Epcot is an interesting and almost eclectic theme park. Arguably the least “Disney” of the Disney World parks you almost get the feeling that it doesn’t know what it wants to be, until you realize that is is suppose to be a permanent World’s Fair. This leads to two divisions in Epcot, Future World and the World Showcase. Future World is what I will be talking about today.
Future World, History and Environment
I think you enjoy Epcot more, Future World in particular, if you understand a little about the history of it first. Epcot represents a Walt Disney dream that was never realized. It was never meant by Walt to be a theme park. Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It was one of Walt’s greatest dreams near the end of his life to form what was essentially an experiment in communal living.
To make a long story short the state of Florida wouldn’t let him build his community there unless he built the Magic Kingdom first, which he did. Since Walt died though and no one else really had the vision for Epcot as a community they decided to make it a homage to one of Walt’s favorite things: World Fairs. I think this history is helpful to have in mind when visiting Epcot.
Having never been to a World’s Fair I can’t tell you if Epcot succeeds at being one. In theory Future World represents the part of the World’s Fairs that look towards the future, with exhibits showcasing the best of inventions that are up and coming.
Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth is the center piece of Future World, it is meant to function as the iconic architecture of the permanent World’s Fair, similar to the Eiffel Tower of the St. Louis Arch, and it certainly does. For many people it think Epcot is visually synonymous with Spaceship Earth. It appears on nearly all Epcot merchandise and is the Epcot symbol on maps and guides.
Like the great World’s Fair attractions of the past people sometimes wait in line for hours to enter the ride that is Spaceship Earth. This ride is a slow moving cart ride that is very similar in theme to the Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland. The scope here is much larger than the 20th century though, starting out in prehistoric times and coming a bit closer to the present age.
I think riding Spaceship Earth is a must while you are Epcot, it is the quintessential experience here. I suggest using Fast Pass+ to ride it, or arriving early to ride it. It is not so exciting that you want to stand in line for too long.
At the end of the ride you come out into an area where you can learn about technology that is on the horizon of our future.
Soarin’ Around the World
The Soarin’ flight simulation ride is one of Future World’s most popular attractions. We used our first fast pass of the day to ride this one. You sit in airplane seats attached to a lifting arm in front of a very large screen which transports to many of the most famous places in the world.
Soarin’ is located in the same building as the Living with the Land boat ride. This slow boat ride goes through the Epcot greenhouses, the line is normally not too long so it is worth doing while you are there.
Sum Up of Future World
There are many other things you can do in future world including the popular test track and astronaut training. We chose to spend most of our time at Epcot in the World Showcase so we did not do as many of the things in Future World.
Future World at Epcot is an interesting assortment of rides and experiences thrown together under a very loose banner.
