Epcot for 2 and 4 year old?

[cwnhokie]

We are trying to decide whether to include Epcot or not for upcoming trip. I would like to try Soaring, but don't want to go for just one attraction. I think my father would enjoy Epcot. I was thinking maybe a half day. My DH wants to leave it out and spend more time at MK and MGM. Can anyone make a case for or against, so I know whether to press the issue with hubbie? Thanks.

 

[Jenn]

My girls (7 & 3) love Epcot. The oldest has been to WDW about 10 times and has always enjoyed it at every age. It is educational, but at younger ages, that is still fun for them, so my kids have a ball learning about energy, communication, imagination, etc.


The Living Seas is a must - my girls could spend hours in there watching the fish.

Innoventions is fun, all kinds of interactive games for the kids.

Spaceship Earth is really neat - the history of communication.

Universe of Energy - cool info about where we get our energy including a portion where you ride though a prehistoric era with dinosaurs

Imagination - the kids will love this ride, silly look at the senses

Soarin - of course

Test Track - fun for the adults - my oldest rode it at 4 and loved it. There is a height restriction, so the little one won't be able to do this one.

Mission Space - I haven't gotten up the nerve to try this one so can't comment.

Then, the countries....

Where do I start - tons of food, cool stuff to look at, outside entertainment (like jugglers, singing, etc.), the characters are out and about here, and the best part for the kids..... the Mask Stations. Family Fun (the magazine) sponsors these Mask Stations. The kids get a mask and at each country they add another embelishment to it, the cast members in that country will stamp it (like a passport showing they were there), and if you ask will write your child's name in their native language. All for free!!!!

Can you tell we like Epcot?

 

[LibertyLover]

When we went to WDW in January my DD2 loved EPCOT, especially Living Seas. She also enjoyed meeting the characters. In fact, the first character she met on her first trip to WDW was in EPCOT and was Minnie. I couldn't believe how teary I got over the way the meeting went

As we moved around WS, DD2 had a good time on Rio del Tiempo in Mexico; enjoyed Maelstrom and the Viking ship playground (although it wasn't like the Viking ship she is used to playing on - we are also re-enactors who do Viking period and our group owns a 20 foot faering and has a 38 foot longboat being built for us and my DD2 plays in the faering when we are at events LOL); absolutely loved China (she is originally from Hubei province so this was a natural fit); was frankly bored by Italy; loved the food in Germany; had a great time in Japan looking for fish; danced to Mo'rocken with gusto; was puzzled by France; wanted tarten in England (I told her we had the family tarten at home for her); and wanted to play in the garden in Canada.

I'm going with her in May for a quick 2 day mommy-daughter visit. She'll still be two and I'm looking forward to going to EPCOT with her again (of course, the whole trip is basically so I can go back to Japan and buy my DH a knife he saw there in January which will go well with his Viking kit - why he didn't get it then is beyond me, except that he had just bought a sword in China and didn't want to seem greedy since I hadn't bothered getting anything for myself, but oh darn, having to go back to WDW - yeah, twist my arm.)

The upshot of all this verbiage is this: I think your 2 year old will find things in EPCOT to enjoy and I would say heck yes, go.

 

[LynnTH]

I agree with the above posters. Epcot is great for kids. My 5 and 3 year old loved it. There is so much to do. They even liked the countries because of the kidstop stations - they had a blast doing that and making it to every country to get their mask stamped. They also loved The Land, Spaceship Earth and Innovations. I think it is a must see every time.

 

[LegoMom3]

On our trip last fall, I had a 4 and 2-yr. old at the time. We did not venture over into World Showcase (trip was only 2 1/2 days so it was a time thing) but in Future World, they had a blast!

They liked Journey into Imagination with Figment, LOVED Spaceship Earth, liked all the fish at Living Seas (plus the Nemo character greetings there!), and had fun with all the hands-on stuff all over the place. They also liked Ice Station Cool (not an attraction, per se, but a good respite from the heat!). We didn't have time for Wonders of Life but I think they may have enjoyed the hands-on stuff there, too.

 

[CEDmom]

To be honest with you my DD who's now 5 enjoyed Epcot much more than any other park including MK during our last trip. She was 3 1/2 at the time and most of the rides in MK were too intense for her - she didn't like anything loud, dark or fast. In Epcot she got to enjoy watching lots of street performers and loved getting her passport filled out as well as collecting pressed pennies. To me it's the perfect park for a child that likes things low key.

 

[swilphil]

World Showcase is such a great place for kids. My 2 and 4 year old went have been twice this past year and love the Kidcot stations, performers and just be able to explore. There's also some great opportunities to meet characters. If you are short on time, just stick to World Showcase, Soarin and Living Seas. The Land and Living Seas aren't too far from Canada in World Showcase. Living Seas has a Nemo room inside, Nemo statues and sometimes an actual Nemo character outside. They also have the new Talk with Crush attraction. If you have time you could go to the nearby Journey into the Imagination and Ice Station Cool. My kids enjoy all those attractions.

 

[turnerx5]

Our DS 3.5 at the time, loved Test Track - he still talks about it, and the trains in Germany. The only issue with kids at Epcot is the size - it really takes alot out of you to make your way around the world.

Hope this helps. Tx5

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I can not image not going to Epcot. DS has always had a hard time deciding which he likes most Epcot ot MK. It's just seem much more laid back and though hugh,less tiring for us .With 5 day passes we do 1 1/2 day epcot and Mk, 1 day each MGM & AK. On those two days we often hit Epcot at night. Most of the kid stuff has been mentioned but kids also love all the strolling entertainment in WS and the light up sidewalk. Illuminations is also impressive for kids with out being as scary as fantasmic. If your 4 year old is tall enough, TT is a great first trill ride!!

Jordans' mom

 

[Suzanne74]

We did Epcot but only two separate nights when dd was 3 last year. She likes it but still enjoys MK and MGM better. I think the problem was - we did both times at night. There wasn't any characters out and Future World closes early and World Showcase was packed. Assuming you head back for an afternoon break (which I highly recommend!) my suggestion if you have hopper passes would be to do 2 separate trips. Do Future World one day take a break and then go to MGM or MK at night. Do AK or any other park another day and head back to World Showcase for a good dinner, look at the countries and watch Illuminations. Personally, I think it is ALOT of walking for one day to try and do both areas and I love breaking parks up to rejuvinate the kids after their naps.

dd is almost 4 and is almost 41 inches so she is tall enough for Test Track. I hope she likes it

 

[tongatoast]

It's my daughter's favorite park. We are planning a trip next year for her birthday, and she wants to spend her actual birthday in Epcot.

 

[tiff211]

We went last week with DD's 4 and 2 becasue everyone had said how much there kids enjoys it. My girls could take or leave it. They were expecting "rides" so that was part of the problem. If we had to skip a park, it would be Epcot until they were older and spend more time in MGM, AK or MK. But my girls seem to be in the minority.

 

[ksc37]

I also have two boys aged 2 and 4. We usually spend some time in Epcot, but usually no more than 6 hours or so.

My boys liked the Living Seas, Innoventions, Spaceship Earth, playing on the boat in Norway, running through the little maze in the UK pavilion and playing in the fountains between the World Showcase and Future World (bring a change of clothes for this!!). If they're not totally set on doing rides, this can be a nice relaxing day.

 

[Sebastianmom]

We are going in September with our 2yr old and it will be his first trip. I had doubts whether to include EPCOT in our itinerary, but after watching the Vacation Planning video with my son, I definitively will include a day at EPCOT. I know he will have a blast at the fountains and The Living Seas will be absolutely delightful for him. He was so excited looking at it in the video, I can't wait to see how thrilled he will be at the park. I would give it a try!

 

[DeanDoug]

It really depends on your children... and only you know them best
Our daughter, 2 years old, enjoyed EPCOT... she is curious, patient and likes to see new things... she loved the Living Seas and looking at all the sights. However, if you know that your children are not as patient, then EPCOT may not be the place to spend a lot of time...
A good guage might be this... if they are fine sitting in line at Walmart, etc... then they will be great. But, I'm not sure that the EPCOT experience is any different than any other park... waiting around is waiting around.... there are sights to see everywhere!

 

[druiser]

We went last month with DS's 4 & 2, and decided to use one day to split time between Epcot & MGM. We were lucky enoght to be able to squeeze in most everything we wanted to do. Started at Epcot in the AM and got in Living Seas (big hit, now with all the Nemo stuff), Imagination (another hit), Energy (dinos always good) before heading over to the boat launch at International gateway. Took the boat over to MGM about nap time for the two year old, so he was ready for all the stuff at MGM - Plahouse, Little Mermaid, Muppets, etc. Big brother was able to get in Star Tours & TOT before we headed over to Fantasmic (with me, since Momma isn't much on the "motionsickness" rides).
When we were there, Fantasmic was at 7pm, whick allowed us to watch it, get to the boats, and back to Epcot in time for a couple of rides and then Illuminations. DS4 and I decided to try out Mission Space and loved it!! There was an indoor play area for the kids that did not ride at the end, which kept DS2 more than happy.
IMO, plenty for kids to do and enjoy ... and they've even made World Showcase more kid friendly with the Passports and Characters available for autographs scattered in each country.
I'd go, if you can make the time.