Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PART EIGHT
EPCOT
EDUCATION, INSPIRATION, AND CORPORATE IMAGERY
are the focus at Epcot, the most
adult of the Walt Disney World theme parks. What it gains in taking a futuristic, vis-
ionary, and technological look at the world, it loses, just a bit, in warmth, happiness,
and charm. Some people find the attempts at education to be superficial; others want
more entertainment and less education. Most visitors, however, are in between, finding
plenty of amusement
and
information.
Epcot's themed areas are distinctly different.
Future World
combines Disney cre-
ativity and major corporations' technological resources to examine where humankind
has come from and where we're going.
World Showcase
features landmarks, cuisine,
and culture from almost a dozen nations and is meant to be a sort of permanent World's
Fair.
So you thought the Magic Kingdom was big? Epcot is more than twice as large
as the Magic Kingdom, so unless one day is all you have, plan on spending two days
at Epcot to savor all it has to offer. While Epcot, unlike the Magic Kingdom, does not
stand out as a natural for kids, rest assured that families can have as much fun at Epcot
as at any of the other theme parks.
Now for the practical stuff: Future World always opens first; that's where you
start your day. While most of Future World's attractions stay open until the entire park
closes, a few close around 7 p.m. most of the year. If you are lodging at a Disney hotel,
consider visiting when the park offers morning or evening Extra Magic Hours. Once
you arrive, pick up a park map and the daily entertainment schedule (
Times Guide
). If
you'reaDisneyhotelguestandtheparkoffersmorningoreveningExtraMagicHours,
grab the
EMH “Evenings” flyer
, which lists all the attractions open during the addi-
