Epcot review: Just back

[afcgirl]

We went to WDW for a week and stayed at POR Riverside (me, DH, DS6 and DS4). We had a great time.

We went to Epcot for the first time so I thought I would give my impressions.

We got there at opening time and went straight to Test Track. The wait was about 20 minutes. My DH and DS6 waited in line to go on, while I took DS4 (who is not yet 40") to get a FP for Soarin.

Dh and DS6 loved Test Track, although DS6 looks a little frightened in his picture. They then went on Soarin (timing worked out well with FP) and loved it as well. DS6 was also scared on Soarin because for some reason he thought it was going to go upside down. After the ride was over he loved it and said he would definitely do it again knowing it doesn't go upside down. Test Track was DH's favorite ride in WDW, with Soarin coming in a close second. We skipped Mission Space due to motion sickness concerns.

We then all four went to Spaceship Earth. The line moved quickly and the wait was only around 20 minutes. I loved this ride, I thought it was very well done. My kids were a little fearful when the ride started going down backwards, especially when it stopped for a few minutes. The ride stopped at least two times for some reason. Other than that, we loved it.

We then ate lunch at La Cellier (Canada) and I had a delicious French Dip sandwich. We walked around the entire lake at World Showcase. Although we were very hot it was still fun. We went on the boat ride at Mexico which gave us a nice break in the airconditioning.

Finally we went to the Living Seas. This was enjoyable, nothing too exciting.

Overall we had a great time at Epcot. The kids will enjoy it more when they are older, but still had a great time on Test Track and Soarin.

Feel free to ask questions.

 

[safetymom]

Did you do Crush at the Living Seas? Your kids would have loved it.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks for the great review!! We love Soarin'! I think it's the best! I was scared at first and then I was okay. I just didn't know what to expect that's why. My daughter loves loves this ride! My son just likes thrill rides! Glad you enjoyed your trip there. We have yet to do the Crush yet.

 

[figgy4me]

Did you see "Figment" and the 3D movie in Imagination? Norway's boat ride? The American Adventure? I also understand there is a place you can assemble small (keepable) robots in innovations. There is a lady in Japan that makes animals out of candy. She is very entertaining. So are alot of the performs throughout the showcase.

 

[afcgirl]

Did you do Crush at the Living Seas? Your kids would have loved it.

We didn't do it and that is the one thing I am kicking myself about. I didn't know anything about it beforehand and it had a long line. I feel like they should have a better description outside the attraction explaining what it is. I had no idea who Crush was or what it was about. Oh well.

 

[afcgirl]

Did you see "Figment" and the 3D movie in Imagination? Norway's boat ride? The American Adventure? I also understand there is a place you can assemble small (keepable) robots in innovations. There is a lady in Japan that makes animals out of candy. She is very entertaining. So are alot of the performs throughout the showcase.

No to all three. We stood in line for American Adventure for one minute before my kids begged to leave. They did not feel like sitting through a plain old movie I guess. We just didn't have time for the rest, as we went to MK for EMH afterwards. It was still a great, fun filled day. I think you really need two full days to get in everything at Epcot.

 

[mom22boys]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[CuteKatCar]

For everything you missed - there's your reason to go back .

Can you tell me what day of the week you were there?

Thanks,

Anna

 

[llij]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

We just got back too and I would say not to skip Epcot. We've been taking our girls there for as long as I can remember and they have always enjoyed that park. It is their second favorite right behind the MK!

There is so much for kids of all ages at Epcot. On this last trip, we saw tons of little kids having a blast at Epcot. Of course, you know what your boys would like though!
Whatever you do, have a great trip!!

 

[afcgirl]

For everything you missed - there's your reason to go back .

Can you tell me what day of the week you were there?

Thanks,

Anna

We were there on a Monday, when it was early entry day. We did not make it for early entry, as we were too tired to get up! We got there right around the time it opened for regular hours (around 9:00 a.m.).

 

[afcgirl]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

In my opinion that is a tough call with a 2 year old. Your 5 year old will probably like it, but your 2 year old will be too young for Test Track, Soarin and Mission Space. He might enjoy Spaceship Earth, unless he gets fearful of dark spaces. Since the Living Seas will be closed, that leaves that out. And the World Showcase I think would be too mature for him to appreciate. But if he is easygoing and likes to be strolled around in a pretty, interesting environment, World Showcase may work. At least it shouldn't be too hot in November. Maybe just plan on going for a few hours to see what it is like, and then hop somewhere else for the rest of the day. Have a great time!

 

[Friendly Frog]

Did you get to go on the Universe of Energy ride? ( My personal favorite.)

 

[poohluvr]

My kids are older, and I wasn't sure how they would take to Epcot. I actually warned them ahead of time that they might be a little bored, but they all loved it. We all loved Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Soarin was amazing!

 

[AndieB]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

For how long is the Living Seas going to be closed? We'll be there in early October and my son is really looking forward to it - are these things announced on the WDW website?

 

[mom22boys]

For how long is the Living Seas going to be closed? We'll be there in early October and my son is really looking forward to it - are these things announced on the WDW website?

I am afraid Living Seas will be closed while you are there. It is to be closed from the end of August until the end of November. Announcements are made on the WDW website and also on allearsnet.com. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

We first took our daughter there when she was 5 and it is her favorite park! She liked making the masks and getting her passport stamped at each country. We even took a picture of her with a CM in each country for her scrapbook. She loved Test Track, Living with the Land and the "Ellen ride with dinosaurs". I would definitely take them there as I think they can find a lot of things to do from a kids perspective.

ScoJo

 

[swilphil]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

World Showcase is my boys' favorite, especially after spending a few days in the other parks and going on lots of rides. They were 2 and almost 5 on our last trip. They love doing the Kidcot stations in each country and watching the street entertainment. They also like the train village in Germany and the Thomas the Train table in the UK Toy Shoppe, which often has the Pooh Characters for pictures and autographs. Outside the Toy Shoppe is a hedge maze that they like to run through. They also like exploring in the different pavilions and gardens. In the Africa Outpost, there are drums they can play. We like going to World Showcase when we need a break from the usual themepark atmosphere.

 

[kkmauch]

Thanks for the review! Epcot is still my big question mark. We will be at WDW in November. The Living Seas will be closed. We have a DS 2 and a DS 5. We have four day park hopper tickets. I can't decide if we should do Epcot or not?!? I am thinking that maybe we should take the pace a little slower and just thoroughly enjoy the other three parks and hit Epcot on a later trip when they are older. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Just thought I would throw my two cents in on this one. In May I brought my two young cousins to WDW for the first time. They are 5 and 8. So, they are a bit older than yours, but I think I've got some insight. To us, MGM and Epcot were the two big question makrs...would there be enough to hold their attention?
Here's what we did and it seemed to work out great: One morning we headed to MGM for EMH. We did ToT, RnR, Playhouse Disney and the Muppets. Then we went back to SSR for some swimming and lunch. At about 4 or so we went to Epcot. We did Test Track and Soarin, Living Seas, Imagination, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. We had a PS at Rose and Crown and got seats right on the water. One of the boys got to "start the fireworks" by pointing his "life saver" at the sky while the wait staff counted down to the fireworks. We watched Illuminations and went home. Later in the week, we hit a waterpark in the morning and then went to Epcot again for the boys to see some of the countries. It didn't take us long the second time around at Epcot.
Anything past future world they didn't really care for. We split Epcot up so that we could get things in without them getting too bored. They like MGM, but not as much as they liked Epcot. So, we spent less time at MGM than we thought. One of them was not a big ride person, so he spent a lot of time with mom in the shops or waiting in line for characters.
I think the key to Epcot for little ones is to break things up and make sure to hit a ride or attraction about every 30-45 minutes so they don't lose their focus.

 

[CuteKatCar]

My kids have been going to Ep-i-cot (that's what she called it at 2 1/2) since they were 2 - they have always loved it.

Don't underestimate it - experience it!!!!

Anna

 

[llij]

My kids have been going to Ep-i-cot (that's what she called it at 2 1/2) since they were 2 - they have always loved it.

Don't underestimate it - experience it!!!!

Anna

Oh my goodness, that is too funny! My youngest DD called Epcot --- Ep-i-cot for the longest time and I thought it was just her! Too cute!