DHS vs. Epcot - AM

[DisneyMom2000000]

Traveling with a toddler. Which would you do at rope drop -- DHS or Epcot? I am planning to split the day between the two, with a nap in between. So we will do one park from 9-1 and another from 4-as long as the toddler can handle it.

Was originally thinking DHS but seems to be under construction and not sure how much a toddler will want to do.

Do toddlers like Toy Story Mania or is the spinning too much?

 

[kboo]

Where are you staying and what would you be wanting to with the toddler at Epcot and HS? I feel like Epcot generally has more toddler-friendly stuff to do that also doesn't require you to wait in line or have FP+, and we skipped DHS on many of our earlier trips. Getting to DHS by bus with a toddler and stroller at rope drop can be tough, that said, since World Showcase doesn't even open until 11, going in the AM might be tough.

TSMM spinning isn't too much. Our 4.5 year old loved it and DH wore our 4 month old in the baby carrier, which was the only way I beat his score.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

Stay at

Where are you staying and what would you be wanting to with the toddler at Epcot and HS? I feel like Epcot generally has more toddler-friendly stuff to do that also doesn't require you to wait in line or have FP+, and we skipped DHS on many of our earlier trips. Getting to DHS by bus with a toddler and stroller at rope drop can be tough, that said, since World Showcase doesn't even open until 11, going in the AM might be tough.

TSMM spinning isn't too much. Our 4.5 year old loved it and DH wore our 4 month old in the baby carrier, which was the only way I beat his score.

Staying at Art of Animation. I know at EPCOT we will do all the nemo/aquarium stuff. Plus some character meet and greets.

We won't be going anywhere by bus with the double stroller.. we'll drive our car to all the parks!

 

[kboo]

If you're planning to mostly do stuff in Future World and don't mind missing WS, then I'd go with Epcot at rope drop. I'm not a huge fan of DHS with the toddlers because there just isn't as much for them to do and what there is, is really spread out.

 

[Tara1988]

I would do epcot first because my son loved fantasmic more than any other night time experience when he was two.

 

[AshleeH]

I would do DHS first because it's more Toddler friendly and doesn't handle crowds as well - especially now that portions are closed. Then finish out with Epcot and enjoy World Showcase being open. You can get a passport and stop in each country for a stamp.

 

[jacknsally19]

Personally, I would skip DHS with a toddler right now. I mean I think the only thing that is truly toddler friendly at DHS right now is the Disney Jr show and the Frozen show. I guess if those are really important to you - I would suggest the evening at DHS. My DD thinks the toy store ride is OK - but she doesn't really like 3D. She is 4 and we have gone on that ride many times since she was one. Its not one she EVER asks to go on. When you say toddler - I'm not sure what age you are referring to but I can't imagine a 2 year old being too impressed with it. The only thing she really likes at DHS is Fantasmic but I think some kids might find that scary. Personally, I think the fireworks at HS are awesome but I'm not sure if they are still going on.

My daughter has always seemed to love Epcot. She can ride that Figment ride over and over again. I think go to Epcot in the morning and if you feel like you are enjoying it come back in the evening. Plus the food is way, way better at Epcot so I would totally do dinner there over DHS.

 

[hallen4]

I would say start the morning out in DHS, ride TSMM (my DD2 loved it even if she didn't completely understand how to play), see the Frozen show and the Disney Jr show, and then bounce over to Epcot. Epcot's rides (the ones suited for toddlers height-wise) don't get much if any waits really so it isn't a big deal to push off Epcot til lunchtime and later. And I found the best thing ever was when my kids napped in the stroller and I walked around World Showcase browsing all the shops without worrying that the kids were bored.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

I would say start the morning out in DHS, ride TSMM (my DD2 loved it even if she didn't completely understand how to play), see the Frozen show and the Disney Jr show, and then bounce over to Epcot. Epcot's rides (the ones suited for toddlers height-wise) don't get much if any waits really so it isn't a big deal to push off Epcot til lunchtime and later. And I found the best thing ever was when my kids napped in the stroller and I walked around World Showcase browsing all the shops without worrying that the kids were bored.

That's what I'm kind of thinking.
What about the Little Mermaid at DHS? Beauty and the Beast Live? How are those?

We have FP+ for Toy Story Mania and Frozen show. Should we do Disney Jr. FP or Mermaid?

 

[kboo]

That's what I'm kind of thinking.
What about the Little Mermaid at DHS? Beauty and the Beast Live? How are those?

We have FP+ for Toy Story Mania and Frozen show. Should we do Disney Jr. FP or Mermaid?

We took DD to the Little Mermaid show when she was 3. Ursula terrified her - she sat on my lap and faced into my chest until it was over.

As for toddlers being "bored" at WS - I think a lot depends on what you find interesting there. When DD was 2 - 3, she just enjoyed the boat rides across the lagoon, the Donald ride in Mexico and walking around the pavilions. The miniature train in Germany had us stopped for over half an hour. I don't remember when you are going, but during the flower and garden show there are two kids play areas and the topiaries are so cool. And the shows at the various countries are all very interesting. You see it in a different way with a toddler. Now that ODD is 4.5, she loves the WS because she loves to learn about the countries. Just recently she wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and when I said we could, she asked if I meant the "Disney Eiffel Tower" or the "real one" - she now wants to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. So ... I think a lot depends on what you expose them to, and how you do it.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

We took DD to the Little Mermaid show when she was 3. Ursula terrified her - she sat on my lap and faced into my chest until it was over.

As for toddlers being "bored" at WS - I think a lot depends on what you find interesting there. When DD was 2 - 3, she just enjoyed the boat rides across the lagoon, the Donald ride in Mexico and walking around the pavilions. The miniature train in Germany had us stopped for over half an hour. I don't remember when you are going, but during the flower and garden show there are two kids play areas and the topiaries are so cool. And the shows at the various countries are all very interesting. You see it in a different way with a toddler. Now that ODD is 4.5, she loves the WS because she loves to learn about the countries. Just recently she wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and when I said we could, she asked if I meant the "Disney Eiffel Tower" or the "real one" - she now wants to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. So ... I think a lot depends on what you expose them to, and how you do it.

Well I just need to figure out a way to fit everything in! Haha!!

 

[Thing 1]

For a toddler, Disney Jr. Our boys loved it as preschoolers. The Little Mermaid show can be scary! I tend to like Epcot more at might than HS, BUT Fantasmic is my favorite night time activity anywhere, so I would start Epcot and end HS so you can see that. It can be a bit scary but most kids seem to be ok. Sitting a bit back can make it less scary. I tend to think there will be more at Epcot than HS for your little one. My boys enjoyed Space Ship Earth, Living with the Land, The Ellen Energy Ride, Figment, and everything in the living sea area as preschoolers. They really enjoyed WS too. The performers in the street amazed them and they both liked the ride in Mexico.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

For a toddler, Disney Jr. Our boys loved it as preschoolers. The Little Mermaid show can be scary! I tend to like Epcot more at might than HS, BUT Fantasmic is my favorite night time activity anywhere, so I would start Epcot and end HS so you can see that. It can be a bit scary but most kids seem to be ok. Sitting a bit back can make it less scary. I tend to think there will be more at Epcot than HS for your little one. My boys enjoyed Space Ship Earth, Living with the Land, The Ellen Energy Ride, Figment, and everything in the living sea area as preschoolers. They really enjoyed WS too. The performers in the street amazed them and they both liked the ride in Mexico.

Thank you! Looks like I need to dedicate more time to Epcot!!

 

[hallen4]

That's what I'm kind of thinking.
What about the Little Mermaid at DHS? Beauty and the Beast Live? How are those?

We have FP+ for Toy Story Mania and Frozen show. Should we do Disney Jr. FP or Mermaid?

Little Mermaid was fine for my kids, but we didn't sit super close either. My kids don't generally scare too easy so I don't think Ursula would have been too bad. We didn't have an opportunity to go to Beauty and the Beast unfortunately.