THE BASICS The DestiNations Discovered tour explores all 11 represented countries ( and the Outpost ) featured in the incomparable World Showcase . This guided 4.5- to 5-hour walking tour takes guests through , and often behind , each and every pavilion where they are treated to fun facts , history , and lore surrounding the construction , architecture , and operations of each of these micro countries .
Kat ( center ), her husband ( right ), and their tour guide ( left ) about to embark on the DestiNations tour . PHOTO BY KAT WOLFE
No matter how many times I
visit the Walt Disney World Resort , I leave desperately wanting more . Most people do , right ? But this yearning is deeper than just one more ride on Big Thunder Mountain , another hug from Goofy , or one last Mickey-shaped pretzel . It ’ s a fascination with possessing insider information on all the moving parts that make up the magic that we , as guests , crave time and time again . There is one thing , short of moving to Florida and applying for a job as a Cast Member , that allows me to quench this thirst to be in the know : I take tours .
I have an insatiable appetite for the insider information and history surrounding Walt Disney ’ s vision and theme parks . I ’ ve been on 11 tours ( and counting ), and by far , the most gratifying has been the DestiNations Discovered tour in EPCOT . If you ’ ve ever left EPCOT feeling like you didn ’ t have enough time to explore and appreciate the details of the countries inside the World Showcase , settle in ; you ’ ll want to learn more .
After checking in with the guide at the designated meeting place ( determined at the time of booking ), the tour begins in the main walkway to the World Showcase from Future World . Here you will discover your first piece of newfound knowledge ( at least in my case ) about the very ground you stand upon . At this time , all members of the tour will introduce themselves before heading to the first country on the list , Mexico .
Before I proceed , I would like to advise that anyone embarking on an early morning tour ( prior to park opening ) at EPCOT should already have had something to eat and drink . There are no provisions available inside the park until it officially opens . There is , however , an open Joffrey ' s Coffee booth located outside the turnstiles , which thankfully we visited . A complimentary water bottle is provided on this tour , but that will have to last until about 11:00 AM when food is available for purchase in the World Showcase . So consider yourself warned . An early morning tour means bring a granola bar .
TAKING THE TOUR The tour takes guests clockwise around World Showcase , so the first stop is
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