Future World - Spaceship Earth Universe of Energy  
Test Track  Living With the Land Soarin'

World Showcase - Impressions de France  The American Adventure  
Reflections of China Maelstrom  Illuminations

FUTURE WORLD 

Spaceship Earth***

Visible for miles, this symbol of Epcot comprises over 2 million cubic feet of expanse, a silver geosphere 180 feet tall and 164 feet in diameter composed of 954 glowing panels of different shapes and sizes. Inside you’ll find an attraction chronicling the story of human communications beginning with the dawn of recorded time. The slow journey to the top takes visitors through marvelous, Audio-Animatronics scenes representing mankind’s quest for more efficient means of communication

—see Cro-Magnon storytellers, Egyptian papyrus scroll readers, ancient Greek actors, Roman couriers, Islamic scholars, even Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel.

Following in swift succession come the new tools and technologies of the teletype, telephone, radio, moving pictures, and television. Finally today’s communication super network conveying information at the speed of light. The most captivating scene is found at the top of the sphere where, in the middle of a sky thick with stars, the earth sits suspended in space. 15-minute ride.

NOTE: Changes are in store for this attraction including new scenes, lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration, music, and a totally new finale with touch-screens enabling guests to create their own vision of the future. Look for the attraction to be closed beginning summer of 2007 until early 2008.  

Universe of Energy  - Ellen's Energy Adventure***

In a traveling theater, visitors move through a dark, misty forest brimming with swamps and volcanic activity, towering prehistoric trees and plant life. The air is steamy and damp, and the smell of sulfur and sounds of the night only add to the thrill. Towering overhead are roaring, lifelike Audio-Animatronics dinosaurs, the most astounding aspect of this attraction.

At the final theater are wide aerial shots of the world’s ever expanding energy requirements, the latest technologies of solar and wind energy, and new ways of finding more oil and clean-burning natural gas. Of course Ellen, now an energy expert, returns to beat her competitors in Jeopardy. If this sounds too much like school, never fear; Ellen’s wisecracking along the way keeps the informative aspect of this attraction entertaining. One of Future World’s best attractions, it’s worth your time if only to see the dinosaurs. 45-minute show beginning every 17 minutes.

Tip: This attraction holds almost 600 people at a time; even though lines seem long everyone almost always gets in. Enter the door to the theater on the left and make a beeline to the front row of the far-left section for the best unobstructed views. Sensitive young children may be bothered by the darkness and the huge, roaring dinosaurs.


         Mission: SPACE****

The year is 2036. You’re off to Mars in a X-2 Deep Space Shuttle with a team of four—Commander, Pilot, Navigator, and Engineer. As the engines rumble, seats tilt back in preparation for countdown. Then liftoff. Wow! Experience the heart-palpitating, G-force thrill of rocketing into outer space through clouds of exhaust. As you peer out the window into a computer-generated imagery of space, panic sets in. But after the first 30 seconds or so, you’ll settle down for the ride of your life with a brief sense of weightlessness, a slingshot maneuver around the moon, and one heck of a landing on Mars. What a rush!!

Afterward head to the Advanced Training Lab, an interactive center featuring the popular Mission: SPACE Race with two teams of twenty competing to be the first to complete a successful mission, Expedition Mars, a test of skill in guiding astronauts around the Red Planet, and Space Base, an interactive children’s play area. Lines are longest for Postcards From Space, a space-based video email program. FASTPASS. Singles Line. 4-minute ride with a short preshow. Minimum height 44 inches. An adult must accompany children under 7. This is a highly turbulent motion simulator ride and not recommended for expectant mothers or those with high blood pressure, back, heart, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions.
Tip: If you’re willing to ride without other members of your party, the single-rider’s line is a much quicker alternative; simply ask for directions at the entrance.

         Test Track****
In a 6-passenger vehicle, riders move through a series of rigorous tests normally used on prototype cars. Begin your journey with a hill climb, then a rough road test, two brake tests (one with and one without anti-lock brakes), subjection to extremes of hot and cold temperatures, and finally the long-awaited handling run. Move through hairpin turns before barreling outside onto a high-speed banking loop at over 60 mph. It’s quite a ride, not really scary but fast and absolutely loads of fun!

FASTPASS. Singles Line. 5-minute ride with a short preshow. Minimum height 40 inches. An adult must accompany children under 7. Not recommended for expectant mothers or those with back, heart, or neck problems. Closed in inclement weather.

Tip: This ride is notorious for breakdowns so prepare for long waits, some of which don't necessarily come with a ride at the end. If you want to utilize Fastpass (which is a great idea), don't wait until the end of the day; passes are sometimes gone by the afternoon. If you are willing to ride without other members of your party, the single-rider's line is a much quicker alternative; simply ask for directions at the entrance.

              The Land - Living With the Land***

Food, nutrition, farming, and a healthy shot of environmental education is the agenda at The Land. Here ongoing agricultural experiments carried out in conjunction with NASA and the Department of Agriculture can be seen in the greenhouses of the captivating Living with the Land attraction. Other stops include an excellent environmental film featuring the stars of The Lion King and the Soarin’ attraction, a thrilling hang gliding journey over California.

          Soarin'****
Hang glide over California in Epcot’s newest attraction, one that’s guaranteed to leave you speechless. After rising 40 feet inside a giant, 80-foot projection screen dome, you’re completely surrounded with phenomenal, birds-eye views of the Golden State. Soar over the Golden Gate Bridge, towering redwood forests, hot air balloons drifting over the Napa Valley wine country, golf courses in Palm Springs, the majesty of Yosemite, and more, ending high above Disneyland and fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle. Smell the aroma of the orange groves and pine trees, feel the wind in your face, all accompanied by a stirring musical score. It’s one fantastic ride!!

FASTPASS. 10-minute ride. Minimum height 40 inches. Not recommended for expectant mothers or those with motion sickness or heart, back, or neck problems.

WORLD SHOWCASE

          France - Impressions de France***

You’ll be enthralled by the captivating images of France in this impressive film with dazzling clips of the Loire chalets, mouthwatering pastry shops, grape fields in harvest, the island of Mont St. Michel, the gardens of Versailles, and the spectacular French Alps, all accompanied by stirring French classical music. If you’re a lover of visual beauty, don’t miss this opportunity to witness the grandeur of France. 18-minute show every 30 minutes.

America - The American Adventure Show***
 

A show guaranteed to swell the chest of all Americans. Momentous film, inspiring music, and lifelike, talking, gesturing, and walking Audio-Animatronics characters weave the impressive tale of America with Ben Franklin and Mark Twain serving as hosts; the grand finale film montage is a real tear-jerker. Some adore this show while others sleep right through it; personally, I’m one of its greatest fans. Shows every 35 minutes.

Tip: It’s fairly easy to get a seat in this huge theater. Try to catch the Voices of Liberty performance in the waiting area and just watch your patriotism shoot up a few notches.
 
          China - Reflections of China***

Behold the wonders of China in this remarkable 360-degree film narrated by Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. In Circle-Vision, walk atop the Great Wall, enter the Forbidden City, stand in the middle of Tiananmen Square, and cruise down the mighty Yangtze River. View the modern world of Hong Kong, Macau, and Shanghai. Stunning views of rice terraces, Inner Mongolia’s nomadic people, the misty Huangshan Mountains, the Gobi desert, the extraordinary Terra Cotta Warriors, and the haunting landscape of Guey Ling only serve to make you want more. Come prepared to stand throughout the presentation. 12-minute show.

Norway - Maelstrom*** 

A favorite of World Showcase visitors is this watery boat ride through both real and mythical scenes of Norway's history. In your dragon-headed longboat, drift past a 10th-century Viking village then on to a dark, mysterious forest where a hairy, three-headed troll casts a spell on your vessel causing it to drop backward down a soggy cataract. Sail past glacier-bound polar bears, narrowly miss a plunge off the edge of a waterfall, and finally drop into a stormy North Sea. Your voyage ends in a quaint village for a pleasant, short film on Norway. Fastpass. 10 minutes including the film.

Tip: Drops are fairly small and of no consequence on this tame ride. If you would rather not see the film, walk into the theater and then immediately out the doors on the opposite side.

 

Special Entertainment - Illuminations: Reflections of Earth****

Each evening at closing time, crowds begin to gather around the World Showcase Lagoon to witness Walt Disney World's most spectacular nighttime extravaganza. The story of the planet Earth is told in a combination of unbelievable pyrotechnic displays, amazing lasers, stirring music, and fanciful water movement. Each show takes 480 man-hours to perform and it's worth every penny. 13-minute show.

Tip: To avoid smoke from the fireworks, check which direction the flames in the torches are pointed and avoid that side of the lagoon. Illuminations is never cancelled, even during inclement weather.