Could Epcot be skipped?

[HeatherinVT]

Could Epcot be skipped with a daughter almost 3?

Would we really miss out on alot if we only did MK twice, AK, MGM, SeaWorld
I have never been to Epcot so i dont knwo what im missing adn DH has never been to mouseworld at all so ......
Could we skip it?

We were planning on Epcot our arrival day but im thinking having to be up at 3:30am to catch our 6:15am flight it might make for a long day if we try to enjoy and maybe overload our DD?

If we could check in as soon as we arrive to POP (plane arrives 10:45) for a nap then i would DEFINATLEY go to Epcot but if we cant get a nap i was thinking Chef Mickeys or DTD and then go to bed early for our big day at MK

Anyone not visited Epcot but is regretting it now (i would really like to go on Soarin and have DD see Turtle Talk but other then that i have no idea what to expect) We are gtting non hopping passes to save 50.00 so its not an option for a different night.

thanks for your input

 

[Skylarr29]

We go to epcot eveverytime but only really to eat lol. we dont really see that much. We have never done soarin yet and I heard it is a must but your dd might not be tall enough anyways. I say nothing missed if you dont have time and you are right about not wanting to tire out dd. Others will probably disagree and say there is sooooo much to do but I dont think so. We dont drink our way around the world or anything like that. We think its boring. Flame suit on!!! LOL

 

[Ishy]

Could Epcot be skipped with a daughter almost 3?

Would we really miss out on alot if we only did MK twice, AK, MGM, SeaWorld
I have never been to Epcot so i dont knwo what im missing adn DH has never been to mouseworld at all so ......
Could we skip it?

We were planning on Epcot our arrival day but im thinking having to be up at 3:30am to catch our 6:15am flight it might make for a long day if we try to enjoy and maybe overload our DD?

If we could check in as soon as we arrive to POP (plane arrives 10:45) for a nap then i would DEFINATLEY go to Epcot but if we cant get a nap i was thinking Chef Mickeys or DTD and then go to bed early for our big day at MK

Anyone not visited Epcot but is regretting it now (i would really like to go on Soarin and have DD see Turtle Talk but other then that i have no idea what to expect) We are gtting non hopping passes to save 50.00 so its not an option for a different night.

thanks for your input

3 is young for Epcot - although in my humble opinion, when you finally get around to Epcot you will wish you had gone sooner I think you need two days for Epcot when you first go. If you were getting hoppers and If you hade the stamina to run over after MK, I would suggest you walk around world showcase. There are plenty of science based rides safe enough for your daughter, but she will either be freaked out or bored out of her mind in Epcot proper, but world showcase is a fun stroll and there is always something being performed.

Dont regret anything. Where ever you go, you will have a GREAT time.

 

[RyMickey]

You're probably going to have a lot of people tell you to go to Epcot, but I think you could probably skip it with a 3-year old. Honestly, there's not a whole lot visually stimulating for her there.

That being said, I'm sure she'd enjoy Turtle Talk (although, like you said, you're going to Sea World so there's your "aquarium" visit there) and Journey Into Your Imagination, but that would probably be it attraction-wise.

I wouldn't "waste" a day on your ticket. However, if you have enough days on your tickets to go to a park on your arrival day, you could do what you said and arrive at the hotel and take a nap and then go to Epcot.

Your other option is that if your tickets have park-hopping privileges, you could go to Epcot early one day and ride Soarin', Journey, and see Turtle Talk, and then go to AK afterwards. If you can do this on a day that AK is open late with the Extra Magic Hours, this would work out fine and would give you the opportunity to see what you wanted to at Epcot and still be able to see a lot at AK.

I'm sure many will disagree with me on this, but two days at MK, and one each at MGM, AK, and Sea World sound fine to me with a 3-year old.

 

[crisi]

Of course Epcot can be skipped.

We skip MGM ourselves (this year we won't - kids are old enough) and a lot of people skip AK.

However, Epcot is our favorite park - and my kids really did enjoy it even at 3. Upgrade your tickets to hoppers, put your daughter in a stroller, and spend a few afternoons there. Although she'll have to get out of the stroller for attractions and other stuff, a lot of Epcot (particularly in the World Showcase) can be enjoyed while pushing a stroller.

 

[Leota]

Our family loves Epcot & wouldn't miss it for the world. It's been tied for my son's favorite Park since he was 4. I think there are things there that your daughter would enjoy, but if the only time you can do it is by pushing her to exhaustion, then, no. She's only 2, she'll enjoy whatever you enjoy & won't miss anything. Plenty of time to see it on another trip. I think Mom & Dad might be missing somehting they'd really enjoy - but that's purely a personal choice. I'd skip Sea World before I skipped Epcot.

 

[Kitty-chan]

I'd skip SeaWorld before I'd skip EPCOT, for sure! Turtle Talk is great, and I'd think a 3-year-old would love Figment and the whole Imagination Center. Lots of hands-on stuff. (Figment might be briefly scary because there's a dark moment, but it's really really fun for little kids and usually has no line.

EPCOT is also a good place for character meals and generally meeting characters because it's not as mobbed with autograph hounds as the other parks.

If Soarin' is the same as at DCA, it's no great shakes.

The World Showcase has these kids' stations where they do art projects, fun for the little ones.

EPCOT can be a good break from the intensity of the other parks. It's slower paced, more hands-on, fewer lines most days. I used to be an EPCOT-hater but after a few visits with my DS8 (starting when he was 5) I've turned into a fan.

 

[Zandy595]

We took DS when he was almost 3 and found out we shouldn't have wasted our time. We haven't been there since 1998 so I don't know if they've added anything new for little kids since then. DS is almost 10 now and we plan to go to EPCOT this October. I'm sure he'll enjoy it much more this time

 

[twinklebug]

First off, let me say Epcot is one of my 2 favorite parks, however, Epcot appeals to the intellect more than the senses. I doubt a 3 yo would look back at a visit to epcot and recall much more than trying to catch the water spray in the jumping fountians outside Journey into imagination or the big snake that scared them in Honey I shrunk the Audience. They're just not into the countries, fast cars or hands on electronics.

IMHO, spending the extra day with Mickey is a wonderful way of showing her you care about her vacation experience instead of the parents who tote a bored & tired tot to everything they want to see. In time she'll want to visit Epcot, just not now. You sound like a great mom

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would skip it with a child that age. But, if you have a park hopper ticket, I would highly recommend a stroll through the World Showcase, even if you don't have the time to explore the exhibits. It is one of the most beautiful places of all Disney properties.

 

[leighmidd]

While it pains me to say this, I do feel that Epcot could be skipped with a 3 year old. Epcot is absolutely my favorite park (or is it MK, maybe AK??) and I wouldn't miss it for the world, but I am 23 and I love the slower pace, the atmosphere and the all around good feeling I get from being at Epcot. I've seen children there in the 3-4 range and while seeming to have a wonderful time (how can you not at DW) they don't seem to be enjoying it as much as the MK or AK, I personally feel you could skip MGM with a child this age as well but that's just MY opinion. MGM will be visually stimulating but (besides Playhouse Disney) their isn't much there for a baby that age...she will have a wonderful time no matter where she is because she is with parents that obviously care more about her good time than their own. Enjoy your trip and have a magical vacation!

 

[Mr. Bildo]

One thing I would add about Epcot and younger children...

When we went in July, 2001 my two youngest were 2 & 3. The crowds in AK, MGK, and MGM were huge and the heat (for us northerners) was intense.

Epcot ended up being our (parents & kids) favorite park because it has a lot of places with AC when you're waiting in line. I think Epcot is a great park to do in the peak (crowd & heat) hours.

Of course, you're going in October so heat isn't as much as an issue, but I wanted to add in the AC factor about Epcot.

--Mr. Bildo

 

[lajones81]

Of course you could skip it, but it wouldn't work in our family - we love it!

 

[HeatherinVT]

Thank you so much for all the opinions, I know DH and i would love the park but i am gearing this trip for my DD and our first real family trip other then the ocean and i dont want to start off on a bad note.

THANKS SO MUCH IT WAS VERY HELPFUL......

Ps cant skip Seaworld my DD LOVES WHALES AND DOLPHINS (me too im afraid i will cry when i see the dolphins i love them so much!!!)

 

[undertheseas]

I love Epcot but I think that she's probably too young. My DS was almost 4 and with the heat he ended up sleeping through most of the World Showcase. Now my DD who was 6 loved it, she liked saying hello in the different languages and that stuff but I think 2+ is too young. That just means another trip in a couple of years, right?

 

[cheerdancer11]

she probably is too young to appreciate epcot and i think it could easily be skipped. for 2 or 3 rides it isn't worth the $50, if you get a hopper you could go for a little while other wise skip it.

 

[jenrose66]

I really love Epcot. It's my favorite park. There are a lot of relaxing things to do with your 3 year old daughter. You could ride spaceship earth...Plus the world showcase is so beautiful. If you were going to DTD anyway, you should go to Epcot to at least walk the countries and catch dinner and shop there.

 

[novastar]

I don't know if I would skip all of epcot. With a young child I would consider skipping the world showcase, they won't remember anything except the walking.

Have you considered a half day?

 

[kikipug]

I'd skip SeaWorld before I'd skip EPCOT, for sure!

I totally disagree... don't get me wrong, I love EPCOT; however, for a 3 year old, Sea World will be much more interesting and memorable.

If you have hoppers, I agree with the 'spend some time there with her in the stroller'... but SW is wonderful for kids of all ages!!!

 

[Ryu]

When I was younger I didn't care much for it, mainly because there aren't many rides. But I love it now, it's my favorite park. It's got a lot of shops and restaraunts wich most likely wouldn't be too exiting for a little girl, but I'm a guy so what do I know? I love the Japan pavilion, I'm a Japan fan (avatar ) I think it's worth at least one day.