EPCOT’s Top Ten Must See Attractions

EPCOT has so much to offer; from around the world restaurants and shopping to unique and clever attractions.

EPCOT is the reason our family likes to purchase park hopper tickets — we always seem to end up at EPCOT multiple times during our stay.

For those of you who think EPCOT is only for adults, think again! When my son was 7, he declared EPCOT his favorite park. When my daughter was in her teens, we couldn’t get her to leave. She loved the shopping and being able to meet Cast Members from other parts of the world.

In typical Disney style, there is something for everyone at EPCOT!

1. The Cast Members Around World Showcase – World Showcase features 11 countries and they are, by and large, manned by Cast Members from those countries. Walt Disney World sponsors a cultural exchange program with paid internships. International Cast Member then share a bit of their customs and culture with EPCOT guests. Each trip I have our children think of 3 questions to ask the Cast Members. Servers in the restaurants, clerks in the shops or special event Cast Members will be happy to share with you what they miss most about home, their favorite foods, or what they like most about their time in the US.

2. Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure – Join forces with Agent P and solve mysteries around World Showcase. Although the Disney website says this adventure is geared towards kids, tweens and teens, I’d say this activity is most enjoyed by the 12 and under set. My son LOVES this activity and has shown up for duty at most of the six recruitment centers. (Mexico, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom) As a parent, I’ve enjoyed assisting, as you can learn new things about each country and see things that are easily overlooked. There is rarely a wait to participate. Just show up at a recruitment center, get your special phone and you’re off! Each activity takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.

3. Test Track – Design your own car and then take it for a spin, testing its capability against other designers. After experiencing how your car handles braking, sharp turns and sudden stops you’ll test your ride at a top speed of 64.9 mph on the outdoor track. When the ride is over you’ll see how your vehicle performed against others, make a commercial and see the newest cars on the road today. The perfect attraction to enjoy with your child, especially the teens in your party.

4. Soarin’ – Soarin’ takes you over the Grand Canyon, orange groves in California and other hot spots in the western United States. Riders are suspended over the ground as you “hang glide” over picturesque scenes of the United States. Scents of evergreen and citrus groves are piped in at the appropriate times to enhance the experience. Currently closed for refurbishment, Soarin’ is scheduled to re-open in the summer of 2016 featuring a new interactive film, Soarin’ Around the World.

5. Turtle Talk With Crush – This is an interactive event with Crush and Walt Disney World guests. Located in The Seas Pavillion, guests talk with Crush, ask questions and Crush will even ask a few questions himself. Each experience is unique. An attraction I thought my kids had outgrown, it was one of the first things they wanted to do on our last trip. They didn’t want to sit up front, of course, but they enjoyed the interaction of Crush with the other guests. It’s safe to say, this appeals to all ages.

6. The JAMMitors – You’ll find The JAMMitors hanging around in Future World East, jamming to an entertaining drum beat with a little comedy sprinkled in. Their show lasts about 10 minutes and you’ll find them throughout the day. We typically run into them while waiting for our kids on Mission Space.

7. Mission Space – Now with two options, Orange (intense) and Green (less intense), Mission Space is a space simulator, where you can experience what astronauts experience in space during liftoff, hyper-sleep, zero gravity and landing. On the Green version, the centrifuge/zero gravity aspect is eliminated and is more like a mild simulator ride. The full version (Orange) is a thrill ride in every sense of the word and is very popular among teenage guests. Each experience is unique, with every guest assigned a role (pilot, navigator, engineer and commander) to play. Choices made during your mission create your adventure.

8. Spaceship Earth – Spaceship Earth is the first attraction you’ll see walking through the gates at EPCOT. Here you’ll travel through time experiencing the development of communication from cave drawings to the space age, narrated by Dame Judi Dench. After your ride you can explore simulation games, a 3-D human Body Builder, Power City and InnerVision. Best times to visit are first thing in the morning or as you’re leaving the park in the evening. (But be careful with evening hours. Most of the year, Future World closes their attractions before World Showcase.)

9. The Land – This pavilion is located in Future World West and features Soarin’, Living with the Land and Circle of Life. The Garden Grill is one of our family’s favorite character meals; a rotating restaurant serving fresh, locally grown (as in, right at EPCOT) produce. It doesn’t get any fresher than that! Look for Mickey, Pluto and Chip and Dale to visit you while you dine.

10. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth  – One of our favorite evening shows, Illuminations is a fireworks and laser light show extravaganza on the World Showcase Lagoon. It features a 28 foot diameter Earth Globe that sits on a 350 ton barge. The globe emits light and features video imagery of natural and man made wonders around the world. One of the best places to view this amazing display is in the front of World Showcase, just as you enter from the front of the park. This area is currently used for FastPass holders. France and the bridge between France and United Kingdom are also good areas to try. If you can snag a dinner reservation about 30-45 minutes before the show, Rose & Crown in United Kingdom is a great spot to eat and see the show if you request outdoor seating.

EPCOT has something for every age. From thrill rides to exotic dining to family friendly attractions. It’s a park that belongs in every itinerary!

What’s your favorite thing about EPCOT?