Epcot for 4 yr old?

[klee4au]

Good afternoon! We are taking DD (4) to WDW 6/13. DH & I have been to Epcot and like it, but are there enough things to interest a preschooler there? I'm wondering if we should skip and spend most of our time at MK. What other park would be good for her age?

 

[bucky1023]

my nieces and nephews (ages 2 - 13) have always enjoyed Epcot. They like going into each country and doing the Kidcot stations as well as seeing all of the different characters. I wouldn't skip the park.

 

[abc999]

The kidcot stations are good and just going to the different stores and stands is a lot of fun for them..

 

[Metsoskil]

My kids (4 and 18mo at the time) loved Epcot, and it was our favorite park other than MK. If you've got another day or two at MK, I'd definitely go to Epcot also.

 

[Bev J]

Our kids have always enjoyed Epcot, MK all the time is a bit of overstimulation for us. Besides if you and your DH enjoy Epcot why should you skip it-your child will pickup on your enjoyment and hopefully enjoy too.
Make sure and do the kidcot stations and you will also find characters in WS.
Disney has tried to make all the parks friendly for kids of all ages..
Bev

 

[jngwright]

We just got back and I wish that we had allowed 2 days for Epcot. One for FW and one for WS.

In FutureWorld-Kids love:
Nemo
Turtle Talk with Crush
Journey into the Imagination (I don't-I LOVED the original)
Test Track/Mission Space Green (if tall enough)
Spaceship Earth
Innoventions
Kidcot stations
JAMMitors
Pop fountains
Character meals
Universe of Energy

World Showcase:
Maelstrom
Mexico Rio del tempo (sp??)
Chinese acrobats
Mimes
American Adventure
Spirit of America
Japanese drums
Belly dancer
Maze in England
Exploring the falls in Canada
Kidcot Stations

I have a friend who is planning a December trip who is considering skipping it, because she remembers it from her last trip 12 years ago. I am TRYING to convince her that the kids will love it too.

Give it a shot-you will be pleasantly surprised!!!

 

[disnut8]

We took our then five year old granddaughter to Disney World a few years ago (her first trip). Her mother and I made all these plans about how much time we would need to spend at Magic Kingdom and tried to actually figure out a five year old's mind. We decided on the age old plan of making Magic Kingdom her first park so she could soak in all the magic that is Disney.

She hated it.

The next day was Epcot. (We had actually planned that for the first day but changed our minds once on property - stupid us).

She loved it.

We took her back two and a half years later and let her pick whatever she wanted to do on her first day. Epcot. On that trip (over Christmas/New Year's) she didn't even go across a Magic Kingdom turnstile.

 

[eschule]

Just got back with our about to be 3 year old. EPCOT was a humongous hit for him (almost as much as MK). Huge hit.

1. The charcter interactions which are #1 on his list were a hundred times easier at EPCOT than anywhere else. We went straight to the Charcter Spot first thing and waited a whopping 10 minutes and he got autographs/pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto and Chip and dale. there are also charcters in the countries. There were more chacrters in Epcot than MK and they had virtually no lines.

2. He loved all the kidcot stations throughout the park. and visting each country and getting a stamp and souvenier.

3. Nemo ride and Crush were huge hits.

4. Mexico has a good ride as does Norway.

5. Even the rides you would think they would hate (the greenhouse) he liked.

6. My son was to small for Innoventions but a 5 year old could kill hours in there. Tons of interactive games and exhibits.

7. They have playgrounds set up that were very fun for him.

EPCOT is like the world's biggest children's museum. I am very thankful we didn't skip it......now Hollywood Studios on the other hand is a different story.

 

[Kae]

My kids have always liked Epcot. All the suggestions a been right on. At 4 my DD was tall enough for Soarin' & test track, loved them both. and yes they loved Livin with the Land-Greenhouse boat ride and the ride "in the Ball'. You can find Tigger & Pooh back in the shops in the UK.

Kae

 

[Carlyzmom]

Thanks for all the great input. My son will be 5 when we go and I was concerned about him being bored. We, however, are taking along the grandparents - so they can take the kiddos to the pool if we want to stay longer than they do!!

 

[rosebudd]

DS was 4 the first time we went and EPCOT was his fav. Test Track was the bomb to him. Last year we got a passport for him and we toured the WS. He told me that he wants to go back so he can get another passport filled. The only thing he did not like was illuminations, he thought it was too loud.

 

[kristin t]

We spent 3 days in Epcot this past trip with our 6 and 2 year old. They love it. I think it's one of the best parks for autographs - we find so many characters and princesses in the countries, and the Epcot character spot is great! They also love trying different foods - which is bizarre because at home it's usually only grilled cheese. This time our son tried everything at Teppan Edo (wonderful!), and had a blast at the Biergarten. I love Epcot so much, and I think kids really do enjoy it - but a lot of people think it's just not as much fun for kids - which is not true.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

My 3 girls loved Epcot! They said they can't wait till we go again in November. My youngest was 4 at the time and found it very enjoyable. It's like traveling to different countries all in one place. We did the kidcot stops and it was huge hit with them. Also, I read in one of the guide books that a fun idea for kids is to let them pick one candy from each country that you visit at Epcot. I'll bet your daughter will love it.

 

[pilgrimr]

One more thing that my kids love (age 5 and 3) about Epcot are the fountains for the kids can play in in the FW. So, bring a swimsuit. It is also a nice way for them to cool off in June.

 

[aurora23]

While Epcot was not my favorite park as a child, I would have hated to miss out on it. Just because your child may enjoy it more when they are older does not mean they will not enjoy it at all now. You just have to be more creative about having fun in Epcot. The opportunities for fun are not as obvious as they are in the Magic Kingdom. Epcot has become a lot more kid friendly since I was a child and there are a lot of areas that can provide "teachable" moments. I would suggest trying Epcot out, if you have a park hopper ticket you can always go back to Magic Kingdom or the hotel if your child really doesn't like it.

 

[mrstomrice]

We took our son at almost 2 and at 3 years old. EPCOT was not a big hit, with a few exceptions (Living Seas, characters,) . I think we may try it again this trip, but I won't be too disappointed if we don't. We have done it as a half day and haven't taken him to the countries yet. It seemed like we had to park the stroller outside of buildings more than I prefer, especially when the younger ds is napping. We do have an ADR for Coral Reef, so that will be our 1 day there and it will be a slower day for us. I think it has a lot of great things to offer and it depends on you personal preferences. I like the park myself and I am sure that we'll visit many times once the boys get older and out of strollers. Have a great trip!

 

[Sophie_2003]

Hi,

DD as not quite 4 the first time we took her to Epcot. Being a rather tall girl, she was able to ride test track and soarin. She loved living with the land, and we did world showcase with her in a stroller, and she met many characters (Belle, Aladdin, Snow White, Mulan). It was a real treat for her, she did prefer MK but liked Epcot way better than DHS or AK...

HTH

 

[MJMcBride]

Maybe this will help

http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/06/25/a-preschoolers-guide-to-epcot/#comments

http://www.mouseextra.com/2008/04/08/a-toddlers-guide-to-epcot/#respond

 

[5 for WDW]

Epcot is our family's favorite park. My kids are 10,8 and 4 and they prefer Epcot over MK!

We usually spend at least 2 days there. Our last trip we spent 3 and they still wanted to go again on our last day. MK ended up winning out though. Only to ride Splash Mountain one more time.

 

[laluna]

Yep, another thumbs up for EPCOT! My DD forst went when she was 4 and once she tried TestTrack - that was it! It is her favourite thing of all time. If we had to do just one park it would be EPCOT for its variety.