Epcot for a 7 year old? DH says no ... I say she will like it ..

[Golf Widow]

Sorry ... more questions.

I know this is a Dis. board but DH thinks our DD will enjoy Universal more than Epcot??

From what I remember Epcot was not very "kid friendly" (20 years ago) but it seems like that has changed and so much of it is now geared to young children.

Did your 7-8 year olds like Epcot? Is it a "must do"? Better than universal?

What activities did the kids like the best?

Thanks.
Kara

 

[disneydebi]

our 8 year old (and he was 6 last time we went), along with my 4 year old, love epcot. It's one of their 2 favorite parks (it and MK).

The rides are not to intense, there is a lot to see and do.

We toyed with the idea of universal, but felt that the rides were to intense for our kids (your's might be a thrill seeker however). I'm waiting until they are older to tackly Universal... otherwise I don't think it will be worth the money. My 4 year old was too small to do a lot of the rides according to the height requirements, and my 8 year old is a bit of a chicken when it comes to fast rides/roller coasters.

 

[johnsonet]

EPCOT is terrific for a 7-year-old! They have the KidCot stations where the children can decorate a mask and get a "stamp" from that country and meet people from that country. They also have the Passports for kids, great dining options and entertainment, Character Bus that comes around...My DD loved it last summer when she was 6 and is really looking forward to going again next month. We did Universal this July and while I loved the Hard Rock Hotel, the Jurassic Park land at IOA and Shrek 4-D and the ET ride, I really have no desire to return to the Universal parks. Then again, I'm not a thrill ride person. DD is somewhat but we prefer the "magical" quality of Disney. EPCOT is fabulous and your 7-year-old will probably LOVE Test Track! There is just so much to do at EPCOT. I love it and would DEFINITELY recommend it for a 7-year-old! Good luck!

 

[patsal]

My 8 yo DD loves Epcot. She is fascinated with the way things work and really enjoys the rides and kidcot stations. We also enjoy Universal, but found that if your child does not like fast/thrill rides or is still "untall" they will miss out on a good many things. I guess you'd have to gauge your child's interests and height requirements/scare factor on the rides at US/IOA to make the best decision possible. If you want to ride/ride/ride than EPCOT is not the place to get that thrill.

 

[madge]

Originally posted by Golf Widow
Sorry ... more questions.

I know this is a Dis. board but DH thinks our DD will enjoy Universal more than Epcot??

From what I remember Epcot was not very "kid friendly" (20 years ago) but it seems like that has changed and so much of it is now geared to young children.

Did your 7-8 year olds like Epcot? Is it a "must do"? Better than universal?

What activities did the kids like the best?

Thanks.
Kara

comparing Epcot and Universal is really comparing apples and oranges. they are two toally different parks. My kids have loved Epcot since the first time we ever visted the park (they were 3 and 9 then). it continues to be one of their favorites, right after the MK My younger DS loves coloring a mask, watching the different "acts" in the countries, and most of the activities in Future World, too. Innoventions is my older DS favorite

if your kids love "big" rides, then USF is the park for them. But really, it isn't anything like Epcot. JMO

 

[Planogirl]

Our son has always enjoyed Epcot, even when he was just a toddler. I took him to Universal for the first time this year at the age of 10 and we also visited all of the Disney parks. He enjoys Universal a bit more now and isn't all that interested in Epcot even though his favorite Disney ride (Test Track) is there. However, I think that he had to get a bit older before he was totally ready for Universal. Even though he won't ride coasters, he loves simulators now so for him at least 9 or 10 was the perfect age for Universal.

 

[Twigs]

We first brought our twins to Epcot when they were 4 and they loved it. Be sure to get the world passport, she can get it stamped at each country, it also comes with stickers from each cuontry to put into the pages of the passport. My kids always looked for the kidcot activity (sponsored by Family Fun magazine) they always liked the activities at each station, and the CM's there always treated them special.

Universal was not a favorite of ours when my kids were younger, there isn't alot for them to do. And almost, not all, of the rides are intense, so unless your child is tall and really really likes thrill rides, there isn't alot to do, the shows would be good. The highlight of our Universal trip was when the boys got picked to be on Slime Time Live and one of my sons got slimed and won a bike, but even there, to even go for the audition kids have to be 8 or 9.

 

[fiveforall]

My seven year old LOVED Epcot. Definitely do the passport thing, and let your child see World Showcase all lit up at night. No, it doesn't have all the thrill rides, but the other parks have that. My kids loved Ice Station Cool, the interactive fountains, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Food Rocks, and doing kidcot. It's such a big, spacious park...you really don't feel trampled there. My whole family loves it.

 

[Golf Widow]

Thank you for you kind, insightful replies!

 

[GeekChic]

Just chiming in that my dd, age 7 has loved Epcot since she was a toddler too.

Matter of fact, when she was three and we went there, she wanted to go back more than to any other park. She kept pointing at the monorail and saying "Apricot, mama! Apricot!" LOL

Go, and have a ball. It's an incredibly fun place to spend the day.

DD can't wait to see the "brain movie" again "Cranium Command at the Wonders of Life pavillion) and Spaceship Earth, which were her favorites. She also LOVES the fireworks, we all do, don't miss them!!!

 

[CamColt]

Our 3 & 6yo love epcot. Its their 2nd favorite park. We spent 8 straight hours there and could have spent a lot more. There is so much exploring, hands on, interactive stuff there.
I detailed our day there in my trip report ont he TR board if you are interested.

 

[Robmom]

My then 8 year old DD liked Epcot, but she wasn't too thrilled with the different countries because of all the walking. She thought that area was boring. All the other attractions there, she loved. She's kind of a party pooper in general, so don't base your decision on her!!

 

[leebee]

My almost 10 year old has always loved Epcot- in fact, I'd guess it's her favorite park. She is a big thrill ride lover, but enjoys the pace of Epcot. Spaceship Earth is my favorite from all parks. How tall is your child? Will she measure up to Universal's rides? Does she "know" the Universal movies- might make a difference as to what she'll "get" from Universal's rides. At Epcot, don't miss the Lion King, Food Rocks and Living with the Land in the Land pavillion, also Ellen's Energy Universe- DD loves it. Body Wars is at Epcot, along with TestTrack and Mission:Space, for the non-vertigo challenged! There's also an aquarium-type ride/tour in the Living Seas pavillion. Epcot is WAY more than just walking around the "world", visiting countries!

 

[decker96]

Our 5 year old loved Epcot, especially the Living Seas. She also liked the Land boat ride and El Rio Del Tiempo in Mexico was her favorite out of any ride at WDW (we rode it 4 times! ). She and DS who was 2 also loved checking out all the games and stations in Innoventions. I think a 7 year old would love Epcot.

 

[tink85]

Ok, I was always a little wierd as a kid but EPCOT was always my favorite park! I loved the Living Seas, I'd watch the fish tanks for hours. The Land wasn't always my fave but I love the Lion King movie in there now about the environment and I must admit, I like Food Rocks too. The Universe of Energy is now 100 times better with Ellen DeGeneres and the dinosaur sequence in that ride is still one of my faves! The Wonders of Life is like a kid's palyground with Cranium Command and the Goofy cartoons that play in the open theater. Test Track is a blast and then World Showcase... It was always my reason for loving Epcot. We always did the passports around the world and it was so cool to talk to the people in each country and have them write a note to you in their own language (I loved having my name written in Morocco!) Plus, It was always neat to explore the stores in each country and see the different toys and clothing sold at each. Don't forget to ride the Maelstrom in Norway! Hope you have a blast on your trip, no matter what you decide!

 

[Jen D]

I can't compare to Universal, but I would never consider skipping Epcot for any age. My dd enjoyed it at age 4 and 5.5. It has a different feel than more attraction-oriented parks, but that is a good thing-- we need the variety. There is lots to do and see in the World Showcase, and plenty in Future World to do.

I don't notice it on these boards much, but Epcot does seem to have a "not for kids" rep it can't shake. We ran into an older couple at POFQ touring with a 9 year old and they said they did everything "except of course Epcot, he wouldn't be interested", and expressed surprise we would take our 5 year old to Epcot. Seems weird to me, Epcot seems perfectly kid-friendly.

 

[zurgswife]

All my kids love Epcot...it is probably our most favorite park....there are some great little things that are secrets, in each of the countries that my kids love to do, or watch....7 yrs would be a great age.

That is the worst misconception about Epcot is that kids won't love it...spend some time explore....whether in the world showcase or in future world...there are great things to experience.

 

[janette]

I asked my 9yo DD which she liked best and she couldn't decide between Epcot & Universal. She is not a thrill-rider , her favorite ride at Universal was the Flying dinasours. There are many things they enjoyed at Epcot. At many of the hands on exhibits in future world I was pushing my girls to finish up the last time we were there, they were 7yo & 10yo.

One of their favorite rides is Journey into your Imagination with Figment. They can't wait to see him again

I think they enjoy Epcot because there is so much they can do themselves. If you take the time to play in some of the future world & kidcot stations the only problem you'll have is not enough time.

If you are going in the summer Universal has a great kids water play area. Probably not as much fun in the winter though.

 

[smfnj]

I've had this discussion with many people. Nobody, not even the parents of a young child have a clue what is going to capture their attention / imagination. There are so many different things going on at FW & WS, let them experience it, you may be suprised.

steve

 

[Taylor]

EPCOT is the favorite park of DD's 10 & 5. They especially love to play in the fountain near the entrance to the World Showcase.