Walt Disney World’s Epcot is a sprawling theme park packed with hidden details. It’s easy to miss the level of craftmanship on show as you race around the park.
Epcot was constructed at the enormous cost of between $800 million and $1.4 billion, and opened back in 1982. That level of investment enabled Disney’s Imagineers to cram in a huge number of authentic elements, particularly in the World Showcase area. Looking out for some of these little touches can add an extra dimension to your visit. Take a look at these 34 hidden secrets at Epcot…and let us know any we’ve missed!
34. Bring your walking boots
If you walk around the entire World Showcase lagoon, from China to Canada, you’ve covered a distance of some 1.25 miles.
33. The grass is always greener
Notice that the concrete paths around the lagoon are red – this is partly to make the grassy areas look greener.
32. There’s something inside…
When passing the African Outpost in Epcot, stop and go over and open some of the crates. You may get a little soaked…
31. Floating into place
If you are near the African Outpost in the early afternoon, watch out for the drawbridge going up – you’ll be able to see the barges used to launch the Illuminations fireworks being brought out.
30. Hidden platforms
Ever wondered why you have to go up to the second floor to watch the American Adventure show? It’s because the presidents and other figures that you see during the performance are all housed on hidden platforms, which are stored underneath the audience’s seats.
29. Going up…
In the USA Pavilion, take a look at the paintings on the front wall. One of them opens to reveal an elevator.
28. Larger than it appears…
Image: Disney
The USA Pavilion is 5 stories tall, but enormous doors and windows are used to make it appear only 3 stories tall. The façade was created using 110,000 bricks handmade from Georgia red clay – each of which was aged to look authentic.
27. An expensive present
Glance at the statue on your right as you enter Japan. It was a gift from the government of Japan when the Magic Kingdom opened, but was later moved to Epcot.
26. Sharp rocks
Take a look at the rocks in Canada and Japan when the the Illuminations show is about to begin. The top of some of them will open, revealing sound and lighting equipment.
25. Not so tall after all
The Hotel du Canada in the Canada Pavilion is only 3 stories tall. To make it look larger, Imagineers added 5 stories of windows.
24. Totem poles
There are three totem poles on show in the Canada Pavilion. Only the one on the left is real – it was carved by Tsimshian Indian carver David Boxley, and weighs some 700 pounds. The other two totem poles are made of pieces fiberglass stacked on top of each other.
23. Echo…echo…echo
Stand in the middle of the Temple of Heaven in the China Pavilion (it’s a half-size recreation of the Beijing landmark, and houses Reflections of China). If you speak, you’ll hear your voice echo back to you – the temple is acoustically perfect.
22. The Strait of Gibraltar
As you walk from Morocco to France, notice that the walkway becomes darker. This is intended to represent the Strait of Gibraltar. It’s not geographically correct, however, as it actually lies between Spain and Morocco.
21. Cuckoo!
Look towards the back of the courtyard in the Germany Pavilion, and you’ll notice a clock. On the hour, a wooden boy and girl emerge from the clock and twirl around.
20. The boat ride that never was
Walk to the back wall in the Germany Pavilion (the one covered by a mural). Knock on it, and you’ll notice a hollow sound. That’s because the wall covers the area that was originally intended to host the never-built Rhine River Cruise boat ride.
19. Cross the channel
When you cross the small bridge in the International Gateway between the UK and France pavilions, you are symbolically crossing the English Channel. Take a look at the wall down by the water. You’ll notice a bicycle parked next to an artist’s easel, along with a partially-completed painting.
18. Water on demand
In the Italy pavilion, look for little red buttons located close to the fountains behind the shops. If you push them, water sprays out from one of a handful of locations.
17. Hidden meaning
The Japanese pagoda has five stories. Each represents one of the elements that Buddhists believe make up everything in the universe – in ascending order: earth, water, fire, wind and sky.
16. Stop that!
On Mission: Space, try hitting all of the switches and dials at once. Gary Sinise will come over the speaker and tell you to cut it out.
15. In the dark
Most of the pavilions in World Showcase are lit up as part of the Illuminations show – but Morocco isn’t. The temple remains dark, as this would violate local religious beliefs.
14. Flawed creations
Look at the mosaic tiles in the Morocco Pavilion. Each mosaic has at least one flawed tile in it – as local beliefs dictate that only Allah can create something that is “perfect”.
13. A grassy roof
The roof of the Kringla Bakeri og Kafein the Norway Pavilion has real grass growing on it. Horticulture Cast Members clamber onto the structure and maintain it.
12. Ride along with Mickey
Note: Maelstrom is now closed, but we’ll keep this here for memory’s sake: In the loading area for Maelstrom, look at the painting on the wall. One of the Vikings on-board has a helmet with Mickey Mouse ears, while another is wearing a Mickey watch.
11. A unique address
On the Living with the Land boat ride, check out the address on the mailbox in front of the farm house – it reflects the year that Epcot opened.
10. Shopping through time
The row of shops in the United Kingdom pavilion represents a host of different time periods. The tea shop is designed to resemble a typical 1600s building, the next features a sign that reads “Est. 1702”, and the last is built in an 1800s neoclassical style.
9. The “moving” bomber
Take another look at the pictures on the walls inside the American Adventure. See the one hanging in the corner to left as you enter the rotunda? It’s a painting of a World War II-era B-17 bomber. If you stand on the gray strip of tiles on the floor in front of it and walk backwards and forwards, the plane appears to swivel to follow you.
8. Glowing pathways
The pathways in Future World are pretty to look at after the sun sets – tiny lights in the ground will light up.
7. A special flight number
The pre-ride video for Soarin’ reveals that your flight number is 5505. The ride made its debut at Epcot on May 5, 2005.
6. A Moroccan tower
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a very tall structure, and the back of it is visible when looking at the Morocco Pavilion. Decorations have been added to ensure that it blends in.
5. In need of a good clean
Take a look at the ornate chimneys in the United Kingdom Pavilion. They were painted with blackened soot to give the impression that they are still working.
4. Shattering the illusion
If a bird were to land on top of the France Pavilion’s Eiffel tower, it would somewhat spoil the illusion of height. The tower is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, so any bird perched on it would look enormous. Disney uses natural bird deterrents to scare them away.
3. Say “hi” to the trash can
One of the trash cans in the Electric Umbrella Restaurant will talk to you as you dispose of your garbage.
2. The lost VIP lounge
At the top of The Land pavilion is a VIP room used by former sponsor Kraft. You can see the windows of the lounge from the lobby of the pavilion (above the Garden Grill Restaurant) and if you look up and to the left during the rainforest and farmhouse scenes on the Living with the Land boat ride. It can be reached via an elevator on the left side of the Pavilion, close to the restaurant. However, a special sequence of button presses is required.
1. Stay dry
Stand under Spaceship Earth when it is raining, and you won’t get wet. The structure boasts a special drainage system designed to collect rainwater, funnel it through the support structure and let it eventually run off into the park’s lagoon.
