If you visit Epcot prior to opening you will find an assortment of the Disney Characters outside and they put on a little show to officially open the park. Once the park is open the characters are available to sign autographs and in Epcot this is usually in the plaza by Mission Mars. This is a great opportunity for the children to meet the characters as Epcot tends to be one of the quieter parks at opening time. If we do not want to spend all day there but want to come back for the evening fireworks, which many people do, we usually spend the morning there and go back to our villa for lunch before relaxing by the pool and returning early evening to Epcot. Remember once you have paid to park your car you can park at any Disney park for that day.
Over the years we have bought souvenirs from all the countries so much so that we have run out of space at home for them. Last time we went we decided instead to buy sweets/candy from every country. We succeeded in doing this everywhere except in Morocco so we bought a pastry!
If you want to dine at an Epcot restaurant for dinner and do not have an Advance Dining Reservation, make sure to make one very early in the day. The popular restaurants fill up early.
If you are thirsty whilst you are there go to the Coca Cola-sponsored Club Cool. Here you can get free samples of drinks from around the world. The two our girls enjoyed most were the Lychee Mello from Thailand and the Vegitabeta from Japan.
You often have to wait a long time for Test Track. However you will find there is little or no wait if you get to it just before Future World closes and get in the Singles Line.
If you have young children with you be sure to visit the Test track gift shop. Here they will have the opportunity to sit in a Hummer or a Saab.
If you happen to be in Innoventions Plaza at night, be sure to look down. The walkway is full of fibreoptics that light up and slowly fade away, it is quite magical.
As you go on the walkway from Future World to World Showcase, you will see special lights and spouts built into the concrete on your right. This is a spontaneous water fountain that sends water 20' straight up into the air. On hot days especially it is great for the children and they dry out very quickly afterwards.
You can get great photos of family and friends through the Goofy frame, this you will find just past the Canada pavilion and the Refreshment Port, on the way to Showcase Plaza. If they look straight at the frame, you will get a good photo, with the water in the background. However, for an even better photo, get them to move slightly to the left. This way you should get Spaceship Earth in the photo as well.
Last time we visited the Rose and Crown Pam Brody was the piano player. Pam used to be the piano player aboard the Queen Mary for years. An entertainer also does card tricks at the pub throughout the day. If you are hungry when you get here they do great Fish and Chips and if it is a hot day you can eat these outside in a small garden at the side of the pub.
When you visit the Germany courtyard, if you happen to be near the clock tower as it strikes the hour, watch the Hummel figurines and listen to the tune of the glockenspiel. Apparently this was specially written for the Epcot pavilion.
If you walk through the garden in Canada look out for the walkway that takes you through the waterfalls.
I hope you will find these tips useful next time you visit Epcot.
Over the years we have bought souvenirs from all the countries so much so that we have run out of space at home for them. Last time we went we decided instead to buy sweets/candy from every country. We succeeded in doing this everywhere except in Morocco so we bought a pastry!
If you want to dine at an Epcot restaurant for dinner and do not have an Advance Dining Reservation, make sure to make one very early in the day. The popular restaurants fill up early.
If you are thirsty whilst you are there go to the Coca Cola-sponsored Club Cool. Here you can get free samples of drinks from around the world. The two our girls enjoyed most were the Lychee Mello from Thailand and the Vegitabeta from Japan.
You often have to wait a long time for Test Track. However you will find there is little or no wait if you get to it just before Future World closes and get in the Singles Line.
If you have young children with you be sure to visit the Test track gift shop. Here they will have the opportunity to sit in a Hummer or a Saab.
If you happen to be in Innoventions Plaza at night, be sure to look down. The walkway is full of fibreoptics that light up and slowly fade away, it is quite magical.
As you go on the walkway from Future World to World Showcase, you will see special lights and spouts built into the concrete on your right. This is a spontaneous water fountain that sends water 20' straight up into the air. On hot days especially it is great for the children and they dry out very quickly afterwards.
You can get great photos of family and friends through the Goofy frame, this you will find just past the Canada pavilion and the Refreshment Port, on the way to Showcase Plaza. If they look straight at the frame, you will get a good photo, with the water in the background. However, for an even better photo, get them to move slightly to the left. This way you should get Spaceship Earth in the photo as well.
Last time we visited the Rose and Crown Pam Brody was the piano player. Pam used to be the piano player aboard the Queen Mary for years. An entertainer also does card tricks at the pub throughout the day. If you are hungry when you get here they do great Fish and Chips and if it is a hot day you can eat these outside in a small garden at the side of the pub.
When you visit the Germany courtyard, if you happen to be near the clock tower as it strikes the hour, watch the Hummel figurines and listen to the tune of the glockenspiel. Apparently this was specially written for the Epcot pavilion.
If you walk through the garden in Canada look out for the walkway that takes you through the waterfalls.
I hope you will find these tips useful next time you visit Epcot.