Epcot Day conundrum!

[2vets]

OK, ya'll - I have a conundrum. Reading others' threads, I know I'm not the only one.

We're going to be there for 4 days, Nov 4-8 - most of my trip is with my DS and niece (9, sweet kid, loves Frozen, LOOOVES Villains, fave parks are MK and DHS). DH is joining us for the first night (we'll be at the beach for a few days beforehand). She's an only child, and this whole thing has been really hard on her, poor kid. She's very social and misses her friends, and I really want this trip to be a great one for her. We're all staying on site (CR now, but if the GF walkway opens before our trip, we're switching - walking to MK is the goal). Right now, plans are as follows:

Arrive Wed night - take DH to Homecomin'
Thurs: DH and I go to Epcot; DS and Niece meet us there (they live in Tampa and aren't going to pin down an arrival time yet, but assume they won't arrive for rope drop - otherwise, we'd do DHS this day)
Fri: DHS (where we WILL ARRIVE FOR ROPE DROP - or at least, I will!)
Sat: MK
Sun: MK, depart park at 2:30ish for home/airport, respectively

AK is not on the list and has always been the one park we were willing to forego.

DH would prefer to go to MK on Thursday because he has to leave at 2:30 for the airport, but he's open to anything. From what I've seen here, the switch is recommended - Saturday will be much more crowded, and it is a no-brainer to do MK on Thurs and Epcot on Saturday. Now, I love Epcot. Left to my own devices, I'd swap in a hot second, drink the bevvies, eat myself silly, ride Test Track and Frozen multiple times. We could always do a breakfast to occupy the morning and ride TT and Frozen multiple times (and I'm sure I could sneak in one or two snacks and bevvies). But how in the world do you occupy a whole day at Epcot with a 9-year-old under the current conditions? Any advice for this childless aunt? Thanks for any input and advice.

(edited for clarity)

 

[Wild4Walt]

Childless aunt here too who has a niece around the same age. They are still doing some of the kidcot areas still so one or two of those would take some time and still be fun for a 9 year old. If she's tall enough for Soarin' ( which she probably is if she rides TT ) that's a cool ride too. Also the ride part of Nemo and Friends is fun ( and the fish are cool too if she's into that ) and Journey into Imagination is fun.

Spaceship Earth may be a bit boring for her ( as most of the stuff she really old forms of communication ) but if she likes History she may have an appreciation for it. It's also a longer ride that sucks up some time. Mission Space never did anything for me but she may like that.

Enjoy!

 

[2vets]

Thank you so much! I totally forgot about Imagination. She's definitely tall enough for everything. MK and DHS are easy to approach with her, but this is tough!

We have all been to Disney a kazillion times, and we're looking forward to this trip, but doing Epcot (only) on Saturday this time feels a bit like a waste because we're all such extremely early risers and there's so much more to do at MK. Guess we'll go on all the things we normally skip and try to slow down for once.... And I also hope I can get an ADR for Topolinos breakfast, looks like those are getting snapped up fast!

 

[honeymo78]

You also might want to to do Remy's Hide and Squeak in World Showcase. I think it costs $7ish and she can get a character water bottle once the map is complete (or whenever you want to be done).

 

[2vets]

You also might want to to do Remy's Hide and Squeak in World Showcase. I think it costs $7ish and she can get a character water bottle once the map is complete (or whenever you want to be done).

That is an awesome idea!!!! I forgot about that!!!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

My kids are a bit older, 11 and 13 but back around age 9 they were bored after a half day at Epcot. Now even with them being older, it’s still not a full day park for us. Now I could be there all day but not with my kiddos. It will really depend what they’re into. We loved eating at all the food booths which my girls really enjoyed but they don’t like watching any of the movies in the countries. They like to explore the pavilions and see the architecture and landscape but in small doses. We usually take a break midday too. The shorter park hours may make it hard to justify a break but being there earlier this month, we had to with the heat. You can definitely fill time and hopefully it won’t be so crowded that you can do the rides and attractions they like over again. We rode frozen and test track twice when we were there which is unheard of. Not sure what the park hours will be in November but with world showcase not usually opening until 11, maybe do a later breakfast, head to Epcot and gauge their interest. I’d say you’re a cool aunt to take your niece to WDW. That’s awesome!! Have fun!

 

[Shellyred8]

You could plan to do the pool in the morning of your EP day, since EP doesn't open until 11.

 

[erinch]

Lunch at Coral Reef? Schedule right when it opens so you get by the tank? Then a dessert and kid beverage crawl in F & W? You could also take the skyline if running and stop for a snack and then return.

 

[valkate]

My niece and I did a “candy crawl” in Epcot when she was around that age and bought some type of candy in each country.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

She may enjoy Mitsukoshi in Japan. Lots of fun products in there!

 

[Skywalker3]

We can usually spend a good amount of time in the aquarium ,, just watching fish, sharks, sting rays, etc. I think I saw/read there was a small Dory scavenger hunt in there? I also second the REmy festival scavenger hunt around WS. We do that every time. It can be a lot of walking, and if it's hot, a lot of uncovered walking in the sun. but FUN! Kids do enjoy the shop in Japan, especially DS. We have a similar situation coming up on our Oct trip, we have 2 days in Epcot, on arrival and departure. DS is 13, and all he wants to do now are thrill rides. Epcot lacking on those. We love TT, but he's disappointed you can't design the cars, etc. but at least it goes fast. problem is that's the one ride the lines can get/stay long, and goes down a LOT due to weather. We'll still hope to ride a few times.I am planning on more pool time than usual. ooooh, also do some hidden Mickey hunting in Living with the Land. There are a lot scattered around in there, Made that ride a lot more fun for kids. DH, DD, and I are going to focus on food booths. If only they had the Phnieas/Ferb interactive game...bummer that's not happening now. Have fun. Good luck w the planning. have a great trip!

 

[Princess2R]

OK, ya'll - I have a conundrum. Reading others' threads, I know I'm not the only one.

We're going to be there for 4 days, Nov 4-8 - most of my trip is with my DS and niece (9, sweet kid, loves Frozen, LOOOVES Villains, fave parks are MK and DHS). DH is joining us for the first night (we'll be at the beach for a few days beforehand). She's an only child, and this whole thing has been really hard on her, poor kid. She's very social and misses her friends, and I really want this trip to be a great one for her. We're all staying on site (CR now, but if the GF walkway opens before our trip, we're switching - walking to MK is the goal). Right now, plans are as follows:

Arrive Wed night - take DH to Homecomin'
Thurs: DH and I go to Epcot; DS and Niece meet us there (they live in Tampa and aren't going to pin down an arrival time yet, but assume they won't arrive for rope drop - otherwise, we'd do DHS this day)
Fri: DHS (where we WILL ARRIVE FOR ROPE DROP - or at least, I will!)
Sat: MK
Sun: MK, depart park at 2:30ish for home/airport, respectively

AK is not on the list and has always been the one park we were willing to forego.

DH would prefer to go to MK on Thursday because he has to leave at 2:30 for the airport, but he's open to anything. From what I've seen here, the switch is recommended - Saturday will be much more crowded, and it is a no-brainer to do MK on Thurs and Epcot on Saturday. Now, I love Epcot. Left to my own devices, I'd swap in a hot second, drink the bevvies, eat myself silly, ride Test Track and Frozen multiple times. We could always do a breakfast to occupy the morning and ride TT and Frozen multiple times (and I'm sure I could sneak in one or two snacks and bevvies). But how in the world do you occupy a whole day at Epcot with a 9-year-old under the current conditions? Any advice for this childless aunt? Thanks for any input and advice.

(edited for clarity)

i have a similar short trip around those days!

and AK also got the cut for my trip. I love the park and the atmosphere but between the other parks it just fell last.

Epcot opens late so I think with his flight home at 2:30, it doesnt make much sense to choose Epcot over MK.
Between the walking/waiting, it is easy to occupy a whole day at Epcot!

 

[2vets]

i have a similar short trip around those days!

and AK also got the cut for my trip. I love the park and the atmosphere but between the other parks it just fell last.

Epcot opens late so I think with his flight home at 2:30, it doesnt make much sense to choose Epcot over MK.
Between the walking/waiting, it is easy to occupy a whole day at Epcot!

We really thought about MK, but everyone wanted to do Epcot - even him . His flight's at 6, he just has to leave wherever we are around 2:30. We still have time to change our minds, though! We're now booked to do a VIP tour on Saturday, so we should be able to do anything we want that weekend. Including cry over the cost...

 

[Princess2R]

Lol

We really thought about MK, but everyone wanted to do Epcot - even him . His flight's at 6, he just has to leave wherever we are around 2:30. We still have time to change our minds, though! We're now booked to do a VIP tour on Saturday, so we should be able to do anything we want that weekend. Including cry over the cost...

Lol @ cry over the cost!

The VIP tour sounds so exciting and like something to look forward to!

 

[2vets]

Lol

Lol @ cry over the cost!

The VIP tour sounds so exciting and like something to look forward to!

I’m really excited. Although, OMG. I mean, ridiculous.