Disney's Epcot Center for Families
Get the Most from Your Visit

Walt Disney's Epcot Center is two fantastic theme parks for the price of one!

It is absolutely amazing and your entire family will have a wonderful time, if you plan your visit right...

To help you, here's our family's hints and tips on how to explore Disney's Futuristic theme park here in Orlando

What's at Epcot Center?

Within you'll find two great theme parks:

• Future World where you'll come face to face with the wonders and technologies of tomorrow (this is where the kids show us parents up with their techno skills).

• World Showcase with 11 different countries of the world surrounding a lagoon, displaying the culture, entertainment, and foods of their lands.

We recommend this helpful epcot map for figuring out the park. Plus, to keep you up to date with what's going on during your stay here's a useful events calendar.

Arriving at Epcot!

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort you'll have no worries. Transport is always available from your resort area.

Will you be travelling by car? If so, your route to Epcot depends on where you are traveling from. You'll most likely be using the I4, 192 or Osceola Parkway. All these roads converge into Disney's road system, which will take you to Epcot. Please see our Road map/Directions page to find out how long it will take. And don't worry too much. The roads are clearly marked with theme park signs.

When you arrive at the main entrance of Epcot Center, get your wallet out. Parking starts from $14 dollars (2010 subject to change). You will be directed to your parking area and again, as with any other theme parks, remember your parking spot by noting the sign at the end of your row. (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Winnie, etc.)

Remember you can park at the Magic Kingdom and use the monorail to travel to Epcot Center. This gives you the flexibility to move between the parks if you want to visit both in a day.

Walk or take a tram ride to the entrance at Epcot Center and make sure your tickets are ready to show.

You'll most likely have your bags searched for security purposes as well.

The rental shack for hiring pushchairs (strollers) is just inside the park entrance. For renting lockers, go right of the base of Space Ship Earth, near the restrooms.

Future World Epcot

The first sight that will greet you is the fantastic Spaceship Earth surrounded by colourful gardens. This is the entrance to Future World.

If the crowds are not too heavy, take a ride on Spaceship Earth and explore the world of communications.

If the place is full of people, use your Fastpass and return later, before you enter the World Showcase.

Are there any thrill seekers in your family? (We have a few!) If so, make your way round to Mission Space and Test Track before it gets too busy.

Height restrictions apply, starting from 102cm for Test Track and 112cm for Mission Space. You can use your Fastpass.

Not too worried about the thrill rides? Then make your way over to the Universe of Energy building and take a fun ride through history with Ellen's Energy Adventure, starring one of America's favorite comedians, Ellen DeGeneres.

Once you come out, head over to Innoventions. This is a good place to stop for drinks or some food and enjoy the up-to-date technology on offer. Yes, it's time for the kids to show up the parents. You can also watch the fantastic outside Water Fountain display, set to music.

Ready for something a little more relaxing but absolutely amazing? Head to the The Seas with Nemo and Friends building (formerly The Living Seas). Here, you'll find one of the largest man-made ocean environments. Our kids have always loved this opportunity to travel deep to the ocean floor and discover incredible creatures. You'll need your cameras for this one!

Don't forget Turtle Talk with Crush. This is a brilliant, interactive show with Crush the turtle from Finding Nemo.

'All the family will love this show'

If you're hungry, the Coral Reef restaurant in this building is excellent.

After Nemo and Friends, visit The Land.

Take a sailboat ride through the marvels of nature and visit working greenhouses and a real fishery. You can use your Fastpass. here and get a chance to sit down for 10 minutes to charge those batteries before heading to World Showcase.

Drop in to the rotating Chip & Dale's Harvest Feast restaurant located on the top level of the pavilion, or try the Sunshine Season's restaurant on the lower level.

Next on your places to visit is the fantastic Soarin.

You and the family will love this ride as you explore the wonders of California by flight. Ask about age and height restrictions beforehand.

If Soarin is not for you, head over to the Imagination building to join Figment and let your imaginations run away with you.

To finish off, you must go and see Honey I Shrunk the Audience. This 3-D show is hilarious and still stands proud at Epcot Center over the years we have been travelling here. It's everybody's favourite.

Tired yet? Well, it's time to leave Future World and head on over to World Showcase.

So it's back to the Water Fountain and turn right, then head for the bridge over to the lagoon. Click below...See you there!

Just like your local paperboy

When you're planning a trip to Epcot, you don't want to use old news and information. We will keep updating our site via our RSSfeed. Simply click onto the RSS feed above and follow the instructions. It's an easy way to stay on top of what's happening at Disney's Epcot Center free of charge.