epcot for children

[cammie810]

We are planning a trip to WDW in May. My children will be 4 and 7. I think that they would enjoy doing the different activities that epcot has available in the countries. How do you go about doing this?

 

[Terry S]

My kids really enjoyed doing the Kid Cot stations. We started at UK and just went around the countries. It was their goal to get a stamp on thier mask handle. They were kind of commando about it!

 

[shelbyjosh]

I ditto Terry on that one. My DD (8) and DS (4.5) think that is the coolest thing at EPCOT. They do make it a mission to hit every KidCot. Last time we went (3/02) they had "Dream Catchers" and during the parade they put they "wish" is the dream catcher net. In World Showcase there is not a lot for the younger ones. My DD did enjoy the American Adventure last trip since she is starting to learn about presidents and government. When are you going?

 

[Terry S]

I forgot to mention the dream catchers. My kids really enjoyed putting the little circle in the dream seekers nets and making a wish during the ToD parde. They get a dream star when they visit their first kid Cot station. By the way, my kids are 5 and 6.

There is some discussion on these boards as to weather or not the ToD parde will still be going after February. The WDW site says that it will still be there in March, but the 100 YoM celebration is ending at the end of February and this parade was for that celebration.

 

[poohcrazed]

OUr DD will be 21/2 when we go in 2 weeks. We booked the ice cream social because we heard it was alot of fun. We are mainly going to Epcot for our almost 16 year old Son. Think I may do the Ice cream and then hop the shuttle to MK since it sounds like there isn't alot to do for her at Epcot.

 

[poohcrazed]

OUr DD will be 21/2 when we go in 2 weeks. We booked the ice cream social because we heard it was alot of fun. We are mainly going to Epcot for our almost 16 year old Son. Think I may do the Ice cream and then hop the shuttle with her to MK since it sounds like there isn't alot to do for her at Epcot. Our Son and his Father can do Epcot then.

 

[PattyH804]

My DD was 2 1/2 last time we
went to Epcot. She just sat in
her stroller and took it all in. We
let her out to run around in
World Showcase and then she
eventually fell asleep for her
nap. My son was 5 and loved
chasing the birds with his new
sword. Luckily he never
got too close. He still claims
Epcot as his favorite park. He
was at the age then where
he wouldn't go on any rides
that were inside. I guess it
was the fear of the unknown.
I can't wait to see the
changes in them for our
upcoming trip in November.
Especially now that DD is a
real princess lover.

 

[Mamu]

On a recent trip to Disney one of my 5-year old grand-daughters favorite parks was Epcot.

Don't get me wrong she loved the Magic Kingdom, the Princesses, dressing up like a Princess and everything else that a 5-year old girl loves and dreams about.

But Epcot was special. The activies at the Kidcot Fun Stops were something she looked forward to. She loved making a mask and learning about each country. She also loved the entertainment each country offered. Who would figure that a 5-year olds favorite park would be Epcot.

 

[hockey mom 94]

I have to say I heard so many people say that Epcot isn't for the little ones but we went two years ago with our two boys who were 2 and 6 at the time and both had a great time. We concentrated on the front part and then walked throught the countries at night. In fact Epcot is the first park my oldest wants to hit again this time when we go. In fact, MK was their least favorite , mostly I think because of the crowds. We hit Epcot on a Sat morning at opening time and it was very quiet.

 

[CuteKatCar]

My kids always loved Epcot - starting when they were 2 and continuing now (they are only 10 and 7). One year we were there, the kidcot station was masks on a stick. The stations are outside each country and are easy to find. China is fun - the girl will write your child's name in chinese.

You'll have a wonderful time.

Anna

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Another thing that my kids LOVED was the Epcot passports. You can buy them at any of the shops in Epcot ( I think they were around $10 each). Then you put the sticker in the book for every country you visit, and have the CM at the Kidcot station stamp and sign it in their native language.

 

[lisareneeo]

My kids really enjoy EPCOT. This was our third year to visit WDW and we spent much more time at EPCOT this year than in the past. My children (4 and 6) liked Innoventions, Test Track and Universe of Energy. They also liked Journey into Your Imagination. We all enjoyed sending E-Cards to our friends and family in both Journey Into Your Imagination and Innoventions (just make sure you take email addresses with you) They also had a lot of fun going into "Ice Station Cool". They enjoyed trying different drinks (just don't try The Beverly) We visited a couple of times!!
They also enjoyed the kidcot stations. We didn't spend as much time in the countries as we would like but they complete their masks ( we spent time in the countries on two different days to break things up a little) Don't miss the live entertainment the different countries have. My children (especially my 4 year old DD) loved the different entertainment throughout World Showcase. There is more for children to do then I ever imagined. Our first trip we skipped EPCOT all together. The second trip we did some things in Future World and hit a few countries. This trip we spent a lot more time here and still could have come back to do more.
Don't forget to check out Illuminations. This was also very good.

 

[TY31088]

We went in January last year, 6 yo DS enjoyed the hands on computer stuff, doing the Kidcot Stations, and of course the parade and fireworks. He sat still like never before during the parade, totally mesmerized!! I'll never forger it.

The Kidcot Stations took 2-3 hours to complete, to start you just find one of the Kidcot Stations and tell the CM you need a mask(s). You start there and begin decorating it, the CM will stamp the handle ( which looks like a wooden paint stirrer they give you at the paint store ) and you head to the next country to add another decoration and stamp. This continues till you've completed all the contries. Sometimes we had trouble finding the stations, then it got to the point that we would ask the first CM we saw in our 'new' country to direct us to the Kidcot Station.

Enjoy,
Ty

 

[jiminyfan]

we asked my son (3 years old and a WDW VET of 8 trips) which park he wants to go to first without hesitation - EPCOT.

He loves the place. Most people would think he would have chosen Magic Kingdom as the first park. he loves EPCOT - "The big Ball", Figment, Trains by gGermany, Dreams and Illuminations are a few of his favorite things.

 

[BevS97]

I have just asked my 5 year old daughter if she likes Epcot, and she says 'Yes' - She loved the ride in the 'golf ball' (her words), playing in the fountains, eating at the japanese restaurant, watching all the shows around the world, doing the masks, the figment ride, and ' i liked seeing all the world'

we wouldn't skip epcot, in fact we probably visit 2 or 3 times each trip.

 

[catwho]

My kids are a bit odd, but they love Epcot. They enjoy seeing the different shows (our Off Kilter CD is played with regularity in our house) and touring the countries and doing all the hands on activities in FW. Your kids are the right age to start enjoying the wonderful benefits of this park. My kids also think that the TOD/N parades were the absolute best and my son loves Illuminations!

 

[April in Disney]

My 7 year old DD loves Epcot more than any other park. We buy the passport and she makes the masks last time she did the mask two different night and gave it to dream catcher. The parade and firework are the best, we eat in all the pastry shops around the world. Do not forget to buy them beavertails in Canada. The Test Track is her fav ride in Epcot. She loved the coca-cola station and seeing people faces after drinking the Italian one. She loves the food and I love the wine festival. She did not care for The Snake in Honey I Shrunk The Audience.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

My kids 6 & 8 loved making the masks in the country. We would start in one country and work all the way around. First time we saw every country. Then that evening watched the Tapastry of Deams parade.

This time I think we will try the Epcot Passports.

Have a great trip.

 

[cinmell]

Things that were a hit at Epcot with our daughter (22 months old at the time) were Figment, Innoventions water fountain, food rocks inside the Land Pavillion, Rio Del Tempo in Mexico and the kidcot stations throughout epcot. She loved the fish at the Living Seas and they also had a craft table set up which was fun. She also like running around the Wonders of Life Pavillion. If Maelstrom in Norway was open, I'm positive she would have loved that too. We didn't make it to Spaceship Earth but she really enjoyed Future World.

We also went to the Icecream Social and she really enjoyed that. We saw Mickey, Chip, Dale and Pluto. Mickey and Dale made it to our table twice. The icecream was ok but it was nice because it was a different way to take a break from the park and spend a little time with some of the characters.

I was a little nervous that there wouldn't be anything for her to do or enjoy at this park, but I was pleasantly surprised!

 

[Redmic]

My girls love to go into the shop in Japan and pick out an oyster in the tank. They slice them open for you and give you the pearl inside. They come in various sizes and colors. If you get a big one they play a drum. This activity always draws a crowd of admirers.

The cost is about $13.00. I had my daughters' pearls mounted on necklaces for Christmas, and they just love them.