Epcot 2nd Day or DHS with toddler?

[orangecuse]

Okay I have been reading tons and tons of posts on the merits of each park. It sounds like a lot of people found their young child really liked Epcot. Right now we were planning to do Epcot 9-11:30, lunch at GG, and then break at Dolphin 1-3ish. Return to Epcot 3ish to 4:30 and then walk to Yachtsman for dinner.

Our DHS day is arrival day and we plan to spend about 4 hours there. The thing is- all we can do is 3 shows* and 1 ride (alien- I think if I understand correctly TSMM requires 3D glasses which my 20 month old will NOT tolerate haha).
*3 shows he would like and we can get done in the hours we have there

Should we switch course and do half of Epcot on arrival day and half on our planned Epcot day to soak it in more? Will a 20 month old like it you think? Would we regret skipping DHS?

 

[unrequited23]

I can see merits to each park when it comes to a 20 month old. It sort of depends on your child. In DHS it would be a lot of shows, characters and possibly the dance party. There are cool things to look at, but not a lot of open, uncrowded areas to walk around at toddler pace. The 3D glasses aren't mandatory on TSMM. The bright colors, spinning and blurry pictures would probably amuse a younger child. (If the adults would prefer TSMM to A2S.)

At Epcot, there are a few play areas (at the exit of mission space, the exit of the seas pavilion), plus some tucked away spots in the world showcase (the hedge maze in the UK) along with more rides for the shorter crowd. The aquarium in The Seas pavilion was interesting and not very crowded when we were there. To me, Epcot feels more spread out than DHS and there would have been more places that I would have felt comfortable letting a little one walk.

If your kid is the type that needs to be on his own and walking, especially after the travel of arrival day, I would lean toward Epcot. But honestly, at 20 months either park will be new and exciting.

 

[ForMyBoys]

My ds was really into Disney Junior at that age so DHS was a must. You might also be able to do the muppet and pixar movies.

My oldest also would not wear 3d glasses when younger but they never made him and he still enjoyed the rides.

 

[rongarbutt]

In my experience with a 1 year old, there is enough entertainment in either park for 6 hours or so. HS is more entertainment and less rides. It has character spots with Mickey & Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Dis Jr, Olaf, Woody, Jessie, Buzz...we hit them all. Little Mermaid is a cool show. Dis Jr Dance party was ok, we aren't into all of that yet. Army men drum corps in Toy Story Land are a good sideshow. Muppet show and Beauty & The Beast. I think its worth the half day.

 

[chainkid]

Our 20 month old grandson didn't care which park he was in as long as he could hug characters. He was not a big ride fan so we more or less hung out with us and found joy in little things we often overlook. I would not stress about things at this age. Go and enjoy the ambience of the parks at a slow pace and you will be surprised how much fun you can have literally doing nothing .

 

[sponica]

My 20 month old hated every ride except Frozen Ever After and Living Seas with Nemo in Epcot.

But my 20 month old is not everyone's 20 month old. We only did a half day in DHS, hitting up Muppets, LaunchBay, Star Tours, 50s Prime Time for Lunch and RNR. We had a non rider with us so we could go on the rides with a height restriction. If Toy Story Land had been open, we may have approached things differently. Honestly this trip she was young enough to not care as long as she was in her stroller or eating....