It's looking like a big summer for Walt Disney World's second gate. So to kick off the start of the summer travel season in the United States, we are making Epcot our Theme Park of the Week.
Epcot will celebrate its 40th anniversary this October 1, and the park is undergoing a multi-year transformation, including the recent openings of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. We talked about what is next in Epcot's future with Zach Riddley, Creative Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, during Disney World's recent press event.
My top pick in Epcot is the just-opened Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, but in our reader poll late last year, Theme Park Insider readers also voted up Spaceship Earth, Mission: Space, Soarin' Around the World, and Remy's. For shows in Epcot, our readers recommend The American Adventure and Impressions de France.
But the biggest attractions Epcot might be its many restaurants. Le Cellier Steakhouse, Les Chefs de France, and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria top our readers' recommendations. Epcot also is known for its almost continuous festivals, which provide many food and beverage stands across the park. That's why eating (or drinking) around the world remains one of the great pastimes drawing guests to the park.
What is your favorite part of Epcot? And what are you most looking forward to at this park?
Tweet
It's obviously not the same, once my favorite of all the parks and changed the most. Yes, I miss Horizons, World of Motion, original Imagination, Living Seas, Malestrom...
But I remember if any park was meant to change and adapt, it was Epcot. What works still works, still a fun experience and World Showcase is still a marvel to walk through with all those restaurants and such. I miss the old EPCOT Center and some of its takes but then, Test Track is a great ride among others and sure still plenty of fun there.
Great changes to the park but why do “imagineers” have to use the same cliches over and over - “amazing” etc?
Not what it used to be or will ever be again. Goodbye EPCOT Center. Goodbye inspiration.
I always enjoyed walking through the countries. My favorites have always been The American Adventure, Spaceship Earth, and the original Imagination. I’m looking forward to Guardians Of The Galaxy.
I was a CM in 1982 when EPCOT Center opened, and people complained about it. Sea World even ran adds with guest surveys boasting guests liked their park better. 'World of Motion' was lame. The pseudo simulator on 'Horizons' had terrible screen resolution 'Universe of Energy' came off as corporate propaganda and, in retrospect, "Kitchen Kabaret" wasn't much better than a Chuck E. Cheese show.
I loved EPCOT as it was. I love it as it is.
EPCOT has always been my favorite park even as a teen, and its evolution continues to make it a favorite of mine as an adult.
I stumbled across an interesting rumor regarding Cosmic Rewind and that the original concept for the coaster was to be centered around the idea of the Big Bang Theory (not the TV show, but the actual scientific idea), but some high level execs insisted that the attraction be IP driven to appeal to the widest possible audience. While Guardians no doubt will bring guests to the coaster that would probably skip it if it was based on theoretical astrophysics, it hurt just a bit to see such a clever idea for "edutainment" (the heart of the EPCOT Center experience) get pushed aside.
Epcot used to be a permanent world's fair. Now it's a permanent food and wine festival.
Hey Sarah! A group project team members got together last Friday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the opening of Pandora. I took the opportunity to read your review of 'Flight of Passage'.
It blew everyone away.
Best wishes!
Wow TH! That sir, is an honor...^_^
So EPCOT is a drinking park with a theming problem?
@TH Creative: there must be TA (Themers Anonymous) meetings all over Orlando.
But I though Marge was the one with the drinking problem.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Ahhh, I can just taste an ice cold Smithwicks from the Rose and Crown now…
I’ve always loved Epcot for its beauty and the fact that it’s basically 2 parks in 1. I’m very excited to see the changes and updates that are happening. They are long overdue.