Can Walt Disney World keep everyone happy? – Epcot

If there is one thing that Walt Disney World is, it is fun for ALL the family.

Walt Disney World is a champion of family time with four theme parks and two water parks, each with unique theming and attractions, plus dining shopping and entertainment experiences, there really is something for everyone at Walt Disney World and I have already shared my thoughts on Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Epcot

Epcot is the park I was most intrigued to visit as it was the one I knew the least about, other than its iconic ball-shaped structure.

Epcot

Epcot consists of two distinct parts, Future World and World Showcase.

Epcot

Future World

Future World encompasses the front of the park, providing unique, family-friendly attractions highlighting technology and innovation, along with our planet’s past, present, and future.

Epcot

Epcot only has a couple of thrill rides, Mission Space and Test Track, instead focussing on the family friendly aspect. Spaceship Earth inside the geosphere was fascinating and saw us travel back to the dawn of recorded history, when early man painted his thoughts on cave walls, the Egyptians invented papyrus and the Phoenicians devised the alphabet right through to the present day where you get to design your own future.

Epcot

The Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival was a big hit with the kids, as they got to learn all about the magic of short film creation before watching three Disney Pixar creations in the special 4D magic eye theatre. It was brilliantly clever as the characters literally leapt off the screen.

Epcot

Epcot feels like the most spacious of all the Disney Parks, with stunning fountains and water features that you just have to stop and admire and the chance to meet characters not found in other parks such as Baymax, Joy and Sadness.

Epcot

The majority of Epcot’s rides are in future world, including Living with the Land which is a fascinating look at where food comes from, how it is produced and how Disney are making their parks self-sustaining.

Epcot

Soarin’ sees you take flight on a breezy, airborne adventure as you hang glide above some of the most breathtaking wonders the world has to offer.

Epcot

The Seas with Nemo and Friends ride sees you climb onboard a Clam and follow the adventure of Marlin whilst rescuing Nemo. It was very cleverly done and finished gliding past the real-life aquarium.

Aquarium

Another of the kids favourite rides was Journey into Imagination with Figment, a purple dragon. The ride saw us learning and laughing about the 5 senses—sound, sight, smell, touch and taste.

World Showcase

The World Showcase does just that, showcasing the culture of 11 countries at individual pavilions and was also the place we found the most Disney Princesses, each residing in their relevant country.

Elsa

Our first port of call was the Norway Pavilion, home to the fictional town of Arendelle, Elsa and Anna’s family summer cabin and the popular Frozen Ever After ride.

Epcot

Getting the chance to dress up and meet Anna and Elsa was certainly one of the highlights of the holiday for Eliza and they both chatted to her for a good amount of time too.

Epcot

The ride itself sees you climb aboard a Norwegian vessel and sail through the land of Arendelle, meeting some of your favourite characters from the story along the way as they sing your favourite songs, along with a couple of small drops down an icy waterfall.

Epcot

Norway is also the setting of the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, where we got to dine in a medieval castle with some of the best-loved story-book Princesses, including, Belle, Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Epcot

The other countries World Showcase are Mexico, which has the brilliant Gran Fiesta Tour Boatride, which rivaled It’s a Small World.

Gran Fiesta Tour

The attention to detail in each showcase area was on point. In China, you enter through a distinct triple-arched ceremonial gate patterned after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and in the Germany Pavilion, the architecture reflects a diverse cross-section of German regions.

Epcot

Italy was home to an authentic replica of the original campanile in St. Mark’s Square as well as some stunning Venetian bridges……

Epcot

….and traditional gondola’s.

Epcot

The United States of America is home to a colonial-style mansion and Japan features a towering blue-roofed pagoda, which is a replica of a 7th century Horyuji Temple, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Footbridges cross streams brimming with water lilies and colourful koi fish.

Epcot

We were also lucky enough to catch a brilliant traditional Taiko drumming session.

Epcot

Morocco is where we tried to find a magic lamp…..

Epcot

…….but found Princess Jasmine instead.

Epcot

France has lots of opportunities to shop, with perfume and make-up stores whilst the United Kingdom has a pub, the Rose and Crown, a fish and chip shop and a small recreation of Hampton Court Palace.

Epcot

The final country being represented is Canada with a replica of and the Chateau Laurier and the Rocky Mountains are also featured complete with a boulder strewn stream that rushes to a 30′ waterfall.

Epcot

For the boys, Epcot did feel Princess heavy however there was a Kidcot fun stop in each pavilion where the boys got to collect stamps, create a personalised souvenir at any of craft stations or play.

Epcot

Epcot also had the best variety of food options as each country served traditional meals.

All four main Disney Parks have evening entertainment and like the others, Epcot certainly doesn’t disappoint with their IllumiNations show which celebrates the history of earth from its violent beginnings with flames and fireworks, onto the illuminated surface of the globe revealing the history of humanity.

Walt Disney World Photo Gallery Disc
The final part of the show is comets of light racing into the sky, before the globe blossoms like a lotus flower, revealing a torch ablaze with our dreams.

Walt Disney World Photo Gallery Disc

Epcot felt much more relaxed than the other three main parks, although it is the one you walk the furthest in, so I am so glad we invested in hiring a buggy for the day.

Epcot

Each of the parks have something about them that we loved, but for me, Epcot was my favourite as it sparked the kids interest as well as letting them have fun.

Disclaimer:  This post is in partnership with Walt Disney World and Mumsnet. I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity and all opinions here are my own.



22 thoughts on “Can Walt Disney World keep everyone happy? – Epcot”

  1. Looks like you had a fantastic time. I do believe that there is something there for everyone at Disney World it doesn’t matter if you are young or old!

    Reply
  2. If you’re not a big fan of theme parks, I guess, the answer is no. I only know a few of those, but mostly people do enjoy them, even when the queues are long. Would love to visit Disney World. We’ve only been to Disney in Paris. Hopefully soon!

    Reply
  3. You know, I’ve never really wanted to go to Disney World. I can imagine my kids would love it, but it’s never really appealed to me for some reason. Do you pay a one off fee to get in and then everything is free? Or do you pay and queue for ages for each of the exhibits?

    Reply
  4. Epcot is my least favorite of all the disney world parks. Always feel it is more of a half day park. I do like the gran fiesta boat ride with donald duck

    Reply
  5. I am looking forward to visiting Epcot. As a teen I got sunstroke and the only thing I remember is having to run out of Hunny I Shrunk the Kids ride to be ill! My mum said it was her favourite park so I hope that I enjoy it this time around. I am looking forward to eating there for sure!!

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  6. If I had to actually choose, I think that Epcot would be my favorite Disney park. Just make sure you are prepared for all the walking that you will do! There is a reason they say Epcot stands for Every Person Comes Out Tired.

    Reply

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