Going to Epcot w/ someone who hasn't been in years

Originally Posted By Expo_Seeker40

Many of the reviews I read on websites seem to either be written by first timers to Epcot or those who haven't been in a while.

A couple of co-workers of mine will be taking a day trip to Epcot in mid March. (Is that even a good time to go?!) Nearly all of them haven't been to Epcot over a time that ranges from the late 80s to the mid 90s.

One of them calls the Magic Kingdom, "Disney World" oh wait...they're probably calling it "Disneyworld".

I'm not planning their vacation, I'm not going to give them geeky comments and start humming veggie fruit fruit (which could be updated to be vegan fruit fruit)

I want to go with them as an experiment and see what they think of the park now, now that they are older and that the park has changed.

(And thank God I can stay at my relative's house nearby because these effers are taking a bus tour to Epcot)

What I read about on Epcot on various websites had to make me think.....is it too expensive to visit Epcot? Now yes, all Orlando parks are getting expensive...but some have pointed out that with the 80something ticket, 14 dollar parking, and to this day...a lack of attractions....is it too much to visit Epcot when word showcase is ".....just an international mall with stores and food"

?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

If I was going to visit WDW for only one day, I would choose Epcot. I think it offers the best day-long experience, and really is nothing like what you can get elsewhere. For the most part, the attractions offered in the other parks can be found in local amusement parks, though not quite the same quality. Almost everything in Epcot really is unique to WDW. I know I'm a little biased, since Epcot is by far my favorite WDW park, but I think it certainly offers the most bang for the buck.

Now if you asking if they should skip WDW all together, then I guess that's a different question.

 

Originally Posted By plpeters70

<<If I was going to visit WDW for only one day, I would choose Epcot.>>

Me too. It's actually the ONLY WDW theme park that I would still pay a one-day's admission too - even after all these years. I can still consistently spend an enjoyable full day at EPCOT. With the other parks, I find myself wanting to "hop" after about half a day.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Epcot is also my favorite park and the one park I would never skip during a visit to WDW, as I have done with all the others. And to me the Showcase is so much more than ".....just an international mall with stores and food"

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

I agree with all of the above reviews. There's more than enough stuff in Future World and the World Showcase to take up an entire day. Take some time to enjoy the incredible live entertainment, like Off Kilter playing in Canada and the Voices of Liberty in the American pavilion. Some of the best restaurants on property are in Epcot (if you book a table early enough!). Finish your day with a martini or 3 or a glass of fine British beer at the Rose & Crown Pub, then take your drink outside and watch IllumiNations, the big fireworks/lasers/lights/water show held every night in the World Showcase Lagoon, and you have a day that is easily worth the single day's price of admission.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Agreed, without a doubt Epcot is the main reason to go to WDW for us (and DAK as well). But if paying full price for a 1 day ticket, Epcot gives the absolute biggest bang for your buck provided you like a little edutainment, live entertainment, culinary exploration and pyro (all of my fav things).

I do look forward to hearing the report back.

Be sure to use fast pass to get them on Soarin', do not miss the Spaceship Earth and the American Adventure. The only thing I would not advocate is the Rose and Crown, but then again I live in the real UK and prefer German Beer and every international cuisine other than dull British.

 

Originally Posted By Expo_Seeker40

I think I'm going to do the unDISCOVERed future world tour in the morning! I get 15% off with my AP and I'll already be near lake buena vista the night before. They're arriving on a bus tour so if I can get the earliest tour for future world, I can probably bring them to lunch somewhere...though I think I get a percentage off lunch somwhere in world showcase by taking the tour.

I deff want them to see SSE, soarin', captain EO, test track, maybe mission space (I won't ride it though :/), universe of energy or would that be too much I don't know.

World Showcase I think they would love. I remember taking someone who'd never been a couple years ago and I was SHOCKED when they told me reflections of china was their favorite attraction because they were curious about china, and to see it in 360, blew away anything they could possibly see on discovery or travel channel.

I kid you not, just yesterday one of them came up to me and asked "Does epcot have rollercoasters?"......OMG............

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

What I think will be interesting about this is how it compares to their memories.

Do they have vivvid thoughts, like we do, about a clean cut, cohesive EPCOT?

Or are they all going to walk in and love it because it's NEW! And you can DRINK?

I'd like to see if, even with EPCOT's current problems and current assets, if it can still drawn in people who saw it at it's best.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>The only thing I would not advocate is the Rose and Crown...<

Them's fightin' words, Dave - whatever the reason!!!

 

Originally Posted By CoolDisneyFan

We love Epcot too. I would say for families with little kids it is not the best park, however, recent additions have upgraded for kids too: the Kim Possible addition really keeps their interest going through the countries, and the Innoventions area is really great now. But for adults I think it is probably the best for good food, big area to walk, and overall good attractions, and just something (for me) special about the whole place.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

>>>Them's fightin' words, Dave - whatever the reason!!!<<<

See what the demon drink can do ;-)

I always thought it was a shame Germany didn't have a Knipe - a pub

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

>>> I would say for families with little kids it is not the best park,<<<

Depends on the Children. Mine were 18mths and 3 years (nearly 4) last time we took them to WDW. Epcot was their favorite park.

The dark rides, the amazing fountain, talking to people from around the world, live music to dance to, they loved it. That said they were used to Disneyland Paris which is better than the MK, and despite looking like it on the surface, DAK was the least family friendly park. They seemed to enjoy Epcot and DHS the most.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>Them's fightin' words, Dave - whatever the reason!!!,<<<


Seriously. Love the Crown.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

Agreed with staying away from the Rose and Crown, unless you're there for drinkin and not eating. The foods okay, but there are so many better options in Epcot, namely Biergarten, Le Cellier, and Chefs de France.

As for it being the most expensive, I'd agree, but that's just because there's stuff actually worth spending money on there.

 

Originally Posted By FenwayGirl

Dave, my kids and grandkids feel the same way. They love Epcot! Lots of shows, different foods and cultures to explore.

 

Originally Posted By Expo_Seeker40

I've enjoyed Epcot for years, I just hope some of the first timers going with me aren't bored to death like an 80s child who's parents took away their Atari.

I also just booked the unDISCOVERed future world tour of epcot for my march vacation to WDW, I can't wait to do that.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

^ You probably know more than the tour guide.