Epcot or not?

[aj23]

I personally love Epcot and think you should give it a try. I find I can do a half day at both HS and AK,but can do a full day at least at both MK and Epcot.

 

[dizzyr]

I personally love Epcot and think you should give it a try. I find I can do a half day at both HS and AK,but can do a full day at least at both MK and Epcot.

What is it you love about Epcot? We ran out of time at both HS and AK so I wonder if its because it was all new or if its because the things that we are interested in are not the things that people like about Epcot. That's not coming out right but hopefully you know what I mean

 

[aj23]

What is it you love about Epcot? We ran out of time at both HS and AK so I wonder if its because it was all new or if its because the things that we are interested in are not the things that people like about Epcot. That's not coming out right but hopefully you know what I mean

I completely understand what you mean. I find the world showcase part of Epcot takes up most of my time. Even though I've been many times I still like to take my time and check out all the countries and maybe pick up some different snacks along the way.
And with AK and HS there are only a few things at each park I like. As someone who isn't a rollercoaster person I tend to stick with Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur and one of the shows at Ak. And star tours, toy story mania, muppetvision and the great movie ride at HS.

 

[disney world dreamer]

to be honest i'm not sure why you are even considering skipping epcot.

sounds like epcot is right up your alley!

there are SOME rides but also plenty of non ride activities/enterntainment.
there's interactive areas after most attractions like after journey into imagination with figment, the seas with nemo and friends, mission space, test track, and spaceship earth.
there's also innoventions (only east at the moment).
captain eo is coming back this month.
the countries in the world showcase offer tons of entertainment such as short cultural/historical films, singers, dancers, and interactive storytelling (i love participating in the shakespeare play skits in the UK)
there's also plenty of characters to meet in both future world and the world showcase.
and in my opinion illuminations reflections of earth is the best nighttime show disney world has.

universal doesn't really sound like your style.
its mostly rides/simulators and not many character interactions.

if you really enjoyed discovery cove that much then i'd be trying to decide between that and epcot not that and universal.

 

[dizzyr]

to be honest i'm not sure why you are even considering skipping epcot.

sounds like epcot is right up your alley!

there are SOME rides but also plenty of non ride activities/enterntainment.
there's interactive areas after most attractions like after journey into imagination with figment, the seas with nemo and friends, mission space, test track, and spaceship earth.
there's also innoventions (only east at the moment).
captain eo is coming back this month.
the countries in the world showcase offer tons of entertainment such as short cultural/historical films, singers, dancers, and interactive storytelling (i love participating in the shakespeare play skits in the UK)
there's also plenty of characters to meet in both future world and the world showcase.
and in my opinion illuminations reflections of earth is the best nighttime show disney world has.

universal doesn't really sound like your style.
its mostly rides/simulators and not many character interactions.

if you really enjoyed discovery cove that much then i'd be trying to decide between that and epcot not that and universal.

Honestly after reading this thread I'm wonder why I'd skip it too!! It is starting to sound more and more like things we'd like.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Honestly after reading this thread I'm wonder why I'd skip it too!! It is starting to sound more and more like things we'd like.

and just putting it out there that epcot has a dolphin interecation.
although you must be 13+ so this may not work for your family if your 10yr old wants to do it.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/dolphins-in-depth/

 

[dizzyr]

and just putting it out there that epcot has a dolphin interecation.
although you must be 13+ so this may not work for your family if your 10yr old wants to do it.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/dolphins-in-depth/

I did see that but I would never book it if it meant only one of my kids could do it and Discovery Cove was so much more than dolphins - it was the whole day experience I loved.

 

[disney world dreamer]

I did see that but I would never book it if it meant only one of my kids could do it and Discovery Cove was so much more than dolphins - it was the whole day experience I loved.

completely understandable.

 

[Planogirl]

Why not go to Epcot early in your trip and then if you like it you could even go back? You might just love it or be like me and detest it but you'll never know unless you check it out.

 

[Minnie-Maniac]

I would definitely do Epcot at least 1 day. Soarin', Test Track, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Space Ship Earth, Gran Fiesta Boat Ride in Mexico andThe American Adventure.

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

I can't imagine ever skipping Epcot on one of our trips! We even stay at the Epcot area hotels in order to be close enough to walk there for dinner! It sounds like your kids are at a great age to enjoy it as well.

As others have said, Epcot isn't heavy on rides, but does have a couple of great ones. The attraction for me is the interactive stuff in future world and the World Showcase. There are so many good restaurants and food vendors that we always find something for all to enjoy, and it's just so fun walking through the countries, looking through the shops and talking with the cast members (who are from those respective countries!). The vibe is so cool.

If you don't like shopping there are shows at many of the countries, that are reflective of their culture. It's just a beautiful park in so many ways.

Finally, and people have hit on it already -- Illuminations! It's a great nighttime spectacular.

If you're not a ride person and you like shows, food, shopping, and people, then you may very well fall in love with Epcot!

 

[dizzyr]

I can't imagine ever skipping Epcot on one of our trips! We even stay at the Epcot area hotels in order to be close enough to walk there for dinner!

Oh we're staying at Caribbean Beach Resort - can you walk to Epcot from there?? That would be even more incentive for us to go on arrival day.

 

[dizzyr]

Ok you've all convinced me!! I'm not skipping Epcot! I'll plan to go there on arrival day and then do the other three parks saving the last two days for whatever park we want to revisit. If I do arrival day as a park day then I may even be able to add in Discovery Cove mid trip! Win Win

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

Oh we're staying at Caribbean Beach Resort - can you walk to Epcot from there?? That would be even more incentive for us to go on arrival day.

Unfortunately, no. The Epcot area resorts from which people usually walk are Yacht/Beach Club. Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk are also a short boat ride away.

CBR is very close though!

 

[BudgieMama]

Definitely don't Skip Epcot again! Lovely park, lovely atmosphere.

Personally, if we could only do three parks, we'd Skip DHS, especially now most of it is shut! I know that's your DH's favourite, but I wouldn't write Epcot off without trying it. Expected to be a bit bored, but had a fantastic day!

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

We love Epcot, although it doesn't have a ton of rides, we love World Showcase. DD has loved to explore the countries since she was 8 (16 now), we have to prod her along to the next country. We are doing a 6 day trip, Epcot and MK are on the schedule for two days each.

 

[rwdavis2]

If it was Epcot vs. Universal for me then Universal wins every time. The problem is you need almost 2 days to do Universal and park-to-park tickets for Harry Potter to ride the train.

 

[rwdavis2]

From what I understand Forbidden Journey may be the only ride limited by one's size. I just missed fitting in last trip. But I did get to ride all the coasters for the first time.

 

[alicat8]

I think of Epcot as a lot to see, but not a lot to do. I like it, but to me it's the most exhausting day. Everything feels very spread out with very little shade for your walking, and it's a lot of walking/looking. WS is beautiful and amazing to see, but it's really just food and shops with a few shows mixed in if you plan well enough to catch them. When my brother and I were your daughters' ages, it was the park we skipped or did for a half day. We appreciated it more when we were a little bit older. You should definitely see it at least once.

 

[rwdavis2]

I think of Epcot as a lot to see, but not a lot to do. I like it, but to me it's the most exhausting day. Everything feels very spread out with very little shade for your walking, and it's a lot of walking/looking. WS is beautiful and amazing to see, but it's really just food and shops with a few shows mixed in if you plan well enough to catch them. When my brother and I were your daughters' ages, it was the park we skipped or did for a half day. We appreciated it more when we were a little bit older. You should definitely see it at least once.

That's been our take on it as well the last couple of trips. There was little interest in buying anything at the shops. We do WS just because it's there after we see attractions in Future World.