Epcot for 4yr old??

[aussiemouse]

I'm a newbie and this is our 1st trip to WDW (gasp). Will be getting 4 day passes. My question is, we plan on doing a day each at MK, AK and MGM. DH wants to go to Epcot with DS (7). Should i go along with DD (4), or head back to MK and do all things princess?? Is Epcot geared to certain ages? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[wannabebelle]

If you have the park hopper tickets, you could always start out at Epcot with DH and DS and then leave if your DD isn't into it.

We took my niece when she was 4. Actually, she was only a couple of weeks short of 5. However, she really wasn't into it. She enjoyed the Mexico boat ride and The Living Seas. She didn't complain about the other stuff, I could just tell she really wasn't into it.

 

[jkjjhuddle]

We were just there last year. We went to Epcot our first day. DH and I would have loved to spend more time there, but with DS4 it was not going to happen. He rode Test Track and loved it. He was not very happy the rest of the time. I think he was way into the rides and that is what he cared about. We also had DS1 so that made things different. If you have the ability to park hop you may want to try it. Your DD might like the different countries and if she doesn't you could head to MK. If you can not park hop you may want to consider MK instead. I know others have kids that love Epcot, but in my opinion she may be a little young to enjoy it.

I hope this helps.

Kristy

 

[rkmassa]

My DD and DS both love EPCOT. We took my DD when she was 2, 5, and 7. DS when he was 3 and 5. They both love to look around at the countries. Love the food. We have to drag them out of the Living Seas. They won't leave without going into SE. They adore Figment. Spend lots of time watching the fountains. Both my kids are very curious about things and how they work. I guess it all depends on the kids.

 

[gigi1313]

i would recommend that you definitely give epcot a try! both of my kids enjoyed it every time they've gone (ds was 4 the first time he went to epcot)... there is a lot for them to keep busy while you/dh/older ds are enjoying various aspects of epcot... i would recommend, however, that you bring or rent a stroller!

if your dd enjoys coloring/drawing the kid-cot spots where you make/decorate the masks will entertain her... of course, there is the princess meal in norway that should make her pretty happy! (LOL) my son LOVED the figment ride (name of it escapes me right now!) and honey i shrunk the audience (although it's a bit intense, so it would depend on dd's temperment, threshold for "scary" stuff)... both kids have always enjoyed checking out the countries, esp those that have character meet/greets in them (princess jasmine and aladdin can often be found in morocco; pooh and some others in england; the turtle from nemo at living seas i think; etc)... it's also fun to collect pressed pennies in the various countries, so if that is something dd might enjoy, it will incent her to tour the "world"

also, the living seas is a great place for the little ones... and if all else fails, there's always ice cream

 

[my3princesses]

Last time we went my girls were 8, 6, and 4. We didn't spend a lot of time at Epcot but still went through the whole park. We only hit a few of the countries that they were interested in, went on a few rides and saw a couple of shows - however I think my 8 year old was into it much more than my 4 year old. The same could be said about MGM as we did a few things and saw some shows however did not do everything.

On that trip we decided to focus to MK since they were little princesses. We usually did the other parks in the morning and into the afternoon and then went back to MK. The last day we saved to do MK the whole day.

This seemed to work for us at the time. This time (we leave in 29 days!) we are going to spend more time at Epcot and MGM but still do MK with whatever time we have left over as even though they are older they are still princesses and love this atmosphere, plus the now 9 year old (who was 4) although still remembers some things about MK will need a refresher and we are more too willing to go along.

Your son would probably appreciate Epcot more, and they should both love AK and even MK has things that a 7 year old boy would enjoy. Remember to take your time and work with their speed and then everyone should enjoy themselves. Plus go all out with the princess theme, she's is only this age once and some mommy time as a princess would be something she will always remember!
have fun

 

[aussiemouse]

Thanks for the input. This site has been amazing for finding stuff out. Wasn't going to bother with the Park Hopper Option. Not sure we'd really get much out of it. (Maybe when they're older, well be able to move quicker). Still undecided about whether to give Epcot a try or not, but it's not like we have to decide before we go.
I know that if DD and I don't go, DH and DS will say we missed the best day ever!!

 

[Jridou]

We spent 2 of our 4 days there!

Access to the Princesses (and all characters) was easiest for us at EPCOT. We met Belle and the Beast AND Princess Aurora in France, Mary Poppins in Great Britain and Jasmine in Morrocco. And when that bus pulled up in front of Japan . . .we met 10 characters in 20 minutes . . .no lines!

My DD (and 6 1/2 DS) LOVED making those masks at all the KidCot stations. Even now, 2 mo later, they still play with them.

My 4 yo also loved some of the live entertainment ~ especially the chinese acrobats, the drummers outside Japan, and the French living statue.

Even though she was too little for Test Track (and that was a huge diappointment) EPCOT was still her favorite park. One piece of advice though ~ she definately needed a stroller there, even thou at home she hasn't been in a stroller in years.

 

[3xthecharm]

They now offer a Princess Character Dinner in Norway at Epcot. We have done the breakfast(called Princess Storybook Breakfast). This was the highlight of my 3 1/2 year old DD's trip!!!! She did not like the dark rides, but loved the characters. They had all but Cinderella. Character interaction was great. It was like 1/2 hour of solid princesses.

 

[lindsey]

EPCOT has always been my son's favorite park - his first trip that he remembers he was 5 yrs old and 9 trips later (17 yrs) - he still loves it. We were there in June with my 4yr niece. I bought her the "passport" and she enjoyed getting it signed, making the masks at the kid stations, and getting some of the character autographs. I agree some kids enjoy it more than others. Also agree with stroller - it's a longggggggg way around the park.

 

[Maude4Disney]

Our DS was 4 the first time he went to EPCOT. He loved it then and to this day it is still his favorite park. I would definitely give it a try. I know you will get mixed reviews from parents w/ this one, but I don't think you will really know until you give it a try. We thought DS would be bored w/ it and surprised us greatly w/ how much he enjoyed it. However, if you're not getting the park hopping option.... only you know your DD well enough to judge.

 

[Mainebound]

My DS 4 loved Epcot. We spent two full days there in March. If you get the PH option, the best plan is probably to try it and see, then hop to MK if it does not work (unless that day happends to be an MK morning EMH, of course). It really depends on the child. My DS is very into computer and video games and loved Innoventions, as well as Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Living Seas. Loved watching the acrobats between world showcase and future world and playing in the fountains near there. Loved th eMexico and Norway boat rides. Loved eating in Norway (lunch -- now defunct, to make room for the Princesses) and Morocco (dinner -- belly dancing with audience participation!) and Mexico (very cool any time of day). Also the boat to play on in Norway. Meeting Pooh, et al in Britain. Making crafts at the kidcot stations. Sending emails to grandparents in Mexico.


But...if your DD is into Princesses, I can see how more time with Mom at MK might be best. I so wish I had a little girl so I could have an excuse to do all that stuff! LOL!

 

[WDW LOVR]

Go to Epcot first. If you take young children to MK first, none of the other parks will stand up (except maybe AK).

When kids are young they will of course enjoy MK and AK more but we always went to Epcot on our trips (each of our 3 boys went for the first time when they were 2) and now it's their favorite park. I think there are many things to do for children if you just take your time. Have your kids learn to say their names in the native language of each country. The CM's love that!

And don't miss Illuminations. It's the best!

 

[aussiemouse]

I think we'll give it a try. The kids have travelled alot and might have fun seeing some of the places they've been. Is there an Australia there?? Thanks for the info. Is the Princess Storybook Breakfast as hard to get into as Cindy's?

 

[Dopey's Girl]

If you do not have parkhopper option, I would skip Epcot for younger one. There are some things there for the younger one, but only a couple of hours worth really. For some kids, they may be more into it, but generally, we spend 1/2 day there out of our usual 7 day visit.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

For the record, my boys love Epcot. They are now 7, 5 and 2. We have been four times since 2003 and Epcot is always a hit. Innoventions is a lot of fun. My boys love Test Track. How tall is your DD? My 5 year old was able to do TT, just after turning 4. She may really like it. They also have the new "Turtle talk with Crush (of Finding Nemo fame)" at the Living Seas. We haven't done that yet, but are really looking forward to it from all of the positive reviews. We love strolling around the World Showcase and trying all of the neat things in the different countries, ie: bongos, chinese stick game, watching the candy lady in Japan, the list goes on and on. Don't even get me started on the food.

Unfortunately, there isn't an Australia section. Australia was represented with some booths during the Food and Wine Festival, but that is all I can remember. As for the Princess Meal in Norway, you might want to post this question on the restaurant board. I thought I recently read that the princesses were now available for lunch and dinner, as well as breakfast, making it much more managable to arrange than Cindy's. I hope this helps and I hope you give Epcot a try. It is a lot of fun and Epcot has some of the very best picture taking opportunities.

 

[cheyita]

My two DDs love Epcot - they are now almost 9 and 6 and we have been frequenting since they were 6 and 3. We've made the masks and bought the passports. The girls love Test Track, but they also enjoy the Mexico river ride, Norway ride (tho younger DD was scared the first time), Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living Seas (Crush is not to be missed), Ellen's Energy Adventure (though the dinosaurs can be a little intense).

We haven't used a stroller, but I can understand why many families want to. We just consider them a hassle.

And I can't understand why everyone else's kids love AK over Epcot. Mine did not. AK is probably our least favorite park. Oh well, different strokes for different folks.