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QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip
Trend Magazine Online™
Article January 2016

By Staff

Trend Magazine Online™

More Than Science!
QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip Pic

I had plans to visit the then new Disney EPCOT attraction shortly after it opened in October of 1982, however, I had just tied the knot the year before and my daughter was born five months prior. My cousin did get a chance to go and I remember him telling me that it was a very scientific experience. Well, it was not until recently that I finally decided to research the name of this 300-acre park and it says it all -- Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. That explains my cousin’s comments years ago. I wonder if he knew that? My recent trip to EPCOT was purely coincidental in that I was redirected there from the Magic Kingdom to catch my hotel shuttle which was not scheduled to make a stop until 10:50 PM that night. I arrived at 6:45 PM which gave me just over four hours to fulfill a promise made 33 years ago. So goes the saying better late than never.

QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip PicI caught the express Monorail from the Magic Kingdom which made a complete loop around the main entrance to EPCOT before coming to a stop at the main entrance near the iconic golf-ball-looking dome that I have been seeing on marketing and promotional materials, as well as T.V. commercials for over three decades. I was able to get an idea of what I would be seeing once inside the park during the loop around the main entrance. It was past sundown which made the spherical icon even more spectacular than I could ever imagine. It looked like a planet or a scene from one of those sci-fi Saturday feature movies that I grew up watching back in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. I have since learned that there is actually a ride inside the dome which is called Spaceship Earth and is presented by Siemens. The ride explores the history of innovations from the Stone Age to the Digital Age.

QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip Pic
It was a short -- less than 10 minute -- wait to get into the park after clearing the security check point for guests with bags. It turns out that my security person’s second N.F.L. team was also the Carolina Panthers -- like me. Her first team is the New Orleans Saints and mine of course is the Miami Dolphins. My first order of business once entering the park was to obtain a map so that I could plot my journey in the most efficient manner so as not to miss anything. It was as if the folks at EPCOT read my mind because located not too far from the main entrance was a rack of maps. This map was quite similar to the one at the Magic Kingdom as it displays a geographical layout of the park with the Points Of Interest (POI) numbered and labeled with a graphic. To the right is a list of those numberedPOI categorized by sections such as Future World East/West, Showcase Plaza, and World Showcase. There is a brief description of each POI along with icons and symbols that are explained in the legend below like restroom, Baby Care Center, and attractions/show considerations.

QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip PicMy strategy here was the same as the Magic Kingdom (click link for article) in that I planned to negotiate the park either clockwise or counter-clockwise to avoid having to back track and lose time. I decided to follow my instinct and start counter-clockwise not realizing that it was the right choice of direction as I discovered later that evening. Also conveniently located near the entrance are the restrooms to make a pit stop before heading out farther into the park. The first attraction that I stumbled upon is called Project Tomorrow and as the name suggests features exhibits and games that some future generations of humans may find themselves engaged in; such as a puck less hockey-type game played with an oversized electronic wand. I breezed through the other similar attractions to allow me enough time to cover this three times as large as the Magic Kingdom Park.

QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip PicI made it to the back area which is configured around a huge manmade lake. I was not aware at the time but they were in the midst of an international food festival that feature’s foods from a host of different countries to include Canada, United Kingdom, France (Thoughts and prayers), Ireland, Morocco, Japan; America, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico consecutively traveling counter clockwise. QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip PicEach section of the food festival was designed based on the architecture from each perspective country and they all offered a sampling of their most popular foods and spirits as well as souvenirs. The cost was only $5.50 for a meal sample which included some type of meat; and the spirits ranged from the mid $3 to just shy of $10 range on average. I made stops in Ireland, Brazil, and Germany. The pork belly meal in Brazil was simply delicious and as an avid connoisseur of beer my Germany stop was mandatory to sample of their best dark beer. The attendant was actually from Germany which added to the ambience and authenticity of the exhibit.

QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip Pic I made my way to the midway point of the park where I began to hear a familiar tune that topped the music charts back in 1991 It was Motown Philly performed by the hit-making R&B (Rhythm and Blues) guy group known as Boyz II Men. As I moved closer to the America Gardens Theatre, I thought to myself that the music sounded live. Well, turns out it was true; the group was performing live to a packed international house of fans to include me. This was indeed a great and unexpected addition to my already fabulous experience at EPCOT. If that was not enough, I then learned via signage and intercom announcements that the fireworks show was to begin in about 10 minutes. Who says it has to be a holiday to shoot fireworks? This show featured well-balanced background music and a giant earth-like ball that floated from one of the islands in the lake to near the main entrance. There was a display in the sphere that changed frequently while telling a visual story accompanied by one of the most exciting fireworks shows that I have experienced to date. That includes the old shows at the now defunct Orange Bowl in Little Havana, Miami, Florida; the one on main post at Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville, NC; and the New Year’s and 4th of July spectacles at Carowinds Theme Park in Fort Mill, SC; and the ones that I host on my own. Smile! I followed that ball right out of the park as it was nearing closing time.

QCT EPCOT Orlando Trip PicAll and all this was a great unexpected experience at a place that I planned to visit more than three decades ago. It was both educational and entertaining, and a great cultural experience; and worth more than the $38.75 admission fee (with a one-day Park Hopper Ticket). I am now glad that I had to travel here to catch my late night shuttle.

Plan your EPCOT trip now!


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