5 Unspoken Rules Every 90s Kid Follows in EPCOT

EPCOT has changed a lot over the years, to put it mildly. Meaning that kids who grew up going to the park in the 90s (GUILTY!) encounter a very different park when they visit today.

However, following these unspoken rules can help recapture some of the decade’s spirit.

Always Ride Test Track

It’s almost hard to express to younger Disney guests just how big a game-changer Test Track was for EPCOT in the 1990s. When the ride replaced World of Motion — after a series of delays — it was the first E-Ticket level thrill ride at the park, and for better or worse (depending on who you ask) changed the park’s approach to rides forever.

While the ride has changed a lot over the years — with two vastly different versions debuting in the 2010s and 2020s — the thrilling outdoor curve portion has remained through all three versions, and consistently thrills those who remember a time when nothing else at EPCOT did the same.

Enjoy Frozen Ever… While Still Missing Maelstrom

There’s no denying that Frozen Ever After is one of Disney World’s most popular experiences and — especially after the recent additions of new, state-of-the-art animatronics — a Disney must-do!

However, to many 90s kids, the ride will always carry a twinge of sadness due to the fact that it replaced the beloved Maelstrom. Speaking for myself — a card-carrying 90s kid — as much as I do enjoy Frozen Ever After, I often picture polar bears, vikings, oil rigs, and head “back, back, over the falls” echoing in my head as I ride it.

Pick Up Pokemon Souvenirs from Mitsukoshi

EPCOT’s outpost of Mitsukoshi — the Japanese department store which can trace its lineage all the way back to 1673 — is chock-full of souvenirs that celebrate Japanese culture, including the Pokémon franchise. AKA, arguably the most popular media franchise of the late 90s, which has imprinted on the brains of 90s kids for decades.

Check out the Communicore Hall Murals

While the center of EPCOT is near unrecognizable to those who last visited in the 1990s, there are some Easter Eggs to be found. Specifically, there’s a massive mural in Communicore Hall that features several references to historic ECPOT attractions, including the original Journey into Imagination, World of Motion, and Horizons.

Ride Spaceship Earth (While They Can)

One element of the park that 90s kids will still recognize for the most part: Spaceship Earth. The first half of EPCOT’s iconic attraction is mostly unchanged from the 1990s, meaning that it remains quite a nostalgia trip for visitors from the park’s first couple of decades. However, given Disney’s propensity to alter EPCOT changes, that may not last too long.

If you’re a 90s kid visiting EPCOT, you can still capture a bit of the decade at the park… if you know where to look. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney World’s evolution.

I NEVER Skip This EPCOT Pavilion, and If You Do, You’re Missing Out

Do you still miss 90s EPCOT? Let us know in the comments below.

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