Epcot is comprised of two distinct "lands" - Future World and World Showcase.
Future World, a high-energy, high-tech land where guests interact with exhibits, visit a home of the future, thrill to the pulse-racing liftoff of Mission: SPACE, and experience Soarin', an exhilarating aerial adventure that immerses guests in a multi-sensory experience, complete with sights, sounds, scents and the caress of warm breezes.
World Showcase, a world of multi-cultural enchantment, featuring marketplaces bustling with international flavor and a dazzling display of countries that transports guests through the magical worlds of 11 nations with just a few steps.
Epcot is the site for one-of-a-kind world entertainment and special events, including the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, one of the world's largest outdoor festivals of its kind; Epcot International Food and Wine Festival; and Epcot Summer Series, featuring world-renowned live entertainment.
Details
Future World attractions
Spaceship Earth is Future World's landmark adventure. Dramatic scenes in the attraction and its post show depict life in the 21st century's Global Neighborhood. With narration by actor Jeremy Irons and an impressive musical score, guests experience a time-travel journey from the beginning of time to the electronic age.
Soarin' takes guests on an exhilarating aerial journey over California, with a bird’s-eye view and an extraordinary sensation of free flight. Using stunning cinematic artistry and Imagineering-developed motion-based technology, the experience is intensified with sweeping winds and the fragrance of orange blossoms and pine trees.
Mission: SPACE presented by HP offers guests a one-of-a-kind simulated space adventure -- from heart-pounding liftoff to the weightlessness of outer space.
Test Track, presented by General Motors, invites guests to buckle up and brace themselves for the longest and fastest ride ever in Vacation Kingdom history.
Universe of Energy featuring "Ellen's Energy Adventure" with Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Lee Curtis and Bill Nye the Science Guy. DeGeneres plays a woman who dreams she's on the popular game show "Jeopardy!" As part of the show, guests venture into a re-creation of the primeval world complete with moving, roaring, life-size dinosaurs.
Imagination! presented by Kodak includes Journey Into Imagination with Figment, featuring the playful purple dragon demonstrating the power of imagination; ImageWorks-The Kodak "What If?" Labs; and the 3-D sensation "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience."
The Land features Soarin'; the motion picture "Circle of Life," an environmental fable starring several characters from "The Lion King"; and the Living with the Land boat ride through greenhouses of the future.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion features the world’s largest saltwater aquarium, featuring a two-story viewing area of a coral reef filled with colorful marine life, and "Turtle Talk With Crush," a real-time animated character that talks, plays and jokes with guests. The signature ride, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, allows guests to board a clam mobile for a close up look at the underwater life of the Seas.
Innoventions, a showcase where guests can be among the first to experience the technologies of today that will shape their lives tomorrow.
World Showcase attractions
Across World Showcase Lagoon, 11 nations display authentic wares, ethnic cuisine, shows, entertainment and architecture representing their cultures. World Showcase ambassadors come from across the globe to represent their homelands. As part of the show, holidays and festivals are commemorated by the ambassadors in ways they would be celebrated "back home," allowing Epcot guests to join in these international celebrations. Even the landscaping changes from country to country around the 1.3-mile promenade.
Clockwise around the promenade:
Mexico, with an authentic marketplace, lively Mariachi bands and a boat ride through Mexican history.
Norway, where guests embark on a voyage through time beginning in a 10th century Viking village.
China, with unique live entertainment and a Circle-Vision 360 film, "Reflections of China," that showcases past and present China and takes guests to seven cities around the country.
Germany transports guests with authentic surroundings inspired by towns along the Rhine and in Bavaria.
Italy, romance and beauty featured in a reproduction Doge's Palace of Venice.
The American Adventure showcases important moments in U.S. history.
Japan, featuring spectacular gardens and outdoor entertainment.
Morocco, where 19 Moroccan artisans spent months re-creating the intricate, colorful tile masterpieces of this North African country.
France, the setting for fresh bakeries, beautiful shops and gardens, artists and an enchanting film tour through its cities and countryside.
United Kingdom, with lovely flower gardens, cobbled streets and corner pub.
Canada, with entertainment by a bagpipe band and a Circle-Vision 360 film through some of Canada's most picturesque regions.
Dining at Epcot
The restaurants of World Showcase offer authentic cuisine from around the globe, from traditional Italian at L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante in the Italy showcase to chicken couscous in Morocco's Restaurant Marrakesh. Guests can make dining reservations for nearly two dozen restaurants through Epcot Guest Relations or at the individual restaurants.
In Future World, restaurants feature regional American favorites from gourmet pizza to fresh seafood. All Epcot restaurants have children's value meals and can accommodate special dietary needs with advance notice.
Important Collections in Epcot Galleries
Five World Showcase countries display treasures from international collections:
The American Adventure pavilion presents "Echoes of Africa" at American Heritage Gallery featuring pieces from the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection.
The Mexico pavilion's "Animales Fantasticos" features wood sculptures from Oaxaca, Mexico.
Norway pavilion Stave Church Gallery "Heritage Through Design" explores Norway's few remaining stave churches.
Japan's "Tin Toy Stories" is an exhibit featuring over 350 tin toys on loan from a private collection.
The Gallery of Arts and History in Morocco showcases artisan-crafted jewelry, ceramic pottery and ancient musical instruments.
Opening Day Dedication
'"To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome."
"Epcot Center is inspired by Walt Disney's creative genius. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all."
"May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire. And, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere."'
E. Cardon Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Productions
Oct. 24, 1982
View Epcot Opening Gala admission tickets
Facts and Trivia
Number of Epcot Audio-Animatronics
Norway 21
Mexico 29
The American Adventure 35
Wonders of Life 1
Universe of Energy 36
Space Ship Earth 65
The Living Seas 1
The Land 64
Journey into Imagination 26
Horizons 54