Epcot was Walt Disney’s vision of the future and for many modern fans, it’s a favorite theme park that even rivals the likes of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in terms of popularity. It might come as a shock to some, but there’s plenty more to see outside of Spaceship Earth and the Test Track.
To some, Epcot might look like Disney’s attempt at edu-taining the masses. To the experienced park-goer, however, it can be a veritable wonderland of possibilities. To show you what we mean, we’ve gathered ten things in Epcot you’ve probably missed out on. Strap in for a trip to the world of tomorrow!
Epcot Means?
For those of you new to the Disney fandom, you’re probably wondering where in the world does the name Epcot even come from? Where their other parks have understandable and appropriate names like the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, why choose a name like Epcot?
The word Epcot is actually an anagram for the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. Walt Disney’s vision for the Epcot center was his idea of an imaginative and innovative utopia where new ideas and techniques of the future were brought to life. Though it’s not exactly Walt’s vision, we’d like to think it’s a proper tribute to a whole new world.
Literal Easter Egg Hunt
With a list chock-full of Epcot Easter-eggs, why not talk about some literal Easter-eggs? Though they’re only seeable during springtime, Epcot puts out a literal Easter-egg hunt. The decorators at Disney go above and beyond making individual egg sculptures painted to look like your favorite characters and scatter them all over the park.
We have to give the artists credit, we’re genuinely impressed by how many various characters you can make into egg form. You have your easy ones like Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, but then you have characters like Stitch and the Cheshire cat that really stand out. These aren’t just your standard huevos anymore.
A Ball by Another Name
Some people know it as Spaceship Earth, others know it as “that big golfball thing in the middle of the entrance.” That’s cute and all, but the proper name for the giant space-ball at Epcot is a geodesic sphere or geosphere for short to the Disney fans. But no matter what you call it, it’s still the icon of the park.
Though the outside is remarkable to behold, it’s actually composed of two spheres, one inside the other. The outer layer is the previously mentioned geodesic sphere, and the core is the actual ride. This might not be a well-hidden fact, but you can impress your friends at parties with this one.
Nemo’s Friends
If you haven’t visited The Seas with Nemo and Friends in Epcot’s Future World, you’re truly missing out. Don’t let it’s kiddie-ride exterior fool you, it’s actually a great way to get in and see one of the world’s largest saltwater aquarium displays. This exhibit is definitely one of the brightest hidden gems the park has to offer
After you’ve gone through the Finding Nemo-inspired dark ride, you’ll be allowed to explore various displays of undersea life. From a variety of tropical fish to even a shark display, there’s a lot more to see in this aquatic adventure than meets the eye.
Hidden Meet and Greets
Whenever you want a little one-on-one time with your favorite Disney characters, normally you’d visit Epcot’s Character Spot, which has played host to Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, but the likes of Baymax, Joy, and Sadness as well. But if you’re looking for little something extra, pay attention to the areas between the World Showcase pavilions.
On occasion, these seemingly empty spots, namely the area between the UK and Canada and the UK and France, will become brief Meet and Greets with other Disney characters. You might see familiar faces like Goofy or Stitch, but they are often the site of some pretty rare Disney faces. Keep your eyes open on your next visit.
Germany’s Cuckoo Clock
Germany is one of the most popular countries in Epcot’s World Showcase, but you might not catch this incredible display unless you arrive at a certain time, and we mean that in a literal sense. The pavilion is home to several German traditions like brass music, folk dancing, and bratwursts, but it’s also home to a giant functioning cuckoo clock.
If you wait outside long enough, you’ll see the wooden figures of the pavilion’s clock tower come to life and chime the hour. It’s a charming addition to the already colorful scenery of the German and alpine-inspired area that just sprinkles in an extra touch of whimsy.
Miniature Hidden Mickeys
While we’re in the Germany pavilion, have a look at the miniature village before you cross over into the next country. This often-overlooked little world is an absolute delight, complete with a series of toy trains scurrying about that helps bring the miniature scene to life. But pay attention to some of the smaller details.
If you look close enough, you can see tiny hidden Mickeys scattered throughout the village. There’s even a miniature Mickey Mouse standing in one of the windows in the buildings. What can we say? Disney never skips on even the smallest of details in creating their worlds.
Pizza Oven Names
Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy pavilion probably has the absolute best pizza in all of Walt Disney World. It’s a truly authentic Italian restaurant with dishes that are definitely worth a little extra, particularly their oven-fired pizzas. You can literally smell them in the ovens the moment you walk into the seating area.
The large ovens are the restaurant’s most interesting feature, being shaped like three large heads with open firey mouths. If one looks closer, they bear the names Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Enta. The ovens share names with Italy’s three most famous volcanos, an appropriate name given for how hot they get to make such pristine pizzas.
The Stave Church
If you’ve had your fill of Frozen-related paraphernalia, and Walt knows we certainly are, consider checking out the Viking museum in Epcot’s Norway pavilion. The Gods and Vikings exhibit is one of the most incredible displays in the entire showcase, despite its small size. Featuring real Viking artifacts and excerpts from Viking mythology.
Aside from displays of Loki, Thor, Freya, and Odin, we love the fact that the exhibit is built in a replica of a Viking stave church. It’s an incredibly beautiful building that helps truly capture the epic history of the country it represents. Don’t miss out on this slice of Viking life.
Various Imagination Easter Eggs
We’re ending this tour of Epcot back at Future World with Journey Into Imagination with Figment, perhaps the most Easter-egg heavy ride in all of Epcot. Not only does it contain references and nods to the original ride from the ’80s, but it serves as a practical love letter to all of Disney’s fictional scientists.
Tributes to films like Flubber and Honey I Shrunk the Kids can be found scattered throughout the queue before guests enter the ride, along with some other winks and symbols of historic Epcot. One little spark can certainly go a long way with this enchanting and imaginative ride.
