Florida Guide > Disney Parks
What’s on a Lake? Half the world at Epcot!
I would be being untruthful, if I didn’t admit that on my first visit to Disney, back in 1991, the lake in Epcot, seemed in comparison to everything else we had experienced on our trip, almost pointless. There were no opportunities to meet and greet (by chance) any characters, no thrill rides or really any gentle rides to take a small child on. I do think many people who aspire to the “visit the Orlando attractions dream”. Probably feel similar. This, I have to say has changed beyond belief as the years have past. Now I view the lake area in Epcot as one of my favourite parts of being in Epcot, in fact it is high on my list of “must do’s” when we visit. It would be fair to say that as we have experience the rides on a number of occasions now, that the “need” to go on many of them has lessened. The thing with the lake is that apart from its beauty, it holds more appeal as an entertainment that can be enjoyed several times in one trip, and at any time of day or night, and on each occasion you will experience something a little different.
Walking around the lake of an evening just transports you around the world as each county really takes on its county’s theme, and offers, among other things, the feeling that you are strolling through the romantic streets of Paris at night, or through the lively squares of Italy, and the hypnotic evening of music in Morocco. Often there is entertainment, mostly appealing to a more adult audience, perfect if the young children are tucked up asleep in their buggy’s, or they are back at the villa with grandma! ! Eating becomes a very big part of night time around the lake. We often have an evening meal at one of the countries, and are yet to try them all. Even if you just fancy some of the amazing pastries on offer Norway, you will be pleasantly surprised! ! Actually Norway has become one of my favourite spots, not least because we discovered the little “ride” within Norway, it rarely has much of a queue, there are no drops and it is a boat ride all in the dark, actually I really like it. There is a film show promoting Norway at the end of the journey, we have watched it a couple of times but most times now, I must admit we walk through, but why not stay if you haven’t seen it! !
There is an out door theatre opposite America, and we have seen some really varied and interesting shows there, once there were a troupe that made music while supposedly preparing food, it was one of the best things I have ever seen, I do hope they come back! !
We often eat lunch in Mexico, they really know how to serve up a Fajita there, and if you go in side the Mexico, Aztec monument, you can take a gentle cultural boat ride down the river of time, when you get off you are in a market place at night (even in the daytime), and the restaurant with its lanterns is always packed out, any time we have been in there!
Possibly the least enticing of the countries for us, are Germany, Canada and China. Though, China does often have some amazing acrobatic displays by young Chinese children. So it is worth checking the guide as to when performances are due at each location. Obviously the UK is interesting to us, and we are very fond of the Players that perform in the street about 3 times a day, they include people from the crowd (we have been caught once to take part) and with the audience sitting around on the pavement or eating fish and chips on the sidewalk the atmosphere is really fun. You can also enjoy the “Beatles” playing a set in the park, at the rear! !
At certain times of the year, Epcot uses the lake as the focus of special events, at Easter time they have the Flower festival, look out for details on that. And, in October they have the infamous food and wine festival, not to be missed. Of course nightly, people gather round the lake to watch illuminations, a spectacle that should be enjoyed at some point. Just a note, the lake area doesn’t usually open until around 11:00am each day , as I have said the street entertainment and shows generally come into their own of an evening, though it is a lovely stroll anytime, you never really know what you may see, don’t miss out! !
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