EPCOT in my opinion is one of the most underrated theme park. Sure its not loaded with a ton of thrilling rides. However, it is full of very unique and interesting things.
EPCOT was the second theme park to open at Walt Disney World. The park was first officially opened to guests on October 1st 1982. EPCOT had a soft opening in September.
Now that’s a fact you might not have known but we have 10 more for you. Be sure to comment below and let us know your favorite one or something you think we missed out on.
It really does live with the Land
Did you know EPCOT grows some of its own food that is used in the restaurants. Well it’s true and you can see that food growing when you ride Living with the Land. Those greenhouses you go through are the ones that the vegetables get picked from and end up on your plate at places like Sunshine Seasons or Garden Grill.
Lots of Water
The aquarium in the Seas pavilion is one of the largest in the world. It holds 5.7 million gallons of H2O. That’s enough to fill 9.5 Olympic sized swimming pools.
You can find all different kinds of sea life within the aquarium including my daughter’s favorite, the Dolphin. Walk around and you will also find Nemo and Dory. Plus if you eat at Coral Reef restaurant you are looking into the same aquarium.
You’ll get your steps in
The World Showcase walkway from Canada to Mexico is 1.2 miles long. Of course, that doesn’t include all the walking you will be doing at each pavilion. If you are anything like us, you walk that route at least twice each visit. Then of course, you have to make your way back to one of the two exits.
Did you know that most guests were unaware of the “back” exit before the Skyliner opened. It’s amazing how many guests didn’t know about that. Now pretty much everyone knows it’s there.
Missing two
When EPCOT first opened it only had 9 pavilions. The original nine were Canada, UK, France, Italy, Japan, US, Germany, China, and Mexico. Do you know which two are missing?
I’ll give you a hint for both. Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios was designed to blend in with one (if you read our 10 things you didn’t know about Hollywood Studios article you should know it). The other has one of the most popular rides today with two very popular characters. Oh and it’s known to be cold…. Almost frozen.
If you guessed Morocco and Norway, you’d be correct.
Twice the Size
Did you know that EPCOT is twice the size of Magic Kingdom? Well it is and there is a good reason too. For one, as many people already know, EPCOT was going to be an actual city. However, those plans changed after Walt Disney died.
Since the original plan for the land was to be a working functional city. It had to be a big area. Instead of the city plan. They built a theme park and the “second” gate at Walt Disney World.
Two for one
Does EPCOT feel like two different parks? Well, it kind of is. There were so many different plans for EPCOT and they were all different. However, two of the different ideas got smashed into one.
Today you will find the future world (front of the park) and the World Showcase (back of the park) ideas combined. I personally can’t think of two better ideas to put together.
Lots of triangles
The icon of EPCOT, the huge geodesic sphere or as myself and many others call it, the “golf ball”. It is made up of over 11,000 triangles. The whole thing comes in at a whopping 16,000,000 pounds.
Now, many people are unaware that there is a ride housed inside. That ride, Spaceship Earth, is a favorite of many guests. Another interesting fact is famous author Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451) helped write the script and storyline for the ride.
Many ways to get there
EPCOT is the only Walt Disney World theme park that can be accessed by all the different forms of transportation offered at WDW. You can grab a bus from your resort. You can take a boat from a couple of select resorts or Hollywood Studios.
You can walk to the park or drive your own car. You can use the Skyliner from Hollywood Studios or select resorts to make your way over to the back entrance of EPCOT. The last transportation option you have is to use the Monorail.
None of the other theme parks or water parks at WDW has more transportation options for you to use.
Change of the seasons
Did you know that the train set in the Germany pavilion changes with the seasons? Well now you do! Depending on the time of year, the set up is a bit different.
In winter it is decorated with holiday decor. During the spring, you will see things associated with the Flower and Garden festival. Of course, you will find tables set up and little wine barrels for the Food and Wine Festival.
Lots of Flowers
During the Flower and Garden Festival, you can expect to see over 30 million blooms. You will find them all over the park. Plus you will find over 25 different topiaries.
There you have it, our 10 things you might not know about Disney’s Hollywood Studios. How many did you know about? Was there anything we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments below.
Be sure to come back when we post our other 10 things you might not have known about the other Disney theme parks and even Universal Studios. Also check out our Universal tab for all things about Universal Orlando. It’s an underrated destination that many Disney fans skip.
Kozmo Photos 
I was not aware of many of the 10 things about Epcot.
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