Listly by rfish93
All it took was one little spark for us to rank every single attraction at Walt Disney World's Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow - otherwise known as EPCOT! We traveled to Mexico, France, Arendelle and the moon to bring you this definitive ranking of all the rides, shows and attractions inside Future World and World Showcase (based on Wikipedia's current listing). Journey into Imagination (and Canada!) along with us as you become an Epcot Ride Pro.
Unless you have a strong desire to look at tiny photos of random people you don't know, there's no reason to stop at the entrance to Epcot to check out Leave a Legacy. Leave a Legacy is a collection of photos that allowed guests at Epcot from 1999 - 2007 to purchase permanent personalized tiles at the front of the park. If you happen to be one of the people who bought one, find yours and appreciate your small piece of the park. Otherwise, keep moving on.
PRO SCORE: 8
This collection of games and interactive experiences at the end of Spaceship Earth seems fun when you come off the ride, but it simply isn't worth your time. Epcot has a lot more exciting and detailed experiences to offer, and we wouldn't advise getting pulled in by these somewhat outdated after-ride experiences. Epcot has many of these and, while they can be a fun diversion every once and while, you should make sure to stay conscious of time and get on to the next activity. The whole world awaits!
PRO SCORE: 8
Much like Project Tomorrow, ImageWorks is an after-ride experience following the Journey into Imagination ride. While this one is a bit more fun due to the inclusion of Figment, and superior interactive elements, ultimately this is just a collection of outdated computer games and feels more like something you might find at a children's museum.
PRO SCORE: 9
These are small craft stations positioned across the pavilions at Epcot's World Showcase. They're definitely intended for small children, but we like how each country has its own unique craft, and provides a hands-on experience for kids to learn about other cultures at an early age.
PRO SCORE: 11
While we don't often spend a lot of time in these galleries, we appreciate that the pavilions in Epcot have their own museum-like exhibits for guests to explore. They offer an authentic window into each culture they represent, and are housed inside some of the coolest buildings in all of Walt Disney World. China's gallery is a spectacle itself, and the exhibit in Norway is a replica of an amazing ancient church called the Stave. If you're looking to change up the pace, grab a snack and take a second to relax with some air conditioning while you learn about another culture.
PRO SCORE: 12
As we've stated before, we love experiences that turn the park into a place for interactive exploration. Agent P's World Showcase Adventure encourages guests to explore every nook and cranny of World Showcase, which uncovers the incredible details in this tapestry of cultures. That said, this particular iteration of the World Showcase scavenger hunt has been around for a long time, and it's starting to get stale. We think it's time to bring in some new IP and fresh objectives to explore.
PRO SCORE: 13
Oh, Innoventions. Despite it's claim to be a showcase of the most futuristic technology, Innoventions has always had trouble keeping up with the times. By the time sponsorships and experiences are brought in to the ever-rotating group of exhibits that make up Innoventions, the tech their meant to show off is either not too impressive anymore or was never super functional. While it's been home to some truly cool experiences over the years, Innoventions takes up two massive footprints in Future World, and would be better used for something else.
PRO SCORE: 13
SeaBase is basically like your local aquarium, but it just so happens to be home to Nemo & Friends too. Something we love about Epcot is the way it mixes together educational, museum-like experiences with the thrills and excitement of a theme park all-in-one. We especially like this one because it gives us the chance to get up close and personal with living sea creatures from all over the world. There's lots to explore here so dive in!
PRO SCORE: 14
Especially for a first-timer, Turtle Talk with Crush is a one-of-a-kind, blow-your-mind-with-DIsney-Magic-technology kind of show. You'll get the chance to have a conversation, in real-time, with the surfer dude himself, Crush. The jokes are funny and the technology is very cool - it's a delight to see how excited kids get as they hash it out with an actual animated character. Plus, since this Turtle Talk is actually happening, every single show is its own unique experience. Catch the wave, dude, Crush is waiting!
PRO SCORE: 16
We like the cultural videos at Epcot. They're entertaining and they introduce you to somewhere you might never have been. Reflections of China is great, but at this point it's a little dated. There are so many amazing things to see in China, we'd just like to see them through the lens of some modern cameras.
PRO SCORE: 15
We like Impressions de France for giving us an insight into French culture, but this one can feel a bit long. It has pretty music and represents the culture accurately, but the way the theater is laid out and the duration of the film usually make us want to take a nap.
PRO SCORE: 14
We love the three shorts featured in this 4D experience at Epcot, but if you're a true Disney Parks Pro we assure you, you've seen this one before. If you haven't seen "Get a Horse", "Feast", or "Piper", they are definitely worth seeing and are supremely creative and compelling shorts, but you can find them in many various places and they aren't exclusive to the parks. We do like the added 4D elements, which enhance the experience for those who know these shorts like we do. There's usually not a wait, so cool off and take in the classic Disney entertainment!
Thrill: 3
Wait Time: 4
Kid-Friendly: 4
Accessibility: 3
Overall Quality: 2
PRO SCORE: 16
The American Adventure is a totally unique show with a beautiful song attached. We especially love catching the Voices of Liberty sing in perfect harmony before the show begins in the lobby. The main event is driven by a conversation between Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, which we find interesting enough on its own, but it also offers a more complete look at American history than it's spirit attraction The Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom. Plus, the animatronics are very impressive. The set pieces are huge and creatively designed, and we're still awestruck when we see robotic Benjamin Franklin actually walk down a full flight of stairs. The show does run long at a full half hour, but it's worth checking out if you're passing through at the right time.
PRO SCORE: 14
The dark ride portion of The Seas with Nemo & Friends is pretty lame. There, we said it. But this one wins major points for the effects at the end! It's crazy to see the animated characters from Finding Nemo projected not on to but INSIDE a real life aquarium. Marvel at the Living Sea life and gape even further still at them swimming side by side with Nemo, Dory, Marlin & more.
PRO SCORE: 16
The nighttime show at Epcot leaves something to be desired compared to it's counterparts at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, but it's still a spectacle to behold. Particularly if you can get a late evening dining reservation at Rose & Crown in the UK or other restaurants that line Seven Seas Lagoon. Note that this show can only be viewed from World Showcase, and viewing can be limited if you don't have a space on the waterfront. The best thing to do is scope out a spot, share a glass of wine while you wait, and prepare for a cultural journey with dazzling fireworks and light effects.
PRO SCORE: 15
We have to admit it, we think O Canada! is a Top 10 Attraction. It's our favorite of the cultural films available at several different pavilions. While the Circle-vision technology seems a little dated at this point, Martin Short makes this experience entertaining enough that we think you should check it out. Plus, the O Canada! song is a total jam.
PRO SCORE: 15
We have to say RIP to the original Journey Into Imagination and Dreamfinder before we can even talk about this one. This one is nowhere near as good at the original. That said, we still think it is a solid ride. There are some cool (and smelly!) effects and Figment remains as fun and original as ever. We also appreciate the humor of Eric Idle, even though his presence is a bit bizarre. We wish we never had to lose the first ride, but at least it's memory is not gone completely.
PRO SCORE: 18
We love when pavilions have their own full-blown rides, and the Gran Fiesta Tour is a great one. We like the fact that a small, obscure film like The Three Cabelleros can get its own unique attraction. It's also great to see the two scenes of a Mexican village and watch the beautiful art style come to life through the animatronics. While the use of screens is employed a bit too much throughout this ride, the ending features three animatronics of Donald, Jose and Panchito that originally appeared in Mickey Mouse Revue! (1971 - 1980)
We bet you're surprised to see this one up so high! But we're big fans of this eco-friendly greenhouse boat ride. You get to see actual farming and agriculture at work, all the while learning about it and acquiring an appreciation for the hard work it takes to bring you your protein and nutrients. There's a lot to see and learn from here, with some fun Easter Eggs along the way, including Mickey Mouse shaped pumpkins and a 9-pound lemon. And the coolest part is, food from the greenhouses on this ride is served at many restaurants throughout Epcot!
PRO SCORE: 16
If you, like millions of others, love Frozen, then you will love this ride. And you, like millions of others, should prioritize this ride above others in Epcot when booking your Fastpasses. You're competing with the desperate parents of thousands of young Frozen fans, so best of luck to you. If you happen to miss out, it will unfortunately be a very long wait in standby. This is easily the most popular ride at Epcot. It's got all the instant classic songs + state of the art animatronics in the arctic dreamworld you're familiar with. We'd be remiss, however, if we did not mention that it replaced one of Epcot's most unique and beloved rides - Maelstrom.
PRO SCORE: 17
Mission: SPACE is so intense, they had to make a separate line for those who can't handle the blast off. Called "the closest experience to the real thing" by actual astronauts, Mission: SPACE takes you through an actual NASA space launch, where you feel the full effects of centrifugal G-Force. Not only that, but the ride is interactive, with each passenger in the rocket assuming a different duty on board. The whole thing is extremely immersive and definitely worth checking out, if you can stomach it. Did we mention it's intense?
PRO SCORE: 17
Build your own car and speed around the track at a top speed of 65 miles per hour! We like the newly added interactive elements of this attraction and how they effect your on-ride experience. The visuals are also very cool since their "technological" makeover, and we like how they explain the process behind manufacturing a car. As one of the only true thrill rides available, we say this is one of the best. If you don't need to ride with a large group, be a Disney Parks Pro and use the Single Riders line!
PRO SCORE: 20
Spaceship Earth epitomizes Epcot. It's educational, it's about culture, it's about technology, and it's all guided by the exquisite Dame Judi Dench. It has immersive sights, sounds and smells and teaches you about the history of communication from the literal beginning of time. It features classic 80's style animatronics, as well as personal interactive elements. And it all takes place inside the great Golf Ball itself! There's nothing quite like Spaceship Earth and, while it's no thrill ride, it's uniqueness puts it towards the very top of our list.
PRO SCORE: 20
Soarin' takes you on a peaceful flight around many diverse regions of the world, including Egypt, India, and even California's Disneyland. We love the sensation that we're actually flying over these exotic locations, and we'll always get a kick out of watching people's feet twitch as we dip, dive and float over canyons and oceans. This is another one with a long wait, but if you've never experienced the blissful zen of a ride on Soarin', we say it's a can't miss.
PRO SCORE: 20
There you have it: follow this guide, don't miss the E-tickets and get the Most Out of the Magic - you're now officially an Epcot Ride Pro.