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A Walk Through Epcot
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As you enter Epcot you
are met with the sight of the 180-foot-high geodesic sphere
known as Spaceship Earth, the symbol of Epcot. Behind the
silver-colored landmark is a showplace for man's achievements
past, present and future, and an international fellowship of
nations. Epcot is divided into two different 'lands' - Future
World, which brings guests face to face with scientific
achievements and tomorrow's technologies; and World Showcase,
which opens the door to cultures from around the globe
celebrating the sights, sounds and cuisines from 11 nations.
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Future World
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Once through the entrance at Epcot, you walk past Spaceship Earth, and
into Future World. The sculptures in front of Spaceship Earth are
Leave a Legacy, a
chance to have your image etched onto a tile & placed on one of the
sculptures. Spaceship Earth is Future World's landmark adventure.
Dramatic new scenes in the attraction and its post show depict
life in the 21st century's "Global Neighborhood." With all-new
narration by actor Jeremy Irons and an impressive new musical
score, guests experience a time-travel journey from the
beginning of time to the electronic age. Just beyond Spaceship
Earth, on each side, you'll find crescent-shaped buildings,
which house Innoventions, a dazzling new showcase where guests
can be among the first to touch the technologies of today that
will shape their lives tomorrow. To the east of Spaceship Earth:
Test Track, presented by General Motors, is a mile-long,
heart-pounding adventure that takes guests through hairpin
twists and turns. The high-speed attraction mimics an actual
proving ground where vehicles are put through their
adrenaline-pumping paces -- testing brakes, acceleration,
incline and climate control -- all in the name of safety.
Universe of Energy, presented by Exxon, features "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!" -- only to discover that all of
the categories deal with one thing she knows nothing about --
energy. Her challengers on the show, hosted by Alex Trebek, are
former roommate and current "rival" Dr. Judy Peterson (Curtis)
and Albert Einstein. As part of the show, guests venture into a
re-creation of the primeval world complete with moving, roaring
life-size dinosaurs. Also to the east: Wonders of Life,
featuring "Body Wars" flight-simulator thrill ride - shrink to
blood-cell size for a turbulent ride through the heart, lungs
and brain of a human body. Cranium Command, where you'll go
inside the mixed-up mind of a young boy to catch the antics of
famous comedians playing his heart, brain, stomach and
adrenaline. To the west: The Living Seas, a ride through a
Caribbean coral reef contained in a tank 200 feet in diameter
and 27 feet deep. Descend fathoms into an incredible man-made
coral reef at Sea Base Aplha. View tropical fish, sharks and
manatees, while exploring secrets of a new frontier. The Land,
which features the motion picture "Circle of Life," an
environmental fable starring several characters from "The Lion
King," "Living With the Land" boat ride through greenhouses of
the future, and the zany "Food Rocks" concert about good
nutrition. Go next door to Imagination, where you'll find "Honey
I Shrunk the Audience", a madcap 3-D misadventure, where
Professor Szalinski's shrinking machine turns and zaps the
entire theater! Prepare to color outside the borders of your
imagination, in the all-new "Journey into your Imagination". Hop
aboard this ride through the secret testing labs of the
Imagination Institute. Journey through the outrageous
possibilities of sound. Unveil the mysteries of illusion. Even
discover the color of your voice. |
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World Showcase
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World Showcase Lagoon separates Future World from the World Showcase.
Guests can either walk around the lagoon, or take a boat ride in a
'friendship' boat across the lagoon to World Showcase. Across World Showcase Lagoon, 11 nations offer distinctive wares, ethnic
cuisine, shows, entertainment and architecture representing their cultures.
Even the landscaping changes from country to country around the 1.3-mile
promenade. Clockwise around the promenade: Mexico, with a boat ride through Mexican
history and lively Mariachi bands; Norway, taking guests on a voyage through
time beginning in a 10th-century Viking Village; China, with a Circle-Vision
360 film that takes guests to exotic sites like Beijing's Forbidden City,
Mongolia and Shanghai; Germany, inspired by towns along the Rhine and in
Bavaria; and Italy, with its reproduction of Venice's Doge's Palace and
outdoor theater. The American Adventure, presented by American Express, with an ambitious
show that takes guests through important moments in U.S. history; Japan,
showcasing Japanese gardens and dancing outdoors; Morocco, where 19 Moroccan
artisans spent months re-creating the intricate, colorful tilework of this
North African country; France, the setting for an enchanting film tour
through its cities and countryside; United Kingdom, with lovely flower
gardens and cobbled streets; and Canada, with entertainment by a bagpipe
band and a Circle-Vision 360 film through some of Canada's most picturesque
regions. Each World Showcase pavilion is a celebration of the nation's life,
culture and heritage. World Showcase ambassadors come from across the globe
to represent their homelands at the theme park. As part of the show,
holidays and festivals are commemorated by the ambassadors in ways they
would be celebrated "back home," allowing Epcot guests a chance to get
"caught up" in these international celebrations. Between the France & UK pavilions you'll find the International Gateway,
Epcot's smaller entrance. From here you can walk to the Epcot Resorts (Yacht
& Beach Club, BoardWalk, Swan & Dolphin), or take a boat ride to the resorts
or Disney-MGM Studios. World Showcase Lagoon plays host to 'IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth'
each night. This fabulous firework show will encircle you with dazzling
special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, and fiery torches
performing to a stirring, original symphonic score - not to be missed. As dusk arrives, the World Showcase Promenade becomes the stage for
Tapestry of Nations. The towering Sage of Time calls all nations together.
Drums pound. Torches blaze. And colorful, giant puppets dance to harmonies
filling the air. Bang a drum. Dance along. Free your spirit and get swept up
in the celebration surrounding you. |
