Seven Hidden Gems at Epcot You Have to See!
Hi! We previously looked at the five diamonds in the rough at the Magic Kingdom. Today I want to take you through seven of the hidden gems that can be found at Epcot park!
For a brief history of Epcot, or EPCOT Center as it was originally named, we would have to go back to 1982 when the park opened. This was the second Walt Disney World park to open, with the first having opened 11 years earlier in 1971 - the Magic Kingdom.
Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and was intended to be a futuristic Utopian city planned by Walt himself. After Walt's death, Epcot was instead designed as a park with two separate areas: Future World and the World Showcase. Future World explores the future, technology, science, and imagination, whereas the World Showcase looks at different cultures from around the world. We'll be looking at a combination of hidden gems throughout both Future World and the World Showcase.
7. Living with the Land
Did you know that a number of the fruits and veggies you eat at Disney were actually grown in Epcot? That's where Living with the Land comes in.
What Makes it Great
You get to visit Epcot's "Living Laboratory", where you can see plants being grown, fish farming, and even biotechnology being researched in the various greenhouses in The Land. All of the fruits and vegetables grown at The Land are served throughout Disney World. Want to see some forward-thinking ideas about agriculture? This isn't something to miss.
6. Mitsukoshi
Mitsukoshi is a store located in the Japan pavilion that links up with the entrance of the Bijitsu-kan Gallery. The Mitsukoshi store has a long history, opening Echigo-ya (a traditional dress shop) all the way back in 1673! That makes this brand hundreds of years old! The store's motto is "Service with Sincerity".
What Makes it Great
There are all sorts of Japanese items you can purchase. From movies from Studio Ghibli, Totoro-themed items, Hello Kitty bento boxes, cute chopsticks, Buddha boards, and traditional attire, this store has it all!
A very notable experience you can have at Mitsokoshi is to buy a pearl for you or your loved one. There are a ton of oysters in a tank, and you pick your very own pearl to take home. There is also a sake bar for all you alcohol connoisseurs out there. If you've ever been curious about Japanese culture or want to take a piece of it home with you, now is your chance!
5. Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Although it has only been around since the end of 2015, the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival quickly became a favourite of ours at Epcot! There are three shorts: Get a Horse!, La Luna, and For the Birds.
What Makes it Great
Wait times for showings are typically only about 10 minutes, so it's a great way to escape the Florida heat. With Walt voicing Mickey in the first short, this short film festival sticks close to Disney's roots, while adding just enough of a twist to the mix to keep things interesting. These shorts are 4D as well, which adds to the whimsy of this experience (think Mickey's PhilharMagic)!
Although you can get a Fastpass+ for this attraction, it's easy to walk on. I would save your Fastpasses+ for other harder-to-ride attractions.
4. Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth is iconic, with its spherical design dominating many images promoting Epcot in the media and in the parks.
This is a ride that takes you through the history of communication from ancient times through to the modern world.
What Makes it Great
This ride has historically low wait times, so it's a great option if you're looking to kill time. It's also air-conditioned and an interesting view of how we have evolved our ideas throughout the ages. Additionally, it is currently narrated by Judi Dench, or M of the most recent James Bond series.
Spaceship Earth allows you to pick different options by answering a questionnaire for your futuristic life at the end of the ride, and uses a picture taken of you at the beginning of the ride. We found this very entertaining, especially our goofball picture cut-outs on little cartoon bodies!
At the end of the ride, you can visit Project Tomorrow, which is similar to a mini science centre. It includes an illuminated globe showing where guests call home that have ridden Spaceship Earth that day, a body builder game, and others.
In other words, Spaceship Earth is informative, but doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a great choice for all age ranges.
3. Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
Who do you think of when it comes to characters in the Disney franchise? Personally, I don't know that any characters are more iconic than Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. You have your chance to meet all three of them at the Epcot Character Spot.
What Makes it Great
It's three for the price of one when you wait or use a Fastpass+ to meet Disney pals! We waited 25 minutes to meet Gaston in the Magic Kingdom. Not that it wasn't worth the wait, but it's nice to be able to knock a few characters off the Disney trip bucket list with one meeting spot.
These characters are hamming it up, too. Goofy may try to take your Minnie ears away, and Mickey just may kiss your hand! Overall, this character meet and greet is the epitome of the magic we come for when we plan a Disney vacation.
2. Club Cool
Club Cool has Coca-Cola merchandise and a Coca-Cola testing station with soft drinks from around the world. The following beverages can be sampled when you check it out:
What Makes it Great
The testing station is awesome! There are small testing cups conveniently located nearby. Have as much or as little as you want. For our favourite flavours, we went for seconds, thirds, and fourths, and there was never an issue. It's maybe not the best way to get hydrated, but it's surely the most fun!
Then there is Beverly. You may have heard of this beverage from Italy. Love it or hate it, everyone should try it once. Beverly is bitter as sin, but definitely is a worthy item for any Disney bucket list.
1. Teppan Edo
Teppan Edo is a Table Service restaurant found in the Japan pavilion. In this restaurant, you share a table with other guests while your food is prepared right before your eyes on a grill!
What Makes it Great
Unlike Be Our Guest, this restaurant is much easier to get into. On our 2016 trip, we did not make a reservation ahead of time and were able to walk right in for lunch. We enjoyed it so much we made an advance dining reservation for later in the week without any issues.
It's also a very immersing experience. You're able to watch your food be prepared as the chef entertains you. From flipping shrimp tails into their hat, making an onion volcano, and joking around, you'll be amused and amazed. It's also very kid-friendly, with modified chopsticks to help the kids to practise their skills.
Also, the food is amazing! You have your option of different tempura, sushi, and Japanese dishes to choose from. Pick any of them and it's sure to be a winner!
What are your hidden gems in Epcot? Comment and subscribe :)
Let me book the magic for you! Fill in this form for a FREE quote and/or click here for my contact information!
For a brief history of Epcot, or EPCOT Center as it was originally named, we would have to go back to 1982 when the park opened. This was the second Walt Disney World park to open, with the first having opened 11 years earlier in 1971 - the Magic Kingdom.
Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and was intended to be a futuristic Utopian city planned by Walt himself. After Walt's death, Epcot was instead designed as a park with two separate areas: Future World and the World Showcase. Future World explores the future, technology, science, and imagination, whereas the World Showcase looks at different cultures from around the world. We'll be looking at a combination of hidden gems throughout both Future World and the World Showcase.
7. Living with the Land
Did you know that a number of the fruits and veggies you eat at Disney were actually grown in Epcot? That's where Living with the Land comes in.
What Makes it Great
You get to visit Epcot's "Living Laboratory", where you can see plants being grown, fish farming, and even biotechnology being researched in the various greenhouses in The Land. All of the fruits and vegetables grown at The Land are served throughout Disney World. Want to see some forward-thinking ideas about agriculture? This isn't something to miss.
6. Mitsukoshi
Mitsukoshi is a store located in the Japan pavilion that links up with the entrance of the Bijitsu-kan Gallery. The Mitsukoshi store has a long history, opening Echigo-ya (a traditional dress shop) all the way back in 1673! That makes this brand hundreds of years old! The store's motto is "Service with Sincerity".
What Makes it Great
There are all sorts of Japanese items you can purchase. From movies from Studio Ghibli, Totoro-themed items, Hello Kitty bento boxes, cute chopsticks, Buddha boards, and traditional attire, this store has it all!
A very notable experience you can have at Mitsokoshi is to buy a pearl for you or your loved one. There are a ton of oysters in a tank, and you pick your very own pearl to take home. There is also a sake bar for all you alcohol connoisseurs out there. If you've ever been curious about Japanese culture or want to take a piece of it home with you, now is your chance!
5. Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Although it has only been around since the end of 2015, the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival quickly became a favourite of ours at Epcot! There are three shorts: Get a Horse!, La Luna, and For the Birds.
What Makes it Great
Wait times for showings are typically only about 10 minutes, so it's a great way to escape the Florida heat. With Walt voicing Mickey in the first short, this short film festival sticks close to Disney's roots, while adding just enough of a twist to the mix to keep things interesting. These shorts are 4D as well, which adds to the whimsy of this experience (think Mickey's PhilharMagic)!
Although you can get a Fastpass+ for this attraction, it's easy to walk on. I would save your Fastpasses+ for other harder-to-ride attractions.
4. Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth is iconic, with its spherical design dominating many images promoting Epcot in the media and in the parks.
This is a ride that takes you through the history of communication from ancient times through to the modern world.
What Makes it Great
This ride has historically low wait times, so it's a great option if you're looking to kill time. It's also air-conditioned and an interesting view of how we have evolved our ideas throughout the ages. Additionally, it is currently narrated by Judi Dench, or M of the most recent James Bond series.
Spaceship Earth allows you to pick different options by answering a questionnaire for your futuristic life at the end of the ride, and uses a picture taken of you at the beginning of the ride. We found this very entertaining, especially our goofball picture cut-outs on little cartoon bodies!
At the end of the ride, you can visit Project Tomorrow, which is similar to a mini science centre. It includes an illuminated globe showing where guests call home that have ridden Spaceship Earth that day, a body builder game, and others.
In other words, Spaceship Earth is informative, but doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a great choice for all age ranges.
3. Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
Who do you think of when it comes to characters in the Disney franchise? Personally, I don't know that any characters are more iconic than Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. You have your chance to meet all three of them at the Epcot Character Spot.
What Makes it Great
It's three for the price of one when you wait or use a Fastpass+ to meet Disney pals! We waited 25 minutes to meet Gaston in the Magic Kingdom. Not that it wasn't worth the wait, but it's nice to be able to knock a few characters off the Disney trip bucket list with one meeting spot.
These characters are hamming it up, too. Goofy may try to take your Minnie ears away, and Mickey just may kiss your hand! Overall, this character meet and greet is the epitome of the magic we come for when we plan a Disney vacation.
2. Club Cool
Club Cool has Coca-Cola merchandise and a Coca-Cola testing station with soft drinks from around the world. The following beverages can be sampled when you check it out:
- Fanta Pineapple from Greece
- Fanta Melon Frosty from Thailand
- Beverly from Italy
- Vegeta Beta from Japan
- Bilbo from South Africa
- Sparberry from Zimbabwe
- Inca Kola from Peru
- Gurana Kuat from Brazil
What Makes it Great
The testing station is awesome! There are small testing cups conveniently located nearby. Have as much or as little as you want. For our favourite flavours, we went for seconds, thirds, and fourths, and there was never an issue. It's maybe not the best way to get hydrated, but it's surely the most fun!
Then there is Beverly. You may have heard of this beverage from Italy. Love it or hate it, everyone should try it once. Beverly is bitter as sin, but definitely is a worthy item for any Disney bucket list.
1. Teppan Edo
Teppan Edo is a Table Service restaurant found in the Japan pavilion. In this restaurant, you share a table with other guests while your food is prepared right before your eyes on a grill!
What Makes it Great
Unlike Be Our Guest, this restaurant is much easier to get into. On our 2016 trip, we did not make a reservation ahead of time and were able to walk right in for lunch. We enjoyed it so much we made an advance dining reservation for later in the week without any issues.
It's also a very immersing experience. You're able to watch your food be prepared as the chef entertains you. From flipping shrimp tails into their hat, making an onion volcano, and joking around, you'll be amused and amazed. It's also very kid-friendly, with modified chopsticks to help the kids to practise their skills.
Also, the food is amazing! You have your option of different tempura, sushi, and Japanese dishes to choose from. Pick any of them and it's sure to be a winner!
What are your hidden gems in Epcot? Comment and subscribe :)
Let me book the magic for you! Fill in this form for a FREE quote and/or click here for my contact information!
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