EPCOT or Hollywood Studios w/2 & 5 y.olds?

[Anya22]

We are doing our first family trip (DH and I have been before) to WDW in May. My boys will be 2.5 and 5.5 years old when we go. We have three park days. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are a must for us. What is better for our third day given the age of our kids: EPCOT or Hollywood Studios?

 

[jaceraden]

We found much, much more for the kids (1.75 and 3.5) when we were at HS. Epcot was a bit of a snooze for us - even when the kids weren't sleeping in the stroller.

My 2 cents

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Buy Hoppers, do the kid stuff in both. The AK really doesn't take a full day anyway, so you could hop that night to a park with a nighttime show.

Anyway, you'll get lots of opinions here, so it depends on what you think your kids will like. My daughter visited at 3 and 3.5 and really enjoyed everything she did in Epcot. Test Track is a great first thrill ride.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

It depends on your kids and how much TV they watch.

DHS is better if your kids recognize and love PIXAR and Disney Channel characters.

If your kids have never seen a Toy Story movie or watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, they will probably find the architecture and displays around Epcot more fascinating than those costumed weirdos in DHS.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Between the two, I would pick Epcot, but in reality i might just do that third day back at MK. I bet they would love that the most. If you have hoppers, split the day between MK and Epcot.

 

[stsomewhere]

My kids love Epcot. At that age, they were fascinated with the jumping fountain, musical fountain, splash fountains, talk with Crush, Plenty to do.

Now that my kids are older 13 and 11, Epcot is the only park that they want to go to. They could spend days there.

 

[proud_canadian]

Epcot for sure! There is way more to do there than Hollywood studios.

My cousin also just got back and her kids were bored at hollywood studios! Epcot is awesome!

 

[amylynne01]

I would say Epcot too. We found DHS to be boring.

Or go back to MK!

 

[dopey22]

Definitely Epcot. We were done with DHS in 2 hours and the kids were bored there. There is so much more to do at Epcot.

 

[jaceraden]

I have enjoyed this thread tremendously.

Somehow we missed the World Showcase when we went to Epcot and I figured it was no big deal. Clearly I was wrong! Being wrong is great sometimes.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Both really.... went when DS was 3, 4, and 5.

Hollywood Studios - DS liked meeting all the characters, not found in the other parks. Liked dancing with Agent Oso at the Hollywood and Vine breakfast. Fantasmic! I guess Fantasmic could scare some children (so I heard) but DS had a great time. At age 4 and 5, he gained more interest in the shows -- Lights Motors Action, and Indiana Jones. And Toy Story of course... and the movie ride. Did I mention he went on Tower of Terror? What I like about Hollywood Studios is things seem closer together so less walking from one attraction to the other.

Epcot - Lots of walking is the biggest downside. Didn't mind it so much when DS was 3 and in a stroller, the other years we had to slow down a bit. Garden Grill dinner was a big hit with Chip and Dale there. Turtle Talk with Crush is a must do. DS liked all the performers in Epcot more so at age 4 and 5 -- there were some street performers in UK, the drummers in Japan, the Morocco band, etc... And slightly off Epcot, at the Boardwalk, he really liked the performers there - juggling, balancing, etc.. Epcot has characters too.... very nice to meet Belle and the Beast in France!

I left out a lot of stuff.... but between the 2 parks.... Hollywood Studios is DS's favorite by far.

 

[KrysiaG]

My kids adored DHS better. We had fun at Epcot on July 4 for the Fireworks, and they DEFINITELY loved Soarin and Test Track (2 of their fav rides) - but they seemed to be entertained more around the Toy Story stuff and the Stunt Track show at DHS.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Epcot.... there is alot to do there. It can take days! HS is ok with the 5 year old but it is unlikely that your 2 year old can do much besides watch some shows. The rides will all be too big for him.