Epcot in Evening with Toddler?

[ChicagoMom]

We'll be in WDW next August. I hadn't planned on going to Epcot because I didn't think my DD would enjoy it. We'll have a free day between MK and AK. DH is going to play golf in the morning. No plans for the rest of the day other than sitting by the pool and DD playing in the playground.

However, now I'm thinking about going to Epcot that evening. Just to the international part. Of course this would be contingent upon DD getting a decent nap during the day.

What do you think? Would a toddler enjoy that? Is it pretty? If we do go is there a restaurant you'd recommend for a family with a toddler? We'd probably want a TS restaurant with a good kids menu.

 

[flortlebap]

My DD loved Journey Into Imagination at 14 months. But that was about it. It's nice, but there may be a more fun way to spend your evening. Don't get me wrong, I love Epcot, but toddlers... Not so much.

How is she with fireworks? Some toddlers would love illuminations.

 

[stargazertechie]

I think your little one would really enjoy it- there are several performers, Snow White meets out there, the fireworks are gorgeous (if DD doesn't freak out about fireworks) and the buildings are all very pretty!

 

[patty57]

How old is your daughter?

 

[stormrider]

We spent an evening in the beginning of February at Epcot with my then 23 month old son. He loved the place! We popped him out of the stroller and parked it for a couple of hours. He got to run a little, but stopped every couple of steps and would point at something saying 'Ohh, awe!' It might be my favorite part of the trip!

 

[ChicagoMom]

She'll be 2 1/2. She's never seen fireworks so I'm not sure how she would react. I wasn't thinking of staying late enough for the fireworks but I'm not exactly sure what time they are.

 

[RyMacJ]

I think your little one would really enjoy it- there are several performers, Snow White meets out there, the fireworks are gorgeous (if DD doesn't freak out about fireworks) and the buildings are all very pretty!

Where does Snow White meet? She is DD2's absolute favorite. Also, is this the only place to meet her, or is she at MK? Also we are planning on doing the Princess meal in Norway, I don't know if she is one of the princesses there.

Thanks!

 

[adtillma1]

A 2.5 year old would probably really love it. We took my youngest son when he was about 2.5 and he loved the ride in Mexico (the one with Donald in the boat), Journey into the Imagination with Figment, and the Seas with Nemo and Friends. He actually loved the boat ride across the lake.

 

[disneynut11]

Illuminations is at 9 usually....I think the Living Seas with Nemo as well as the other aquariums would be a hit!

 

[Belle72]

Evening was a perfect time to visit Epcot for us. When dd was 2 1/2 we put her in the stroller in the evenings. She was tired out from the days activities and was happy to sit and see the sights, pop into shops and ride the few rides in each country. We did not do the movies since we were fairly certain she would not sit for those. We bought her a light up spinning toy that occupied her attention- and then let her snack while she rode in the stroller. We stopped for any entertainment, food or drink we were interested in. She seemed to like the low key vibe versus the higher intensity of the daytime when we did many rides and shows. Fireworks are usually at 9 pm at Epcot. If you think she may be a little timid for the fireworks but want to stay noise cancellation headphones work nicely- DD called them "magic earmuffs".

 

[Kgroo]

Why not take her to Akershus (in Norway) for dinner to see the Princesses?

We have taken our daughter to Epcot every year since she was a year old.

She can do the Kidcot stations, character meets (Belle and the Beast are my daughter's favorites - in France), the boat ride in Mexico, Journey into Imagination, The Seas with Nemo.

 

[Kgroo]

Where does Snow White meet? She is DD2's absolute favorite. Also, is this the only place to meet her, or is she at MK? Also we are planning on doing the Princess meal in Norway, I don't know if she is one of the princesses there.

Thanks!

Snow White is usually one of the characters at the Princess meal in Norway, but she is also in Germany - just check the times guide for when she is out. Some of the other characters that you can see in world showcase are Aladdin and Jasmine, Mulan, Belle and the Beast, Marie, Mary Poppins etc.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Where does Snow White meet? She is DD2's absolute favorite. Also, is this the only place to meet her, or is she at MK? Also we are planning on doing the Princess meal in Norway, I don't know if she is one of the princesses there.

Thanks!

Snow Wite can be found in Germany. Sometimes she is at Akershus, but there is no way to guarantee it. Definitely do a M&G at Germany if she really wants to meet Snow White. As far as restaurants go, Akershus is a good one. Lots of princess dining and the photo package is included in the price. She also might be fascinated by Teppan Edo, which is the Japanese restaurant where the chefs prepare the food on the hibachi right in front of you. If you aren't limiting yourself to just dining in the world showcase, and if your daughter is anything like my 2year old, she would love eating at Coral Reef. Request a table by the aquarium and mention that you have a little one who loves the fish. Also, Garden Grill is very fresh food with lots of character interaction from Chip, Dale, Mickey, and others who choose to stop by. That is where I think we have had the most character interaction as far as dining goes, actually.
Oh, and if you are going to be in Germany, kids love dining there. There is a little show that goes along with the meal that includes musicians and dancers.

If you are more interested in counter service, let me know and I will recommend some of those instead.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I thought of more things. My daughter is a big fan of music. If your toddler loves music, too, check out Off Kilter in Canada. They are a rock band that includes bagpipes. They will play some traditional bagpipe songs as well as some great rock songs. It's a great show.

Morocco is home to Mo Rockin - a fun little band that plays rhythm-infused world music and has a belly dancer.

There are plenty of M&G around the World Showcase including Mary Poppins, Pooh and friends, Alice, Jasmine, Aladdin, Genie, Jafar, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Donald and the other caballeros, and Mulan.

 

[jrtoastyman]

When my daughter was 2.5, we didn't take her to EPCOT because we thought, same as you, that there wouldn't really be enough there to keep her interest. When we came back just before her third birthday, though, we did take her over there and she loved it! Highlights:

-Journey Into Imagination
-Character Spot
-Innoventions Pavilions both have a lot of hands-on attractions
-Living Seas with Nemo (and the Living Seas pavilion)
-Turtle Talk with Crush
-Princess Storybook Dining @ Akershus
-Character Greetings all over World Showcase (Donald, Mulan, Snow White, Jasmine, Belle, Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Marie, Alice)
-She was transfixed by several of the little street shows in the World Showcase, too -- the acrobats in China, the juggler in Italy, etc.

Heck, we could have spent hours at the drums at the Outpost!

Point is, she LOVED it. We had planned on having her do the Kidcot stops to keep her engaged, but that was totally unnecessary.

One thing to check, though -- if character greetings are important, make sure they will still be going on by the time you get there -- some may be done by the time evening rolls around, as I recall...

 

[disneynut11]

The Character Spot alone was worth it!

 

[tjmw2727]

There is so much to do at Epcot - it is and has always been one of my dd's favorite parks!

I think they like it because in addition to the rides there are things to do and see - live shows and entertainment. My kids love the acrobats in China, beatles cover band in UK, candy maker in Japan, belly dancer in Morocco and the different instruments, drummers in Japan. Oh and the pastries and bread in france as well as the mime performers.

There are some fun activites in the innoventions plazas, they change all the time but there is usually something fun for a toddler to do and its nice and cool.

Rides, Mexico has a donald duck theme boat ride, Norway has a nice boatride but it does have some trolls - my kids never found it scary though. Journey into your imagination and the living seas are fun for toddlers as are the many playgrounds!

Many of the countries have there characters and it can be a nice way to meet them with shorter lines. Mary Poppins, Alice and the Pooh characters in UK, Alladin characters in Morocco etc.

One evening in Epcot would not be enough for us - but it's a good place to start

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

One problem is that most characters and most of the entertainment are during the afternoons.
There are a few entertainers doing their thing after 7pm but not many.

She may be interested in trying to color Duffy but I bet that wouldn't last long. I know my kids at 2 years old hated World Showcase. They got fussy quick so we got out of there fast. I can't imagine trying to bring them through it when they were even younger.

Plus it's more crowded during the evenings and it might be harder to steer a stroller around the crowds.
I also saw alot more people drinking around the world and acting stupid on my trip last week than I have ever seen on my early May trips before so you may want to consider that aspect too.

Akershus would be a good place to eat since the Princesses are there unless she's afraid of them. Maybe take her to ride the Seas with Nemo ride, do Turtle Talk with Crush, ride Imagination with Figment, Spaceship Earth and then go back to the resort instead of trying to do World Showcase.

 

[kmb584]

Just my $0.02 - DD is a new 3-year-old and Epcot is her favorite park! She didn't have a preference on her first two trips (15 months and 18 months) but at 2, 2.5, and our trip in late April ALL she wanted was to go to Epcot (with a side of MK).

Epcot houses most of her favorite attractions: Nemo, Journey Into Imagination, Living With The Land, The Character Spot, The Three Caballeros and Spaceship Earth. She always enjoys walking around WS, exploring the shops and loved running into Winnie & Tigger in The Toy Soldier two weeks ago.

SE is her "it" ride. I love it too and always have (except for the time when I was 6 and convinced it went upside down; dad was assigned to sit out and watch me eat a lollipop the size of my head.. ) but on our last trip I had to joy of seeing my decapitated head on the screen 15 times over a 2 day time period. We'd get off and just get right back in line - I'll take a happy toddler over a tantrum throwing one any day of the week!

All my tangents aside, I think Epcot will be a surefire hit for your DD even if you're just venturing to WS!

 

[ChicagoMom]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

RE the princess dining, I am one of *those* moms that doesn't like the princesses. DD doesn't know anything about the princesses yet and I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible. The only characters she knows are the Pooh characters.