Walt Disney World ® is known for many things among them annual events such as The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas, Star Wars Weekends, Night of Joy, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and so much more. And that’s in addition to the every day magic the Orlando theme park provides like world famous roller coasters, Disney ® character meet-and-greets, parades, shows, water parks and even agriculture. That’s right, agriculture. Living with the Land at Epcot ® is one of Disney’s ® prize attractions that not many guests know about, but everybody should experience.

Located in The Land Pavilion at Epcot ®, the Living with the Land attractions is a 14-minute greenhouse boat ride in Future World that takes guests through biomes and living laboratories highlighting several different nation’s agricultural advances and experimental plant growing environments.

During this unique ride, guests will sail through artificial biomes representing the American plains, a tropical rain forest and the African desert where you will witness the latest developments in aquaculture and desert farming. Some of these biomes feature sound and lighting effects, heat, wind and mist to stimulate real conditions.

From there you’ll explore The Land’s “Living Laboratory” where you’ll learn about the future of agriculture and see the various ways plants can be grown without soil. You’ll even float by experimental greenhouses and take a first-hand look at an aqua environment, the Aquacell, where alligators and fish live.

One of the highlights of the ride is the Biotechnology Lab that features certain foods that have been altered to look like actual Mickey Mouse ears! Some of the foods, which Epcot ® actually uses in their many restaurants include cucumbers, watermelons and even pumpkins! And the best part is, you can even take a piece of these Mickey-shaped foods home with you with the purchase of  “Mickey’s Mini Gardens.”

It may not seem like one of Disney’s ® typical rides or a fun one at that, but we assure you that Living with the Land is an insightful trip that’ll help you better understand what scientists are doing to help farmers prepare for the food needs of our world.

To see what Walt Disney World ® is doing to help make agriculture more efficient and environmentally friendly and for a taste of that food you can find discounted Walt Disney World ® tickets right here on Best of Orlando.

Orlando, FL May 31st, 2012