Epcot, stylized in all uppercase as EPCOT, is a theme park at the Walt Disney World resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Disney Experiences division. The park opened on October 1, 1982, as EPCOT Center, the second of four theme parks built at the resort. Often referred to as a "permanent world's fair", Epcot is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, particularly technological innovation and international culture.
Spaceship Earth, the icon of Epcot
The remaining portion of the Progress City model, the original concept for the city of EPCOT, seen on display from the PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom in 2024
Spaceship Earth in the evening hours.
As part of Future World's overhaul from 2019 to 2024, several original structures were reutilized, such as the CommuniCore Pavilion being repurposed as Connections Cafe.
An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often featuring multiple areas with different themes. Unlike temporary and mobile funfairs and carnivals, amusement parks are stationary and built for long-lasting operation. They are more elaborate than city parks and playgrounds, usually providing attractions that cater to a variety of age groups. While amusement parks often contain themed areas, theme parks place a heavier focus with more intricately-designed themes that revolve around a particular subject or group of subjects.
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida – Cinderella Castle, the park's icon.
Al-Shallal Theme Park in Saudi Arabia.
Unity Park zoo in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Frederick Savage's 'Sea-On-Land' carousel, where the riders would pitch up and down as if they were on the sea, was the first amusement ride installed in Dreamland Margate in 1880 England.