Epcot. It is a park filled with imagination, exploration and tons of educational experiences (just don’t tell your kids!)
From the International Food & Wine Festival each fall to the colorful International Flower and Garden Festival in the spring and the magnificent World Showcase – Epcot is a theme park that must be explored, rather than just visited.
image courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort / Gene Duncan
Check out these six things to know about Epcot – I bet you’ll learn something new. I did!
What Does Epcot Mean?
Epcot means Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The acronym was created by Walt Disney back in 1966 and was meant to be a look into the future as a utopian city. Today, the park is features two areas – Future World and the World Showcase.
Image courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort / Gene Duncan
Epcot Opened on October 1, 1982
The 305-acre park opened on October 1, 1982 making it the second theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. Epcot comes in at twice the size of Magic Kingdom Park.
Here’s a neat video commemorating the 30th anniversary of Epcot, including a look at opening day in 1982.
World Showcase Features 11 Nations and an African-themed Outpost
One of my favorite ways to spend time at Walt Disney World is exploring Epcot’s World Showcase. It is a 1.3-mile stroll through the countries encompassing 40-acres. The countries featured are Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.
Epcot Has Two Entrances
Many folks don’t realize that Epcot has two entrances – one in the front near Spaceship Earth and another in World Showcase between the United Kingdom and France pavillions.
The International Gateway entrance opened in 1990 providing park access to guests staying in Epcot resort area hotels — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin.
The outer layer of Spaceship Earth is made up of 11,324 aluminum and plastic-alloy triangles
Spaceship Earth, known to many as ‘the golf ball’ is actually a ride. It explores the history of communication beginning centuries ago and shows the progression into the future.
More than 26,000 feet of lights outline the Epcot World Showcase pavilions for Illuminations
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth performed each night at World Showcase Lagoon features lasers, lights, fountains and fireworks set to music.
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