Autism and Epcot

[Rayvn]

I am trying to figure out if Epcot would be a good place to take my 4yo autistic son and my almost 2yo so. Would they have a good time? What can they do at Epcot?

Leslie

 

[krisnme]

In my opinion, Epcot is not the most fun park for 4 and 2 yr olds anyway. There are a lot of rides they are not tall enough for, most of the attractions are over their heads intellectually, and they really don't understand world showcase. If I had a choice at that age I think AK or MK offer a lot more for them. I don't think you would have more autistic issues at Epcot, other than maybe meltdowns from boredom. Take a look online at the attractions and see if any especially appeal to your kids, then maybe do a half day and hop to another park.

 

[SueM in MN]

This thread should help you.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1671441

There may not be a lot for children of those ages at Epcot, even without autism. A lot of the attractions are long and may not be interesting for either child.
What kind of stimulation your child with autism likes or avoids will also have a bearing on whether he would like it.

3 attractions have height requirements, which the 4 yr old might make, but the 2 yr old would not/would probably not:
Mission Space 44 inch. This is a quite turbulent ride, whether you do the green (more tame side) or the orange (more wild side). It simulates a rocket trip to Mars and includes loud noises, some lights flashing, alarm noises, as well as a lot of motion.
Test Track 40 inch. This is not that rough, but includes ‘tests’ of driving over rough block roads, swerving, sudden braking and then it looks like you will crash into a wall (just after avoiding a collision with a truck). That is followed by a high speed trip around an outdoor track.
Soarin’ 40 inch. This is a simulated ride on a hang glider, so you are high up in the air, with legs dangling. The last scene includes fireworks.

Spaceship Earth is a fairly dark ride. It doesn’t have any loud noises or fast motions, but is quite long - without looking it up, my guess is about 20 minutes. (once you are on, you can’t leave until it is over)

Ellen’s Energy Adventure includes some dark area, some loud noises and dinosaurs in a natural looking environment. The attraction is very long - the whole thing is about 45 minutes with no way to leave until the ride part is over.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends - depending on how your kids like fish, this may be a good spot to spend a lot of time and may be the only place you visit. There are 3 parts to it:
Finding Nemo ride - this is a slow ride through a dim environment with appearances by Nemo and his friends. There is one point where you will see sharks, but other than that, it is very ‘tame’ and a nice ride.

Turtle Talk with Crush - many kids with autism have liked this. Crush is the Sea Turtle in the Nemo movie. He appears on a huge screen themed as a window into the sea. Kids can sit on the carpet in front of the theater and Crush will call on kids who raise their hands if they want to ask him a question. It is cute and sweet and even the little kids seem to enjoy it.

Aquarium - you can walk around and see fish swimming in a large aquarium viewing area. There are also other things to see, like a Manatee viewing tank and small tanks where you can see smaller sea animals like seahorses and sea urchins.

The Land includes Soarin’ as well as 2 other attractions:
Living with the Land - this is a slow boat ride where they talk about farming and how food is raised. Part is a dark ride thru some environments like the rain forest (be aware of simulated rain, some giant bugs and other crawly creatures) and a plains (with lightning and thunder). The last part of the attractions is a trip thru greenhouses (it will be very bright in there), which includes a ride by some fish tanks and some alligators (or maybe their are crocodiles). Just guessing that it is about 15 minute ride.

The Circle of Life - this is a movie featuring a few scenes with Lion King characters. It may be too long and ‘talky’ for your kids. Not scary, but does include one load roar by Simba that can startle people.

Journey Into Imagination with Figment - this is a slow moving ride about imagination. It includes some dark points, a skunk smell released, a horn from a train and then train sound passing you in the dark and a loud noise and a puff of air just before the finale.

The current 3D movie is Captain EO, which is loud, pretty dark and has some scary looking aliens. you can get splashed at one point when an alien sneezes on you. The floor kind of vibrates with the music.

FUTURE WORLD also has 2 interactive areas called Innoventions East and West. These are quite noisy and probably have little for children the ages of yours.

World Showcase includes a few attractions, but is mostly walking around and looking at the different countries. Attractions include:
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the 3 Caballeros in Mexico - this is a slow boat ride thru mostly dim scenes . Nothing scary except be aware that the last scene includes simulated fireworks.

Maelstrom in Norway - this is a mostly slow boat ride in a dim environment. It includes some trolls who tell you to go away and then send you backwards over the falls. You may get splashed as you get to the bottom of the falls.

Reflections of China in China is a movie that takes place on screens all around you. There are no loud noises, although the volume in general is high. you can easily leave if you need to during the movie. This is a standing movie, but strollers are allowed.

The American Adventure in America includes movies and audioanimatronic (human looking robot) scenes. There are 2 points with simulated fireworks - one toward the middle and one at the end). This is a long show - almost 30 minutes, but you can exit before it is over.

Impressions de France in France is a movie that is about 12 minutes long. You can leave early if you want to. There are no special things I can think of that you need to be aware of.

O Canada in Canada has a similar set up to China and you can leave early if you want.

Epcot has a station called KIDCOT Stations in each World Showcase country where kids can do an interactive project with the CM at the stop. The projects involve coloring.

 

[bookwormde]

The Seas is great with the aquariums, since most of our kids have a strong affinity to animals. Crush is a must if you children have seen Finding Meno

There are a few kenetic toy areas in Inovations, although other items in there are socially based so may not focus interest.

bookwormde

 

[DZNEE4US]

I have a son with Autism. He is now 4 and we go to WDW about once a year. He absolutely loves the Seas with Nemo. He could watch the fish, sharks and manatees in the aquariums all day if we would let him.
I also have 2 other kids, and our touring approach is to do everything we can as a family. I can't say that anything that we have done at Epcot has bothered him.
I know not to put him on Mission Space or Soarin'- but my other 2 wouldn't want to do those rides either. So we have yet to try those "big" rides.
He used to really have a strong reaction to the 3D movies, (to the point that we had to get up and leave Philharmagic)but when we went in October- that all changed when he saw Muppetvision. He then was good for Philharmagic and enjoyed it.
So you've really got to see what works for him, and sometimes keep trying.
If you have the time to tour Epcot, I don't think I'd just skip it.

 

[amymugica]

My DD (age 6) has autism and loves EPCOT. We take an annual trip to WDW and she really enjoys EPCOT. Nemo and the aquarium are fun, but she also loves Living with the Land (Boat ride)and Soarin' (you need to know your child for this ride since it gives the feeling of flying, but my DD loves it since you're really strapped in and we make sure she's between 2 adults to help her feel safer).

Also, she LOVES Test Track and Spaceship Earth. The World Showcase can be a bit boring for the kids, but we check the schedules for the Chinese acrobat show and other shows in the countries, which my kids always enjoy.

Finally, you can find the Duffy Bear activites for the kids in every country.

 

[MaggieMollyMom]

Our almost 4 yr old DD with autism always has a great time at Epcot. In fact, I don't recall any meltdowns there at all. She loves listening to the music (esp in Japan (drummers)) and the "clown", as she called him, in Italy. I think the crowds seem more manageable there because of how open it is (at least I think it is!). She also LOVES DHS because of disney jr show! "mama, i wish about disney jr" she says this all the time! so cute!
And the Turtle talk show is amazing....she was so fascinated!

Have a great time!