986 to 1991


Reviews
SFOG Freak

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2627

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I seek thrilling rides, not educational ones. The park was alright but not great.

7-6-04 23:04:04
slnewbus

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1652

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This park is not terrific, not bad.

2-12-05 14:56:06
Tanks4me05

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 843

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I'm sorry, Disney, but you are TERRIBLE theme park creators.
65 miles per hour is fast, but it's just a stupid car. I've been iin cars faster than that. Disney has done a poor job. No thrill. The food atmosphere at that italian resturant stunk. Just a giant, loud, noisy room with insane food prices ad mediocre food quality.

4-20-05 14:56:18
RLLrCoastrLover

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1058

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Why isn't Soarin on the ride list? It was the most popular ride when I visited.

7-30-05 20:55:24
James

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10932

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Epcot is an "odd" park its not much for rides but its still a nice place.

8-27-05 11:09:36
I love DW

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2063

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Epcot is a nice park needs more rides but still is a nice park. Unfortunetly I wasn't able to ride Test Track because it was broken down like a lot of Walt Disney World's rides that either broke down while I was on them or in line or going to go get in line. (3 broke down while I was on them, 1 while I was in line, and 1 while I was going to get in line)

Edit: And all of the ones that had problem's were in Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

6-11-06 17:18:51
medusa548

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 189

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I'm from California, and maybe unlike some east coasters, I have never experienced a true blend of culutures like at a World's Fair, so Epcot was actually a magical experience for me. It was great walking around the park for me to see multiple "countries" and I thought the Chinese food was great as well. So, because it was a first time experience at a World's Fair, I gave it five stars, because it was nice to take a break from the hectic nature of some of the other parks.

9-25-06 23:26:32
GeminiRider

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 222

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It was okay, but was kind of scholarlike. Im on vacation! I dont care about educationial stuff when on vacation!

5-11-07 17:32:59
Yellowbird88

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 163

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Epot is great if you are over 21! I got nice and toasty from tasting beers from around the World....then I did a little 'drunk driving' on test track. I can see it being a bit boring for kids...but the food and drinking Beergarden (sp?) is fantasic with the show.

10-18-07 11:50:15
Canobie Coaster

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 414

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Rating: 3 out of 5
Best Ride: Test Track

EPCOT is probably the Disney park that's geared the most towards older visitors. Still, enthusiasts will find plenty to do there.

Coasters- Unfortunately there aren't any at EPCOT. :(

Flat Rides- None at all. This is a Disney park after all.

Water Rides- There are some decent boat rides in Wolrd Showcase. Maelstrom is a cool viking boat ride in Germany with a sweet backwards drop! The Mexico boat ride is worth checking out as well if you have time.

Dark Rides- As usual, this is Disney's strong point. From Imagination to Test Track, Disney has everything from thrilling dark rides to ones suitable for the whole family. Test Track was my personal favorite thanks to the well executed indoor sections along with the high speed finale. Mission: SPACE and Soarin' should only bolster EPCOT's dark rides.

Food- EPCOT has a wide variety, but I really don't remember what I had to eat.

Atmosphere- Great. Future World really does have a futuristic feel to it and World Showcase really captures each of the countries that are portrayed.

7-15-08 20:49:52


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