Epcot for kids?

[hannahsmom!]

We are headed to DW for MLK weekend. We (2 moms, a 5 and a 6 year old) will only have 3 days for the parks. Is Epcot worth the time for that age, given our limited time? Both girls really like the fast rides!

 

[kilee]

They may just love Test Track and Mission Space then (assuming they are both tall enough to ride). There is so much hands on to do in both future world and the world showcase for kids. It truly is much more kid friendly then many people think.

However, you are on limited time and somethings are going to have to be cut out. You know best if the kids would overall prefer other things.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I'm probably in the minority but I say it's not worth it! I personally do not like Epcot, and believe me I've tried. Each time I've been I couldn't wait to leave and go do the fun stuff, I just can't seem to find the magic there. I do have to add that Epcot has great places to eat and you can't go to WDW without seeing Illuminations so maybe an evening wouldn't be too bad!!

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

We are headed to DW for MLK weekend. We (2 moms, a 5 and a 6 year old) will only have 3 days for the parks. Is Epcot worth the time for that age, given our limited time? Both girls really like the fast rides!

It's really a personal preference. If you get park hoppers, maybe take the monorail over one day after being at the Magic Kingdom, ride Test Track and then see Illuminations. We've taken our kids, DD6 and DS4, to EPCOT several times and they love it. This last trip they even had a mission to visit all the countries for the Kidcot masks. Also, Ice Station Cool. They LOVE that.
Have a great trip!

 

[eeyore0062]

I would spend maybe 1/2 day at Epcot... you could start the morning at Disney MGM, and then take the boat launch over to Epcot, which will let you out at the International Gateway, located between UK and France. Depending on height, your kids would like Test Track (40 inch min) and Mission Space (44 in min)-- you may need to get FP's for these and return later to ride. Then do the Kidcot masks in the World Showcase, ride Maelstrom in Norway, and grab something to eat in one of the wonderful restaurants. You can finish up your evening watching Illuminations!

Hope you have a great time

 

[3guysandagirl]

On our last visit our DS was 6 and he absolutely loved Epcot!!! He wished he could have had more time there. I don't think it was anything in particular he just really enjoyed it.

 

[DisMN]

Given the choice between the MK, MGM, AK and Epcot on a daily basis, our granddaughter picked Epcot every time. We spent most of our time at Epcot on the two 7 day trips we took. Her second favorite park was AK.

The first time we went she was 4 and the second time she was right around 6. We had plenty of character interaction at Epcot as well....so really was the best of both worlds for us.

Good luck deciding! Always tough to know where to drag the kidlets to.

p.s. I see you said the girls like fast rides, Epcot has several and you could always meander your way over to MGM where there are a few more. MK has less in the way of thrill rides than the other parks IMHO.

 

[Leota]

My DS loved Epcot at that age - esp. when we got him the WS Passport. We couldn't get him out of the WS!

If you have hoppers, go, give it a try with them. If they aren't enjoying it, hop over to MGM or MK.

 

[mareed]

It may depend on the kids. Do they like science, aquarium, learning type of things? My 2 DS's (5 & 8) love this type of activity, and we always spend the most time at Epcot on every trip. They equally enjoy Future World and the World Showcase.

 

[Masonpips]

We just returned from a quick 2 day (post cruise) visit and my kids (7 and almost 6) LOVED Epcot. I was shocked. We ran over there on the 2nd morning to ride Test Track (they LOVED it) and dh did Mission Space (DD and I had been sick w/the flu so a motion sickness inducing ride was not an option!) and could barely get the kids to leave to return to MK.

They thought WS was "cool" and loved visiting the other countries. We were all bummed that Body Wars was closed and have made plans to hit Epcot first when we go back in Oct!

 

[eeyore0062]

My DD loves Epcot more than I do... I go in, ride the main rides, look in the shops and grab a bite to eat and a Strawberry Margarita and I'm good for awhile!

 

[slo]

We've taken our DD to Epcot at the the ages of 2,3,4,& 6 and she has always loved it. In the World Showcase the have these Kidcot Fun Stops where kids make their own maskes. This really makes The World Showcase a lot of fun for them. This year was the first year DD was able to finish her mask because in the past years time didn't permit her to finish. We had a blast as we ran around to each different country to complete her mission of finishing the mask. When she finished she was so proud and it was a real cause for celebration.

Epcot can be boring if you allow it to be - but if you make it fun, your kids will have a great time - guaranteed!!!

 

[jenjersnap]

Our 4-year old was utterly bored with Epcot when we were there in December. He loves science and nature, in fact he loved the Living with the Land ride (while I snoozed) and Garden Grill (to eat there was his only request for this trip, unfortunately), but thought Living Seas was a pretty lame aquarium as these things go. Of course, we did it commando style and I am wondering if that was part of the problem! This time, he and I are going to take it slower and these masks sound SO much up his alley. Can anyone give me the details, please? Are they free (isn't there a passport thing to get stamps in that costs $10 or so as well?)? Where do you get the masks to decorate?? Are there stations around WS? Thanks so much!

 

[MarkLem]

Our just turend 7 year old loved Epcot last week.

Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Living Seas, Test Track, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, some of the street shows in the World Showcase (acrobats at China for example), and she loved the passport thing at the Worrld Showcase the most.

 

[Caitlin'sMommy]

I am 25 and have not been there for over 10 yrs. However, the only thing I honestly remember about all of WDW when I was a kid other than the fireworks and the talking elevators in the Contempory Tower was the Passports in the WS at Epcot. They have a thread I believe somewhere here dedicated to saying hi in the different languages at Epcot. And when you go to the country to get the passport signed they will write Hi or whatever you want them to write in their native language and writing. I still have mine from back then and it is so cool to look at and see how to write hi in Japanese, French, etc. If you have the extra time I can almost bet the girls would enjoy that. We are going in Feb for DD2's third bday and I'm hoping we can get them to sign Happy Birthday in their native script also. No matter what you do it is WDW, it will always be there (thanks to us DISers) and you can always do what you miss on another trip and what you do get done the girls will never forget, it's just too magical.

 

[cleo]

DS has always loved Epcot and calls it his favorite park. If you have 3 days you may want to make it your last-day park. That way you may be inclined to slow down a touch and do some of the things geared toward children as well as the fast rides.

If you are hoping to do 3 parks I would think AK would have the fewest 'fast rides', so Epcot is a great 3rd park choice.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Jenjersnap To answer your questions: the masks can be found at the Kidcot Fun Stops in each of the countries in the WS. In your first country, find the "K" on your map and that is where the Kidcot stop is located. Just a hint, sometimes they are out of the way and you may have to do a little searching. We always try to make it into a game. Anyway, at the first stop you can pick up a blank mask. It is just a paper mask on a stick (similar to a paint stick). They can color part of the mask and then the CM will stamp the stick (like the passport) and attach a paper decoration to the mask. It is usually something to do with the country ie: teddy bears in Germany, a Viking ship in Norway, etc. At each county, they can color more of their mask and get it stamped along the way. These masks are totally free and a lot of fun. My boys (7,5 &2) have serveral already. The passports are cool too. They do cost around $10, but I think it was worth it. The CM in each country will write stuff in the passport and the passport also comes with stickers representing each country in the WS. My boys spend the plane ride home putting their stickers in the passport. I hope this helps. I think Epcot is great for kids.