| The Land | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Epcot guests are entertained and encouraged to "think environmentally!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Leave it to the Disney Imagineers to take the mundane and make it interesting. Where can you see squash plants suspended in thin air, a living redwood that fits in the palm of your hand, or vegetables so huge they have to be supported? The Land in Epcot's Future World. This is the same place that make-believe fruits and vegetables sing, that the Disney characters drop in while you dine, and guests are encouraged to "think environmentally." The entrance to the pavilion is graced by mosaics – each 134 feet long with 150,000 individually shaped pieces of marble, granite, slate, glass and gold to represent the layers of the Earth. Inside, the Great Hall is decorated in rich hues of blue with graceful banners and kinetic hot-air balloons. The walls near the queue for "Living With the Land" are printed with prolific sayings such as the Kashmiri Proverb, "We have not inherited the Earth from our forefathers, we have borrowed it from our children." Living With the Land This 14-minute narrated journey by boat visits four greenhouses with crops from around the world and an aquaculture facility, the Aquacell. Sustainable agriculture – crop reduction with a minimal impact on the environment – is emphasized. Use FASTPASS on this attraction to avoid lines and save time. The boat glides into The Land's experimental growing areas:
Food Rocks Guests of all ages enjoy the toe-tapping "Food Rocks!" The rowdy concert stars recognizable rock 'n roll performers that take the shapes of favorite foods – the Peach Boys, Pita Gabriel and Chubby Cheddar. On stage the music stars become cartoon versions of the foods, singing classics that have been humorously altered for an unforgettable nutritional message. Other performers in the 12-minute show include The Utensils, a collection of kitchen gadgets based on the band Queen; The Refrigerator Police, singing a parody of "Every Breath You Take"; The Sole of Rock 'n Roll, a fish based on Cher singing new lyrics to "The Shoop Shoop Song"; a piano-playing pineapple based on Little Richard; Neil Moussaka, a musical eggplant inspired by Neil Sedaka; and The Get-To-The-Point Sisters, based on The Pointer Sisters, singing a new version of "Respect." The Excess, antagonistic hard rockers, counter the nutritional message with an original song called "Give Us Junk." The musical delivers lighthearted nutritional messages about reading food labels, a healthy diet and eating in moderation. More The Land is one of the best places to eat an informal mid-day meal. The Sunshine Season Food Fair offers a wide variety of food in their market-style quick-service food court. The four shops located in the lower level of the pavilion offer chef's specialties like vegetarian lasagna, barbecue ribs and chicken, sub-style sandwiches and garden-fresh salads. Fresh baked pastries and desserts in the ice cream shop make a sweet ending for your meal or the perfect snack. Upstairs, The Garden Grill Restaurant features a family-style feast mid-day and evening. At lunch and dinner, garden fresh salads and other accompaniments compliment the chef's selections of rotisserie meats, farm-raised catfish and grilled flank steak. An added treat to meals at The Garden Grill is a visit by favorite Disney characters.
Guests desiring an in-depth tour can take the "Behind the Seeds" Greenhouse Tour. The Land scientists meet groups of up to 13 throughout the day for a 60-minute tour of the growing areas and research labs. Epcot guests can ask questions and take a closer look at environmentally friendly technologies such as integrated pest management. Sign up for the tours at the Green Thumb Emporium on the pavilion's ground floor, or call 407/WDW-TOUR to book the tour in advance. There is a nominal fee for the tour. School students can participate in the Epcot Y.E.S. (Youth Education Series) "Harvests and Habitats" program. The half-day program, hosted by cast members, investigates man's relationship with the planet, and includes a brief tour of The Land growing areas. Children can make cookies at Junior Chef on the pavilion's first floor. Groups of 10-12 children are fitted with chef's hats and are provided with the ingredients and instructions to mix and bake their own cookies while their parents watch and take pictures. It's fun for the little ones and they really enjoy eating their creations! Tips Reduce wait time at no additional charge with Disney's FASTPASS which is available at Living With the Land.
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