Attractions by the Ages: Epcot

For Younger Kids

·      Journey into Imagination with Figment – Join everyone's favorite purple dragon for a look into the power of the human imagination.

·      The Seas with Nemo and Friends – Jump in a clam-mobile and journey through the sea in search of Nemo. Little ones and Nemo fans will love it!
       Turtle Talk with Crush — An interactive show where kids can learn all about sea turtles from Crush himself. They can ask questions and Crush will really answer!

For Pre-Teens and Teens

·      Test Track –Ever wonder what the life of a crash test dummy is like? Strap in and find out on this mild thrill ride that takes you on a new kind of road test!

·      Mission Space – Travel to Mars on this G-force intense simulator. It's awesome! But stay clear if you're prone to motion sickness.

·      Kim Possible's World Showcase Adventure – Kids can become secret agents and join Team Possible in saving the world from bad guys. Using their Kimmunicator, they can travel around World Showcase gathering clues and stopping villians, and maybe even happen across a hidden reward.

·   

For the Whole Family

·      Spaceship Earth – This relaxing, slow moving ride takes you from the time of cavemen into the present day, with a glimpse into the future.

·      Ellen's Universe of Energy –Jump into Ellen's dream and journey back to the time of the dinosaurs with her and Bill Nye the Science Guy to learn all about energy.

·      Mission Space Advance Training Labs – After, or instead of, your ride on Mission Space, step into this realm of space-themed interactive games and activities.

·      Living with the Land – This boat ride takes you through different environments of Earth, and also gives you a tour of how Disney is actively learning from the land, and the many plants and produce they grow at the parks. You'll even find out how they grow those pumpkins in the shape of Mickey ears :).

·      Soarin' – This is my mom's favorite ride in all of Disney World. By combining a unique dome-shaped I-MAX screen and new ride technology, you'll feel like you're soaring over California in a hang glider. See the sights, feel the wind, and even smell the orange groves. Amazing!

·      Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable – Simba, Timon and Pumbaa teach you a little about the circle of life in this educational, but cute, film.

·      Captain EO – Returning to Epcot for the first time since 1994, this 3-D film stars Michael Jackson, and features special effects by George Lucas and musical numbers by Michael.

·      Image Works – After your Journey into Imagination with Figment, you'll come into Image Works where you can enjoy interactive games and technologies. There are super cool things here. We almost never got my dad out of here the first time!

·      O Canada – A 360 degree wrap-around screen shows you the beautiful sights of Canada in this short film.

·      Impressions de France – A wrap-around film featuring France.

·      Reflections of China – Another wrap-around film featuring China.

·      Malestrom – Journey into Norway's past on a Viking boat ride.

·      Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Cabelleros – Donald and pals take you on a boat tour through brilliant Mexico.

·      American Adventure – This 30-minute show features great moments and people from American history. You'll see animatronic versions of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, JFK, Susan B. Anthony and more.
        Illuminations: Reflections of Earth – At 9 p.m. every night, the sky above Epcot lights up with this amazing firework and water show on World Showcase Lagoon. The show can be seen from anywhere around World Showcase. My personal favorite spot is on the Future World side of the lagoon, straight out from Spaceship Earth. It gives you a great view of the whole World Showcase, and it makes for a quicker exit after the show.

Disney Photography [101]: Camera Gear

Hey again gang! I've been trying to upload this for-ev-er. Blogger has been so grouchy about uploading my videos lately, but I've finally found a way to get it here. This is the first of what will hopefully be many videos giving you Disney World photography tips. I've been dropping little photo nuggets throughout my blogs, but now I decided to take it a step further.
I'm a big fan of YouTube tutorial and how-to videos, and I noticed there were none (at least that I could find) that really gave any Disney vacation advice, photography or otherwise. So I thought, why not? I could post all this in a written blog I suppose, but some things are just better explained in person. This first one is just sort of an introduction to what camera gear I bring with me to the parks. More specific tips will follow.
I hope this helps and you guys enjoy :)!

Epcot: An Overview

Happy 4^th of July everyone! Ok, I know I’m a little late, but I hope you had a fun weekend just the same. As for me, I spent some great time with family and friends, and even did a little WDW vacation planning. Bran and I are hoping to take a trip next year with two of our best friends (who have never been). I’m beyond excited!!

Anyway, to curb my craving for now, I think it’s time for another park tour! Today we’ll take a trip through my dad’s favorite park: Epcot.

Epcot was the second theme park built at WDW and opened in October of 1982. Originally, Walt’s vision was not a theme park, but an actual city. EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Walt’s idea called for a futuristic way of life, where there would be no vehicles above ground and the city would showcase technological and cultural developments. There would be no such thing as a “bad part of town” because Walt wouldn’t allow it. Sounds too good to be true, right? Apparently so. When Walt died, his vision for EPCOT died with him. Shrinking funds caused the company to decide they weren’t in the business of running a city, and so EPCOT, the city became Epcot, the theme park.

As saddened as I am that his successors left Walt’s greatest dream behind, I am glad they found some small way to honor his hope to blend technology and culture. Epcot is made up of two areas: Future World and World Showcase. Future World celebrates all the technologies of tomorrow. You can play with new gadgets and gizmos that aren’t available to the public yet, and learn about things that are still in the works. Across the lagoon, World Showcase celebrates all the diverse cultures of the world. You can feel like you’ve traveled around the world in a matter of minutes, visiting famous landmarks and trying amazing foreign cuisine. It almost feels like two theme parks in one, and I tend to experience it that way as I make my way around the park.

Future World

When you enter the park, the first thing you see is Spaceship Earth (or as I call it, the giant golf ball :). This is the icon of the park, even though it isn’t the center. Epcot is the only theme park that doesn’t have Walt’s signature “wheel hub” layout. Instead, it is hourglass shaped, with Future World filling the bottom half.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! Right as you exit the turnstiles, you’ll most likely find a park photographer waiting. This is the most popular spot for a photo with the big ball as a backdrop. Because it’s so close to the entrance, it can be a little cramped and crowded, so if you want, you can’t wait until you get to the other side of Spaceship Earth, where I have another photo spot to show you ;).

Since you basically have to walk right into Spaceship Earth to get anywhere else in the park, this can be your first attraction stop. It’s a relaxing, slow ride that takes you through time from the first cave men to the 21st century. (I usually don’t visit this until later in the day though, because it’s a great way to cool down and there is almost never a line).

Both paths around Spaceship Earth take you into what I call a “courtyard” area. This area is surrounded by curved buildings that house shops, dining areas and Innoventions, where you can try out all those gadgets I told you about.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! In the center of the courtyard is a fountain. Walk around to the other side of it for a great (and less crowded) shot of Spaceship Earth.

You’ll notice two paths between the buildings, one on the left beside Mouse Gears and one on the right beside Innoventions. Like I’ve told you before, I always tend to go left.

Over here you’ll find three attractions: Ellen’s Universe of Energy, Mission Space, and Test Track. Mission Space and Test Track are the most popular, so I recommend getting a FASTPASS for one of those two and then going to ride Ellen’s Universe of Energy. By the time you get off, it should be time to use your FASTPASS.

Now we’ll head back between the buildings, through the courtyard, and over to the other side of Future World. On this side there are three more pavilions: the Seas, the Land and the Imagination Pavilion.

The Seas Pavilion – This is where you’ll find the two Nemo attractions in the park. In “The Seas with Nemo and Friends” you’ll hop aboard a clam-mobile and search for Nemo in a live fish aquarium. The technology on this ride still baffles me. It’s so cool, both kids and parents will love it. There’s also “Turtle Talk with Crush” where your kids can ask Crush a question and he will actually answer! It’s a great interactive and educational technological wonder. The Coral Reef restaurant is also in this pavilion.

The Land Pavilion – This houses three attractions and two restaurants. If you’re hungry, look for the Garden Grill and (one of my favorites) the Four Seasons Grill. You’ll also find the “Circle of Life” film attraction featuring everyone’s favorite talking merkat and warthog along with the lion king himself. Downstairs holds the other two attractions: Living with the Land and Soarin’. I recommend getting a FASTPASS for Soarin’ (because the line is always forever long) and riding Living with the Land while you wait for your time. They are both favorites of mine.

Imagination Pavilion – In this pavilion you’ll “Journey into Imagination with Figment” and play with cool interactive technologies in the Kodak “What If” Labs. The park has also brought back Captain EO, a 3-D attraction starring Michael Jackson.

That’s it for Future World. Now we’ll head back toward the courtyard, and (standing with Spaceship Earth at your back) straight toward the World Showcase Lagoon.

World Showcase

There are 11 international pavilions that surround the lagoon. They are (from left to right):

·         Mexico

·         Norway

·         China

·         Germany

·         Italy

·         United States of America

·         Japan

·         Morocco

·         France

·         United Kingdom

·         Canada

World Showcase is the only instance where I go against my “left” tendencies. For some reason, I always go right here, starting my world tour with Canada and walking around to Mexico. You can go whichever direction you wish. I promise there are no shortcuts. LOL

Some of the countries have attractions, and all of them have outstanding restaurants. You can taste authentic foods and chat with cast members who are natives of that country. There are also Kid-cot Fun Stops in several of the countries where kids can make crafts and learn something about the culture. You can also meet and greet your favorite characters in their own countries. Take a little time and explore each pavilion. Each one is full of little surprises. I discover something new each time I visit. To get you started, here’s a quick look at some of my favorite stops on World Showcase:

·         O Canada – This film will surround you with the sights in sounds of Canada as the viewing screen wraps around the entire room. So cool!

·         Off Kilter – Also in Canada, this band gives a great performance. They’ve been playing at Epcot for as long as I can remember and I still love to hear them.

·         Impressions de France – Similar to the O Canada film, this is another great way to cool down and see a beautiful country.

·         Voices of Liberty – This a cappella group is amazing to hear. Step inside Independence Hall at the USA pavilion and hear them for yourself.

·         Reflections of China – Another great and educational film.

·         Malestrom – Hop aboard a Viking boat for a ride through Norweign history. But look out for the waterfall!

·         The Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros – This fun boat ride will take you through beautiful Mexico, where you might just see a familiar temperamental duck and his two Latino friends.

There's one more thing you can't miss. After you’ve gone through time and been around the world and back, what better way to end the day than with Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot’s famous firework and water show! You can catch the show every night at 9 p.m. from anywhere around World Showcase Lagoon. My personal favorite spot is on the side closest to Spaceship Earth. It gives you a beautiful view of the entire World Showcase, and makes it much easier and faster to leave the park afterward. The best spots get taken fast, so try to get there at least 30 minutes early.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

That's it for now. Talk to ya real soon!

Miranda