My first time at Epcot: culture, cuisine, thrills, and a touch of Disney magic

Epcot—Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow—a park built for dreamers, explorers, and, as every vlogger will tell you, adults. After my first time at Epcot, I can confirm: Epcot is an experience like no other.

The Heart of Epcot: The World Showcase

While Epcot offers family-friendly attractions like Turtle Talk with Crush and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, the true gem is the World Showcase—a beautifully curated journey through global cultures.

Countries like Morocco, China, France, and England transport guests through immersive architecture, authentic cuisine, and country-specific shops. Each pavilion ties into Disney’s storytelling—meet Belle in France, Mulan in China, or spot Donald Duck in Mexico. It’s a seamless blend of fantasy and reality that makes each stop feel like a world of its own.

Epcot in Two Days: Enough Time?

Even with two days, we only covered about 70% of the park. From the awe-inspiring pavilions to futuristic attractions, there’s too much to experience in one visit. What we missed? That’s for another trip. Because Epcot isn’t just a park—it’s an adventure you’ll want to relive.

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Epcot’s Thrill Rides: The Highs and Lows

🚀 Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Worth the Hype?

Absolutely. I rode Cosmic Rewind TWICE within an hour—once via Lightning Lane and again through the virtual queue. This ride is insane—fast, thrilling, and disorienting in the best way. You’re technically moving backward, but it feels like you’re speeding forward. Sheer chaos. 10/10, would scream again.

🚀 Mission: Space – Never Again.

I’m still recovering. Motion sickness plus claustrophobia? Not a good combo. My husband was all for it, but I’ll happily stay grounded from now on.

🌍 Spaceship Earth – Classic, but Outdated.

The iconic “golf ball” houses a history-of-technology ride. It’s nostalgic but needs a revamp to match Epcot’s futuristic appeal.

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World Showcase Highlights

🥖 A French Start to the Day

The France Pavilion was an early-morning must.

We grabbed pastries from the not-so-hidden bakery Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie—my husband, in peak genius, bought an entire baguette to snack on.

Meanwhile, I stocked up on croissants and admired the charming shops.

🐀 Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – An Unexpected Delight

Thanks to the single rider line, we boarded Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in under 10 minutes. A fully immersive 3D experience, this ride makes you feel like Remy—scurrying through a bustling kitchen, dodging towering chefs. The scents of food? Chef’s kiss.

🍁 The Canadian Pavilion – A Familiar Sight

As a Canadian, it was amusing to see how Disney interprets our “culture.” Plaid-filled gift shops, maple popcorn (which we regret not trying), and a mini Rocky Mountains landscape made it a charming stop.

🫔 Mexico – Nachos and Night Markets

The Mexico Pavilion is stunning. The pyramid? Iconic. Inside, we discovered a night market—a hidden gem we didn’t explore fully but definitely plan to next time.

🥨 Germany – Pretzel Bread Pudding & Language Lessons

Germany’s charm won me over. We tried pretzel bread pudding, which was delicious, and I even got a quick German lesson from a cast member. Also, the Romantic Road with the toy train track? Adorable.

🍋 Italy – Dreamy and Picturesque

This pavilion was gorgeous. Florals, pizzerias, art exhibits, and Venetian-style lookout points made it feel effortlessly romantic.

We also found Italia Disney merch—cute, but now I’m waiting for a Jamaica x Disney collab.

🎍 China – Mulan, Lily Pads & Hidden Gems

Meeting Mulan was a dream come true. Tucked inside the Reflections of China exhibit, she had almost no line. The pavilion itself had so many beautiful details—ponds with lily pads, traditional stalls, and ornate shops.

🏯 Japan – Spirited Away & Sake

Japan’s Mitsukoshi store was a stationery lover’s paradise, stocked with Spirited Away and Totoro merch.

My husband grabbed ninja chopsticks, and we tried a purple sake drink—sweet for me, too sweet for him.

🍯 England – Where’s Winnie the Pooh?

I was so excited to meet Pooh—he’s rumoured to give the best hugs! Sadly, I didn’t see him. But I did spot Alice in Wonderland, and the fish and chips looked far better than the nachos I had in Mexico. Lesson learned.

🐫 Morocco – Visually Stunning

Morocco’s intricate architecture, twisting pathways, and vibrant mosaics made it one of the most breathtaking pavilions.

I was hoping to meet Jasmine, but she wasn’t there. The food? We were advised to skip it, so we did.

🏔️ Norway – Frozen Ride? No Thanks.

We skipped the Frozen ride (unless you love the movie, it’s not worth the wait) but tried school bread from the Norway bakery. The lemon custard filling? Pretty good. Next time we’ll try the rice pudding.

🌍 Africa – Disney Needs a Wakanda Pavilion

Disney’s depiction of Africa remains… outdated. I’d love to see a pavilion inspired by Wakanda to better showcase Africa’s modern architecture and innovation.

🍖 The American Pavilion – Regal Eagle BBQ Heaven

The real highlight? The barbecue. The beef burger on garlic toast with coleslaw fries was heavenly. After 20,000 steps, it was the best thing I’d ever eaten.

🚤 A Scenic Boat Ride Across Epcot

At some point on Friday, my husband and I decided to take the Epcot Friendship Boat across the pond from Canada to Italy. It wasn’t necessary, but we did it purely for the experience.

Gliding across the water, we got a peaceful, unique perspective of the pavilions—something we wouldn’t have noticed just walking. It was a quiet, beautiful way to take in the park before diving back into the action.

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Music, Performances & Art

🎶 Epcot’s Seamless Soundscape

Music transitions effortlessly between pavilions, making the park feel cohesive and immersive.

🎨 Epcot’s Festival of the Arts – A Celebration of Creativity

One of the best surprises about visiting Epcot in January and February was experiencing the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The park was filled with stunning art displays, live performances, and interactive exhibits, making every turn feel like a creative masterpiece.

We saw artists painting in real-time, incredible Disney-inspired murals, and even 3D chalk art illusions that looked so real, I almost walked around them thinking they were actual objects. (Later, I saw on Reddit that someone had created a Toy Story chalk drawing, and I was devastated that I missed it up close!)

🎭 Broadway Performances & The Jammitors

We caught a Broadway-style show, stumbled upon Encanto singalongs, and watched The Jammitors—drummers dressed as janitors, rocking out on trash cans. (Took me a second to get the pun.)

Across from the Encanto stage, a guitar soloist was absolutely shredding, stopping everyone in their tracks—including my husband, who’s way more into live music than Disney. It was one of those moments, where you realize just how much raw talent exists in the parks beyond the rides and characters.

🎨 The 30 Years of Musical Theatre Exhibit

Seeing real Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, and Aladdin Broadway costumes up close? Unreal. Watch my vlog to see it in action.

Other Memorable Moments

🐉 The Figment Ride – A Family Memory in the Making

One ride I had zero expectations for—but ended up being a sweet, nostalgic experience—was Journey Into Imagination with Figment. We rode it with family, including our nephew, making it even more special.

Figment, a mischievous little purple dragon, takes you on a whimsical adventure through the five senses, filled with quirky humour, trippy visuals, and a catchy theme song that I may or may not have been humming the rest of the day.

Is the ride dated? Absolutely. Is it an Epcot classic that younger kids still adore? Also yes. Seeing our nephew’s delight at all the wacky effects made it even more enjoyable, reminding me that sometimes, it’s not about the ride itself—it’s about the memories you create along the way.

🐠 Epcot’s Aquarium & Turtle Talk with Crush – Fun Meets Education

After riding Finding Nemo, we wandered into the aquarium, home to real-life clownfish (aka Nemo), blue tangs (aka Dory), and a variety of sea creatures. Educators shared some unexpected facts—like how starfish eat their own vomit. (Thanks, Disney, for that unforgettable mental image.)

One of my favourite moments was Turtle Talk with Crush. This improv-style show is both hilarious and interactive—Crush (the animated sea turtle from Finding Nemo) chats live with the audience, answering kids’ questions about the ocean while hilariously misinterpreting human life. By the end, we all left saying, “Duuuude!”

🌊 Moana’s Journey of Water – A Stunning Exhibit

This new attraction teaches the science of water through interactive displays.

Walking through, the music and lighting create a tranquil, almost meditative experience.

One of the coolest parts? A section where you think you’ll get wet, but as you step forward, the water parts like magic.

At the end, fountains shoot water in playful patterns, showing how water can be alive in its own way.

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A Fireworks Show Full of Emotion

This trip to Epcot happened just days before the one-year anniversary of my grandma’s passing. Her birthday, her funeral, and Valentine’s Day are all tied together, making this time of year especially hard.

As Luminous: The Symphony of Us lit up the night sky, I found myself overwhelmed with emotions. The message, the music, the crowd gathered in unity—it all hit me at once. I couldn’t stop thinking about my grandma.

Despite that, Epcot became possibly my favourite Disney park. It’s a place that blends culture, nostalgia, and adventure into something truly special.

Disney just does things right. It’s a happy bubble, an escape, and a reminder of the magic that keeps us all coming back. And honestly?

I’m already dreaming of my next visit.