EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow, was envisioned by Walt Disney as a new type of city development. After his death in 1966, the project was put on hold and not revisited again until 1975. At that time, Disney leadership felt Walt’s vision was unrealistic and decided to build EPCOT as a theme park instead of a place to live. In 1982, EPCOT Center opened to the public. It was made up of two lands—Future World and World Showcase.
Despite being a far cry from Walt Disney’s original vision, Epcot (no longer in all caps) is still an amazing place to visit. For some, it is the ultimate Disney park—part innovation, part World’s Fair, and part exotic travel. Here’s our Epcot 101. (*Starred items are Pop In Team Member favorites.)
Attractions
Spaceship Earth (Future World East)
Mission: SPACE (Future World East)
Test Track (Future World East)*
The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Future World West)
Turtle Talk With Crush (Future World West)
Living with the Land (Future World West)*
Journey Into Imagination With Figment (Future World West)
Gran Fiesta (World Showcase-Mexico)
Frozen Ever After (World Showcase-Norway)
The American Adventure (World Showcase-The American Adventure)*
World Showcase Pavilions
Mexico*
Norway
China
Germany
Italy
The American Adventure
Japan*
Morocco*
France*
United Kingdom*
Canada
Food
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company (Future World East, World Showcase-American Adventure and World Showcase-United Kingdom)
Coral Reef Restaurant (Future World West)
Sunshine Seasons (Future World West)*
The Garden Grill (Future World West)
Choza de Margarita (World Showcase-Mexico)
San Angel Inn Restaurante (World Showcase-Mexico)
La Hacienda de San Angel (World Showcase-Mexico)
La Cantina de San Angel (World Showcase-Mexico)
La Cava del Tequila (World Showcase-Mexico)
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (World Showcase-Norway)
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (World Showcase-Norway)
Nine Dragons Restaurant (World Showcase-China)
Lotus Blossom Café (World Showcase-China)
Joy of Tea (World Showcase-China)
Biergarten Restaurant (World Showcase-Germany)*
Sommerfest (World Showcase-Germany)
Karamell-Kuche (World Showcase-Germany)
Weinkeller (World Showcase-Germany)
Tutto Italia Ristorante (World Showcase-Italy)
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (World Showcase-Italy)*
Liberty Inn (World Showcase-The American Adventure)
Fife & Drum Tavern (World Showcase-The American Adventure)
Teppan Edo (World Showcase-Japan)*
Tokyo Dining (World Showcase-Japan)
Katsura Grill (World Showcase-Japan)
Kabuki Café (World Showcase-Japan)
Restaurant Marrakesh (World Showcase-Morocco)
Tangierine Café (World Showcase-Morocco)*
Spice Road Table (World Showcase-Morocco)*
Chefs de France (World Showcase-France)
Les Vins des Chefs de France (World Showcase-France)
Crepes des Chef de France (World Showcase-France)
Monsieur Paul (World Showcase-France)
Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie (World Showcase-France)*
L’Artisan des Glaces (World Showcase-France)
Rose & Crown Pub (World Showcase-United Kingdom)
Rose & Crown Dining Room (World Showcase-United Kingdom)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop (World Showcase-United Kingdom)
Le Cellier Steakhouse (World Showcase-Canada)
Shopping
The Gift Shop (Main Entrance)
Art of Disney (Future World West)*
Camera Center (Future World)
Club Cool (Future World West)
Mouse Gear (Future World East)*
Gateway Gifts (Future World)
ImageWorks (Future World)
Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay (Future World)
Pin Central (Future World)
SeaBase Gift Shop (Future World)
Test Track SIMPorium (Future World)
Disney Traders (World Showcase)
Port of Entry (World Showcase)
El Ranchito del Norte (World Showcase-Mexico)
La Tienda Encantada (World Showcase-Mexico) Apparel
La Princesa de Cristal (World Showcase-Mexico) Glass
Plaza de los Amigos (World Showcase-Mexico) Market*
Ring Carvers (World Showcase-Near Mexico)
The Puffin’s Roost (World Showcase-Norway) Apparel & Gifts
Wandering Reindeer (World Showcase-Norway) Apparel & Gifts*
Good Fortune Gifts (World Showcase-China) Home & Toys
House of Good Fortune (World Showcase-China) Apparel & Home
Village Traders (World Showcase) African Themed Merchandise
Glaskunst (World Showcase-Germany) Glass
Das Kaufhaus (World Showcase-Germany) Apparel & Accessories
Der Teddybar (World Showcase-Germany) Toys*
Die Weihnachts Ecke (World Showcase-Germany) Home & Art
Kunstarbeit in Kristall (World Showcase-Germany) Collectibles
Volkskunst (World Showcase-Germany) Crafts
Stein Haus (World Showcase-Germany) Steins
Il Bel Cristallo (World Showcase-Italy) Collectibles
La Bottega Italiana (World Showcase-Italy) Apparel & Home
Heritage Manor Gifts (World Showcase-The American Adventure)
My Heritage Books (World Showcase-The American Adventure)
Mitsukoshi Department Store (World Showcase-Japan)*
The Brass Bazaar (World Showcase-Morocco) Home
Casablanca Carpets (World Showcase-Morocco) Home & Art
Marketplace in Medina (World Showcase-Morocco) Apparel & Home
Souk-al-Magreb (World Showcase-Morocco) Home & Gifts
Tangier Traders (World Showcase-Morocco) Apparel & Home
La Gemma Elegante (World Showcase-France) Home & Collectibles
La Signature (World Showcase-France) Beauty
L’Esprit de la Provence (World Showcase-France) Home
Les Vins de France (World Showcase-France) Wine
Plume et Palette (World Showcase-France) Beauty
Souvenirs de France (World Showcase-France) Gifts
World Traveler (World Showcase-International Gateway)
The Crown & Crest (World Showcase-United Kingdom) Apparel & Home
Lords and Ladies (World Showcase-United Kingdom) Beauty
The Queen’s Table (World Showcase-United Kingdom) Tea & China
Sportsman’s Shoppe (World Showcase-United Kingdom) Apparel & Sports
The Tea Caddy (World Showcase-United Kingdom)
The Toy Soldier (World Showcase-United Kingdom)
Northwest Mercantile (World Showcase-Canada)
Trading Post (World Showcase-Canada) Collectibles
Characters
Front Entrance
Epcot Character Spot (Future World West)
Meet Anna And Elsa at Royal Sommerhus (World Showcase-Norway)
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (World Showcase-Norway)
Mexico, China, Germany, Morocco, France, and United Kingdom Pavilions
Transportation
Boats from Boardwalk, Epcot and Hollywood Studios
Walking Distance from Disney’s Boardwalk
Interactive
SeaBase (Future World West)
Project Tomorrow (Future World East)
Advanced Training Lab (Future World East)
Bruce’s Shark World (Future World West)
Innoventions (Future World East)
Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure (Future World West/World Showcase)*
ImageWorks (Future World West)
“What If” Lab (Future World West)
Kidcot Fun Stops (All World Showcase Pavilions)
Galleries
Mexico Folk Art Gallery (World Showcase-Mexico)
Stave Church Gallery (World Showcase-Norway)
American Heritage Gallery (World Showcase-The American Adventure)
Bijutsu-kan Gallery (World Showcase Japan)
Gallery of Arts and History (World Showcase-Morocco)
Films
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival (Future World West)
Reflections of China (World Showcase-China)
House of Whispering Willows (World Showcase-China)
Impressions de France (World Showcase-France)
O Canada! (World Showcase-Canada)
Other Stuff You May Encounter
- Live Music. The American Adventure has the largest stage, but live music can be had other World Showcase locations, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Restaurant Marrakesh, and Mexico.
- It’s unusual to be in Epcot and NOT have a festival going on. The International Art Festival takes place during part of January and February, the Flower and Garden Festival takes place in the spring, the end of August until November is the popular Food and Wine Festival, and the International Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional take place around the winter holidays.
- The miniature train next to the Germany Pavilion.
- Don’t miss musical fountain that stands in the heart of Future World called the Fountain of Nations. It’s not usually listed on the map, but when the music begins and the water moves in time, you’ll know you’re in the right place.
- International Gateway is a back entrance to Epcot from Disney’s Boardwalk.
- Illuminations: Reflections of Earth caps off practically every night at Epcot. The evening firework show takes place in the center of the World Showcase Lagoon.
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