Here's a short version of our Disney Friday episode: "EPCOT: The World of the Future... and A World of, um, a World"-
EPCOT is divided into two lands- the first is Future World. The second is World Showcase.
EPCOT is divided into two lands- the first is Future World. The second is World Showcase.
As you enter future world the first thing that you will see is the giant golf ball. This is actually an attraction; it's called Spaceship Earth. It's a slow-moving ride with Audio-Anamatronics that will take you through the history of communications. I think it's a fun attraction, and the line doesn't take long.
As you pass Spaceship Earth, you'll see a building on the right side and a building on the left side. This is called Innovations East and West. Trust me, you want to skip this.
However, there are two things that you'll want to keep an eye out for on the right side. The first is a place called Club Cool. This is an awesome place to get a free refreshment. It's also a lot of fun. When you go in, you'll see vending machines, consisting of sodas from all around the world. Some are really good, and some are… kind of scary lol.
The VERY important thing about Club Cool is, this is where we are meeting at the end of the night, following Reflections of Earth.
Just past Club Cool is a place called Character Spot. This, in my opinion, is the best place to get pictures with the characters in all of Disney. It's a long line, but you only have to stand one one line, and then you get to take pictures with a variety of characters.
However, there are two things that you'll want to keep an eye out for on the right side. The first is a place called Club Cool. This is an awesome place to get a free refreshment. It's also a lot of fun. When you go in, you'll see vending machines, consisting of sodas from all around the world. Some are really good, and some are… kind of scary lol.
The VERY important thing about Club Cool is, this is where we are meeting at the end of the night, following Reflections of Earth.
Just past Club Cool is a place called Character Spot. This, in my opinion, is the best place to get pictures with the characters in all of Disney. It's a long line, but you only have to stand one one line, and then you get to take pictures with a variety of characters.
Off to the right are three pavilions: the Imagination Pavilion, The Land, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. One of the most popular attractions, Soarin', is located at The Land. If you're interested in manatees and other types of sea life, make sure that you spend a few minutes in The Seas Pavillion after you ride the Nemo ride. The Imagination Pavilion used to have one of my favorite rides. But years ago they "updated it", and now there's usually no line at all to ride it, because it's so bad.
On the complete other side of Future World, is Mission: Space, and Test Track. Mission space was created through a joint venture of Disney, HP, and NASA, and simulates spaceflight. Many people complained that it was too much of a thrill ride, so they created a second version of the ride that does not have the spinning motion that the original ride had. If you're interested in that, you will want to take the Green Team version of the ride. If you would like the full version, it's called the Orange Team. Test Track, which has just recently been totally redone, takes you on proving test of automobiles culminating in a 65 mph loop around the Epcot parking lot.
At this point, I'd like to tell you about two ways that you may not have to wait on a long line. The first is called Fastpass+. Fastpass+ is available at several of the more popular attractions. Using your MyDisneyExperience app (which you should download and sign up for) you can select a time to go on some attractions (before we even leave NY). When you arrive at the attraction, you'll scan your MagicBand and go to a special line that will get you into the attraction quicker. You can select up to 3 Fastpass+ attractions per day, but after you use those 3, you can use your app to select additional Fastpass+.
This second secret, is only available at a couple of attractions. The first one that comes to mind is Test Track. This is called the Single Riders line. You'll go thru the entire line with your group, but when you get to the actual ride, you might have to be split up into several cars that need a 6th person.
The other half of Epcot, is World Showcase. This is just what it sounds like.
IMPORTANT- As you make your way from Future World to World Showcase on the left-hand side, you will see a building standing by itself. This is called the Odyssey Center. It used to be a restaurant, but closed down decades ago. I actually performed there with my college show choir once. The reason that this is important, is this is where first aid station is at Epcot. If you have any problems at all, go to the first aid station, and they will be able to get in touch with me.
On the complete other side of Future World, is Mission: Space, and Test Track. Mission space was created through a joint venture of Disney, HP, and NASA, and simulates spaceflight. Many people complained that it was too much of a thrill ride, so they created a second version of the ride that does not have the spinning motion that the original ride had. If you're interested in that, you will want to take the Green Team version of the ride. If you would like the full version, it's called the Orange Team. Test Track, which has just recently been totally redone, takes you on proving test of automobiles culminating in a 65 mph loop around the Epcot parking lot.
At this point, I'd like to tell you about two ways that you may not have to wait on a long line. The first is called Fastpass+. Fastpass+ is available at several of the more popular attractions. Using your MyDisneyExperience app (which you should download and sign up for) you can select a time to go on some attractions (before we even leave NY). When you arrive at the attraction, you'll scan your MagicBand and go to a special line that will get you into the attraction quicker. You can select up to 3 Fastpass+ attractions per day, but after you use those 3, you can use your app to select additional Fastpass+.
This second secret, is only available at a couple of attractions. The first one that comes to mind is Test Track. This is called the Single Riders line. You'll go thru the entire line with your group, but when you get to the actual ride, you might have to be split up into several cars that need a 6th person.
The other half of Epcot, is World Showcase. This is just what it sounds like.
IMPORTANT- As you make your way from Future World to World Showcase on the left-hand side, you will see a building standing by itself. This is called the Odyssey Center. It used to be a restaurant, but closed down decades ago. I actually performed there with my college show choir once. The reason that this is important, is this is where first aid station is at Epcot. If you have any problems at all, go to the first aid station, and they will be able to get in touch with me.
The countries, in clockwise order, are: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Several of these countries have wonderful restaurants, and many of the students are going to be making dinner reservations. Some of my favorite restaurants (some countries have more than one restaurant; make sure you are making reservations at the correct one) are; in Japan: Tappan Edo; in Italy: Tutto Italia; in France: Chefs de France; in Mexico: San Angel Inn; in Morocco: Marrakesh. (BTW- one of my favorite restaurants is actually in Future World, and that is the Coral Reef restaurant at the Seas Pavilion. If you want to see what the menus look like, you can see that on the MyDisneyExperience app, or by visiting - http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm
Any day now, I'll be able to confirm what park we'll be at on what day, and you'll be able to start making reservations. You can make reservations using the MyDisneyExperience app (see how important it is to create your MDE account?)
Some of the countries also have attractions. I highly recommend going to Mexico, and seeing what it looks like in the outdoor bazar, located inside the Aztec pyramid. There is also a cute boat ride featuring the Three Caballeros starring Donald Duck.
Inside the American Adventure is a audio-animatronic attraction that traces the history of the USA. But the best attraction in the pavilion is not that one. It is the pre-show group that performs inside the American Adventure. They are called the Voices of Liberty. Trust me when I tell you- you won't want to miss this. The Voices of Liberty perform many times throughout the day. Their show is about 12 minutes long, and it will be one of the highlights of your time at Epcot. I will find out the performance times, and I will let you know when they are performing. I recommend almost to the point of making it mandatory, that all of my CCP students see them.
Trust me, when you finish reading this post, Google "Voices of Liberty EPCOT" and watch any video.
At the end of the evening is the fireworks and laser light show that centers around the World Showcase Lagoon. The show is entitled Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. There are several good places to view Illuminations from, but my favorite is actually just when you enter World showcase from Future World, in between Mexico and Canada, directly across from the American Adventure. If you wanted to see it from that spot, make sure that you get there early. They actually have that location roped off until about 10 minutes before the fireworks begin, and then they open it up for everybody to come into. It's such a popular location that people camp out 20 to 30 minutes early to get that spot.
There's a lot more to say, but then this post would get really long lol. Those are the highlights. As we do more Disney Fridays in Choir, I'll be sure to do a micro-version for you guys, and post it.
PS- I mentioned this in Choir last week, but it bears repeating... If you read something about an attraction, and you wanted to know if it is too intense for you, there are A TON of ride-thru videos on YouTube. Some people do some INCREDIBLE productions with their videos (multiple angles, insets, graphics) and will give you a great idea of what to expect. Just search the name of the attraction along with the park (MK, EPCOT, DHS, AK, etc).
Any day now, I'll be able to confirm what park we'll be at on what day, and you'll be able to start making reservations. You can make reservations using the MyDisneyExperience app (see how important it is to create your MDE account?)
Some of the countries also have attractions. I highly recommend going to Mexico, and seeing what it looks like in the outdoor bazar, located inside the Aztec pyramid. There is also a cute boat ride featuring the Three Caballeros starring Donald Duck.
Inside the American Adventure is a audio-animatronic attraction that traces the history of the USA. But the best attraction in the pavilion is not that one. It is the pre-show group that performs inside the American Adventure. They are called the Voices of Liberty. Trust me when I tell you- you won't want to miss this. The Voices of Liberty perform many times throughout the day. Their show is about 12 minutes long, and it will be one of the highlights of your time at Epcot. I will find out the performance times, and I will let you know when they are performing. I recommend almost to the point of making it mandatory, that all of my CCP students see them.
Trust me, when you finish reading this post, Google "Voices of Liberty EPCOT" and watch any video.
At the end of the evening is the fireworks and laser light show that centers around the World Showcase Lagoon. The show is entitled Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. There are several good places to view Illuminations from, but my favorite is actually just when you enter World showcase from Future World, in between Mexico and Canada, directly across from the American Adventure. If you wanted to see it from that spot, make sure that you get there early. They actually have that location roped off until about 10 minutes before the fireworks begin, and then they open it up for everybody to come into. It's such a popular location that people camp out 20 to 30 minutes early to get that spot.
There's a lot more to say, but then this post would get really long lol. Those are the highlights. As we do more Disney Fridays in Choir, I'll be sure to do a micro-version for you guys, and post it.
PS- I mentioned this in Choir last week, but it bears repeating... If you read something about an attraction, and you wanted to know if it is too intense for you, there are A TON of ride-thru videos on YouTube. Some people do some INCREDIBLE productions with their videos (multiple angles, insets, graphics) and will give you a great idea of what to expect. Just search the name of the attraction along with the park (MK, EPCOT, DHS, AK, etc).