Epcot: a short history (January, 2008)

Epcot – a short history

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Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.  This Disney theme park opened in 1982. 

 

Epcot was not originally intended to be a theme park, but instead Walt Disney had a vision of a glass-domed city called the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.  In 1967 his plan was to build this self sufficient city and the planned cost for the new community was $100 million dollars.  This city was to have its own movie theater, restaurants and even a monorail for people to get around.  The plan was announced on February 2^nd, 1967.

 

Walt Disney was never able to complete his new city because he passed away on December 15^th of the same year.

 

Instead of the original plans for Epcot Roy Disney went ahead with the plan with some major changes.  Instead Epcot did become a new DisneyTheme Park.  The Disney Company had decided they didn’t want to run a town, and plans for the theme park began.

 

Epcot has a little something for everyone, with special activity centers for children as well as pavilions for adults to enjoy.

 

One of the most recognizable icons of Disney, aside from that of Mickey Mouse is the giant Spaceship Earth that is Epcot’s familiar icon.

 

Epcot – the Theme Park

 

Epcot consists of two areas:  World Showcase and Future World.  Each has its own attractions.  The one thing that sets Epcot away from any other theme park in the world is that you can tour the whole world in one day at Epcot.

 

Future World consists of a variety of pavilions that explore innovative aspects and applications of technology.  While each attraction was initially sponsored by a large company, such as Exxon or Kraft, this is no longer a requirement, so not all attractions have a sponsor other the Disney.

• Spaceship Earth
• Innoventions
• Universe of Energy
• Mission : SPACE
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• The Land
• Imagination!

 

World Showcase contains pavilions representing eleven countries.  They are listed in clockwise order:

• Mexico
• Norway
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• The American Adventure
• Japan
• MoroccoFrance
• United Kingdom
• Canada

 

While the MagicKingdom does not sell alcohol, this is something special that you can find at World Showcase.  Here you can purchase alcohol specific to each country.

 

After dark on the Epcot Lagoon you may see a grand fireworks display called Illuminations.