Epcot for a 5 yr old boy?

[BubblyTrip]

Yay or nay?

I know he'll flip for TT, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself World Showcase will be super interesting to him. I haven't been to Epcot in 20 years, so I'm certainly fuzzy on the details.

We only have three park days, and 1 1/2 to 2 will be MK for sure. Had been planning on HS for the third day (Jedi Training and TSMM would be big hits, and he loves Disney Jr), but I'm waffling.

Wondering if it's better to wait until next year for Epcot when he's a little older. He is generally very ride focused.

 

[kuhltiffany]

I took my kids by myself when they were almost 4 and almost 5, we did 2 whole days at Epcot! One day for all the rides/attractions in the front, and one day to go around the back to all the countries. They had an activity like a mask that you added to in each country which they loved, and an interactive game like a secret mission too (I don't know if they have either of those anymore though).

 

[Trip planner]

If you only have three park days, I'd spend 2 at MK with a 5yo boy. Especially if your boy likes rides! Last year (DS was 5 at the time) we went to WDW twice, once for 5 days, the second for only 3 days. On our three day trip we did HS (for Jedi training cuz DS was a Star Wars nut) and two days at MK. (We still didn't ride all the MK rides). Epcot was not DS's favorite park and he didn't really get into the WS or the perry mission at all. Mom and dad were there to enjoy f and w!

 

[staceyrhood]

EPCOT has always been my son's favorite park. He is now 7, when we ask where he wants to go EPCOT is always first. He loves the figment ride, Nemo, Spaceship Earth, test track, Innoventions, the Perry scavenger hunt around the countries, and collecting the stamps on the masks around the countries.

 

[MSSANDRA]

My guys loved Epcot at 5. For one kid, it was his 2nd favorite park, for the other, it was HS. Three days is very short, but maybe a 1/2 day at Epcot and a day and a half at Mk, and the third at HS, or split the HS day with Epcot. There is soooo much to do at Epcot that with one day, or less, you may not even get to the WS. My little guys loved innovations and would spend all day there if I let them at 5. Soaring and TT were huge as was The living seas, living with the land, spaceship earth and Ellen's energy ride. My guys did like WS in small bits. They really liked the street performers and the two boat rides there. We skipped the movies at that age.

 

[CarlisleMom]

When my DD was 5 she loved Epcot. We did not do the countries since we were only there a couple of days. She actually preferred Epcot over MK.

 

[Gracie09]

Nemo
Turtle talk
Living the land
Soarin
Mexico ride
The acrabats in china
The France show
The canada lumberjacks
Innovations east and west

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Why not do AK. Lots for boys his age.

 

[lepidop]

My kids love Epcot, they are 7. My son says it's his favorite park. We just left WDW, and spent 2 of our days there.

 

[kreckl]

Epcot was a big hit for our son at that age. He loved Spaceship Earth, Crush, the huge fountain with music. He liked visiting the countries, but had no interest in the masks or passports- and we found plenty to do! Lunch in Germany with fun entertainment, dinner in Mexico in a dark restaurant , the boat ride there is STILL a must do and has been for years. He loved jumping around in the fountains-stayed there for an hour.
Piggy Bank game, soda sampling, being able to RUN!
I think its a nice break from the crowded MK atmosphere. Much more spacious and calming.

 

[jroof13]

With only 3 days I would skip Epcot and do HS. Our 5 year old LOVED HS, he liked EPCOT but I would have to choose HS over EPCOT

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Epcot has been my sons favorite park since he was 3! We always spend at least 2 days in epcot...1 day for WS and 1 day for FW. TT is my sons favorite ride out of all of WDW. He's 8 now and that's all he ever talks about when planning a trip lol...I think we are going to be getting fast passes each day for TT that we are in epcot next year snd prolly do a RD as well. My son can't get enough of that ride.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Epcot has always been my favorite park, even when I was little. I think you just have to make it more appealing to younger children. There's actually a lot of neat things for children there, you just have to find them. The aquariums can kill at least an hour if not more, provided you take your time, and there's KidCot stops and characters to meet as well. The fountains in Future World can also be quite entertaining. The park isn't everyone's cup of tea (I know kids my age who still aren't big fans of Epcot) but if you do your best to make it fun I'm sure he'll love it.

 

[cattywampus]

HS is a half day park, in my opinion. I would park hop and do highlights of HS and Futureworld of Epcot on the same day, skipping World Showcase. If you had more time I might do full days, but definitely need 2 MK Days.

I just got back from trip with a barely turned 7yo boy and the above is how I would do 3 days with your parameters.

We liked AK and would do it instead of HS but we have APs to DL and have done Jedi Training and Midway Mania and can do both again at home, plus he is tall enough and loved Everest so our age and parameters are different.

Have fun!!

 

[kalc12345]

Epcot has always been our favorite park. We spend the most time there. I have a 9 year old boy and he has been going to Disney almost every year since he was born. He loves Epcot!! Lots to do and explore. As far as the World Showcase, let your son do an Agent P mission. My son LOVES doing those. It is probably his favorite thing to do in Epcot. They also have Kidcot stations through out the WS.

 

[ken2]

I think he will have a blast.World showcase has alot of shopping for adults and children alike.you can spend two days at Epcot.We do the rides during the day and world showcase at night.

 

[MandiC]

My daughter's loved Epcot, definitely one of the favorites, and don't forget Soarin, that was my younger daughter's favorite ride in all of Disney World.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Epcot can be a really great time for kids. It's very hands-on for the younger kids. You will find you were constantly asking your child to please move onto the next section. There's a chance that you'll be so busy in the very front of the Epcot park you won't even get to the world Center. Plan for dinner in the World Showcase If you are able to get to the world Center start left with Mexico and move in a clockwise fashion will give him more rides, start with the Mexican boat ride once you enter the world showcase. Save the big silver golf ball for the end of your day as the line is supershort and you'll be able to go on it a few times, and the line will suck the life out of your morning.

 

[Marthasor]

EP is the only park my DS7 wants to do from rope drop until fireworks. There are so many interactive things for kids to do. Tons of games after Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track. He could spend 4 hours in Innoventions alone and loves the aquarium and all of the interactive elements in Living Seas. He is also a big anime fan, so spends about 30 minutes to an hour just in the store in Japan. I think EP is a great place for kids particularly if they really like interactive, hands-on activities.

 

[RustManFan]

My DD and DS were 8 and 5 for our first trip and Epcot has always been at the top of the list! We love everything.... not just rides