Photo Friday: Round-the-World at Disney’s Epcot

     Epcot (which stands for  Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) offers teens and tweens a wide range of Disney adventures.  The Future World section of the park is home to a number of thrill rides including a hair raising, high speed car ride  at Test Track, an astronaut’s liftoff to Mars at Mission Space and a simulated hang glider ride at Soarin.  Spaceship Earth, recently updated to reflect the advent of the internet and cell phones, offers a slower ride but the view of the starlit  inside of the dome when you begin your descent is amazing.  Epcot’s rides are some of the most sought after at Disney, so if you really want to ride them go early in the day and plan to use the Fast Pass program or to take advantage of the single rider line if you want to ride them more than once.   If your tween is on the shorter side be sure to check height restrictions before getting in the lines.

Epcot offers thrill rides and great food

      Unlike the other Disney parks, where the rides are the main attraction, Epcot celebrates food, creativity and diversity on a grand scale.  Throughout the year Epcot hosts major Disney celebrations like the Food and Wine Festival and the  winter holiday Candlelight Processional.  Our Spring vacation frequently coincides with the Flower and Garden Festival which features millions of blooming flowers and dozens of Disney-themed topiaries.  If you’ve just arrived from the cold, grey Northeast it really picks up your spirits in the Spring.

A Stitch Topiary at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

      We always make sure to book several meals at the various Epcot restaurants.  These are very popular and reservations are generally filled up months ahead of time so be sure to book them as soon as you can.  Our top picks include Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion and Teppan Edo  in the Japan Pavilion where the chefs put on a floor show as they cook dinner right in front of you.   You do not have to be staying on the Disney property to take advantage of the Priority Seating program.  Most of these restaurants are available as part of the Disney Dining plan as well.

The chefs at Teppan Edo are a dinner highlight

     In between the rides, food, fountains and scenery, Epcot does double duty as a multi-cultural shopping mall.  Every pavillion offers an extensive shopping area with the World Showcase country pavillion  featuring goods unique to their area.  You can pick up a kimono at Japan, hand-painted eggs and teddy bears in Germay, and exotic jewelry in Morocco – and still make it to the spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks display that takes place every evening over the World Showcase Lagoon.

Shop your way around Epcot

     If you are staying in the Epcot area and have Park Hopper passes, dinner, fireworks and a ride or two at Epcot is a good complement to a day at another park.  Alternatively, there is plenty to do at Epcot to make it a full day visit.  Be warned that it is a large park and a lot of walking is involved.  If you go for the day bring the sun tan lotion as things can really heat up.  Look for the cooling mist tents that appear on hot afternoons.

Check Out Our Other Disney Posts

     Check out our Disney Days with Teens and Tweens post to learn more about our recommendations for your visit to this magical World.  Want more Disney pictures?  Check out our Disney Archives for Photo Friday reviews of Disney’s other main parks  Thanks to Delicious Baby for hosting Photo Friday.  Visit them to see lots more great pictures from family travels around the world.