Living with the Land — Attraction in Bay Lake

I love Living with the Land! As a teenager, I thought this ride was boring. That has totally changed over the years. Being able to grow flowers, fruit, and vegetables brings joy and accomplishment, but it also takes a lot of work. EPCOT has been using sustainable agriculture for many years now. You see it everywhere as you're walking through the park. They make it look so easy.

The relaxing boat ride takes you through a rain forest as well as through a scorching desert. There's a creepy looking farm with a corn field. I say creepy, because it's twilight when passing through it. It's dim and kind of feels like a tornado could drop down at any minute. No, it's not that kind of ride.

I did notice some changes to the ride, but they were very subtle. The fruits and veggies grown there can change depending on the season. However, I do remember the papaya and breadfruit trees. The hanging eggplant was new to me. It's cool to see all of these different fruit and veggie plants growing together in one giant greenhouse. What I didn't know is that their partnership with NASA has brought about innovative systems for farming in space. The vertical growing technique definitely saves space, and the hydroponic & aeroponic techniques use less water. There were many more plant varieties this time a round. Although, the fish farm wasn't as populated. I remember seeing more types of farm raised fish in the past. I did see Tilapia and Striped Bass, and more plants growing on top of the tanks. Apparently, the fish fertilize the plants, and the plants keep their water clean. Huh! What a novel idea!

It's a nice educational ride for all ages. It made me realize that I need to watch the Discovery channel more than I do. I also learned that Disney World has now installed a recycled glass pulverizer that grinds down the glass to make sand. They're already using it this year at the Flower & Garden Festival grounds. How cool is that? That is one awesome thing about these theme parks. There are recycle bins everywhere. It's great that they are putting them all...

As someone who has spent years studying the history and design of Walt Disney World attractions, Living with the Land remains one of EPCOT’s most underappreciated treasures.

The gentle boat ride offers more than relaxation—it is a living classroom where science and serenity blend seamlessly. Passing through the greenhouses, you witness real agricultural research in action, from hydroponics to vertical growing systems. Few realize that some of the produce grown here is actually served in EPCOT restaurants such as Garden Grill.

The attraction perfectly captures EPCOT’s original mission: to inspire through innovation and education. The narration may be calm and soothing, but the message is forward-looking—reminding us of the vital role sustainable farming will play in our future.

Trivia for fellow enthusiasts: the greenhouses are not just for show. Behind the scenes, Disney has collaborated with NASA on plant growth experiments, and some of the techniques tested here have even informed space agriculture projects.

In short, Living with the Land is not simply a ride; it is a rare fusion of relaxation, science, and vision. A must for anyone who wants to experience the heart of...

The next time you are at Epcot, head on over to The Land Pavilion and jump on a boat tour of Living with the Land. The winding waterway takes you through multiple hand-built sets that illustrate how humans have created various ways to plant and harvest food throughout the world. The boat then meanders through the Disney "living laboratories" greenhouses, where you can see how Disney is utilizing innovative techniques to grow and cross-breed their crops. There is also a section on fish farming, and how they are using the by-product of fish farming to fertilize plants, as well.

Both of the restaurants at The Land Pavilion (Sunshine Seasons and the Garden Grill Restaurant) serve dishes created from the fruits, vegetables and fish harvested from these greenhouses. If you feel like spending a bit extra, Epcot offers a "Behind The Seeds" guided walking tour, as well; this hour long tour allows you to get up close and personal with the plants, fish and insects, as well as get a more in-depth explanation of their growing techniques and how you can apply them to your garden at home.

Out of all of Epcot's many attractions, Living with the Land is definitely my...