May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.”
– Epcot Center Official Dedication, Oct. 24, 1982
There are few places in the world I love more than EPCOT. I am so thankful for this place. I think back to the first time I visited EPCOT and find myself smiling as I think of the first of what would be years of happy memories there. There is something very special about walking in and seeing Spaceship Earth towering above the entrance while walking in. Now, with the new entrance area, it is even more beautiful and magical. Even more magical was during its 40th anniversary when they had classic entrance music playing for a couple of days as guests were walking in!
To me, EPCOT is all about the spirit of imagination and possibility. It is a place that brings different people together, quite literally from around the world. I love simply wandering around World Celebration and World Showcase and simply experiencing the different environments, cultures, and focuses of the different parts of the park. Whether it is a country in World Showcase, the Imagination Pavilion, the Land Pavilion, Spaceship Earth, a Festival (mmm food), or other areas of the park, I find myself inspired and filled with hope for what could be a better future. And perhaps that is what I love the most, the possibility and hope that tomorrow can be better than today if we come together just as is being modeled at EPCOT.
I also love all of the different experiences that EPCOT has to offer. Some of my favorite Disney attractions (and past attractions) can be found at EPCOT. Some of my favorite entertainment offerings can be found in this park as well. I love the Voices of Liberty, bands at the Canada Mill Stage, JAMMitors, bands in the Germany Pavilion, Impressions de France, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and so many other experiences that can be found around the park. I really could go on and on but would most likely end up with just a laundry list of everything that can be found at EPCOT. All of these favorite things though connect with favorite memories. Whether sitting by myself with a cup of coffee on a quiet morning in the France pavilion or racing in to rope drop the park with Murray on EPCOT’s 40th anniversary, these memories make me smile.
As I think about why I’m thankful for EPCOT I find myself realizing that all of the things I love about EPCOT really culminate in a feeling that simply makes me happy. Whenever I’m planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it generally has the foundation of days at EPCOT. There are so many things I love about this park I could go on and on. However, I’m going to ask you instead to share what you are thankful for about EPCOT in the comments below! Oh, and wouldn’t it be cool to spend Thanksgiving at EPCOT!?
