1st time to WDW, some ????

[cristen]

I swear, the more I research and the closer I think I am to making decisions, the more confused I get!!!! I will be going in April with my three daughters ages will be 7, 3 & 2. Everyone talks about Epcot being an adult park. What exactly is there to do for kids that small? A lot? I am trying to get a feel for how long we will be everywhere, so that I can make somewhat of a schedule for us to follow. I am so NOT a schedule person, but with the world being so huge and me being used to DL, I am a little scared. So I was thinking I should at least try to know what I am getting myself into! We only have 6 whole days there, and I am already feeling like that is not going to be enough time to do everything I want.

Another question I have is that we are planning on doing the Illuminations cruise. There will be another party of three with us, so all together will be 8. I just saw the video of Breathless. I must say, very small. I was expecting something a lot bigger. But I also read that is only seats 7. So I am quessing that we have rent the pontoons. What are these, is there anywhere I can get pictures of it?

One more, I am so sorry!! Is EE back? I thought I had read that it is back now. And is that one hour before the parks open?

Thank you SO much for all your help. Cristen

 

[litlpixie]

Congratulations, you're going sooner than I. I must wait till August for my return to the World. As far as Epcot goes, We just took our kids, our youngest being 5. She loved the interactive fountain, when the temp. hit 90 that day, also Journey into Imagination(with Figment)Living Seas, The Character Caravan was a big hit with lots of photo ops. Um, Lots of street performace in various places. Norway has a tame ride and a Viking ship play area. Of cours, Spaceship Earth, as imposing as it may look to little ones is a very slow ride(and air-conditioned) although dark at some points in the ride. I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but that's what I have off the top of my head. Have a great trip!!!!

 

[litlpixie]

Oh, yea, EE is back....Praise be!!!!

 

[chell]

One more, I am so sorry!! Is EE back? I thought I had read that it is back now. And is that one hour before the parks open?

Yes it is back and the participating park does open one hour early.

Sorry that I can't help with your other questions.

 

[chell]

Here is the current Extra Magic Hour schedule:

Sunday - Magic Kingdom
Monday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot®
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Disney-MGM Studios

 

[mmausse]

Went to WDW for one month Dec. 2002 - only went on 5 rides. But did all the other "stuff". As for your ??? re: EPCOT :

There's a "new" attraction - a real igloo outside of Innovations. Sponsored by Coke - it's a great place to REALLY cool off and they give you free samples of Coke from around the real world - of course, nothing like Coke we get here in USA but very unique flavors like grapefruit coke. There is actual snow inside the igloo, so if it's a hot day, it's a great place.

Innovations has got some great stuff for kids - there's the interactive movies about gross stuff in our body. For some reason kids and men love this...go figure.

I agree with the Maelstrom in Norway is a fun ride and of course, the 3-D movie is fabulous. Coral Seas is expecially entertaining if you happen to be there when a dive group is in the tanks. As a diver (who'd done this 5 times), we have a LOT of fun in the tank "talking" with little kids on the other side of the glass. It's all about interaction.

Don't worry about the 6 days - you'll have plenty of time. Just make sure you don't overload too much or try and race to get somewhere - it's takes some of the "magic" out of it. And please make sure you were appropriate sunscreen and bug repellant!

You'll have a GREAT Time!

 

[Cinderella822]

Hi Cristen -

We went when my daughter was 5 and she loved Epcot. It is a lot more relaxed than the other parks - especially MK - but there is enough to entertain the little ones. She loved the Living Seas, watching all the fish. Journey Into Imagination was another favorite of hers. She got a little bored during parts of the World Showcase though. I definitely think you should plan to spend at least one day there. Enjoy!

 

[Alice28]

My 5 year old got a kick out of Epcot. He was tall enough to do Test Track (your older child may like this), and both my kids liked the Wonders of Life pavilion (the interactive games and such), Spaceship Earth, the Land Boat ride, we didn't go on it, but I know they would have liked Food Rocks & Journey into Your Imagination. In the World Showcase they LOVED the character interaction- we got about 10 minutes alone with Pooh and Tigger in the back of the UK pavilion, we also saw the Genie in Morocco. Plus there are live shows all the time- music, acrobats- very exciting! My kids loved Illuminations at the end of the day as well.

AS far as EE goes, we did it for MK and MGM and it was totally worth it. We got up early anyway with our kids, and at MK we were able to do Dumbo, the Carousel, Peter Pan, Pooh and It's a Small World by 9:10 AM. It was perfect! Then we were able to knock out Splash, Big Thunder, Pirates & Aladdin's carpets the next hour. The rides that are open at MK during EE are: Space, TTA, Buzz, Astro Orbitor, Alien Encounter, and all of Fantasyland. At MGM we were given FP's for Millionaire while walking in the park, and we then did Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster, & Muppets by 9:00. It was great. We did baby swap with our two year old for the first two rides.

Have fun!

 

[cristen]

Thanks everyone. We are splitting our stay. At first I was going to do half at WL and half at Poly, thinking most of our time will be spent at the MK. (And I couldn't decide.) Now my husband wants to stay at two different sections of the world. So I think we will be staying at the Boardwalk. So we will be down that way, I will plan on really taking our time there. I am really looking forward to it. Now if I can just decided between the WL and the Poly again!! I know, I have it rough.

Cristen