The idea for Epcot came from Walt Disney. He was always trying to come up with something new to add to the original Disneyland Park in California. One of his ideas was to put in an International Street. Though the International Street was never incorporated into Disneyland, the idea led to the World Showcase section of Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. Disney's international vision, the Epcot Theme Park, opened on Oct. 1, 1982. It was the second theme park created for Walt Disney World in Florida.
Visitors are welcomed to Epcot by Spaceship Earth, sitting much like a giant golf ball at the park's main entrance. The attraction, part of the Future World section, hosts a 16-minute ride that uses a series of audio-animatronic scenes to describe the history of man from 40,000 years ago to the present. Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury helped with the design and the original storyline. The 165-foot-tall, 16-million-pound structure soon became the park's icon.
After visiting Spaceship Earth, guests can explore the rest of Future World. There are hands-on exhibits that delve into space exploration, transportation of the future and issues concerning health, energy solutions and the environment. The Imagination Pavilion, which includes the interactive ImageWorks -- The Kodak "What If" Labs and the Innovations Play Station, are entertaining for adults as well as hands-on fun for kids. The Space Pavilion takes guests on an imaginary mission to Mars that includes evading a meteor shower. It can take almost a whole day to get through Future World if you spend time at all the exhibits and entertainment venues, especially during the busy summer season when lines are long.
The second half of the park, the World Showcase, features 11 pavilions representing individual countries around the globe. Each pavilion features attractions, foods and goods native to its theme and are staffed by citizens of that particular country. Set around a lagoon, the World Showcase holds 11 of Epcot's 13 restaurants and 17 of the park's 21 visitor attractions. Examples of available attractions include The Morocco Pavilion, featuring a desert setting with authentic food at the Restaurant Marrakesh, and the Norway Pavilion, designed as an authentic Scandinavian village. The Norway Pavilion's Maelstrom attraction features 10 passenger Viking-style boats that sail through troll forests and then the North Sea. At the end of the ride a five-minute movie shows the delights of Norway.
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Florida is more ride-based than Epcot. There are 37 rides and attractions in the 107 acres of the Magic Kingdom, while Epcot is more spread out with 21 main attractions or pavilions. Each pavilion has attractions of its own, some ride-based, others to be explored at the visitor's own pace. Both parks can be explored in a day but most people, if they have the time, will want to take two for Epcot. Wait times at rides greatly affect how long it takes to get through either park.
Epcot Center's 300 acres means plenty of walking, so wearing comfortable shoes is advised. Wheelchairs and electric conveyance vehicles, or ECVs, are available for rent in the park. In Florida's hot climate, sunscreen is also a must. Carry water and drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. The weather in Florida can change rapidly and showers sometimes occur with little or no warning. Carry an umbrella or a light raincoat, just in case.
