EPCOT

I am going to write this one with the help of my children and put in their thoughts on this park as well as mine. EPCOT is, like the Magic Kingdom, what I like to call an all day park. What I mean about that is you want to spend at least all day there to see what you need to see. In my explorations of the parks I have found that EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom are all day parks while Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are part day parks (perfect for the Park Hopper ticket option).

As a Social Studies teacher I really like this park , even though my favorite is still the Magic Kingdom. There are many educational opportunities at EPCOT (which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) in science and Social Studies and where else can you travel from Japan to America by just walking. You can walk to many different countries in the World Showcase which offers visitors a look into the culture of each of the countries you visit without needing a passport.

I must admit that this park is more for adults and has less attractions for the little ones but it is still Disneyfied (made up word) to allow the kid inside the adult to come through. My oldest two kids love this park but when we first visited it in 2009 it was not their idea of Disney World. My youngest son, who has developmental delays, cannot say many words but he can say EPCOT (the "P" is silent in his version) whenever he sees Spaceship Earth (the big golf ball:)) in a picture.

My favorite time to visit EPCOT is in the spring when the yearly Flower and Garden festival is in full swing. The topiaries are a sight to behold. Where else can you see Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse made out of plants as well as many other of the Disney crew, including Mater and Lightning of CARS fame.

Must Do's at EPCOT
1. Soarin' (get a FAST PASS early for this one)
2. visit Spaceship Earth and take the trip through time...
3. sample the many different types of soda (from all over the world)
4. get some Fish and Chips in England
5. Test Track (I personally have never been but it is always crowded)
6. The firework display is really neat it actually tells a story... we got a reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel Mexican restaurant and got what they call a firework viewing table and it was one of the best experiences I had watching a firework show.  
7. Visit the gardens in Canada
8. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
9. Agent P's World Showcase Adventure 

There are many other things I cannot think of, as cannot my helpers remember my tips about shoes from my Magic Kingdom post and a lot of the other tips fit EPCOT as well. 

Welcome to EPCOT

Norway

Lightning McQueen 

Mater

Donald in Mexico

Goodbye

Flower and Garden Festival...