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
Body Wars | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Body Wars attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
El Rio del Tiempo | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct El Rio del Tiempo attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Ellen’s Energy Adventure | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Ellen’s Energy Adventure attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Frozen Ever After | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Frozen Ever After ride including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Roller Coaster | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Roller Coaster at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Horizons | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Horizons attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Journey Into Imagination | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Journey Into Imagination attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Journey into Imagination with Figment | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Journey into Imagination with Figment ride including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Journey into YOUR Imagination | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Journey into YOUR Imagination attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Restaurants
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Akershus Royal Banquet Hall restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Biergarten Restaurant | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Biergarten Restaurant restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Bistro de Paris | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Bistro de Paris at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Block & Hans | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Block & Hans restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Chefs de France | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Chefs de France restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Choza de Margarita | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Choza de Margarita bar at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Club Cool | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the Club Cool restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Connections Café & Eatery | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Connections Café & Eatery at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Coral Reef Restaurant | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Coral Reef Restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Electric Umbrella | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the extinct Electric Umbrella 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
Wondrous China | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the amazing Wondrous China show at Walt Disney World’s Epcot including history, reviews, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Current Exhibits
Advanced Training Lab | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Advanced Training Lab attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
American Heritage Gallery | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s American Heritage Gallery attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Backstage Magic | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Backstage Magic attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
Bijutsu-kan Gallery | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Bijutsu-kan Gallery attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
CommuniCore | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct CommuniCore attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
CommuniCore Hall | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about the CommuniCore Hall 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!
Gallery of Arts and History | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s Gallery of Arts and History attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
House of the Whispering Willows | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s House of the Whispering Willows attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!
ImageWorks The What-If Labs | Disney World
Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s ImageWorks The What-If Labs attraction 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!