Is Epcot good for a science geek? Couple from California making first trip to WDW

[Mansionfan]

Being a paleontology nut myself, I say he'll need to get over to Dinoland at Animal Kingdom to check out the attraction ''Dinosaur'' and it's environs (I'm probably the only person who was just as excited to walk ''Cretaceous Trail'' and view it's plants & dino sculptures) - although make sure he avoids going anywhere near ''Dino-Rama'' if he has an aversion to the cheesy, kiddie factor.

 

[BrerJon]

I think you and your boyfriend will have a wonderful time. WDW has so much to offer that Disneyland doesn't, that you don't have to worry about the comparison.

Animal Kingdom is one of the best zoos in the world, take a trip to Rafiki's Planet Watch to see the science behind the scenes, and the whole park is unlike anything else.

As has been mentioned, Epcot still has a lot of good stuff for nerds, Living With The Land probably topping the list, but Energy Adventure is good too, and for a first time visit Test Track is worthwhile. He will love Mission: Space - it simulates the forces astronauts feel on launch and there's nothing else like it, just make sure to go on the Orange version as the Green version doesn't spin so is just like watching a video.

I'd also say don't miss the American Adventure show at Epcot, overlooked by most first visitors but an amazing feat of theme park engineering and technology.

The Studios may be the poor-relation of the parks but is still a lot of fun. The new Star Tours is great, but you've probably done that in Anaheim. Lights, Motors, Action is worthwhile and one of the best stunt shows anywhere.

Kennedy Space Center is amazing, so glad you're going there too. Also he will love Universal, who doesn't, so I don't think you need to worry at all about him being bored!

 

[xdan0920]

Depends, do you have a time machine? A TARDIS or some modified DeLorean?
It used to have a lot that would have been up your alley. Not as much anymore.
Still Mission:Space, The Land (Living with the Land and behind the seeds tour is excellent), and maybe one or two other tiny pieces still exist.
Other than that, your next best bet would be Animal Kingdom for some Animal based science-like things.

Biology rocks!

 

[Susan Savia]

He should find plenty of things that interest him. My kids always loved Epcot for that reason.

 

[Ariel1986]

So nice when someone asks for advice on their already booked trip, to see everybody here being so helpful and helping her look forward to it. Jeez! Make her dread it and worry about it just because of all your jump-on-the-band-wagon-nit-picking why don't you everyone??
Wasn't there a thread recently about how someone said they were going to Disney to their colleague and their colleague replied with something negative- and loads of people's response on here was how rude his workmate was! How is telling someone who's asking for some tips about their upcoming trip and basically telling them well unless you have a time machine the whole trips going to be "meh" not rude?

Sorry to the OP.
At least @BrerJon offered something helpful.

Of course there will be plenty of non-kiddy things her boyfriend might enjoy- Epcot being the park that has a whole world showcase full of different countries representing their cultures, each one having shows, restaurants, shops & attractions (and alcoholic offerings if so inclined) to start with.
A total kiddie park that one for sure!

 

[Ariel1986]

Also have you thought about the water parks? Lots of fun to be had as an adult there! Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach being a 120ft drop water slide and Typhoon Lagoon having a tidal wave surf/swim pool for starters?

 

[odmichael]

Spaceship Earth - explores the history of communications
Mission Space - a rocket-launch simulator with high G-forces.
Ellen's Energy Adventure - teaches you about how we use energy.
The Seas With Nemo and Friends - a ride and a real aquarium.
Living with the Land - a greenhouse tour on cultivating crops.


There's a lot of science at Epcot. We just really don't think about it when we go sometimes.

 

[lazyboy97o]

So nice when someone asks for advice on their already booked trip, to see everybody here being so helpful and helping her look forward to it. Jeez! Make her dread it and worry about it just because of all your jump-on-the-band-wagon-nit-picking why don't you everyone??
Wasn't there a thread recently about how someone said they were going to Disney to their colleague and their colleague replied with something negative- and loads of people's response on here was how rude his workmate was! How is telling someone who's asking for some tips about their upcoming trip and basically telling them well unless you have a time machine the whole trips going to be "meh" not rude?

Sorry to the OP.
At least @BrerJon offered something helpful.

Of course there will be plenty of non-kiddy things her boyfriend might enjoy- Epcot being the park that has a whole world showcase full of different countries representing their cultures, each one having shows, restaurants, shops & attractions (and alcoholic offerings if so inclined) to start with.
A total kiddie park that one for sure!

Most people here who have been to the Disneyland Resort would also not describe those parks as a bit cheesy and mostly for kids.

 

[sshindel]

So nice when someone asks for advice on their already booked trip, to see everybody here being so helpful and helping her look forward to it. Jeez! Make her dread it and worry about it just because of all your jump-on-the-band-wagon-nit-picking why don't you everyone??
Wasn't there a thread recently about how someone said they were going to Disney to their colleague and their colleague replied with something negative- and loads of people's response on here was how rude his workmate was! How is telling someone who's asking for some tips about their upcoming trip and basically telling them well unless you have a time machine the whole trips going to be "meh" not rude?

Sorry to the OP.
At least @BrerJon offered something helpful.

Of course there will be plenty of non-kiddy things her boyfriend might enjoy- Epcot being the park that has a whole world showcase full of different countries representing their cultures, each one having shows, restaurants, shops & attractions (and alcoholic offerings if so inclined) to start with.
A total kiddie park that one for sure!

Since I'm the one who posted the Time Machine comment, I'll respond.

I never once said anything about her trip being "meh", or not fun, or in any way not enjoyable. I was strictly commenting on the question of if Epcot was for a science geek (one of which I'll freely admit to being myself). EPCOT Center was once a fantastic place for a science geek. It is not anymore. I was offering suggestions of the places in that park that would still appeal to that specific question. There are a few places left in Epcot that would appeal to a science minded person, as would Animal Kingdom. I did not even comment that the entire Epcot park is not enjoyable (though I tend to have that opinion in general), just that it was not nearly as strong in the science realm as it once was.

If the question was if they would have an overall good time, I'd have answered completely differently, because the answer to that would be almost a definitive yes.

 

[xdan0920]

Of course there will be plenty of non-kiddy things her boyfriend might enjoy- Epcot being the park that has a whole world showcase full of different countries representing their cultures, each one having shows, restaurants, shops & attractions (and alcoholic offerings if so inclined) to start with.
A total kiddie park that one for sure!

And FROZEN!

 

[Ariel1986]

Since I'm the one who posted the Time Machine comment, I'll respond.

I never once said anything about her trip being "meh", or not fun, or in any way not enjoyable. I was strictly commenting on the question of if Epcot was for a science geek (one of which I'll freely admit to being myself). EPCOT Center was once a fantastic place for a science geek. It is not anymore. I was offering suggestions of the places in that park that would still appeal to that specific question. There are a few places left in Epcot that would appeal to a science minded person, as would Animal Kingdom. I did not even comment that the entire Epcot park is not enjoyable (though I tend to have that opinion in general), just that it was not nearly as strong in the science realm as it once was.

If the question was if they would have an overall good time, I'd have answered completely differently, because the answer to that would be almost a definitive yes.

I was talking about a lot of the responses as a whole for this thread, someone else posted a gif saying it's "meh".
Just getting annoyed with almost every post recently getting hijacked by people basically wanting to be the first person or following the leaders to say "it's all s*$# now!" at Disney when that's not neccisarlily the truth or view of everyone- and it also could effect someone's view/is unhelpful to someone who has a trip planned, who wouldn't neccisarlily notice the things a 100 x visitor would do.

Wasn't trying to start an argument, wasn't trying to single out one person, just venting a frustration.

 

[Nemo14]

I definitely will check that one out


Is Mission Space an actual flight simulation? My bf is a space geek and is actually looking forward to the Kennedy Space Center more than WDW!

I highly recommend KSC if he's into space. So much to see and do there for space geeks - we never get tired of visiting. Have a great trip!

 

[Redsky89]

The Living Seas and Innoventions are your tops for science things at Epcot.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I was talking about a lot of the responses as a whole for this thread, someone else posted a gif saying it's "meh".
Just getting annoyed with almost every post recently getting hijacked by people basically wanting to be the first person or following the leaders to say "it's all s*$# now!" at Disney when that's not neccisarlily the truth or view of everyone- and it also could effect someone's view/is unhelpful to someone who has a trip planned, who wouldn't neccisarlily notice the things a 100 x visitor would do.

Wasn't trying to start an argument, wasn't trying to single out one person, just venting a frustration.

Who is talking about little things? If one considers the Disneyland Resort to be too much for kids and only sees two days a year worthwhile, Walt Disney World is not dramatically different in its content. This is even less so when one considers what else is available in the greater Southern California area. Whys should we lie and say that someone unimpressed by the Disneyland Resort is going to just fall in love with Walt Disney World?

 

[Ariel1986]

Who is talking about little things? If one considers the Disneyland Resort to be too much for kids and only sees two days a year worthwhile, Walt Disney World is not dramatically different in its content. This is even less so when one considers what else is available in the greater Southern California area. Whys should we lie and say that someone unimpressed by the Disneyland Resort is going to just fall in love with Walt Disney World?

Ok I'm not getting into an argument, I obviously chose the wrong place to disagree with a lot of peoples negativity on this board.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Being a paleontology nut myself, I say he'll need to get over to Dinoland at Animal Kingdom to check out the attraction ''Dinosaur'' and it's environs (I'm probably the only person who was just as excited to walk ''Cretaceous Trail'' and view it's plants & dino sculptures) - although make sure he avoids going anywhere near ''Dino-Rama'' if he has an aversion to the cheesy, kiddie factor.

I love that trail too! A bit short, but nice. I also geek out at the land having crocs and birds for live animals.

Is the dino still painted pink for that Donald meet and geet?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Ok I'm not getting into an argument, I obviously chose the wrong place to disagree with a lot of peoples negativity on this board.

You do have a point, a travel tip thread is not the same as a general WDW thread.

But then, this thread touches on one of the biggest WDW visitors' sore spots. The destruction of EPCOT from precisely a geek paradise to a kiddie / drunkytown park where anything remotely interesting is removed because seeing kids actually pick up on something new offends hillbillies.

 

[skyphotographer]

I'm kind of a science geek myself, but much older I'm sure than your bf. I've been to the world 13 times and have 2 trips still planned for this year. I ALWAYS have a good time. Just keep him away from Its a Small World and he'll be ok.

 

[BJones82]

It simulates a space flight, with realistic G-Forces by centrifugal force, so anyone who is prone to motion sickness needs to go on the Green side of the ride, which is tamer.

Not always true, my girlfriend is prone to motion sickness and we do the advanced training every year. Disney has a trick posted which is extremely helpful and she has never gotten motion sickness from it, and she gets sick pretty easily. She can even make herself sick sometimes driving if she takes a turn too fast lol.

 

[rsoxguy]

Howdy @CamiCan. New member I see. Welcome to the forum.

As you can see from this thread, things can be informative and hectic here. Ayup, an imitation of life as hard goes with easy, and pleasure goes with pain.
In reference to your OP, I would preface my statements with the fact that I have been to WDW hundreds of days within the past 2 1/2 decades. I am far from a Disney hater, although I would also say that I have noticed the waning quality of certain aspects over the years. Fear not, for it is still a swell place in which to play with your vacation dollars. I'm certain that you shall enjoy it.

As to the "science" aspect of EPCOT, I shall regale you with a personal anecdote. Years ago Disney offered a free annual pass to EPCOT for anyone involved in the area of education. That year my wife and I used the pass about 35 times. Yeah, we stuck it to the man. They were trying to promote the park as an educational place to take the kids on a field trip. It was not. Since then, it has become even less of an educational minefield. Understand that EPCOT began during an era when things such as microchips and Space Shuttles were still fairly fresh and exciting ideas. The problem lies in the fact that the world caught up to EPCOT's innovation and excitement, thus rendering it as seemingly tired and old. Hence, the people at Disney determined to incorporate a softer approach (Ellen, Nemo, "fast car ride", etc...) to the attractions, as opposed to the original cerebral approach to entertainment. Go and have fun, but don't expect some type of educational or scientific enlightenment. Oh, and try the sweets at France.