Epcot Question

[disqueen2]

I'm embarrassed to say we have never been to Epcot. Been to MK and MGM a million times, but never Epcot. DH and DD just don't seem interested. This trip, however, I have insisted after reading all the posts here that we must do Epcot. So my question, is Epcot a full day park? And, is it interesting for a 16 year old? She's a thrill ride maniac, so I think with the newer rides, she might like it (you never know with teenagers). I've read up on Epcot, but without ever being there, it doesn't seem like it would be a full day. Can anyone help out an Epcot newbie? Thanks for any help!

 

[aug16]

I think you will like Epcot. It does have a couple of thrill rides like Test Track and Mission Space. Then there is Soarin which I woudn't consider a thrill ride, but it is still a fun ride. There really is a lot to see and do at Epcot, and when we got we usually spend a couple of days there. In my opinion, I think it is a full day park if you want to do the World Showcase and Future World. If you just want to do Future World, then you could probably do that in a half day.

 

[loubelou]

There is so much to do at Epcot!! We've been to WDW twice and Epcot is the only park that we feel we've haven't really gotten to do thoroughly. The first time we went in 2001 our boys were younger and we spent more time at MK. Then in 2003, each time we'd go to Epcot there would be a down pour and we would end up stuck in one area of the park longer than we would have liked and we didn't end up getting to see as much as we had hoped. This trip our boys are older (10 & 13) and we plan on spending more time at Epcot than any other park. I've always been bummed because I always leave WDW wishing I'd had more time at Epcot. One day barely makes a dent, IMO.

 

[Leota]

My 18yo DS loves Epcot. It's his favorite Park. He's also a Thrill Ride Junkie. He loves to do Mission:Space repeatedly, also Test Track & even tho it's not a thrill ride, Soarin'. We also love to do all of the Future World attractions, not just the E-Ticket attractions.

Then there's World Showcase & all the treasures there. I don't know if your daughter likes Music & Food, but my DS does & he loves checking out the different sights, sounds & tastes in World Showcase. The shopping there is fabulous & would appeal to her. Esp. if she goes in with something in particular to collect, like a keychain, magnet, candy etc.... from each country.

We do Epcot just about every day of our trips to WDW, even if it's just for an hour or two at a time. It's our whole family's favorite Park at this stage in our luives & our Disney visits.

 

[BostonTink85]

I love Epcot. The last trip we went on it was myself and my best friend (two 20 yr olds) and my sister and her best friend (two 16 yr olds) We got there for opening and had a late lunch around 2. So from about 9 to 2 we did everything we wanted in Future World and hit every country in Epcot. We did end up going back at night, which I would recommend, because we love seeing all the countries lit up and Illuminations is really an amazing fireworks show.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I have this really radical idea and it goes like this...it is a family vacation and YOU are part of the family. If you are doing stuff that interests everyone else, they can do Epcot with you...and they can do it with a good attitude.

Epcot is my wife's favorite park. When the kids expressed the possibility of being bored, she asked if they thought it would be more or less boring than staying home. You can probably guess their response. Three of my four kids ((ages 20, 14, & 9) really like Epcot. My 19 year old daughter isn't a big fan but there are things she enjoys there.

Mission Space is neat - take time to enjoy the activities at the end of the ride too. There are kiosks where you can send really fun photo e-cards to her friends (bring email addresses along).

Test Track is not a lot different than the way my wife drives our mini-van, or so the kids say. We all prefer this ride after dark.

Soarin' isn't thrilling but it is neat. Imagine watching the travel channel on an IMAX screen from a porch swing hung 20 feet up in the air. What's not to love about that.

Club Cool offers free soda samples from around the world - kind of fun.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience is a fun 3-D.

There is a "Stomp"-like percussion group that performs in Future World called Jammitors that we always enjoy. There is a techtronic band near Figment called "Cyber Groove" that we haven't seen yet.

As for the World Showcase - my non-Epcot daughter always loves eating at the San Angel Inn in the Mexico pavilion.

See the Circle-Vision movie in China, just for the experience. The Dragon Legend Acrobats are neat there. We're not huge fans of the Canada circle-vision.

My kids are not particularly enthralled with the movie in the France Pavilion or the American Adventure. They do like the Maelstrom ride in Norway. We won't ride with them in the Mexico ride. It is pretty lame - a little like a cheap "It's a Small World" so my kids ride with their hands up rollercoaster style and scream. They're usually not obnoxious but they're sense of common courtesy completely vaporizes here. My apologies to the other riders.

Other entertainment that all my kids enjoy - "Off Kilter" is a celtic infused rock group in the Canada pavilion. "British Invasion" is only fun if your daughter has been raised listening to the Oldies station - then she'll know the words to the Beatles songs, this is fun after dark. She may enjoy "The World Showcase Players" in the Italy & UK pavilions, unless her sense of humor is too sophisticated. We think they're funny. "Serveur Amusant" is a fun balancing act in the France pavilion. MoRockin' is pop music w/ a middle eastern sound in Morocco. We all love Miyuki, the candy artist, in the Japan pavilion - really impressive. Sergio is a neat juggler in Italy.

And IllumiNations is a great fireworks display.

I really hope you get to go to Epcot and that you all enjoy yourselves.

 

[mattsdragon]

Completely agree with ranger's post above. EPCOT is the most under-rated park. I wish they would open Wonders of Life, but we still haven't done it all, so I'm in no hurry to get into WOL.

Dfinitely an all-day park, go, any you'll change your minds about AK.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

To do Epcot properly takes at least two full days. One day for Future World and one day for World Showcase. Don't tell the kids, but it is educational. The best way to describe Epcot is as a permanent World's Fair. It definitely has the best in-park restaurants.

And don't miss Journey Into Imagination With Figment!

 

[Tinkerboy00]

Epcot is my favorite park. I always usually do a full day. There are some great shows to catch, plenty of food to try and several great rides, as well as fun/cute shops (world showcase).

 

[Allison]

To do Epcot properly takes at least two full days. One day for Future World and one day for World Showcase. Don't tell the kids, but it is educational. The best way to describe Epcot is as a permanent World's Fair. It definitely has the best in-park restaurants.

And don't miss Journey Into Imagination With Figment!

I agree. We split it into 2 days. I love Epcot.

My kids love the Figment attraction and they aren't even "little" kids. It's just one of those things they think is really cute.

Of course, Illuminations is amazing.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We love Epcot. It's my most favorite park next to MK. Not to mention how beautiful it is there. There is plenty to do there and we usually spend about two and a half days there. Oh, and all the great resturants in WS. Even our Grandchildren like it there(4 and 5) doing all the Kidcot stuff. I'm sure you won't be sorry you went. Besides, you want a complete picture and experience of WDW. Without going to Epcot your missing part of the magic.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Epcot is our teens' favorite park, and it does take two days to see it all. One thing you definitely need to see when you go ... Spaceship Earth ... which is inside the big ball. It is the essence of Epcot, and should not be missed!

 

[sticker231]

I have this really radical idea and it goes like this...it is a family vacation and YOU are part of the family. If you are doing stuff that interests everyone else, they can do Epcot with you...and they can do it with a good attitude.

Epcot is my wife's favorite park. When the kids expressed the possibility of being bored, she asked if they thought it would be more or less boring than staying home. You can probably guess their response. Three of my four kids ((ages 20, 14, & 9) really like Epcot. My 19 year old daughter isn't a big fan but there are things she enjoys there.

Mission Space is neat - take time to enjoy the activities at the end of the ride too. There are kiosks where you can send really fun photo e-cards to her friends (bring email addresses along).

Test Track is not a lot different than the way my wife drives our mini-van, or so the kids say. We all prefer this ride after dark.

Soarin' isn't thrilling but it is neat. Imagine watching the travel channel on an IMAX screen from a porch swing hung 20 feet up in the air. What's not to love about that.

Club Cool offers free soda samples from around the world - kind of fun.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience is a fun 3-D.

There is a "Stomp"-like percussion group that performs in Future World called Jammitors that we always enjoy. There is a techtronic band near Figment called "Cyber Groove" that we haven't seen yet.

As for the World Showcase - my non-Epcot daughter always loves eating at the San Angel Inn in the Mexico pavilion.

See the Circle-Vision movie in China, just for the experience. The Dragon Legend Acrobats are neat there. We're not huge fans of the Canada circle-vision.

My kids are not particularly enthralled with the movie in the France Pavilion or the American Adventure. They do like the Maelstrom ride in Norway. We won't ride with them in the Mexico ride. It is pretty lame - a little like a cheap "It's a Small World" so my kids ride with their hands up rollercoaster style and scream. They're usually not obnoxious but they're sense of common courtesy completely vaporizes here. My apologies to the other riders.

Other entertainment that all my kids enjoy - "Off Kilter" is a celtic infused rock group in the Canada pavilion. "British Invasion" is only fun if your daughter has been raised listening to the Oldies station - then she'll know the words to the Beatles songs, this is fun after dark. She may enjoy "The World Showcase Players" in the Italy & UK pavilions, unless her sense of humor is too sophisticated. We think they're funny. "Serveur Amusant" is a fun balancing act in the France pavilion. MoRockin' is pop music w/ a middle eastern sound in Morocco. We all love Miyuki, the candy artist, in the Japan pavilion - really impressive. Sergio is a neat juggler in Italy.

And IllumiNations is a great fireworks display.

I really hope you get to go to Epcot and that you all enjoy yourselves.

Not much more for anyone to add after that post. We love Epcot along with our kids 5/4/3. Don't miss out.

 

[disqueen2]

Thanks so much to everyone for the great responses. And thanks so much to ChairborneRangr for the in-depth review of Epcot. I had no idea there was so much to do there. I've printed out the responses and showed my family and they are now looking forward to going also. Mission Space has my DD's eye and she's been on the computer reading up on it. Looks like I might be needing more days on our tickets after all.

 

[kennezgirl]

Epcot is my entire family's favorite park...and our ages range from 5 to 50. The World Showcase is hands-down the best Disney has to offer.
Go, be amazed, and enjoy!

 

[Disney_Princess1025]

There are so many things to do at epcot. There is Space, Land and the Living seas. Then there is the World show case, where a bunch of different countries and cultures and in one place like Norway, Japan, China, Mexico, Germany, Italy, America, Moracco, United Kingdom and Canada all in one park. As for Space there is the famouse mission space. The land there is sorin, test track, and some shows. The sea is awesome, there are thousands of fish in one tank, underground. This is Deffinaly a one day park.
I was just like you once, my parents didnt like epcot, so we didnt go for 3 trips. now we cant leave untill we go to epcot.

 

[Dustin]

For me epcot is a full day park. I'm 20 so my perspective of epcot has changed tremendously in the past few years. When I was your DDs age, I just wanted to ride the rides and get out of there. However, in my recent trip I spent most of my time in world showcase enjoying the atmosphere. I think its a maturity issue. If she doesn't want to spend a whole day, and you do, I would recomend some sort of plan that could break you up for the day so you could explore a little bit. Epoct is worth it. have fun!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Glad I could help! I'm also glad your family seems to be getting excited.

This is worth repeating... You really have to watch the show schedule. Check Steve Soars site just before you go(check my links site). We have been to Epcot many times and still haven't seen everything.

 

[alfredromero1975]

I'm embarrassed to say we have never been to Epcot. Been to MK and MGM a million times, but never Epcot. DH and DD just don't seem interested. This trip, however, I have insisted after reading all the posts here that we must do Epcot. So my question, is Epcot a full day park? And, is it interesting for a 16 year old? She's a thrill ride maniac, so I think with the newer rides, she might like it (you never know with teenagers). I've read up on Epcot, but without ever being there, it doesn't seem like it would be a full day. Can anyone help out an Epcot newbie? Thanks for any help!

I'm glad you finally put your foot down. I'm sure you've been curious about Epcot for a long time. Many way that Epcot is one of their favorite WDW parks. Plenty to do there. Some of the highlights include great food, so make one or more reservations in advance.

Rather than worrying too much about your DH and DD, let's not forget that you are very important too So please visit with your top pics in mind FOR YOU!

That being said, there are many nice attractions at Epcot. While some may not be all that exciting, they tend to have very short waits - like Spaceship Search and the boat ride in Mexico. Your DD may enjoy Mission Space, Test Track and Soarin.

Anyway, best of luck and have fun!!!!

 

[bytheblood]

I am sure your teen would love Test Track, Soarin', Mission Space and many of the other attractions in EPCOT.

I avoided it at first, but now I love it.