Epcot Attractions News and History
Last Updated on: December 18th, 2024
EPCOT, which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and often referred to as Epcot Center, is one of the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Known for its celebration of human achievement, technological innovation, and global culture, EPCOT offers a unique and educational experience for guests of all ages.
EPCOT is divided into two main areas: World Celebration (formerly Future World) and World Showcase. Future World is dedicated to innovation and exploration, showcasing exhibits and attractions that highlight advancements in science, technology, and the environment. Guests can journey through the history of communication in Spaceship Earth, explore undersea ecosystems at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and experience thrilling attractions like Test Track and Soarin’.
World Showcase is a collection of pavilions representing different countries from around the world. Guests can immerse themselves in the culture, architecture, and cuisine of countries such as Mexico, China, Japan, France, and many more. Each pavilion offers unique dining options, entertainment, and shopping, allowing guests to experience a taste of global diversity.
Throughout the year, EPCOT hosts special events and festivals, including the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. These events showcase culinary delights, vibrant floral displays, live performances, and cultural showcases from around the world.
EPCOT is also home to iconic landmarks like the geodesic sphere of Spaceship Earth and the iconic World Showcase Lagoon, which serves as a stunning backdrop for nighttime spectaculars like IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot Forever, Harmonious and the newest Luminous: The Symphony of Us show.
With its blend of imagination, innovation, and cultural immersion, EPCOT offers guests a unique and educational experience that celebrates the best of human achievement and global unity.
Whether you’re exploring the possibilities of the future, sampling cuisines from around the world, or simply enjoying the beauty of the park’s surroundings, EPCOT invites you to embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration.
Be sure to check out our Epcot History – Every Single Attraction Through the Years (1982 – Today)
Epcot Park Areas:
Epcot is broken up into four very distinct sections and then a number of themed pavilions within each:
- World Celebration
- Imagination Pavilion
- World Nature
- Land Pavilion
- Seas Pavilion
- World Discovery
- World Showcase countries:
Epcot Park Address:
200 Epcot Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821
Helpful Epcot Resources:
Hotels Near Epcot:
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Walt Disney World Swan
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Walt Disney World Dolphin
Epcot Facts:
Please note that some of these Epcot facts are easier to find than others, so some of these are based on news reports and not official company tallies. All stats are linked to their source unless it was sent to me directly from the company. No stat listed here should be considered in making any type of investment decision. In other words: This is the best I can find, but I don’t guarantee anything.
What does EPCOT stand for?
Epcot stood for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and was originally supposed to be an actual city.
When did Epcot open?
Epcot opened on October 1, 1982
Epcot was the second of the four major theme parks at Walt Disney World to be built.
Where is Epcot located?
Bay Lake, Florida
How old is Epcot?
42 years old
What was Epcot supposed to be?
Here is a very interesting film in which Walt Disney himself explains his original vision for EPCOT. Keep in mind that this was his vision for the Florida project as a whole. The theme park was originally just a small piece of it.
EPCOT Center officially became EPCOT in 1996.
Current World Showcase pavilions that didn’t exist when the park opened:
Morocco (Opened in 1984) and Norway (1988)
World Showcase pavilions that were announced at open, but were never built:
Israel, Spain, Equatorial Africa
First appearance of Figment at Epcot:
1982 (He and the Dreamfinder where in the grand opening TV special, which aired in October 1982, but the Journey Into Imagination ride didn’t actually open until March 1983.)
Inaugural years for each of the Epcot festivals:
- Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival: 1994
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: 1995
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts: 2017
- Epcot International Festival of the Holidays: 2017
Epcot Statistics:
- Epcot attendance total for 2019: 12.444 million visitors
Complete Epcot Attendance Figures Can be Found Here.
- Epcot has the largest parking lot of any Disney theme park, featuring over 10,000 parking spaces.
- Number of pizzas served at Epcot’s Via Napoli all time: 1 million (2016)
- More than 225 million food dishes are served during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival
- Longest-running Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: 2022 (129 days)
- Number of years that Disney has been holding the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: 27 years
- Original length of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: 30 days
- Epcot’s Spaceship Earth (the Golf Ball) is made up of 11,324 triangle components.
- Number of countries represented in the Epcot World Showcase: 11
- Amount of fruits and vegetables grown annually at Epcot’s Land Pavilion: 30 tons (2013)
- Epcot’s Living Seas Aquarium was once the largest aquarium in the world.
- Epcot’s Test Track is the fastest Disney theme park ride ever built (64.9 mph).
Epcot Attractions, Articles and Features:
Here is your complete guide to Walt Disney World’s Epcot including attractions, restaurants, shows and rides past, present and future. As always, new pieces are added to this collection regularly.
Current Rides
Universe of Energy | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Universe of Energy attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
World of Motion | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct World of Motion attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Restaurants
L’Artisan des Glaces | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing L’Artisan des Glaces restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
La Cantina de San Angel | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing La Cantina de San Angel restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
La Cava del Tequila | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing La Cava del Tequila restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
La Creperie de Paris | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing La Creperie de Paris restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
La Hacienda de San Angel | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Le Cellier Steakhouse | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Le Cellier Steakhouse restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Liberty Inn | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the extinct Liberty Inn restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Lotus Blossom Café | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Lotus Blossom Café restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Monsieur Paul | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Monsieur Paul restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Shops
Camera Center | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Camera Center shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Creations Shop | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Creations Shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Disney Traders | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Disney Traders shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Gateway Gifts | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Gateway Gifts shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Karamell-Kuche | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Karamell-Kuche shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Mitsukoshi Department Store | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Mitsukoshi Department Store at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Mouse Gear | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Mouse Gear shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Port of Entry | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Port of Entry shop at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Shows
¡Celebración Encanto! | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the ¡Celebración Encanto! at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
America Gardens Theatre | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the America Gardens Theatre at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Awesome Planet | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Awesome Planet show at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along show at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Canada Far and Wide | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Canada Far and Wide show at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Captain EO | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Captain EO show including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Cranium Command | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Cranium Command attraction at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Food Rocks | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Food Rocks show at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Exhibits
Innoventions | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Innoventions attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Journey of Water | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Moana Journey of Water attraction at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Leave A Legacy | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Leave A Legacy attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Main Street Chamber of Commerce | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Main Street Chamber of Commerce building at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Mexico Folk Art Gallery | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Mexico Folk Art Gallery attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Millennium Village | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Millennium Village attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
SeaBase | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s SeaBase attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Stave Church Gallery | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Stave Church Gallery attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
The Astuter Computer Revue | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct The Astuter Computer Revue attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience exhibit including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Activities
DuckTales World Showcase Adventure | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the DuckTales World Showcase Adventure at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Earth Station | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Earth Station area at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Kidcot Fun Stops | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Kidcot Fun Stops activity including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Project Tomorrow | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Project Tomorrow space at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Parades
Tapestry of Dreams | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Tapestry of Dreams parade including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Tapestry of Nations Parade | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Tapestry of Nations Parade parade including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Nighttime Spectaculars
Epcot Forever | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the extinct Epcot Forever show at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
HarmonioUS | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing HarmonioUS nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Illuminations: Reflections of Earth show including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Luminous: The Symphony of Us
Here is everything you need to know about the new Epcot nighttime spectacular, Luminous: The Symphony of Us, at Walt Disney World including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
