Epcot and Kids

[Yardbird]

Hi everyone! DH and I will be taking my 5 year old grandson to Disney for a week in June. We'll be staying at the POFQ, and I would really love to visit Epcot, I haven't been for about twenty years. Is there anything at Epcot that my a 5 year old would enjoy?

Thanks!

 

[wannabee princess]

The World Showcase area has a great way to get kids involved. You can get them a passport at any of the countries main store and there are stickers to go with it. As you go from country to country the CMs at the Kidcot stations will sign (in their language).

If you don't want to buy the passport, the kids have the chance to get a "mask" on a stick to decorate for free. The various countries have these in the store, with things to decorate/personalize the mask. Then, as you proceed through the countries, each one gives you a little cardboard symbol to represent their country, and attaches it to your mask.

If your grandchild likes animals, the Coral Reef restaurant is fun to eat at. You might want to do lunch there, because it is pricey. You can enjoy watching the fish and divers as you eat.

Your grandchild might enjoy going into Ice Station Cool and trying the various beverages - free.

The boat ride in Mexico is calm - kind of like It's a Small World only done to highlight Mexican life.

In Norway there is a a boat to play on. It is at the entrance to the country as you come from Mexico.

The various performers may be interesting to him. My ds's really like the Chinese tumblers, the French acrobat/magician, the bands in Great Britain and Canada.

Various characters are available - for example - in Morocco you may see Aladdin and Jasmine, in France Beauty and the Beast and Clopin. There is a character caravan at different times at the entrance to WS.

These are just a few my boys have liked.

 

[bairdbeth]

Make sure he makes a mask in the World Showcase. He can start in any country. They will give him a blank mask and he can decorate it. At each country visit the kidcot station and they will add a piece to his mask and stamp it with the country's stamp. My DD also loved "the Figment ride", Universe of Energy, the Living Seas,the Land and test track. You might want to get a PS for the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill. It is great!

 

[Planogirl]

Our son absolutely adored Spaceship Earth (the big silver ball he called it) at that age and wanted to ride it over and over again. He liked it almost as well as the Epcot monorail.

The Garden Grill has a good character meal and is next to a handy food court in the Land pavilion. (Great cookies!) Our son was also fascinated with the interior of the Mexican pavilion and the mini train display in Germany.

I think that the rest has been mentioned. Have fun! That's a great age to travel with IMO.

 

[Yardbird]

Thank you for your prompt responses, and great information! I am now excited about taking my grandson to Epcot! I think all things mentioned are things that he would enjoy. The passport and mask are a great way to get kids involved, as well as a reason to want to continue in a place a little less exciting than the MK!

 

[mommystieg]

I also read about this:

GOOFY'S EPCOT GUIDE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Beginning March 7th, kids visiting Epcot will be able to enjoy a new "scavenger hunt" called Goofy's Epcot Guide. Each day, approximately 3,500 guides will be available at the Main Entrance, International Gateway, Guest Relations, Tip Board and Kidcot locations. Once you have completed the hunt, you can redeem the guide at designated locations for a special prize -- an 8 x 11" character poster (one per guest/guide). Complete instructions and information are included in Goofy's Epcot Guide booklet.

My kids both love Epcot and we are looking forward to trying this on our next visit.

 

[myboysmom]

My 5 year old had a great time in the Mission Space post ride area. Just go through the gift shop. Inside is a ton of neat space related things. We sent video emails to family, played a game where we were astronauts (we teamed up together) and worked with other astronauts and mission control to repair our ship and win a race against another team. Played other video type games. He didn't mind waiting for his big brother to get off Mission Space (6 times!).

We also discovered some fun things to do in the pavillion right next door (I don't remember what it is called). We walked right on BodyWars there and watched a movie on health (he really liked).

Being of Norweign heritage we all enjoyed the Viking Ship ride and that area in general. The double decker bus filled with characters was also a hit.

We all enjoyed illuminations as well.

 

[wannabee princess]

Originally posted by mommystieg
I also read about this:

GOOFY'S EPCOT GUIDE
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Beginning March 7th, kids visiting Epcot will be able to enjoy a new "scavenger hunt" called Goofy's Epcot Guide. Each day, approximately 3,500 guides will be available at the Main Entrance, International Gateway, Guest Relations, Tip Board and Kidcot locations. Once you have completed the hunt, you can redeem the guide at designated locations for a special prize -- an 8 x 11" character poster (one per guest/guide). Complete instructions and information are included in Goofy's Epcot Guide booklet.

Has anyone done this yet? Sounds just perfect for my Goofy-loving ds! Do you have to request the guide or do they hand them out to the first 3,500 kids?

 

[WDWLinda]

Don't forget to bring a change of clothes for him...there are some fountains to play in (one by the walkway heading to Test Track and I don't know if there are any more) so he might get wet.

Lots of kids seem to have a ball there.

Also, at night there are some lights embedded in the walkways (fiber optics I guess) that swirl around that he might like...they're in front of one of the pavillions on your right in Future World as you walk in (sorry, forgot the name).

Have a great time!

~Linda