1st Disney World Trip - Skipping Epcot ok?

[nkereina]

Since you have an extra day, I'd also agree that I would do Epcot before I would do a 3rd day at MK. If a 3rd day at MK is a must, I'd be more inclined to skip DHS than Epcot.

 

[Disney Khi]

I feel like I'm piling on here , but I'm going to add to the don't skip it crowd. My DD6 has been going to WDW since she was 1, and she has always loved Epcot. She still loves the slower rides. She loves The Land, Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Ellen's Energy Adventure, and Mexico. She loves looking around the WS pavilions. Her favorite place to eat is the Morocco counter service. She loves the movies in the countries, and she loves doing the coloring activity at each country's KidCot station. One time I made her a little passport book to get the stamp for each country.

I have done more than one trip where I have skipped DHS, and that was before the park was half-closed. However, if you really want to see the Star Wars stuff, I can see why you would want to go there. I am not sure if there's a whole day's worth of Star Wars activities, though.

I, personally, am fine with one day at MK, but I've been there before, and am obviously in the minority here. I can see why you would want two days for a first trip.

And, as so many have said, it really depends on your family. My family loves AK and often go there for two full days during one weeklong trip to WDW, others see it as a half-day park, and others skip it. It is the same with every park. No matter what you choose, you will have fun, and whatever you miss this time, you can see on the next trip.

 

[Huff]

That wasn't true for our family at all. I spent more time in Future World with my nephews than I ever have as an adult traveling without kids.

Kids can have great fun in FW but I defiantly see far more adult only groups in Epcot than any of the other 3 parks. Especially with regards to WS.

 

[Huff]

I'm not sure I agree with that. EPCOT was my favorite park when I was two years old. I loved (and still love) Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination when I was a kid, and loved running around the countries and trying new foods.

Well sure, everyone has their own likes and dislikes. No park is a one size fits all! My opinion is based on seeing the high number of teen and adult groups in Epcot vs. the number of families with small kids. I find it quite a bit different that what you see at the other parks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Kids can have great fun in FW but I defiantly see far more adult only groups in Epcot than any of the other 3 parks. Especially with regards to WS.

And that may be the choice of those families, but that's not the same thing as there not being stuff for kids in Epcot. There's plenty of things for kids in Epcot.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

My family will be headed to Disney World Dec 4th - 10th. We are staying at the Polynesian and are trying to finalize which parks we want to visit to so we can make our dining reservations. We have two kids, and at the time of the trip our son will be 5 and our daughter will be 1.

We definitely going to do 2 days at MK, 1 day at HS, and 1 day at AK. We have one other day to plan, and we are considering skipping Epcot altogether, most likely in favor of a 3rd day at MK.

Is this a good move? It doesn't seem like there's all that much at Epcot that would really appeal to us given the kids' ages. We don't have park hoppers, so it's just one park per day for us.

Appreciate any advice.

I think you are on the right track. Don't try to do it all. Plan multiple days at Magic Kingdom for kids that age. You would probably find plenty to do at Epcot, but I think another Magic Kingdom day would be very enjoyable.

 

[bnhonest]

I think the big thing here is whether or not you plan on coming back and when? As others have noted, there is a lot to see and do for kids your kids ages. Your 5 year old son will think it's cool to go up in the big ball. The Nemo ride and Turtle talk are very cool for little ones, not to mention the aquarium. Then test track and even Ellen's land of Energy, which is a mild way for your kids to see cool dinosaurs. You're going to have the three cabaleros boat ride in Mexico and Frozen in Norway. And you can eat with the princesses in Norway same as eating with them in the castle at MK. You also have figment and the journey in to imagination. Look all these up on YouTube if you aren't sure.

I think you'd like Epcot. I think your kids would like it. I wouldn't exclude it unless you are coming back for a longer trip in the very near future.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Personally, I would do Epcot. In future world, the kids would love Turtle Talk and Nemo. Figment always has no line and is cute. Little boys love the dino's in energy. As for the world showcase, all the best meet and greets are there! That's where you generally find Alice, Jasmine, Belle, Marie, Mary Poppins, Mulan, Show White, etc.

That doesn't include Micky, Minni, Goofy, Donald and gang not to mention if you want to meet Baymax, etc.

THAT SAID.... It's YOUR vacation. You vacation the way you want. There are no wrong ways to enjoy your vacation. You can have fun at any park!

 

[maltdizzy]

A 5yo can ride the rides at MK over and over again and it won't get old. Growing up, my brothers and I certainly found ways to spend several days in the MK when it was the only park and even when EP was added. You can spend all 5 days at MK, and the kids will be happy.

I can say my DS loved the WS when he was 4 going on 5 and it was all new to him and he wanted to see what came next, by the time he was 6 going on 7, it held less excitement because he was coaster crazy for the other parks. He did love the Perry the Platypus stuff (is that still there?), but otherwise had no interest in the stores, displays, etc.

HS is a mixed bag right now. I think it has fewer rides than Epcot (especially for kids, and I'm counting Star Tours and Tower and Terror (DS was riding by age 4), but it does have quite a few shows.

 

[Dis703]

Personally, I wouldn't skip it. Our kids have always enjoyed Epcot. There has always been plenty to keep them entertained. The Living Seas is always a huge hit with the Nemo Ride and Turtle Talk w/Crush and the aquarium. Test Track and Soarin' are lots of fun for the older ones and the new Frozen ride will be open. My kids also get a kick out of Figment and even Spaceship Earth. They also enjoy the variety of entertainment in the countries from the Chinese Acrobats to the musicians. And Illuminations is a pretty awesome closing show/fireworks. If you only had one MK day I might say go ahead and skip it, but I wouldn't skip it for a 3rd MK day.

 

[Eastern]

My additional advice would be to make Epcot your middle of the week day. Sleep in a little, make your FP+ for 10am on. Have lunch somewhere in the park and head home by early evening. End your visit with a MK day rather than an Epcot day. And don't get hoppers. I think it's a waste with small kids and 5 days. I remember taking small children to the parks. It's hard. We'd get back to the hotel and the kids would nap. Then we might go to the pool or just hang around the resort. Takes a lot of energy to go back to the parks for more. A LOT of walking. a lot.

 

[pmaurer74]

I would not skip it. They have the storytellers which are great for kids, the candlelight processional many characters meetings.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I would definitely recommend going to Epcot during your time. The Holidays Around the World would be great for the kids. The storytellers at Italy, Germany, Norway, France, and the UK are very kid friendly. Italy and Norway have the most humor in my opinion. My family goes every year over the holidays and I absolutely love seeing all the storytellers. I've been probably close to 10 times over the holidays and I still enjoy seeing the storytellers.

 

[Huff]

And that may be the choice of those families, but that's not the same thing as there not being stuff for kids in Epcot. There's plenty of things for kids in Epcot.

Very true but I do feel Disney aims Epcot at the older crowd. The yearly events held at Epcot, most of the tours etc. are aimed at teens and adults. Everyones different so there is no one size fits all answer. However, with very small children on a short vacation which park would be the most likely to be skipped due to time restrictions? Which 3 parks would most young children favor?

 

[GPC0321]

I haven't read all of the replies, but here's my 2 cents.

1. It will be Christmastime, and the World Showcase is going to be very Christmasy. The storytellers do their thing during the day, so catching some of those would be neat. And the first Candlelight Processional is at like 5 or 5:30pm, I think, so that's not terribly late. Add to that all the decorations and general festive feel, and I just wouldn't want to miss it during that time of year.

2. The rides at Epcot are, for the most part, gentle and interesting. Perfect for curious little kids. The Seas with Nemo is a huge aquarium, there are dolphins, etc. Tons to see, plus Turtle Talk with Crush is there, and that's extremely cute. Spaceship Earth is great because (a) you're going in the big golf ball, (b) it's a cool ride, and (c) you get to make your own little video at the end. Living with the Land is a cool little boat ride with lots to look at and learn about, Journey into Imagination with Figment is fun for young kids and has an interactive area after the ride. The Gran Fiesta boat ride inside the pyramid in the Mexico pavilion is neat (just being inside that pyramid is neat).

I wouldn't skip it. And one other bit of advice. If your son loves Star Wars, try to hang in there at Hollywood Studios for the Star Wars fireworks. They're amazing.

 

[Angel Ariel]

However, with very small children on a short vacation which park would be the most likely to be skipped due to time restrictions? Which 3 parks would most young children favor?

It really varies depending on the kids' interests. My nephews were 6 and 3 and loved Epcot. Honestly, I really don't think this is a "most"kids feel this way or that. As a teacher, I tend to find that kids are really good at finding the fun in things whenever they can. Most *parents* may feel that way about 1 park or another...that's not the same thing though

 

[Keyser]

Piling on as well - I would say go to Epcot. It will depend on your kids' interests (and honestly I am discounting the 1 year old, since my kids were sometimes just as fascinated with a cardboard box at that age as with any amusement park). But, thinking back to when my kids were smaller, I think my daughter enjoyed Epcot more than any other park. Soarin' was definitely her favorite ride anywhwere. She really liked the Seas pavilion. She was into Lion King at the time, and the stupid Circle of Life movie was a huge deal to her. She actualy didn't like the Imagination ride, but did enjoy the play area afterward (we had trouble getting her out of there). Then, in the countries, she enjoyed making the mask (do they still do that?) and getting the stamps/trinkets. For her, Test Track was the limit of a "scary" ride at the time, and that's about as intense as anything in Epcot gets. She liked watching the Chinese Acrobats, and enjoyed some of the other shows/movies in the World Showcase. We did not go on the Living with the Land, or Spaceship Earth with her at the time, but I think she might have liked them, even at the time. The Mexico ride scared her with the talking idol and the "day of the dead" scene (not sure if that's still there or not?).

The only way you'll know is if you go, and it might turn out you don't like it, but it seems a shame to miss it. Many adults seem to think it's their favorite park, and some things (the restaurants) are more adult-oriented, but there is a lot that kids can enjoy.

 

[hjvigz72]

I'm on the DONT SKIP IT train. Although my kids are much older than yours, EPCOT is typically a 2+ day park for us. It a lot of walking, but there is a LOT to do for the kids there - characters, stories, The Sea... too much to mention.

 

[maltdizzy]

To add to what I said earlier...at this age, with it being the first trip, there are no wrong choices. The kids will find it all new and love it...whether you see one park or all four or hang out at the volcano pool. If you do skip a park (or two!), then they'll have something new to see next time.

 

[Samdari]

Kidcot stations in World Showcase. Wonderful food, and music.

I agree there is wonderful food and music. Which does not entertain young kids.

The kidcot stations seem to, but I always figured if I wanted my kids to be entertained by coloring, I would not spend 10K on a disney vacation.

With a 5 year old, I found Epcot not only OK to skip, but a MUST skip. Honestly, if you are going to try Epcot, I would either spring for the hoppers, or make sure your family is ok with spending a half day at the resort pool. At that age, mine were done with stuff to do in Epcot before World Showcase even opened (of course, TT was closed, but still, they would not have waited in line for that at 5 anyway).