Epcot or not?

[maryj11]

We skipped Epcot for several years after we went the first time a long time ago. We decided to go there a few years ago and loved it. Things have changed and the Living Seas is now awesome along with Soarin being my favorite ride. We love walking around and eating at the World Showcase. We went to Universal a few years ago also and did not really like it all that much. Things there just seemed unorganized and Disney CM's could fly circles around their CM's.

 

[Planogirl]

We skipped Epcot for several years after we went the first time a long time ago. We decided to go there a few years ago and loved it. Things have changed and the Living Seas is now awesome along with Soarin being my favorite ride. We love walking around and eating at the World Showcase. We went to Universal a few years ago also and did not really like it all that much. Things there just seemed unorganized and Disney CM's could fly circles around their CM's.

You'd probably be surprised at how many of them work at both resorts.

 

[maryj11]

You'd probably be surprised at how many of them work at both resorts.

Yes I guess I shouldn't say all the CM's at Universal were bad . It may of just been the day we went that we ran into a few that didn't seem to help. There was one that was pretty awesome while we were at the Harry Potter ride. There was one crazy man in there that was mad about not being able to find his locker and at the same time we had our backpack strap stuck in a closed locker below us. She did a great job helping both problems. But when we were entering the ride it was really confusing and none of the CM's were helping people figure out which way to go. We ended up in the single rider line lol and we didn't even know it.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

I was not an EPCOT fan. I loved Soarin' and The Seas with Nemo and Character Spot but that was about it. BUT.... On our most recent trip, I decided to really "do" EPCOT. A fellow Disney Addict was always raving about EPCOT and how much she loved it and I wanted to understand what she saw. Well, now I am a convert! Truly getting into and exploring the pavilions at World Showcase was fabulous, going into Spaceship Earth is now going to be a "must do" every trip, spending more time in the aquarium was fascinating; and don't even get me started on The Land! EPCOT is definitely a place where you have to seek out the magic a little more but it is full of amazing and wonderful experiences!

OH! And your younger kids might enjoy the Agent P adventures to help them get into exploring the pavilions in Wold Showcase. It can help something that they might think of as boring and make it super fun!

 

[Ceryssa]

I LOVE Epcot. We actually have more time schedule there than MK next trip. Surprisingly, my kids liked it pretty well too. I'd give up HS before Epcot; I couldn't go to Disney without it.

 

[dizzyr]

I was not an EPCOT fan. I loved Soarin' and The Seas with Nemo and Character Spot but that was about it. BUT.... On our most recent trip, I decided to really "do" EPCOT. A fellow Disney Addict was always raving about EPCOT and how much she loved it and I wanted to understand what she saw. Well, now I am a convert! Truly getting into and exploring the pavilions at World Showcase was fabulous, going into Spaceship Earth is now going to be a "must do" every trip, spending more time in the aquarium was fascinating; and don't even get me started on The Land! EPCOT is definitely a place where you have to seek out the magic a little more but it is full of amazing and wonderful experiences!

OH! And your younger kids might enjoy the Agent P adventures to help them get into exploring the pavilions in Wold Showcase. It can help something that they might think of as boring and make it super fun!

I have been reading trip reports that really show what Epcot has to offer and I'm very excited. I also just found out about the Agent P adventures and my kids would love that!!

 

[dizzyr]

We skipped Epcot for several years after we went the first time a long time ago. We decided to go there a few years ago and loved it. Things have changed and the Living Seas is now awesome along with Soarin being my favorite ride. We love walking around and eating at the World Showcase. We went to Universal a few years ago also and did not really like it all that much. Things there just seemed unorganized and Disney CM's could fly circles around their CM's.

We have an attraction here called Fly over Canada that is based on the Soaring ride and we love it!

Yes I guess I shouldn't say all the CM's at Universal were bad . It may of just been the day we went that we ran into a few that didn't seem to help. There was one that was pretty awesome while we were at the Harry Potter ride. There was one crazy man in there that was mad about not being able to find his locker and at the same time we had our backpack strap stuck in a closed locker below us. She did a great job helping both problems. But when we were entering the ride it was really confusing and none of the CM's were helping people figure out which way to go. We ended up in the single rider line lol and we didn't even know it.

We were at the above mentioned ride a couple of weeks ago and the people working the lines had no clue what was going on. We apparently had tickets for the express lane which we didn't even know existed so we got in the regular line (after showing our tickets to the staff member) and then the staff member at the front of the line gave us grief for not letting her know we had express lane tickets because she was supposed to have taken our photo ahead of the other line - um we didn't even know the express lane existed and apparently neither did the staff member that directed us here!!!

I LOVE Epcot. We actually have more time schedule there than MK next trip. Surprisingly, my kids liked it pretty well too. I'd give up HS before Epcot; I couldn't go to Disney without it.

I'm thinking with the refurbs going on at HS we'll only do one day there instead of my original plan of two so if we love Epcot we can do a second day there instead

 

[allwritemel]

Personally, I LOVE EPCOT - I much prefer it to Animal Kingdom (mainly because they use so much coconut there which gives me major problems, as I said on another thread). If you were to tell me I had to drop any park I would say Animal Kingdom. I like EPCOT too much to miss out on that. That park was the first 'Disney' thing I saw this year ... I got such a buzz! There's not much I DON'T like about the parks - especially EPCOT (MK will always be my favourite of course!)

Harry Potter is DEFINITELY worth a trip though - the new ride is awesome and the train is a must - both ways! There are two puppet shows and a singer on every 15 minutes, right by the new ride. I prefer the puppet shows but both are great. It's a lovely place to cool down and sit, just relax for a while. We sat on the floor MUCH longer than we intended until we discovered the line had reduced.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I leave today for nine days. I do both Disney and Universal. Going to do as follows:

MK - 2 days
Epcot - 2 days
AK - 1 day
HS - 1 day
Universal - 3 days

 

[jolene63]

Please don't skip Epcot! It's my family's second favorite park. We always go 2-3 times on our vacations. There is so much to see and do.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We no longer have any young children to influence our trips to Disney and where we spend time or don't. However, over the years, Epcot became our favorite park. Even when we lived down there and did frequent one day trips (with annual pass) we went to Epcot more than the others. We rarely did what I still call MGM and had been to Universal and it's not our cup of tea. You really should go to Epcot even if you only go once. I'd arrange to go later in the day so you could stay for Illuminations. I love World Showcase. There's less of Future World for us now that we're "older" but even so, I'd go to make sure you know what you're missing.

 

[niffer5150]

omgosh! i can't even imagine skipping epcot. it's my husband and DD's favorite park. i think it would be a great tragedy if you missed it. we find the open space and relaxed atmosphere a great relief after a magic kingdom day.

 

[Hopefully]

Epcot is our favorite park!!! We even bought BC DVC to be close to Epcot. Be sure to take your time in WS and notice the architecture of the buildings and the flowers and plants. They all are representative of that country and amazing.

 

[bantha09]

I am another vote for don't skip Epcot, it has been a fat pride of mine. For years, I love being able to explore in the world showcase, it is one of the few places in the works where you can truly sneak away from the crowds for a bit in the twists and turns. The food, and now that I Have been over 21 for a few years, the drinks, are some of my favorite on property.

Spaceship earth is also a must do, as is figment, but that one may be just me.

 

[electrocutie]

I love Epcot so much, I'm planning 2 days for it on my upcoming trip. I've always wanted to devote more time to it- and I've finally got the chance to!

 

[ErinInCT]

I have 2 girls 11 and 15. They still wanna do the kidcot mask decorating (which forces them in to each country) and they make their own passports to get stamped. We buy fans in China and the CMs will write our girls names on them in Chinese. The girls have them on their wall at home. We also do the pick a pearl in Japan (buy an oyster and they'll open it for you and give you the pearl). We love doing the penny pressers in each country (bring quarters and pennies with you). Agent Ps mission is fun. The shows are great - the Chinese acrobats, mariachis, etc. This website gives details on the shows and times http://wdwent.com/EPCOT.htm.My kids are not thrill ride types so we have to spend two full days at EPCOT.

 

[MindyDean]

Magic Kingdom and Epcot are must dos for my crew. Spaceship Earth, Soarin, Living with the Land, Test Track, Mexico Pavilion, American Dream and the leisurely walk around the World Showcase is required! Third park is AK. I can take or leave HS ( I still call it MGM). Maybe that will change with some of the new additions.

 

[alicat8]

Magic Kingdom and Epcot are must dos for my crew. Spaceship Earth, Soarin, Living with the Land, Test Track, Mexico Pavilion, American Dream and the leisurely walk around the World Showcase is required! Third park is AK. I can take or leave HS ( I still call it MGM). Maybe that will change with some of the new additions.

MGM 4 Life

 

[sersee05]

This had been a helpful thread for me ! We have been to epcot and it was always the least favorite park. Never did world showcase.. Dh and kids thought soarin wasnt very good. This time they all said th at epcot will be half a day. I told them they were going to give it a chance. We are going to ws. Ds9 doesn't like rides but is into history. He will love it. Hopefully I can win them over..

Universal is great. We loved it.

 

[dizzyr]

I have 2 girls 11 and 15. They still wanna do the kidcot mask decorating (which forces them in to each country) and they make their own passports to get stamped. We buy fans in China and the CMs will write our girls names on them in Chinese. The girls have them on their wall at home. We also do the pick a pearl in Japan (buy an oyster and they'll open it for you and give you the pearl). We love doing the penny pressers in each country (bring quarters and pennies with you). Agent Ps mission is fun. The shows are great - the Chinese acrobats, mariachis, etc. This website gives details on the shows and times http://wdwent.com/EPCOT.htm.My kids are not thrill ride types so we have to spend two full days at EPCOT.

Your girls are just a bit older than mine and it sounds like they like the same things - all of those things sound like something they would like.