Guest and Area Services > The Parks > Disney World > Epcot

Epcot | Disney Vacation Deals | Orlando Florida

Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. It was designed by Walt Disney himself, although he would not live to see the grand opening on Oct 1st, 1982. Epcot is the second largest park within Walt Disney World Orlando, 300 acres, split in two distinct Worlds: closest to the entrance you will find Future World and at the very end passing the bridge you will enter the World Showcase all around the lake.

Tip: if you have never heard of the “Fast Pass”, now is the time to learn. The Fast Pass is in fact your regular entry ticket to the park. Some attractions will take you well over an hour waiting in line. Again, planning before entering the park is a great idea. Know what you absolutely want to do and go for a fast pass for those attractions first. The fast pass will give you a return time to that attraction and you will cut your waiting time by ten.

Even with the fast pass you will have to settle for visiting what is highest on your list. You cannot do Epcot in one day without leaving some attractions on the side. If you are looking at dinner in Epcot tonight, that is what you want to do first then: go down to the World Showcase and pick your restaurant, make your reservation.

Here is what you should not miss in Future World:

  • starting with the last thing you will do in Epcot: Illuminations, Reflections Of Earth. Normally every night at 9, fireworks choreographed on theatrical music with laser show, light show around the lake, video effects and more. A sneak peak of video of illuminations can be found in our video page.
  • Soarin: a paragliding experience. Hint: you can smell the pines and the oranges while ‘flying’!
  • Test Track: emerge in a car test center. Hint: it is noisy, it is not so scary.
  • Space Ship Earth: a “roller coaster” at 3 miles per hour! Great to do with the kids. Over and over again, you will see something new each time. Disney is planning to renovate this attraction and you may want to check upon your arrival in Epcot
  • Mission Space: not for those with motion sickness!
  • Other great stuff: Talk with Crush in The Living Seas, Energy of the Universe or reserve your SegWay tour for the entire party.