Episode #196: Epcot Attractions: Under, Over, or Properly Rated

Epcot, one of Walt Disney World's most unique theme parks, offers an intriguing blend of technological innovation, cultural immersion, and fantastical adventures. But which attractions truly deliver on their promise, and which ones fall short? In Episode 196 of the Circle of Parks podcast, hosts Zach and Brittany dive deep into rating Epcot's attractions as underrated, overrated, or properly rated, revealing some surprising perspectives along the way.

Spaceship Earth, Epcot's iconic geodesic dome, sparked different opinions between the hosts. While Zach considers it underrated due to its historical significance and educational value, Brittany believes it's properly rated, acknowledging that while some portions could benefit from updates, many appreciate its classic nature. The attraction, which takes guests through the history of human communication, features retro animatronics that could use some modernization but still delivers a meaningful experience that embodies Walt Disney's educational vision.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the newest E-ticket attraction at Epcot, received unanimous "properly rated" status from both hosts. As the largest indoor roller coaster in the world, featuring a reverse launch and 360-degree rotating vehicles, the attraction has garnered significant praise. The immersive queue, entertaining pre-show, and thrilling ride experience justify the typical 85-90 minute wait times. Interestingly, when polled on Instagram, 67% of their listeners considered the attraction underrated, with 33% agreeing it was properly rated.

Mission Space presented one of the first contrasting opinions, with Brittany rating it overrated while Zach considered it underrated. His reasoning focused on the unique experience it provides—authentic astronaut training simulation that actual astronauts have confirmed mimics the real g-forces of space travel. Meanwhile, Test Track, currently closed for refurbishment, received a surprising "overrated" assessment from Brittany, who feels it's time for significant updates to the attraction.

The hosts' most amusing disagreement came with Living with the Land, a slow-moving boat ride showcasing innovative agricultural techniques. While Brittany rated it properly rated as an educational experience, Zach jokingly declared it "overrated" despite it being his favorite attraction in all of Walt Disney World. His tongue-in-cheek assessment was clearly meant to discourage people from making the lines longer for his beloved ride, before admitting it's actually extremely underrated and embodies Walt's original vision for Epcot as an experimental community.

World Showcase attractions received varying assessments. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure was deemed properly rated by both hosts, acknowledging its growth in their estimation since it opened. Frozen Ever After received another surprising "overrated" assessment from Brittany, primarily criticizing the outdated projection-face animatronics technology, while Zach maintained it's properly rated given its consistent popularity and immersive queue experience.

One of the newer additions, Journey of Water inspired by Moana, received an "underrated" assessment from Zach and "properly rated" from Brittany. Zach defended its place in Epcot against critics who believe it belongs in Animal Kingdom, emphasizing its educational aspects about the water cycle and how it aligns with Epcot's original mission of "edutainment." Interestingly, their Instagram followers dramatically disagreed, with 67% rating it overrated.

The hosts concluded with strong agreement that the Walt Disney statue photo opportunity is severely underrated, lamenting how few guests take the time to appreciate Disney's visionary founder through this simple experience. The Behind the Seeds tour at Living with the Land also received unanimous "underrated" status as an affordable, educational backstage experience that enhances appreciation for the main attraction.

These assessments reveal not just the evolution of Epcot's attractions but also how perspectives can change over time. The disagreements between hosts—and sometimes between them and their audience—highlight the subjective nature of theme park experiences. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a Disney history buff, or an education enthusiast, Epcot offers something for everyone, though clearly not everything will resonate equally with all guests.