Epcot

We are doing things a bit differently for this section. For those of you who don’t know: a big portion of the park is dedicated to “World Showcase”—an area that houses small sections devoted to displaying the culture of particular countries. All of these countries have things to do, whether they contain restaurants, shopping areas, shows, and/or attractions.

Watch for our favorite pavilions.

Instead of covering each country, we are only covering the ones with attractions. This is not because we have a preference for one over the other, actually some of our favorite countries showcased there do not have attractions in them. Rather, we want to stick to our format of sharing details of attractions and our opinions. We believe that if a certain culture speaks to you, you will stop at that location without any guidance from us!

Spaceship Earth

Time: 15 minutes

Best for: All ages

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Dark Ride, Historical/Educational

Summary: It is only fitting that the icon of Epcot be the home of an educational ride for the history of mankind and learning. A park so focused on the world, science, and innovations offers Spaceship Earth as a way to journey through the major breakthroughs in history that have led us to where we are today. You get a magical tour through history from the Egyptians and Romans to the invention of the computer and man’s first trip to the moon—all high up and inside that golf ball icon of Epcot!

Our Opinion: It is definitely a slow-moving ride, but still one of our favorites! The nostalgia that comes with this ride and the details included in it make the journey all the more repeatable and interesting. Plus, Disney is adding a few new features to the ride that will enhance it even more.

Trivia: If you ever get to stand under Spaceship Earth during a rainstorm, you might notice something strange. Or if you don’t notice it, allow us to point it out to you. No raindrops fall on you! Now, you might think we are crazy for mentioning this, because duuuh, you are under a covered building. Why would rain fall on you. Think about it though. Rain falling on top of the round sphere that is Spaceship Earth would naturally slide down its surface and pour off the bottom onto you, right? Well, the imagineers thought of that! They engineered this building to collect the water in the crevice of those triangle designs along the surface and then feed that water through the legs of the park’s icon to then feed into the many fountains in the area. Amazing!

Mission: SPACE

Time: 5 ½ minutes

Best for: Teens and Adults

Height Requirement: 40”

Type: Simulation, Dark and Spinning Ride

Summary: Have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to board a shuttle, strap in, and launch into space. This simulation will allow you to “choose your adventure” by taking the smoother orbit around the Earth or the daring adventure to Mars. Each of the crew members are assigned a job to do during the ride that will help you accomplish the mission.

Our Opinion: It is no secret that many people have strong, sometimes opposite, feelings toward this ride. Many leave this ride feeling nauseous and disoriented after the motion-sickness inducing simulation. Others, however, can’t wait to ride it again. Personally, we find it enjoyable though we wish the journey to Mars could be ridden on the “green,” easier side. An orbit around the Earth doesn’t have the same excitement to us.

Trivia:

Test Track

Time: 5 minutes, not including the pre-show room

Best for: Older Kids, Teens, and Adults

Height Requirement: 40”

Type: Dark ride and racetrack hybrid

Summary: Design and optimize your own car’s specs to then compete against other vehicles for the best design. You’ll get to test it out yourself too, whipping around sharp turns, testing your car in extreme conditions, and barreling at top-speed around a racetrack. Don’t worry, you’ll get to see detailed states at the end to improve your design for next time!

Our Opinion: We actually liked the old version better. Simple as that. For those who don’t know the old version though, we will say this is super smooth now! Also, the aspect of competition and racing adds a fun element to it!

Trivia: Did you know that the revamp of Test Track was quite heavily inspired by Tron: Legacy? Once you know, you can’t unsee it.

 Journey into Imagination with Figment

Time: 6 minutes

Best for: Kids

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Dark Ride

Summary: Fitting with the highly educational theme of Epcot, this ride teaches its audience to tap into their imagination Dr. Nigel Channing and Figment (the one of your imagination…) guide you through the different aspects of imagination…with a few unexpected detours, of course.

Our Opinion: Ah, yes. The all-too-famous Journey into the Imagination. This ride has a long history with many fans, used-to-be fans, and adamant “not fans.” The attraction has seen many iterations, of the earliest being the most loved. So, you can imagine how people felt when that got taken away. AND you can imagine how people feel as it has slowly declined over the years. With that said, it holds a place of nostalgia for Amanda. Anthony is starting to catch on. Basically, we would say to ride this if you have time (which right now in Epcot, you probably do) even if for just the stories behind it and getting to know Figment.

Trivia:

Living with the Land

Time: 14 minutes

Best for: Adults (most kids may find this boring)

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Boat tour

Summary: Take a tour into what feels like a behind-the-scenes look at Epcot and the innovative ways they use the Earth’s resources wisely!

Our Opinion: This ride has a bit of the original feel to the park left in it. Epcot itself was built and opened with the intention to showcase inventions and ideas for the future. Many of the rides had a scientific aura, but later Disney found it hard to stay on top of the advancements of present times. This ride itself still has a bit of that scientific feeling that we so love about Epcot! While it is a bit slow, we enjoy it for that very reason.

Trivia: Did you know much of the food in this area services the restaurants in WDW? Now, it is not for everything, but talk about locally-sourced!

Soarin’ Around the World

Time: 5 minutes

Best for: Older Kids, Teens, and Adults, though kids might be especially fearful of heights.

Height Requirement: 40”

Type: 4D Theater Experience

Summary: Gently glide through breathtaking landscapes with some of the world’s most iconic, natural and manmade landmarks from the Great Pyramids to the Taj Mahal. Witness a truly multi-sensory experience with evocative views, dips and turns, and scents that transport you right into the scene.

Our Opinion: This is always a must-do for us. Although we miss Soarin’ Around California (I mean, c’mon. The orange groves?!) it is a wonderfully Imagineered attraction and a staple to Epcot.

Trivia: The “hang-gliding seats” were invented just for this ride. Disney had the idea for an attraction like this long before the capabilities were in place. They paved the way for something completely new by pushing the boundaries of what had been done in order to deliver this experience to guests.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Time: N/A

Best for: Kids

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Aquarium

Summary: While we do love this area, the best way to describe it is as a Disney-themed aquarium. There are great photo-op areas, marine life viewing, and even a chance to see real life versions of Nemo, Marlin, and Dory!

Our Opinion: All-around it is a great space to relax in the AC while watching the fish. There’s something calming about observing them meander along that if you were stressed by the crowds, heat, or something else entirely, this will give you the space you need.

Trivia:

Turtle Talk with Crush

Time: 10-15 minutes

Best for: Kids

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Interactive Show

Summary: Would your family just love the chance to ask the Finding Nemo characters any question? This theater experience is an interactive one that lets kids have a conversation with Crush and possibly even some of the other characters from the film. The show itself fully runs off guest interaction. So, sometimes it may be shorter or longer than the last.

Our Opinion: The idea and technology behind this one is neat, but it isn’t one of our favorites. Still, those with kids may absolutely love it!

Trivia:

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (Mexico)

Time: 7 minutes

Best for: All Ages

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Dark Ride, Boat Ride

Summary: Join the Three Caballeros on a festive tour through South America. Of course, you’ll be serenaded along the way by the trio as you cruise on canals that pass a temple, festivals, and daily, South American life.

Our Opinion: This is a quaint ride hidden within the Mexico pavilion and beyond the restaurants. It almost always is a no-wait ride and we love it for that! Plus, the cheerful music from the three Caballeros never fails to make us smile!

Trivia:

Frozen Ever After

Time: 5 minutes

Best for: Young Kids

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Dark Boat Ride

Summary: If you’ve ever wanted to visit Arandelle and Elsa’s Ice Palace, this ride is the ride for you! Or if your kiddos are the ones craving this, we apologize right up front—for you will have to hear “Let It Go” just one more time. On this ride, a small, Viking ship willy carry you through various scenes with all of the most memorable Frozen characters, including Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, Olaf, and even Marshmallow!

Our Opinion: Let’s take you back to the ride before Frozen: Ever After’s opening. (Are you noticing a theme with these renovated rides for us?) Since this is in the Norway pavilion, this one housed a hidden gem of a Viking ride with a adventure and curses included. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it felt like a secret hidden away from newer guests. With the IP of Frozen overshadowing this area now, the lines are long, the Imagineers were restricted to the small confines of the previous Norway ride, and nothing spectacular really happens. We will say, it is great because Frozen! We love the animatronics for Olaf and Elsa. Beyond that though, we don’t think it is anything to write home about.

Caution: There is a dip at the end of this one, but it really is over before you know it! Nothing to be too worried about.

Trivia:

Voices of Liberty

Time: 20 minutes

Best for: Adults

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Concert

Summary: This “show” takes place right inside the American pavilion. Vocalists dressed in colonial-style clothing serenade you with period classics of the day. Some may be recognizable a have you singing along and they also might introduce you to songs you’ve never heard!

Our Opinion: While we want to give credit and applause to the truly talented vocalists in this area, this is not one we would say you’ve GOT TO see. Our opinion is don’t feel bad if you have to skip it. On the other hand though, we love sitting in the American Pavilion and listing to the incredible vocals of these artists. They exude such beauty with their voices and it is a joy to listen to them. Still, we do so when we are strolling through the park with extra time on our hands.

Trivia:

Impressions de France

Time: 18 minutes

Best for: Adults

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Educational Film

Summary: Many of the pavilions around World Showcase have an area where they present a film detailing their country and what they finding particularly defining about it. This film has such beauty and grace within it, sharing the castles, the mountains, and the people. You’ll definitely leave wishing you could take a trip there and walk the steps of France.

Our Opinion: This is probably our favorite film from the pavilions. The score that highlights it gives us chills every time. The scenes themselves so perfectly capture the culture and we so appreciate it!

Trivia:

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along

Time: 15 minutes

Best for: Kids, Families

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Sing-along film

Summary: Epcot recently added this new film to World Showcase in the France pavillion, incorporating a fresh way for kids to enjoy the culture of France by relating it to something familiar. This film takes a tour through the most known and loved Beauty and the Beast songs from the original Disney animated version. However, it does so with a twist, putting LeFou front and center for the tale.

Our Opinion: We don’t really love the new story that is told with LeFou as the main character and somewhat rewriting the tale. We do appreciate the creativity for it, but this one just does not work for us. However, we will say it is a treat to sing along with the other guests and to hear the kids getting to enjoy the film on a big screen!

Trivia: Check out the displays outside in the queue area. You will find all kinds of movie and stage props for the best beloved French tales.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Time: 5 minutes

Best for: All ages, but aimed toward children

Height Requirement: None

Type: Trackless Dark Ride

Summary: Shrink to the size of a rat and experience life as a little chef in Gusteau’s kitchen. It can get a little crazy; so expect adventure! Plus, this ride is aboard the newer trackless vehicles that are also seen at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios.

Our Opinion: This attraction is absolutely adorable. We love riding it, though the screens can be a bit much if you were to ride it a few times. We don’t think it is worth a long wait time by any means. Yet, when else can you ever shrink down to Remy’s size and explore his world?

Caution: Watch out for motion sickness here with the many large, 3D screens.

 HarmonioUS! (Closed)

Time: 20 minutes

Best for: All ages

Height Requirement: N/A

Type: Nighttime Fireworks Show

Summary: Epcot is a wonderful collision and celebration of all cultures. This nighttime fireworks show enhances these cultures and puts a spotlight on the differences brought by each of them. Highlighting films from various countries, the World Showcase lagoon lights up in an enchanting and exciting display of these nations.

Our Opinion: We have seen this so many times that we have it memorized and we still love it! We have heard the complaints that the animation is not the best coming from an animation-based company. We can see how this is true. However, the story and intention of this show trumps all for us. Disney really hit it home with this show. We hope it sticks around for a long time!