Epcot evening with two 8 year olds... (EMH)

[maryj11]

I’ve taken my kids throughout the years to WDW and from ages 4 1/2 to 17 1/2 EPCOT has been their least favorite park so I wouldn’t really stress about this park with 8 year olds. The kids aren’t interested in world showcase some of rides they enjoy but for most part would pass. When I took my DD at 13 we went to the Japan pavilion where she enjoyed participating in the pick a pearl ceremony and she liked the interesting snacks in the store. Otherwise the kids weren’t keen on the countries which are mostly shops and movies.

Most of the dining options in World Showcase are rather expensive. My husband and I enjoyed Morocco but it wasn’t inexpensive. The little show was cute with the belly dancers. Via Napoli is enjoyed by many but to me it’s loud and cafeteria-like where they get you in and out quickly and Im sorry the pizza is sub par unless you don’t live in a good pizza town. Biergarten was fun but food may not interest everyone and again is not inexpensive. Show is cute and your daughters may enjoy that.

My kids liked the boat ride in Mexico. Won’t ride FEA. But like Soarin, Test Track and Spaceship Earth.

I agree with others that WS basically interests adults more than kids. And before people start disagreeing all kids aren’t the same but on average most would rather be back at the pool then window shopping in WS.

Also, there are hoards of people exiting after Illuminations. I think it will get worse since Illuminations is soon ending and a new evening show is in the works. We don’t stay at a Disney hotel so we shoot out over the bridge to the Boardwalk and take an Uber from the Boardwalk hotel to WBC. I guess if you’re over near America you’d be one of last out of park but don’t know how much that would help with crowds.

What is it with that Japan shop lol. My girl is more interested in it than any thing at WS. She loves looking through all the different candies. So I guess that is it.

 

[Farro]

I never take EMH into account. I know some folks avoid them, but they really do nto matter to me. Now Epcot after dark? hat is a different story. I love that park at night, as does my DGD. If you have never been in the evening, even if you did nto go on a single attraction, it is worth the effort.

You are so right.

I posted this link in another thread, but @princesspaigey - watch this and see how amazing Epcot is at night - two parts. This was during an EMH!

Ugh, sound doesn't play when you watch video straight from my post. You can start the video and click the title - Relaxing Night Stroll.... - and it will take you to youtube where you can get the sound.

 

[maryj11]

Thank you everyone for all the great information and feed back!

I think we will plan to return to the resort a little earlier, and return a little earlier. We're thinking about having dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco and possibly try to catch a few of the characters around the WS.

We've never seen Illuminations (obviously lol), so definitely going to find a great spot to see if before it's gone!

After Illuminations, is there a swarm of people heading to the park exit? Is there anywhere we can go to wait out the crowds?

Thanks again!

Yes there is a swam of people leaving after Illuminations. I avoid leaving at that time. Since it is EMH you wouldn't have to leave right then. When they don't have EMH we head out right before Illuminations is over to beat the crowds.

 

[princesspaigey]

Oh! I actually don't want to leave after Illuminations, we want to stay for EMH. I suppose we can just enter a store to wait out crowds leaving? Or do people (even non EMH guest) hang out in WS after Illuminations?

 

[princesspaigey]

Yes there is a swam of people leaving after Illuminations. I avoid leaving at that time. Since it is EMH you wouldn't have to leave right then. When they don't have EMH we head out right before Illuminations is over to beat the crowds.

Saw your post after I posted, thanks!

 

[maryj11]

Oh! I actually don't want to leave after Illuminations, we want to stay for EMH. I suppose we can just enter a store to wait out crowds leaving? Or do people (even non EMH guest) hang out in WS after Illuminations?

We usually just walk with the crowd to Future World, once we get to the building we are going to were fine. I do remember leaving on a none EMH night and it was just us in a crowd of people walking to the exit holding hands so we wouldn't get separated. Then waiting forever to get on a bus that was jammed packed.

 

[princesspaigey]

You are so right.

I posted this link in another thread, but @princesspaigey - watch this and see how amazing Epcot is at night - two parts. This was during an EMH!

Ugh, sound doesn't play when you watch video straight from my post. You can start the video and click the title - Relaxing Night Stroll.... - and it will take you to youtube where you can get the sound.

Absolutely beautiful--wow! Thank you for sharing!

 

[KidaniZen]

What is it with that Japan shop lol. My girl is more interested in it than any thing at WS. She loves looking through all the different candies. So I guess that is it.

I am a grown woman and the shop in Japan is my fave place in the WS. It reminds me of past trips to Japan and how much I love the culture and foods etc there. They have the best candy ever.