Editing Epcot (section)

{{Short description|Theme park at Walt Disney World}}
{{redirect|EPCOT|the original concept upon which the theme park was planned from|EPCOT (concept)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = EPCOT
| logo = [[File:Epcot logo 2019.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| image = Spaceship Earth, EPCOT.jpg
| caption = [[Spaceship Earth (Epcot)|Spaceship Earth]], the landmark of EPCOT
| slogan = The magic of possibility
| location = [[Walt Disney World]]
| location2 = [[Bay Lake, Florida]]
| location3 = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|28.371|-81.550|region:US-FL_type:landmark_dim:2000|format=dms|display=title,inline}}
| theme = {{Unbulleted list|
* Human achievement
* [[Technology|Technological innovation]]
* [[Globalization|International culture]]
}}
| homepage = {{URL|https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/epcot/ | EPCOT}}
| owner = [[Disney Experiences]]<br />([[The Walt Disney Company]])
| operator = [[Walt Disney World]]<br />'''Key people:'''<br />Kartika Rodriguez (VP)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Laurel |date=March 26, 2021 |title=Meet the Women Behind the Magic Leading and Protecting Walt Disney World Theme Parks |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/03/meet-the-women-behind-the-magic-leading-and-protecting-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/ |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201220927/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/03/meet-the-women-behind-the-magic-leading-and-protecting-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />Javier Rossy (GM,&nbsp;Operations)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antoldi |first=Maryanna |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Creating a Positive and Inclusive Environment for All |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/10/creating-a-positive-and-inclusive-environment-for-all/ |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201141728/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/10/creating-a-positive-and-inclusive-environment-for-all/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| opening_date = {{Start date and age|1982|10|1|p=yes}}
| season = Year-round
| status = Operating
}}
{{DWR}}

'''Epcot''' (stylized in all caps) is a [[Amusement park|theme park]] at the [[Walt Disney World|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]]",<ref>{{cite news |title=35 incredible facts about Disney's EPCOT theme park |url=https://abc7ny.com/happy-birthday-epcot-disney-theme-park-turns-35/2477013/ |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=ABC}}</ref> EPCOT is dedicated to the celebration of [[Humanities|human achievement]], particularly technological [[innovation]] and international [[culture]] and is known for its iconic landmark [[Spaceship Earth (Epcot)|Spaceship Earth]], a [[Geodesic dome|geodesic sphere]].

During early development of the Florida property, [[Walt Disney]] wanted to build an [[EPCOT (concept)|experimental planned community]] showcasing modern innovation, known as "EPCOT", an acronym for '''Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow'''. After Disney's death in 1966, the company felt his grand vision was impractical. However, it laid the groundwork for EPCOT Center, a theme park that retained the core spirit of Disney's vision. The park was divided into two distinct areas: Future World reprises the idea of showcasing modern innovation through [[educational entertainment]] attractions within [[avant-garde]] pavilions, while World Showcase highlights the diversity of human cultures from various nations. From the late 2010s to the early 2020s, the park underwent a major overhaul, adding new attractions and Future World was restructured into three areas: World Celebration, World Discovery and World Nature.

The park spans {{convert|305|acres|ha|abbr=off}}, more than twice the size of [[Magic Kingdom|Magic Kingdom Park]]. In 2023, the park attracted 11.98 million guests, making it the eighth-most visited theme park in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:13691780-8574-4346-89a1-7841afe1c597?viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover|title = TEA/AECOM 2023 Global Attractions Attendance Report |date = 2024 |access-date = August 16, 2024 }}</ref>