Epcot, the future theme park at Walt Disney World, originated as a utopian community rather than an entertainment destination. By the time it opened in 1982, Walt Disney’s EPCOT or Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow had evolved from a community concept to a World’s related inspired theme park with a focus on technology, science and the arts.
Epcot is still believed as an iconic Walt Disney World park, recognised for its sphere and the Walt Disney Monorail, despite Walt’s designs having been adjusted a little to produce the park we see today.
Epcot is basically two parks. On the one hand, Future World has attractions themed on imagination, aquatic life and space travel that are housed in distinct buildings. Epcot’s World Showcase offers 11 “pavilions” themed to different countries, each with its own entertainment, food and attractions, all set around a gorgeous waterfront lagoon. (At the park’s entry, pick up an Epcot map)
Kids of different ages will find plenty to get entertained at Epcot (note that children under the age of three do not need Epcot tickets), but adults must find Disneyworld Showcase particularly tempting, thanks to its numerous bars, entertainment, and festivals. You can also visit the best Hollywood Studios restaurant to have great cuisine to satiate your taste buds.
Summer and the holidays are busy seasons for Disney parks, but Epcot Center’s periodic festivities also draw tourists. In the spring and fall, the Epcot International Wine Festival and the Flower & Garden Festival draw large visitors, especially on weekends.
Cost of Epcot
At Epcot, standard parking costs $25 dollars each day, but priority parking costs $45-50 per day, depending on the season. Epcot has a tram that runs through the parking place, making long walks much easier from the entrance.
Shuttles from hotels outside of Walt Disney World Resort, Buses from Disney hotels, and ride-share services like Lyft, Uber and Minnie Vans pick and drop service for the visitors in the main parking lot, which is separated into two sections.
Epcot has a monorail service. The Disney World Monorail runs between Epcot and the Transportation and Ticket Center, which also houses the Magic Kingdom. Travellers will require to disembark the monorail and get into a different Disney World monorail tram to get to Magic Kingdom or neighbouring hotels.
Epcot is Walt Disney World’s theme park that has two entrances. Guests are dropped off at the main entrance at Future World via Minnie Vans, ride-share vehicles, Disney buses, the Disney Monorail, and non-Disney buses. However, Walt World has a second entrance, the International Gateway.
Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Dolphin Hotels and the Walt Disney World Swan may stroll or small boat journey straight to World Showcase thanks to this unique amenity.
Those travelling from Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort can also use the Disney Skyliner gondola system to arrive via Epcot’s International Gateway entry.
Timings
Epcot’s World Showcase opens a few spots earlier in the morning, usually around 9 a.m., and the entire park opens at 11 a.m. Before going, double-check Epcot’s hours, as they change on a daily basis.
Food lovers will also find too much of love here. Be it seasonal EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival or enjoying gastronomic delight in the best Hollywood Studios restaurant, visitors can make the most of their visit here. Get time to prepare well for the whole itinerary so that you don’t miss any bit while exploring one of the stunning spectacles in Orlando.