Once is Enough and Can't Get Enough: EPCOT
A long, long time ago, in a galaxy that feels far away now because it was pre-COVID, we wrote one article in this intended series of "Once is Enough/ Can't Get Enough". It's time we continue this series.
At the heart of this is the concept that you simply can't do it all anymore at Walt Disney World. I have stayed for as many as 12 days as a guest, and as many as 4 months as a resident and Cast Member and I STILL have not done it all. And that's the genius of Disney, isn't it, because every time there is something new to do, guests will want to come back. The scale of the experiences you can choose to do is simply mind boggling, and I see far too many people lose their heads over thinking they need to do it all and then realizing they can't possibly.
So, we're working our way through each park to highlight those things that we find after many trips we keep coming back to, and those things that we don't feel we ever need to repeat. This is a matter of personal preference and it's just our opinion. If you want to consider it advice, go ahead. This is the advice I would give a friend as far as what to do. If you want to consider it a bunch of mini-reviews, that's fine too.
But here's what I can't get enough of at EPCOT, and those things I never really need to experience again.
Once is Enough
I'm going to start us with a controversial choice. I don't need to ride Test Track again. This ride is hugely popular. It's in the top tier of Fastpass Plus, and consistently draws long lines, and there are people who will go to EPCOT and make a beeline for Test Track. I can't comprehend it.
I think perhaps people love it because it's a fast ride, which is pretty much non-existent elsewhere in EPCOT, but the thing is, the whole ride isn't even fast. About 30 seconds of the ride is fast. I can roll the windows down in my own car and get the same experience. And I'm just not that into standing in a long line for 30 seconds of speed.
Can't Get Enough
Also a top tier Fastpass ride in Future World, is Soarin'. I love everything about Soarin', from the music and trivia in the queue, to the pre-show with Puddy from Seinfeld, to of COURSE the ride itself. It's literally an uplifting experience (see what I did there?). And I find that whether it's Soarin' Over California or Soarin' Over the World, I still love it. And that's what's great about this ride is that they can change out the experience once in a while so this can stay fresh.
I have literally gotten off of Soarin' and circled right back into the queue again. I have booked a Fastpass for Soarin', arrived at opening and found the wait minimal, so rode, and then rode again using my Fastpass.
Once is Enough
Although I tend to ride this ride more often than you would think I should, Livin' With the Land is decidedly in this category. I've only really ever ridden it once for the experience. It is kind of a neat look into how Disney grows its vegetables and it is fun to see the Mickey-shaped tomatoes or pumpkins being grown. But now I'm usually only on this ride because I'm waiting for my Soarin' window to open (don't you know it) and I'm killing time.
Can't Get Enough
I'm going to hit you with controversy again and say I can't get enough of Spaceship Earth. No, I'm not going to ride it twice in the same day (anymore... at least). But yes, I am likely to ride it every single time I set foot in EPCOT unless I'm not passing through Future World.
For me, Spaceship Earth is extremely sentimental. It was the first ride I ever experienced at Walt Disney World, and my first clue that Disney was really going to be something different. Up until that moment, I had been picturing Six Flags. I had been picturing spooky ride operators, squeaking gears, and tilt-a-whirls. I had not been picturing epic storytelling, realistic animatronics, the smell of Rome burning, and an experience that transported me.
As a Cast Member, on my days off, Spaceship Earth was where I went to remind myself why I was there, and what the magic was. It's a comfort to me. My heart grows ten times its size for Spaceship Earth.
Once is Enough
Bless Figment. He is darling. But I do not need to ride or experience basically anything in the Imagination pavilion on each trip. Journey Into Imagination is a ho-hum dark ride that feels a little bit out of place in EPCOT where many of the experiences are cutting edge. Which... I know is heresy because it's an older EPCOT ride and for many it evokes the feeling Spaceship Earth does for me. But the experience itself is cute, but sort of a yawn.
Whatever is going on in the theater is never really a big crowd draw. It was Captain Eo for many years, then Honey I Shrunk the Audience, then Pixar Shorts. It seems more like a publicity attraction than really an experience.
I tend to only wander over to this pavilion for pictures, the leaping fountains, and a break from the crowds. It's a great short cut to the right side of World Showcase.
Can't Get Enough
The nighttime show, which is in transition right now, is always outstanding. For 20 years, it was Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, a show for which I had memorized every bar of music, and every blast of pyrotechnics, a show which brought me to tears every time I saw it. Word is EPCOT Forever is even better. And of course, Disney tells us that the next iteration, HarmoniUS, is going to be even better. And I have to say, I believe them. From the inferno barge of Illuminations, to the lighted kites of EPCOT Forever... from the unfolding floating Earth of Illuminations, to the drones in HarmoniUS, Disney seems to use EPCOT's World Showcase lagoon as a staging ground to see just how far they can go with a nighttime show, and I happily eat it up.
Once is Enough
Gran Fiesta Tour Boat Ride in the Mexico pavilion is what I would barely call an attraction. The larger attraction seems to be eating at the restaurant from which you can see the boats on this ride go past. That might be the whole reason they continue to exist.
The pavilion itself in Mexico is amazing. It is one of the best themed pavilions. I love going in here and shopping at the market and smelling the amazing smells coming from the restaurant. I love eating at the restaurant here, especially when you get a view of the boats on the ride going past. But the only reason I've ever done the ride itself is because I was waiting for my ADR time at the restaurant.
Can't Get Enough
Eating or drinking around World Showcase, especially in the evening. I like to catch World Showcase in the late afternoon, or evening, so that the sunset happens while you are walking around it. The ambiance is just wonderful in the evening, though it can be a little busier in the evening as well. And I love trying something new to eat or drink as I walk around. There are plenty of snacking opportunities that are really unique.
World Showcase is underrated by some, but for me, it's a must do, and it tends to be the one thing that I regret not doing more on each trip I make to Walt Disney World.
Once Is Enough
Waiting in line for Cava del Tequila is a no go for me, and I love tequila. I was really excited about this place. I wanted an avocado margarita SO badly. But the line is insane! And given it's basically a bar, you can't make an ADR. I have a rule of thumb at Disney: I don't wait in a line if I can avoid it. So I found the margarita stand outside and maybe it wasn't a top of the line gourmet drink like one can get at Cava del Tequila, but it pleased me fine and I saved myself about 40 minutes of standing in line.
Can't Get Enough
There is so much good food and drink at EPCOT, it's hard to put my finger on just one thing I have to have every time. I definitely have to go to Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles in the France pavilion. I look forward to this. I also look forward to having the Prosciutto e Melone pizza at Via Napoli. And I look forward to dining on the patio at Rose & Crown during the fireworks. In summary, I do a lot of eating at EPCOT, and justly so.
What do you think? Did I hit the mark or do you disagree? Want to take me up on my ire for Test Track or my undying love of Spaceship Earth? We're on Facebook and we post our blog there every week, so come follow our page and comment on our post this week to give your opinion. Until then, we'll see you... !
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