Disney's Epcot Theme Park Orlando!
Fantastic Future World & World Showcase

Walt Disney's Epcot theme park is two fantastic theme parks for the price of one! Fly on Soarin over San Francisco & travel through time on Spaceship Earth, then take a stroll around the World showcase.

It is absolutely amazing and your entire family will have a wonderful time, if you plan your visit right...To help you, here's our family's hints and tips on how to explore Disney's futuristic theme park here in Orlando Florida!

What's on offer?

Within you'll find two great theme parks:

• Future World where you'll come face to face with the wonders and technologies of tomorrow (this is where the kids show us parents up with their techno skills).

• World Showcase with 11 different countries of the world surrounding a lagoon, displaying the culture, entertainment, and foods of their lands.

We recommend this helpful Epcot theme park map for figuring out what to do. Plus, to keep you up to date with what's going on during your stay here's a useful events calendar.

Arriving at Epcot Theme Park

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort you'll have no worries. Transport is always available from your resort area.

Will you be travelling by car? If so, your route to Epcot theme park depends on where you are traveling from. You'll most likely be using the I4, 192 or Osceola Parkway. All these roads converge into Disney's road system, which will take you to Epcot. Please see our Road map/Directions page to find out how long it will take. And don't worry too much. The roads are clearly marked with theme park signs.

When you arrive at the main entrance of the Epcot theme park, get your wallet out. Parking starts from $20 dollars (2016-2017 subject to change).

You will be directed to your parking area and again, as with any other theme parks, remember your parking spot by noting the sign at the end of your row. (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Winnie, etc.)

Remember you can park at the Magic Kingdom and use the monorail to travel to the Epcot theme park. This gives you the flexibility to move between the parks if you want to visit both in a day.

Walk or take a tram ride to the entrance and make sure your tickets are ready to show. You'll most likely have your bags searched for security purposes as well.

The rental shack for hiring pushchairs (strollers) is just inside the park entrance. For renting lockers, go right of the base of Space Ship Earth, near the restrooms.

Future World:

The first sight that will greet you is the fantastic Spaceship Earth surrounded by colourful gardens. This is the entrance to Future World.

If the crowds are not too heavy, take a ride on Spaceship Earth and explore the world of communications.

If the place is full of people, use your Fastpass and return later, before you enter the World Showcase.

Are there any thrill seekers in your family? (We have a few!) If so, make your way round to Mission Space and Test Track before it gets too busy.

Height restrictions apply, starting from 102cm for Test Track (Re-open Fall 2012) and 112cm for Mission Space. You can use your Fastpass. Not too worried about the thrill rides? Then make your way over to the Universe of Energy building and take a fun ride through history with Ellen's Energy Adventure, starring one of America's favorite comedians, Ellen DeGeneres.

Innoventions:

Once you come out, head over to Innoventions. This is a good place to stop for drinks or some food and enjoy the up-to-date technology on offer. Yes, it's time for the kids to show up the parents. You can also watch the fantastic outside Water Fountain display, set to music.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavillion

Ready for something a little more relaxing but absolutely amazing? Head to the The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavillion (formerly The Living Seas). Here, you'll find one of the largest man-made ocean environments 5.7 million gallons of it.

Our children have always loved this opportunity to travel deep to the ocean floor and discover incredible creatures. You'll need your cameras for this one!

Don't forget Turtle Talk with Crush. This is a brilliant, interactive show with Crush the turtle from Finding Nemo. If you're hungry, the Coral Reef restaurant in this building is excellent. After this pop yourselves over to the Land Pavillion.

The Land Pavillion:

Take a sailboat ride through the marvels of nature and visit working greenhouses and a real fishery. You can use your Fastpass. here and get a chance to sit down for 10 minutes to charge those batteries before heading to World Showcase.

Drop in to the rotating Chip & Dale's Harvest Feast restaurant located on the top level of the pavilion, or try the Sunshine Season's restaurant on the lower level.

Fantasic Soarin!

Fasten your seat belt on the multi-passenger glider and be lifted 40 feet into the air. Swoop up and soar towards the clouds and spectacular California views. You and the family of all ages will love this ride as you explore the wonders of California by flight.

If Soarin is not for you, head over to the Imagination building to join Figment and let your imaginations run away with you.

To finish off, you must go and see the return of Captain EO 3D starring the late Michael Jackson at the Imagination Pavillion theater. This replaces 'Honey I Shrunk The Audience' It's filled with show-stopping musical numbers performed by Michael & special effects by George Lucas of 'Star Wars' fame

Tired yet? Well, it's time to leave Future World and head on over to Epcot's World Showcase. So it's back to the Water Fountain and turn right, then head for the bridge over to the lagoon. Click here...See you there!

Just like your local paperboy

When you're planning a trip to Epcot theme park, you don't want to use old news and information. We will keep updating our site via our RSSfeed. Simply click onto the RSS feed above and follow the instructions. It's an easy way to stay on top of what's happening at Disney's Epcot theme park free of charge.