Walt Disney World/Epcot

The name EPCOT was originally an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow, Walt Disney's last and most ambitious project. His grand vision for EPCOT was as the real centerpiece of Disney World—a living, working city of the future, with 20,000 residents using the most modern innovations in urban planning, transportation, and technology. The rest of Disney World, even the Magic Kingdom, would exist only to draw people in to see EPCOT and the promise it held for the future.

Walt died in 1966, and though the renamed Walt Disney World and its Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, EPCOT was off the table. The vision was just too grand, too ambitious, for anyone but Walt himself to see through to completion. With Walt Disney World an unmitigated success, though, the company soon began developing concepts for a second theme park, and naturally turned to Walt's original vision for inspiration. When two competing proposals—one for a set of pavilions highlighting the history and future of human progress, and the other for an international plaza that showcased cultures and cooperation—became the leading candidates, someone pushed the two scale models together to create a combined park. EPCOT Center was born.

That name, with which the park opened in 1982, was intended to show that the new park exhibited the ideals that were to be at the core, or center, of Walt's EPCOT. The park was renamed in 1994 to Epcot '94, then to Epcot '95 a year later. The yearly numbering scheme reflected the "world's fair" theme, but it inhibited consistent branding, so in 1996 the park became just "Epcot".

While the original EPCOT concept might now seem a bit far-fetched, today's Epcot is dedicated to creating the brighter tomorrow that Walt Disney envisioned.

Epcot is in the middle of the Walt Disney World property, exactly where Walt planned EPCOT to be. Take World Drive or I-4 to Epcot Center Drive and follow the signs for the parking lot. Parking is $25 per car, although Disney resort guests can park for free—just show your resort parking pass at the toll gate.

If you're going to Disney's BoardWalk, you can park for free at the BoardWalk Inn or BoardWalk Villas. During popular events or peak periods at Epcot, parking at the Disney-owned Epcot-area resorts may be restricted to registered hotel guests and guests with reservations at the resorts' businesses.

Disney's Hollywood Studios, the BoardWalk, the Yacht and Beach Clubs, the Swan and Dolphin, and Epcot are all connected via the Friendship ferries. There is also a nice wide walking path that follows a similar route. In either case, you will enter Epcot through its back entrance: the International Gateway, located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in World Showcase. Alternatively, a bus is available from the Studios that goes to Epcot's main entrance.

From the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, the Polynesian, or the Grand Floridian, take the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). (You can also take the ferry from the Magic Kingdom, or walk from the Grand Floridian or Polynesian.) Transfer to the Epcot monorail, which runs between the TTC and the Epcot gates. When entering Epcot this way, the monorail makes a nice loop in the park before arriving at the station, giving a great aerial view of Future World and World Showcase.

From the Wilderness Lodge and Shades of Green, neither of which is connected to the monorail, it is possible to walk to the TTC. Both walks take about 10 minutes, and the walk from Shades of Green goes via the Polynesian Resort. However, the alternative and more convenient option is to take the direct Epcot bus.

To get to the BoardWalk, make your way to the Magic Kingdom and take the direct bus, or go to Hollywood Studios and walk or take the ferry. Taking the monorail to Epcot in this case is a bad idea, because you'll have to enter Epcot at the front and exit through the International Gateway at the back.

From resorts not near Epcot or the Magic Kingdom, simply go to your resort's bus stop and wait for the Epcot bus to arrive. You will be dropped off in front of the Epcot gates.

To get to the BoardWalk, you'll need to make your way to a park and then to the BoardWalk. Disney's Hollywood Studios is the most convenient for this purpose, but late at night, you'll want to use Disney Springs.

From Animal Kingdom, take the direct bus to Epcot or the one to the BoardWalk.

Disney Springs does not have direct buses to the parks; you will need to make your way to a resort, then go from that resort to Epcot. The best option here might be to take the bus to the Beach Club, which is the closest hotel to the Epcot, then take the Friendship or the walking path to the International Gateway. Another option is to walk or take the boat to the Saratoga Springs resort, then the bus to Epcot.

If you're going to the BoardWalk, just take the direct bus.

Future World is an almost park-like setting, with broad expanses of grass and/or water separating the impressively large pavilions. Each pavilion is a monument to one area of human innovation, from communication and imagination to energy and transportation. Inside the pavilions you'll find some combination of a showcase ride, a theater presentation, and/or an activity area with a number of smaller hands-on exhibits. Each pavilion can be done in 30–90 minutes, depending on crowds.

Check the Times Guide to see when and where the JAMMitors will be playing—they're a percussion ensemble disguised as janitors, using their trash cans as drums.

The name says it all; the possibilities of imagination are on display here. The pavilion represents the importance of new ideas and innovative thought to the progress of humanity. Be sure to check out the jumping fountains and the backwards waterfall outside.

• 🌍 Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival (Magic Eye Theater). The pavilion's 3-D film theater is now home to a rotating selection of three Disney and/or Pixar animated short films, each enhanced for 3-D viewing and with added in-theater effects. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Journey Into Imagination with Figment. A classic Disney dark ride, starring Eric Idle and the iconic purple dragon named Figment. The ride is much improved since its 1999 revamp, but still pales compared to the original 1982 ride. Even so, it's still fun to explore the senses and what your imagination can conceive with just a little sensory push. 
• 🌍 ImageWorks. This is an interactive play area at the end of the Journey Into Imagination ride, allowing you to put into practice some of the imaginative ideas you saw in the ride. You'll explore the senses of sight and sound, using your imagination to take those sensory inputs and create something new. 

Perhaps the pavilion that most closely resembles Walt's original EPCOT concept, The Land is more than just a set of theme park attractions. The rear of the pavilion is actually a large working greenhouse, and it grows much of the food served at the pavilion's restaurants (and some items for other restaurants throughout Walt Disney World). The greenhouses are also involved in agricultural research, exploring new ways to grow food more efficiently.

• 🌍 Behind the Seeds (walking tour), ☏ +1 407-939-8687. A one-hour guided walking tour through the greenhouses. More informative and in-depth than the Living with the Land boat ride, but it costs extra. Adults $16, children (3-9) $12. 
• 🌍 Living with the Land. A slow-moving educational boat ride through Disney's hydroponic and aeroponic greenhouses, with a lesson on how we can live in peace with the land. 
• 🌍 Soarin' Around the World. A simulated aerial flight over beautiful landscapes and majestic landmarks from throughout the world. This is more than just a movie, though—your feet will be dangling with apparently open sky below, and you'll feel the wind in your face and smell the ocean as you fly overhead. Likely the most popular ride in the park, so you'll probably want a FastPass (although the standby queue does have some interactive shadow-games to while away the time). (updated Jun 2016)

• 🌍 Mission: SPACE. A centrifugal flight simulator lets you feel what it would be like to train for a journey to Mars, but it's not just a passive ride—you and the others in your capsule have tasks to do during the flight. The spinning of the centrifuge is effective at generating g-forces, but it can induce motion sickness (bags are available). It helps if you keep your head back against the headrest and focus on the images on the screen, which show straight-line acceleration; looking away removes the visual cues and makes it feel more like rotation. If you really want to avoid the spinning and the g-forces, look for the "Green Team" queue, which will put you in a capsule that doesn't spin; it's still a fun ride but not as thrilling. Gary Sinise appears as your mission controller. . 
• 🌍 Advanced Training Lab. If you didn't get enough training on the ride, try this interactive area with games and displays that highlight some of the challenges and innovations of space exploration. Mission: SPACE Race is especially fun, with large teams racing their spacecraft back to Earth using teamwork and puzzle-solving. (updated Jun 2022)

The aquarium within this pavilion was once the largest saltwater aquarium in the world; it's still impressively huge. Like the greenhouses at The Land, this is more than just a theme park attraction—the aquarium staff is engaged in research that is helping to maintain marine environments and protect ecosystems around the world. Two rescued West Indian manatees, members of one of Florida's most critically endangered species, can be found here.

• 🌍 The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The title attraction is a slow-moving but cute ride; the finale uses state-of-the-art display technology to show characters from Finding Nemo swimming with real fish. After the ride, you'll head into the Sea Base. 
• 🌍 SeaBase. This is a representation of an underwater base and serves as the primary viewing location for the main aquarium. Turtle Talk with Crush is located here, along with a number of exhibits and displays typical of what you might see in other aquarium buildings. One of the best sights into the aquarium is from a circular platform that sticks out into the tank, so you're surrounded by fish on almost all sides. Aquarium staff give presentations periodically, including dolphin training sessions. 
• 🌍 Turtle Talk with Crush (inside SeaBase). Part of Disney's Living Character Initiative, this is an interactive show featuring the sea turtle character. Kids get to ask Crush questions, and he responds in real time. Great fun, especially for young kids, but very popular. 

There are a number of tours that get you out of the normal guest areas and in close on the aquarium and its inhabitants. Call +1 407-WDW-TOUR (Template:Phone+1 407-939-8687) to book a tour. No park admission is required for these tours; you'll meet outside the gates and be escorted into the backstage area of The Seas pavilion.

• Epcot Seas Adventures DiveQuest. daily 4:30PM, 5:30PM. This is a special opportunity for certified SCUBA divers only. This is the tour that really lets you get down into the aquarium and swim among the fish, sharks, turtles, and more. That also means you become part of the show, as the land-lubbers inside Sea Base and in the Coral Reef restaurant will be waving at you; make their day by waving back. All diving equipment is provided. 2.5 hours, 30 minutes of which is in the water. Must be 10 or older and have proof of SCUBA certification. $175+. 
• Epcot Seas Adventures Dolphins in Depth. Tu-Sa 9:45AM. Learn about the aquarium's dolphin population, including how they're being trained and the research that's being done to learn more about them. Then get waist-deep in the aquarium for a chance to interact with the dolphins themselves (though contact is not guaranteed; the dolphins can choose whether or not to participate). Wetsuits provided. 3 hours. Must be 13 or older. $194. 
• Epcot Seas Adventures Aqua Tour. daily 12:30PM. A rare chance to snorkel along the surface of the giant aquarium. Learn about the dozens of species in residence, then view them up-close as you swim along. The snorkel system uses supplied air; instruction and wetsuits provided. 2.5 hours, 30 minutes of which is in the water. Must be 8 or older. No park admission required. $140. 

Yes, the ride really does go all the way up to the top inside that giant "golf ball", the geodesic sphere that is the icon of Epcot. This pavilion is centrally located because its focus is on human communication, without which all of the other innovations in Future World would be meaningless.

• 🌍 Spaceship Earth. This dark ride through the history of communication was revamped in 2007 with new scenes and new narration by Dame Judi Dench, but its message is the same as it was when it first opened in 1982: communication is the key to all human achievement. Kids might get bored; keep them occupied looking for humorous vignettes scattered among the Audio-Animatronic scenes. 
• 🌍 Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future. After riding Spaceship Earth, you'll end up here. This space houses several inventive games based on technology from communications company Siemens AG, which sponsors the pavilion. 

• 🌍 Test Track. Get an idea of what it might feel like to be a crash-test dummy in this unique thrill ride. Start off by designing your own custom test vehicle, then hop into one of the pre-built cars for a ride through the testing course. Your custom design gets put through its paces, virtually, at the same time as the "real" test vehicle—with you inside. Perfectly safe, but the 60 mph (100 km/h) speed your car gets up to feels a lot faster. Lots of fun and extremely popular; you'll probably want a FastPass+ reservation. Because the cars seat six, there's often room left over from parties of two or four; the single-rider line, from which the cast fills those spaces, can get you on the ride quicker if you don't mind splitting your party.  

The building will open in 2021 as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which was become part of Wonders of Xandar pavilion, as EPCOT's very first other-world showcase pavilions.

World Showcase is the back area of the park, with pavilions representing eleven countries from around the world, all themed with architecture, food, drink and culture to match. Most of the pavilions have a ride or a film (or both) designed to highlight the nation's attractions, but the real attractions are sampling the authentic food, conversing with the cast members who come from each nation, and browsing the imported goods.

World Showcase is where you'll find the International Gateway, Epcot's back entrance, located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions. If you're coming in from Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beach Clubs, or BoardWalk, you can walk or take the ferry to Epcot and enter here.

Each of the pavilions will have some sort of entertainment occurring periodically throughout the day, from jugglers and "living statues" to musical groups and dancers. Some of the highlights are noted below, but check your Times Guide for the details of what's happening on any particular day.

The Mexican pavilion is dominated by a pyramid, loosely modeled after the pre-Columbian pyramid in Teotihuacan known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, dating back to 150-200 CE. Its use is still a mystery, but more than 200 sacrificial burials have been found around the original temple. The head of the mythical serpent creature Quetzalcoatl has been included in this replica along the entrance stairs. Inside the pyramid is a nighttime square with stars twinkling above, some Spanish-era colonial buildings, a restaurant, and a market selling various Mexican items.

• 🌍 Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. A much-needed update to this gentle boat ride added the Three Caballeros, from the 1944 Disney film of the same name. Join Panchito and José Carioca on a gentle boat ride across all of Mexico, searching for Donald Duck, the last member of the trio, who has been distracted by all the commotion and gone missing. 

The Mexico pavilion is opening early, along with Future World, to accommodate overflow from Norway.

This area is built as a square representing a few Norwegian towns. The fortress-like restaurant building is modeled and named after the Akershus fortress in Oslo, guarding the sea approach to the city. The huge wooden church, which hosts rotating exhibits, is a replica of the traditional Stave Church in Gol in Western Norway, dating back to 1212; the original is one of very few surviving ancient wooden churches left in the world. The current exhibit is Norsk Kultur, Inspiration for Disney's Frozen.

Speaking of Frozen, that's pretty much all you'll see in the Norway pavilion these days. Although the film was set in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, the artists took most of their inspiration from the people, landscapes, culture, and architecture of Norway.

• 🌍 Frozen Ever After. Ride a Scandinavian boat through the waterways of Arendelle, in a continuation of the story from Frozen. Opened on June 21, 2016 and replaced the former Maelstrom attraction, utilizing the same ride vehicles and a similar track layout. Very popular. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Royal Sommerhus. Meet Anna and Elsa in their royal summer house. The house's design is based on traditional Norwegian log cabins. (updated Jun 2016)

The Norway pavilion opens at the same time as Future World, two hours before the rest of World Showcase.

Walk through the large Paifang gate. These gates were used in ancient China to mark entry into a new division (called Fang in Chinese), and this gate at Epcot is modeled after one in Beijing's summer palace. The courtyard is dominated by a large recreation of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing; it was used by the emperors to pray for a good harvest. The 12 columns supporting the roof represent the 12 months of the Chinese year, and the four columns in the center represent the four seasons. Many of the smaller buildings are recreations of the Forbidden City, also in Beijing. If all the Asian culture gets you in a meditative mood, the rough Chinese gardens are one of the most peaceful spots in Epcot.

• 🌍 Reflections of China. A Circle-Vision 360, 13-minute travel movie of China's most well-known sights, from Shanghai and Inner Mongolia, to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. 

Germany is a federation of 16 states, each with a separate and distinct culture and identity. The architecture of the German pavilion reflects styles from various regions of the country; for example, the Biergarten restaurant is Bavarian, but the statue of St. George slaying the dragon represents the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Of course, the influence of German architecture on Disney parks goes all the way back to 1955; Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, commissioned in 1869 by King Ludwig II, was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

There are no rides here, and the only show is the band inside the Biergarten, but there's plenty of shopping to be had.

The Italian pavilion is a scaled-down replica of St. Mark's Square in Venice, right down to the bell tower (one-fifth scale) and the gondolas floating in World Showcase Lagoon. The original Doge's Palace makes heavy use of marble; Disney recreated the effect with fiberglass. In addition to the Venetian architecture, a stucco building with tile roof represents Tuscany.

The pavilion has no rides or theater shows; the main attractions are the shops and the restaurants. You might also catch the World Showcase Players performing their audience-participation comedy skit Kiss Me Shrew. You can also see a flag-throwing show called Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro, several times daily.

The United States of America pavilion is housed in a building inspired by the colonial period of the 18th century. Inside, keep an ear out for the legendary harmonies of the Voices of Liberty a capella chorus, performing throughout the day; they're rightfully considered the pinnacle of Epcot entertainment. Check the Times Guide for details.

• 🌍 The American Adventure. It turns out that the best show in World Showcase is the one for the host nation. This inspirational and informative presentation combines film and Audio-Animatronics to take you through every era of American history, with Ben Franklin and Mark Twain as your hosts. Don't mistake this show for the Hall of Presidents; the latter is impressive for putting 43 presidents on stage at the same time, but The American Adventure has a wider variety of on-stage effects and scenery. The theater is cavernous (and air-conditioned) but never crowded. 
• 🌍 American Heritage Gallery. Inside the pavilion is this exhibit space, which changes occasionally to spotlight different aspects of American art or history. The current exhibit is "Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection", which focuses on African-American people and history. 
• 🌍 America Gardens Theater. Across from the main building, on the shores of the lagoon, is this amphitheater, where any number of events might be scheduled. Check your Times Guide for details. 

Mitsukoshi, a Japanese retailer founded in 1673, is the sponsor of the Japan pavilion. All the touristy classics of Japan are recreated, in a way that has little to do with reality. Start your visit by walking through the Torii gate. In Japan you walk through these gates before entering a Shinto shrine, to mark the passing into the spiritual world. The five-story Goju-no-to Pagoda was inspired by the Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan's ancient capital. Rather oddly, it is named after the five Chinese elements, but built in five stories to represent the 5 Japanese elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void. Surrounding it all is a large Japanese inspired garden, complete with koi fish swimming around in the ponds.

• 🌍 Bijutsu-kan Gallery. Inside this replica of the White Heron Castle, modeled after part of the famous Himeji castle in Japan, are changing exhibits on Japanese culture. The current exhibit is "Kawaii: Japan's Cute Culture", which examines the historical roots and modern examples of the Japanese kawaii aesthetic. 

Morocco's is the only pavilion sponsored by a government. King Hassan II was heavily involved in the construction, and he dispatched native craftsmen to build the pavilion. The minaret (or tower) towering over the area is a recreation of the unique Koutoubia Minaret in Marrakech, which has inspired thousands of church towers across Europe. In Muslim countries priests call for prayers (fard) from these towers five times a day. The pavilion also holds a small recreation of parts of the Chellah necropolis, a burial place located in Rabat that is actually an ancient Roman structure. There is also a replica of the Nejjarine Fountain in Fez, a very intricate mosaic fountain. Also from Fez, the evenly-tiled Bab Boujouloud gate marks the border between the old town (the Medina) and the new town. Inside the Medina, there is a bustling marketplace, or bazaar. Because many of the structures, even as replicas, hold great religious significance to Muslims, the buildings are not lighted during the Epcot Forever show.

• 🌍 Gallery of Arts and History. This gallery features exhibits of Moroccan science, music and technology. 

The French pavilion re-creates a Parisian street scene, complete with a miniature Eiffel Tower that uses forced perspective to appear as if it's off in the distance. Designed to represent Paris during La Belle Epoque, the pavilion features many of the typical Parisian sights—a sidewalk cafe, beautiful fountains, and distinctive architecture. There's a park, next to the International Gateway canal, based on Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Le Petit Rue, The Little Street in the back of the pavilion, represents rural France.

The World Showcase Players stop by France now and then, performing their comedic audience-participation skit, Cyranose de Bergerac. Serveur Amusant! is a humorous acrobatic show played out on the street of the pavilion five times a week.

• 🌍 Impressions de France. A travel movie through the French countryside with a classical music soundtrack. 

This pavilion's street contains one building for each century of British history. The largest structure, a recreation of the royal Hampton Court Palace in southwest London, is massive patchwork of different periods' architecture, since it was successively expanded to compete with the French palace of Versailles. Elsewhere the adorable little thatched roof house is a model of Anne Hathaway's cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. Anne was the wife of William Shakespeare. There is also a traditional hedge maze, modelled after the Somerleyton Hall Maze in Lowestoft, which dates back to 1846. Don't forget to get a photo of yourself in front of the iconic red British phone booths.

A couple of musical groups can be found gracing the United Kingdom stage. Quickstep is a quartet playing traditional but up-tempo Irish, Scottish, and English melodies. The British Revolution is a tribute band playing "British Invasion" pop and rock music from the 1960s and 70s. Check the Times Guide for the schedule.

The mountains, Indigenous wood carvings, and the (fake) hotel all represent various regions of Canada. Victoria Gardens was inspired by Butchart Gardens in Victoria in British Columbia, while the Hotel du Canada features a 19th-century chateau-style design. Around the base of the hotel is a village-like atmosphere evoking the Maritime Provinces. The totem pole outside the Trading Post was carved in 1998 by David Boxley, working "on-stage" in front of guests at the Canada pavilion; the other two (also by Boxley) were added in 2017.

• 🌍 Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360. Replacing O Canada!, Canada Far and Wide is a feature with updated sequences, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington, and narration by Canadian actors Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. 

Between the United Kingdom and Canada pavilions is the Mill Stage, home to folk band Alberta Bound.

• 🌍 Epcot Forever. At park closing, enjoy this extravagant display of fireworks, lasers, fountains and electric lighting over World Showcase Lagoon. 
• Kidcot Fun Stops. Designed for preschoolers, there are 13 of these craft stations throughout the park; there's one at each World Showcase pavilion, plus one at The Land and one at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Kids can meet cast members from around the world and decorate paper-puppets of Duffy the Disney Bear (or Agent P) with elements specific to each location. Great fun for the littlest visitors, and it allows them to connect with the message of Epcot in a way more suited to their level of understanding. 

Some very popular tours are available at The Land and, especially, at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. There is also a park-wide tour. All tours can be booked by calling +1 407-WDW-TOUR (☏ +1 407-939-8687).

For the park-wide tour, you will need separate admission to the park.

• 🌍 The UnDISCOVERed Future World. M W F 9AM. A lengthy walking tour around all of Future World, including some backstage areas. Learn about the history and design principles behind each pavilion, meet an International Ambassador, and see how things are done behind-the-scenes. 4–4.5 hours. Must be 16 or older. $45. 

Epcot is home to three annual festivals, several concert series, and an annual holiday presentation. The festivals provide things to see and do (and eat!) throughout the park, while the Candlelight Processional is a nightly event at one location. All are quite popular; some people make it a point to attend one or more of these each year, sometimes without even visiting the rest of Walt Disney World. The concert series are more of a bonus to visitors who are already there (in particular, three of them coincide with the festivals) but if the timing's right, you're in for a treat.

• Candlelight Processional (at the America Gardens Theater in World Showcase). Nightly, late Nov - late Dec: 5PM, 6:45PM, 8PM. Every night between Thanksgiving and New Year's, a celebrity narrator reads the Christmas story accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a choir. Narrators have included Geena Davis, Edward James Olmos, Neil Patrick Harris, and Marlee Matlin, and dozens of others. Disney's theatrical flair is applied well to this celebratory but sedate event. 
• Epcot International Festival of the Arts (parkwide). F-Su, mid-Jan - mid-Feb. Epcot's newest festival debuted in 2017, with a focus on the visual and performing arts (and, of course, plenty of food and drink). The Disney on Broadway Concert Series brings music from Disney's theatrical productions to the America Gardens Theater stage. 
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (parkwide). Daily, early Mar - late May. With millions of flowers on display—rotated three times during the festival to account for different blooming times—Epcot is a sight to see in the spring. Check out the butterfly garden, attend horticultural demonstrations and instructional programs, or just wander around—nearly every pavilion has a special event or feature during the festival. Weekend nights, the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the America Gardens Theater features classic and modern rock and pop musicians, with a focus on those from the 60s and 70s. Dozens of other special events are on the schedule, too many to list here. 
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (parkwide). Daily, mid-Sep – mid-Nov. The centerpiece of this festival is the international marketplace and promenade, with more than 25 kiosks serving dishes and drinks from six continents. Seminars, demonstrations, wine tastings, and all sorts of shopping are also available throughout the festival. The evening "Eat to the Beat!" concert series at the America Gardens Theater focuses on jazz, funk, and R&B. 
• Sounds Like Summer Concert Series (at the America Gardens Theater in World Showcase). Nightly, mid Jun - late Jul: 5:30PM, 6:45PM, 8PM; Jul 4: 5:15PM, 6:30PM, 7:45PM, 9PM. Tribute bands take the stage, each for a week of three shows nightly, to play the hits of favorite artists from the last fifty years. The series has featured, among others, bands playing the music of U2, Eagles, Billy Joel, and the Bee Gees. 

Disney's BoardWalk is just a short walk or ferry ride beyond Epcot's International Gateway. It's a resort, yes, but the side facing Crescent Lake is themed as a 1920s Eastern Seaboard boardwalk, with shops, amusements, dining, and nighttime entertainment. Rent a pedaled "surrey bike" and circle the lake, purchase a caricature of yourself, watch an impromptu magic show, buy some cotton candy, or just sit on a bench and watch the people go by. Be sure to check out the Buy, Eat, and Drink sections for all the details.

• 🌍 Bayside Marina (at the Yacht Club). 10AM-5PM. Just around the bend from the BoardWalk is the Yacht Club's Bayside Marina, where a huge array of boats are available for rent or charter. Rental options range from single-person Sea Raycers ($24/half-hour) to 10-passenger pontoon boats ($42/half-hour). Chartered options run the gamut, from fishing and dining cruises, to a cruise down the way to Epcot to watch Epcot Forever from the World Showcase Lagoon. Send the kids on a treasure-hunting pirate cruise, or customize your own excursion. (Advance reservations strongly suggested for any chartered excursion; call +1 407-WDW-PLAY to make them.). $24 and up. 

• 🌍 Fantasia Gardens (walk west, then south from the Swan), ☏ +1 407-560-8760. 10AM-11PM. Just southwest of the Walt Disney World Swan hotel is a whimsical pair of 18-hole miniature golf courses. True to the name, the area is themed around the 1940 animated feature Fantasia. The "Fantasia Gardens" course is the more traditional of the two, with big, colorful courses and obstacles and a few special surprises to boot. The "Fantasia Fairways" course is like a real golf course in miniature—rolling fairways, sand traps, and no rails to keep your ball from going off into the rough. It's much harder, too; young kids should stick to the Gardens course or head to Winter Summerland at Blizzard Beach. Adults $12, children $10 per 18 holes (second round, same day, is half price). Before 4PM, a Water Park Fun & More option can be used for one round of golf. 

Resort shops are generally open from mid-morning until late at night, though this can vary seasonally.

There are a number of small shops and boutiques scattered along the BoardWalk. A couple of the more notable:

• 🌍 Screen Door General Store. 8AM-11PM. A small but adequate general store with enough supplies to stock a kitchen in the BoardWalk or Beach Club Villas. Prices aren't great, but you're paying for the convenience. 
• 🌍 Wyland Galleries, ☏ +1 407-560-8750, fax: +1 407-560-8752. Underwater-themed prints and paintings, featuring the work of the artist Wyland. Very expensive, but very beautiful to browse. 

Each of the resorts has a small sundries shop with essentials you might need during your stay and resort-branded merchandise. The Walt Disney World Dolphin, though, has a number of other shops with upscale merchandise.

• 🌍 Sunshine Season (The Land, lower floor). 11AM-park close. This might be the best food court at Walt Disney World, with a wide variety of fresh, healthy selections that are a little more interesting than the typical counter-service fare. Choose from Asian entrees, soup & salad, sandwiches, grill items, and baked goods. The fruits and vegetables come straight from The Land's greenhouses. $4-$10. 
• 🌍 La Cantina de San Angel (Mexico pavilion, outside). Park open-park close. An old favorite is reopening after renovations to create La Hacienda de San Angel. La Cantina focuses on simple, quick, but authentic Mexican tacos. Open for breakfast as of Summer 2016, to accommodate crowds headed to Norway for the new Frozen ride. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Kringla Bakeri og Cafe (Norway pavilion). Park open-park close. Primarily a bakery, but you can also find some sandwiches here, including peanut butter and jelly for the kids. The rice cream (yes, rice), and the Kringla Sweet Pretzels are unique treats. $2-$10. 
• 🌍 Lotus Blossom Cafe (China pavilion). Noon-9:30PM. Potstickers, egg rolls, fried rice... you get the idea. $4-8. 
• 🌍 Sommerfest (Germany pavilion). 11am-park close. Bratwurst, Black Forest cake, traditional German beers. $4-$7. 
• 🌍 Katsura Grill (Japan pavilion). Noon-9PM. The former Yakitori House has been given a bright and airy facelift, and a new name (since it stopped serving grilled skewers of chicken years ago). The menu is basically the same: teriyaki chicken, sukiyaki beef, California rolls, and combinations thereof. Edamame and okonomiyaki (a savory pancake) are among the new additions. $7-9. 
• 🌍 Spice Road Table (Morocco pavilion). 11AM-park close. Tapas-like samplers and small plates allow curious visitors to try out a variety of Mediterranean dishes, all with a good view of the Lagoon. Don't be fooled by the high prices, though; the portions really aren't very big. No Dining Plan. $7-16. 
• 🌍 Tangierine Café (Morocco pavilion). 11:30AM-9PM. Mediterranean specialties: shawarma or wraps featuring lamb and chicken, hummus, couscous on side, and falafel. $8-14. 
• 🌍 Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles (France pavilion). 9AM-park close. This bakery presents an array of fresh-baked pastries and treats. Ham and cheese sandwiches and quiche are available if you want something you could call a meal. It opens early, at the same time as Future World, so grab some breakfast and enjoy sightseeing around France before the crowds arrive. $2-5. 
• 🌍 L'Artisan des Glaces (France pavilion). Noon-9PM. Freshly made artisan ice cream and sorbet—with some unique French topping choices. 1 scoop: $3.99; 2 scoops: $6.10; 2 scoops with liqueur: $11.50. 
• 🌍 Yorkshire County Fish Shop (United Kingdom pavilion). Noon-9PM. There's only one entree on the menu here—fish and chips. Even though the food comes from Harry Ramsden's, the venerable UK restaurant chain, the quality is rather disappointing. For good fish and chips, Cooke's in Disney Springs beats this hands down. $8. 

Note: if two prices are separated by a slash, the second price is for children ages 3–9.

• 🌍 Coral Reef (The Seas with Nemo & Friends, side entrance). noon-8PM. Don't go in the main entrance of the pavilion; head around to the right and find the side entrance that leads to this unique restaurant. Here you can eat with the fishes (and the occasional diver), in a dining room that shares a wall with the main aquarium tank; huge windows let you see the action while you eat. Let the cast members know if it's a special occasion, and they'll try to seat you up close. $20-30. 
• 🌍 Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land, upper floor). Park open-park close. Revolving circular restaurant above the Living With The Land ride. "Chip 'n Dale's Harvest Feast" is the name of the meal here, featuring home-style meat-and-potatoes food served family-style, much of it grown right there in The Land's greenhouses. In addition to Chip 'n Dale, you'll find Pluto and Farmer Mickey coming by to say hello. Despite the characters' presence, it's fairly quiet due to the shape of the restaurant, with the seating arrayed around the perimeter and the kitchen in the middle. Fixed prices: Dinner $29/$14. 
• 🌍 La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico pavilion, outside). 4PM-park close. Fresh taco shells and fresh salsas (including tomato, pepper, and mango salsas) lend authenticity to this brand new eatery. If you just want something small, try the appetizer-sized tacos! It's expected to be very popular at night due to the lovely view of the lagoon and Epcot Forever. 
• 🌍 San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico pavilion, inside). Noon-park close. It's always twilight at this "outdoor" cafe, providing a romantic atmosphere any time of day. For people-watchers, the Gran Fiesta Tour ride floats right past the dining area. The menu has a wide variety of entrees prepared with traditional Mexican spices and sides. $24-34. 
• 🌍 Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway pavilion). 8:30-11:10AM, 11:40AM-2:50PM, 4:20-8:40PM. The Royal Banquet Hall is the best place in Epcot to see the Disney Princesses, but you'd better bring an Advance Dining Reservation if you want to get in. The Princess Storybook meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are exceedingly popular. A select number of Disney's Princesses will be on hand to chat and pose for pictures. The food is served family-style. Fixed price: $29/$18 breakfast, $31/$19 lunch, $36/$20 dinner. 
• 🌍 Nine Dragons Restaurant (China pavilion). Noon-park close. This restaurant features diverse cuisines from all corners of China, from Szechuan to Mandarin. The food is authentic but not too exotic; even non-adventurous diners should be able to find something they can eat here. $16-26. 
• 🌍 Biergarten (Germany pavilion). Noon-park close. It's eternally Oktoberfest inside the Biergarten, where a grand German all-you-can-eat buffet awaits. The spread is magnificent, with virtually any German dish you could name available in some form or another. Grab a plate and a beer, and sit down for some rousing "oom-pah" music from the stage; if you can stop eating long enough, you can even sing along. This is the place for boisterous, extravagant fun, not a quiet, relaxing meal. $20/$11 lunch, $31/$14 dinner. 
• 🌍 Tutto Italia (Italy pavilion). Noon-park close. The name means "all of Italy", and that describes the cuisine here: from the heavy bolognese sauces of the north to the lighter oil and garlic of the south. Quite popular, since it's probably the best Italian restaurant on the property. $24-36. 
• 🌍 Via Napoli (Italy pavilion). lunch, dinner. This brand-new eatery focuses on wood-fired pizza crafted in the traditional Neapolitan style—right down to the hand-made mozzarella, the mineral content of the water, and the flour imported straight from Naples. Most Americans have never had pizza this good. Check out the sculpted faces on the three pizza ovens, named after Italy's three active volcanoes: Etna, Vesuvio, and Stromboli. $16-26. 
• 🌍 Teppan Edo (Japan pavilion). 11AM-10PM. This is a teppanyaki steakhouse, where chefs grill up your meal right next to your table, providing a little entertainment before you eat. They're friendly and will enjoy interacting with you as they show off their skills. $16-27. 
• 🌍 Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco pavilion). Noon-9PM. Kebabs—with beef, chicken, or lamb—and couscous are the specialties here. True gourmands (with large stomachs) can try the Marrakesh Royal Feast, which includes soup, chicken, lamb, couscous, and several breads for $43. Those who prefer different sensory delights can watch the belly dancing demonstrations. $25-28. 
• 🌍 Chefs de France (France pavilion, downstairs). Noon-3PM, 5-9PM. A classic French brasserie: white linen, fine French cuisine, and a detailed wine list. $20-35. 
• 🌍 Monsieur Paul (formerly Bistro de Paris) (France pavilion, upstairs). Just in case Chefs de France isn't quite fancy enough for you, Chef Paul Bocuse has created a new experience for those interested in the pinnacle of gourmet cuisine. The wine list is said to be extraordinary. $38–43; prix fixe $89; Dining Plan requires two credits (or two credits PLUS cash for the prix fixe menu). 
• 🌍 Rose and Crown (United Kingdom pavilion). Noon-park close. An old-fashioned English pub with dining room; the pub side is a bit livelier. All the stereotypical English meals are on the menu, from fish and chips to bangers and mash, and other dishes not joined by "and". There's a vegetable curry for a slight taste of India, too. This is a popular place around closing time, as the outdoor patio offers great views of Epcot Forever. $13-25. 
• 🌍 Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada pavilion). 11:30AM-park close. Le Cellier has a reputation for great steaks, and although some might dispute that reputation, there's no disputing that the restaurant draws a big crowd. It seems like everyone wants to eat here at least once per trip, so getting a reservation is as tricky as it is for character meals. If you can get in, though, you'll enjoy a variety of hefty meat entrees in a cozy wine-cellar setting. The free breadsticks—sourdough, multigrain, and pretzel—are to die for. $20-35; Dining Plan requires two credits. 

Here you can find plenty of traditional boardwalk fare: corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, popcorn, ice cream, and so on. If you're in the mood for something more substantial, though, you have a wide range of restaurant options, too.

• 🌍 BoardWalk Ice Cream. Design your own sundae or grab a milkshake. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Big River Grille & Brewing Works, ☏ +1 407-560-0253. 11:30AM-midnight. This chain restaurant is one of those that's just what it says on the sign—in this case, a casual grill with a working microbrewery. You can even take a look into the glass enclosures to watch the brewing process as it happens. No ADRs are accepted for this restaurant; it's strictly first-come, first-served. $11-30. 
• 🌍 BoardWalk Bakery. 6:30AM-11PM. The bakery is best known for its snacks, in the form of breads, sweets, and pastries... but their hot meal options are much more extensive now. Sandwiches, wraps, paninis, and the like are available in both breakfast and lunch styles. $8-9. 
• 🌍 ESPN Club, ☏ +1 407-939-1177. 11:30AM-1AM. A sports-themed bar and grill, but there's a whole lot more to do than eat. Watch the big game (over 100 screens to choose from), play video games right at your table, or shop for sports-themed merchandise; there's a little bit of everything in here. It does get crowded, especially if there's a big event to watch on TV (including any Sunday afternoon or Monday night during the football season). No ADRs are accepted for this restaurant; it's strictly first-come, first-served. $10-15. 
• 🌍 Flying Fish. Su-Th 5:30-10PM, F Sa 5:30-10:30PM. An upscale seafood restaurant, the Flying Fish features an open show kitchen. You'll have to make a request at the podium and cross your fingers if you want a good view, whether into the kitchen or out onto the boardwalk. Very popular; ADRs are strongly recommended. $37-64; Dining Plan requires two credits. 
• 🌍 Trattoria al Forno. daily 7:30AM-11:30AM, 5-10PM. Located in the space that was once Spoodles, and later Cat Cora's Kouzzina, the brand new Trattoria al Forno brings upscale Italian dishes to the Boardwalk. Early reports rave over the bread (with olive oil) brought out at the beginning of each meal. The grilled traviso (radicchio) doesn't sound like much but it's been called a "hidden gem" on the appetizer menu. The best entrees here are truly outstanding, while others still need some tweaking. The consensus is that this will become a very popular restaurant very quickly, especially once a few menu kinks are worked out. $12-21. 

• 🌍 Beach Club Marketplace. 7AM-11PM. A very basic cafeteria-style restaurant with a few made-to-order sandwiches but mostly pre-packaged à la carte items. Some people have reported less than stellar service from the cast members here. $6-8. 
• 🌍 Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. 7AM-11PM. A 1950s-style soda shop, specializing in fountain drinks and ice cream, but with an array of light entrees like burgers, chicken, salads, and sandwiches. Specialty of the house is the Kitchen Sink, eight scoops of ice cream with every topping in the house plus various baked goods, all served inside a sink-shaped dish. It servies breakfast until 11AM. Very popular. $7-12. 
• 🌍 Cape May Cafe. 7:30AM-11AM, 5:30-9:30PM. The cafe hosts two totally different meals, both buffets. Breakfast is Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast, with Goofy, Minnie, and Donald getting ready for a day at the beach. Dinner is modeled after a seaside clam bake, with barbecue and pasta on one side and seafood on the other. No characters at dinner, just a lot of good food. Breakfast $19/$11; dinner $27/$13. 
• 🌍 Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill (at Stormalong Bay). 11AM-6PM. Basic burgers, hot dogs, and wraps. The food isn't particularly unique, but Hanna's is located poolside next to Stormalong Bay, making it very convenient for folks who don't want to give up a prime beach chair. $6-9. 
• 🌍 Yachtsman Steakhouse. 5:30-10PM. An upscale steakhouse. Fairly straightforward, with several steaks and a few other types of meat (chicken, tuna, rack of lamb). Quality is high, but so are the prices. Less crowded than Le Cellier in Epcot. $24-47; Dining Plan requires two credits. 

Note that these restaurants do not participate in the Disney Dining Plan. The Swan and Dolphin restaurants share a web site, reservations phone number (☏ +1 407-934-1609), and e-mail address (dining@swandolphin.com). Reservations for the table service restaurants can also be made though Disney Dining, like any other Disney restaurant.

• 🌍 The Fountain (at the Dolphin Hotel). A variety of casual entrees, including build-your-own burgers and hot dogs. Sort of a 1950s-style diner atmosphere but with a contemporary feel. 

• 🌍 Garden Grove (at the Swan). The centerpiece of this unique restaurant is a beautiful 25-foot oak tree, adorned with twinkling lights and paper lanterns, a true spectacle for diners. During the day, families can feast in the park-like atmosphere while bright sunlight from the restaurant’s tall windows illuminates the room. 
• 🌍 Il Mulino New York Trattoria (at the Swan), ☏ +1 407-934-1199. Traditional upscale Italian cuisine in a sleek contemporary atmosphere. 
• 🌍 Kimonos (at the Swan). Experience the fine art of sushi preparation in an intimate atmosphere. And what would Japanese cuisine be without karaoke? You can sing your heart out in the later hours each evening. Menus are highly customizable—basically à la carte. 
• 🌍 Picabu (at the Dolphin). In many ways, a standard run-of-the mill cafeteria, but then again, there's strip steak and glazed salmon on the menu. Not to say it's gourmet quality, but it's not just pizza and sandwiches, either. 
• 🌍 Shula's Steak House (at the Dolphin), ☏ +1 407-934-1362. 5-11PM. That's "Shula" as in "Don Shula", the longtime coach of the Miami Dolphins football team. The portions are as gigantic as the prices—check out the 4 lb (1.8 kg) Maine Lobster or the 48 oz (1,400 g) Porterhouse steak. Only for serious eaters. $24-85. 
• 🌍 Todd English's bluezoo (at the Dolphin), ☏ +1 407-934-1111. Enjoy upscale coastal cuisine from celebrity chef Todd English. Might be worth going just to see the positively stunning interior, although you'll certainly get a good meal out of it. 
• 🌍 Amare (at the Swan Reserve), ☏ +1 407-934-1609, dining@swandolphin.com. A casual upscale venue inspired by the tastes of the Mediterranean region. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Cabana Bar and Beach Club (at the Dolphin), dining@swandolphin.com. Poolside restaurant steps from the Dolphin lap pool. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Tangerine (at the Swan Reserve), dining@swandolphin.com. Signature drinks poolside along with flatbreads, salads, burgers and sandwiches. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Splash Pool Bar and Grill (at the Swan), dining@swandolphin.com. Poolside café serving specialty salads, sandwiches, and other snacks. (updated Dec 2022)
• Rosa Mexicano (at the Dolphin), ☏ +1 407-934-4943, dining@swandolphin.com. 7-11AM, noon-2PM, 5-11PM. Rosa Mexicano offers a fresh take on authentic Mexican cuisine, serving both beloved classics and sophisticated dishes in a stylish and festive atmosphere. (updated Jan 2024)

• 🌍 AbracadaBar. Daily 4PM-midnight. This lounge comes with a mysterious backstory: it was once a private club for the magicians who worked the Boardwalk, but one night in 1940 every single one of them disappeared, never to be seen again. Now it's been reopened to the public, with many of its magical details intact... thanks to a bit of Disney magic! The specialty cocktails are designed to amuse and entertain, be it by changing color or with surprising ingredients. Cocktails $12 (non-alcoholic $5), beer $7-11, wine $8-19/glass. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Atlantic Dance Hall, ☏ +1 407-939-2444. Tu-Sa 9PM-1:30AM. Don't let the BoardWalk's Roaring 20s decor fool you; inside the Atlantic Dance Hall, it's all modern. This is your standard off-the-shelf dance club with all the attendant noise and crowds, even more so now that Pleasure Island's nightclubs have closed. Must be 21 or older. $5 cover. 
• 🌍 Jellyrolls, ☏ +1 407-560-8770. 7PM-2AM. Dueling pianists take requests and try to one-up each other all night long. Get here early, or you won't get a seat, which you'll need after dancing to exhaustion. Must be 21 or older. $10 cover. 

The Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin face each other across a narrow waterway, each whimsically designed by architect Michael Graves to complement each other without looking like twins. The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve opened in 2021. It is part of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin complex and designed to be an intimate and tranquil oasis offering suites and family rooms. These hotels are great choices for visitors who want a more traditional (that is, less "themed") hotel experience but retain most of the benefits of staying on-property at Walt Disney World.

The hotels are not owned or operated by Disney. As such, you will miss out on many of the normal amenities granted by staying at a Disney resort: the Disney Dining Plan and Disney's Magical Express are unavailable, and you can't charge purchases at Disney shops and restaurants to your room. On the other hand, you still get many of the other advantages of staying on-property, including free transportation, guaranteed park admission, Extra Magic Hours, and package delivery. The hotels also offer character meals at their restaurants, just like the other Disney resorts.

In short, you won't forget you're staying at Walt Disney World—but you won't be reminded of it constantly, either.

• 🌍 Walt Disney World Dolphin, 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, ☏ +1 407-934-4000, fax: +1 407-934-4099. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. The distinctive shape of the Dolphin, with its 27-story triangular central tower, can be glimpsed from areas of World Showcase. Centrally located among the Epcot resorts, it has easy access to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the BoardWalk. The Dolphin is the more upscale of the two hotels, but only slightly; it has the most expensive restaurants and the higher-end boutiques. $270–2,700. 
• 🌍 Walt Disney World Swan, 1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, ☏ +1 407-934-3000, fax: +1 407-934-4499. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. The Swan is slightly more casual than its counterpart across the way. While still a luxury resort hotel, its smaller height and less distinctive design mean it often gets overshadowed by the Dolphin. One big advantage, though—it's the closest hotel to Disney's Hollywood Studios. $250–2,700. 
• 🌍 Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, 1255 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, ☏ +1 407-842-4900, toll-free: +1-888-828-8850. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. The Swan Reserve is a luxury hotel offering suites and family rooms. Within walking distance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. (updated Dec 2022)