As I toured around the Animal Kingdom, I thought about doing a list of the best attractions in the Animal Kingdom. Of course, then after some more pondering, I realized I can barely come up with a top 5, let alone a top 10 (Or Top 15, which I did for Magic Kingdom). So while Animal Kingdom struggles with 5 reasons for why I should visit the park on a day off, I came up with 10 of Epcot’s greatest attractions. Epcot is a park I miss working for, and is a park that holds near and dear to my heart along with Magic Kingdom. Both Epcot and MK have that whiff of Disney magic that Hollywood Studios and A.K. totally lacks. Walt Disney’s personal creative touches can be felt in the first two parks. While Epcot is a shadow of what it used to be (a park much ahead of its time), it remains the second best theme park in the Walt Disney World and easily one of the best theme parks in the entire state of Florida. Its blend of themes of yesterday, today, and tomorrow remains one of the most innovative uses of theming in any source of entertainment. It’s a shame that business, the ADD society of today, and America’s lack of care towards other cultures prevents Epcot from truly being something spectacular. Nonetheless, here are the 10 best attractions currently open in the park.
#10: Test Track
It really hurts placing this attraction on the list, simply because it crafted the beginning of the end of old-school Epcot. Unfortunately, Epcot’s reputation as a park that repels kids was reaching high levels, and we needed a new ride that would offset the image. Enter Test Track, a ride that is built for kids but has the correct attitude for adults. It does not downplay or talk down to the kiddies, it throws you into a world seldom discussed in American education and pop culture: the creating and testing of vehicles. Disney Imagineers used the one concept that we as humans have always loved: cars and vehicular transportation. There’s nothing futuristic about it, but why does that matter when you are riding a sharp curve at over 60 miles an hour? The thrills are there, but its not too intense that nobody can ride it without losing their digested Mickey Premium.
#9: Impressions of France
The best use of music in the entire World Showcase, Impressions of France is a beautiful and moving presentation of the nature and beauty of the country it’s representing. Before Soarin’, there was the flawless cinematography of Impressions, as you see amazing snowy peaks, magnificent castles, and dozens of other delightful images. Then to sweep you off your feet is a lovely musical score, that takes themes and sections of multiple works of classical music and blends it delightfully. The reason its so low however is because of it being so badly dated. The movie has needed an update for about a decade now, as France’s fashion has definitely changed and there are plenty of new sights that need to be filmed for us Guests to see. Despite that minor grudge, Impressions of France is a must-see.
P.S. The dessert of France is the best in Epcot, period.
#8: Mexico Pavilion
This section of the World Showcase has the most detail, and also has the best merchandise. The exterior is magnificent, as it resembles a large pyramid, and inside there is a tequila bar, a restaurant, a ton of merchandise, and even an attraction. Unlike some of the half-arsed pavilions (Norway…), Mexico has a lot of culture, history, and food embedded inside its small section of the Showcase. Spending time here in necessary, and definitely not pointless.
#7: China Pavilion
China is like Mexico in which there’s a lot to do, see, and eat within its tiny borders. The difference is China does a much better job showcasing its history, and has an even better attraction with the Reflections of China film. Its merchandise shop is one of the largest in the park, and has an amazing variety of things. Oh and the food is better here too.
#6: Living With the Land
Disney is unique with the fact that it can nearly fully self-sustain itself if all else fails and there’s a sudden boycott of the company from every corner. Living With the Land is proof of this, as it combines a nice history of the Planet Earth’s nutrients and resources with a modern-day look of what can be accomplished with plenty of effort and good knowledge of the land around you. The boat ride takes you through a massive greenhouse full of massive plants, crops that are usually not found in Florida, and even animals that are being grown by Disney for more food or to preserve the species. To claim that Disney is 100% heartless is a bit on the farfetched side, especially after witnessing what you see in this attraction.
#5: Spaceship Earth
The 1994 version would have been in the top 3. The narration was amazing, the music was epic, the ending was extremely hopeful, and the attraction overall was just a pleasure to sit through. Yes, it did become a little dated, but you don’t realize just how grand it all was until you see the 2007 version, with weaker narration, weaker pacing, and a weaker musical score. Despite these setbacks, Spaceship Earth is still a delight, still inspirational, and a step towards the right direction in terms of preserving the old-school. There’s even a reference to Horizons, as you were able to pick your ending. What also saves this attraction is the magnificent post-show that definitely shows an ounce of progress towards making Epcot ahead-of-the-curve again, someday, hopefully.
#4: Mission: Space
How real is too real? Mission: Space is your answer. The most intense experience in the entire Walt Disney World, Mission: Space is a simulator that is as real as it gets. The 2.5 Gs can be felt from all angles, and if you don’t follow the rules or obey the warnings correctly, you are in for a nasty surprise. While the premise is a little confusing (are we actually going to space in the storyline? Or simulating it?) the execution is anything but. Featuring the actor Gary Sinise and a nice musical score, this is the one attraction that could nearly live up to its predecessor (Horizons, we miss thee). Then the post-show is just as impressive and entertaining, with interactive games everywhere and even some space food. Too bad its realism and futuristic qualities is bugged down by being next to the loud and dates Test Track.
#3: Japan
The best of the countries in the World Showcase, hands-down. The merchandise shop is easily the best, the cuisine here is closest resembling the country represented, and the history presented can be seen from all over the place. Japanese culture is perfectly represented here with its entertainment, cuisine, and small little details (like purchasing a pearl or trying out their drinks). Kimonos can be bought there, you can see a master candy sculptor in action (Miyuki), you can watch master chefs cook right in front of your plate, or you can just relax and let the soothing Japanese music calm down any nerves you might have. If all the countries followed the extensive detail and effort of the Japanese towards their pavilions, we would have a totally different Epcot on our hands.
#2: Seas With Nemo and Friends
Not even Sea World has as many animals as the Seas with Nemo and Friends, that’s how incredibly detailed the attraction is. The Living Seas at its peak was the number one reason to visit Epcot, with its futuristic aquatic theme, the relaxing ride around the nearly 6 million gallon aquarium, the 8,500 creatures you can watch, the nice dolphin show, and the delightful manatee exhibit. While now it’s relatively the same thing as 10 years ago, all the nice theming and flawless music has been lost and replaced with Nemo and friends. Turtle Talk with Crush is clever, and the Nemo ride is good for the kiddies, but there’s no topping the opening Living Seas movie and the classic assertion to the bottom of the ocean. If there is one thing I wish I could bring back from the history of Walt Disney World, its definitely the Living Seas. Nonetheless, every time I visit Epcot, I must go to the Seas for at least an hour and enjoy all the wildlife that Epcot has ready for presentation.
#1: Soarin’
If there is anything that Walt Disney himself would be proud of if he were to revive and see what Walt Disney World is like today, Soarin is it. Soarin is an incredible 5 minute movie that shows the absolute beauty of Mother Nature and the United States. The entire execution of the ride is perfect, even if the queue line is anything but (the roofs look pretty ugly).
Interesting thing about Soarin is that all the elements are against it. In the case of Space Mountain, from a mile away you can tell the attraction is a unique experience and one with great detail---just the architecture alone is something very different from the norm. Soarin’ is located deep inside a pavilion, and next to a restaurant. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much at all, with only the music (and preceding reputation) enticing you to enter. Once you sit down, pretty much all of the ugly outer presentation is forgotten and the gem within is revealed.
We have the flawless music, flawless cinematography, beautiful images, nice CGI (the guy hang gliding in the ride is computer animation), nice pacing, subtle pacing and thrills, and of course, a wonderful grand finale (complete with Tinkerbell and a hidden Mickey).
The best part of Soarin’ is the potential that it carries. Impressions of France, Wild Arctic, Body Wars, Star Tours can all learn and benefit from the presentation of Soarin. Soarin’ itself can reach new heights; we can perhaps soar over the entire United States (instead of just California), maybe the world, even outer space in the near future. Only time will tell, but in the meantime Soarin’ over California is the best attraction in Epcot, one of the best in Walt Disney World, and the main reason why California Adventure receives any guests at all.
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