Epcot stategies

[meanmom121]

We will be at walt disney world in July and I would like to know the best stategy for getting around Epcot effeciently. We also plan to eat at Akershaus and I need to decide on lunch or dinner. I welcome any and all advice for or adventure to epcot.

thanks meanmom121

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Hello Mom;

I've been to Epcot about 12 or so times...and I would love to give you advice but it is dependent on who is going with you (ages), what they like (water, scary, educational) and the excitement of Attractions they can handle.

My latest trip (last 3 trips) has been visits with 3 teens staying at the BC and we have a very definite path that works for us but may not work for everyone....so a little information please and I will help (and others) all we can.

Hugs,
Mary

 

[meanmom121]

I will be taking a 9year old and an 11 year old. They are great science an d nature fans but not in for any really scary rides. They are so excited about our trip, this will be the whole family's first trip to Epcot so we would like to see as much as possible.

meanmom121

 

[MerMom60_94]

Good Morning Mean Mom. We have been taking our DD (14) to Epcot since she was 6 and this is her and our favorite of the parks. If you have the time, I would allow two days to really enjoy and take everything in. Since your kids are sciency, they will likely enjoy the East and West Innovation pavillions. They have sections where you can do things such as make paper and try out new games. Also, take the boat ride in The Land that goes through the green houses and take in Soarin' and Test Track. Later in the day start checking out the countries and shows in World Showcase. Each country has a movie or an act. For instance, China has both a movie and a Chinese acrobat troupe that is fabulous. England has a Beatles tribute band, Morocco has a belly dancer and a rock band. Oh, and they would probably love the candy lady in Japan. Get to her show a little bit early so your kids are up front and hopefully one of them will get picked to tell her what kind of animal to make (that they can keep).

Epcot is a great time. I hope you and your kids enjoy!

 

[katdances]

Hi meanmom,

When you first arrive at Epcot, you should check the wait time board behind Spaceship Earth (the giant golf ball -- also a good ride for a rest) to see what your first FastPass should be. I would recommend you get your FP for Soarin' first. After that, make sure you check out the Land and see the Manatee in the Seas (check on that one -- I heard one was released back into the wild). In that same area is the Imagination Pavilion which has some fun interactive technology after the ride. Also, any science loving kid will enjoy Innoventions (adults should check out the Smart House). After conquering Future World, then move on to explore the countries in the World Showcase. Since it stays open later than Future World, there's not as much of a rush. You might want to set aside 2 days for Epcot since there is so much that could appeal to kids who love science and nature. Hope this helps!

Kate

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

(Manatees were in The Seas, not THe Land last I checked )

Okay - here's what I would do with a 9 & 11 yr old:

Eat light b'fast at resort. Enter Epcot, head to The Land. Soarin (FP if necessary - we always get there early enough to walk right in), Circle of Life, there is an easy boat ride which is educational re: plants and agriculture if you are interested in that stuff. Eat lunch (CS) at The Land Food Courtyard. Back track to Imagination...we've skipped FIgment but I remember it was cute...I'll defer to others to recommend Figment. After Imagination Back Track to The Seas....all attractions at The Seas are Perfect for your kids. Head to Spaceship Earth. Mission Space can be scary but it has two alternatives....Green (easier) and ORange (scary)...so decide if the kids want to experience it. Then head to Test Track....it goes fast but isn't really scary. You can fast pass or single rider both MS and TT. Here is how we Single Rider'ed when our kids were that age....Parent #1 goes first, then kids then Parent #2. That way you have the kids sandwiched in the middle. At this point we always take the boat to Japan for an early dinner at Teppan Edo. If you don't do that, I'll take you around the world counter clockwise...Head toward UK and Canada. "Off Kilter" is highly recommended but I've not seen it. In France my girls like to visit Aurora at the Perfume Shop (Sleeping Beauty) and Beauty & the Beast outside. Don't miss Serveur Amuseant...it's really neat. Head towards Japan, experience the Drum show, shopping is cool in Japan. Head to America....pretty neat educational show with Ben Franklin...okay counter service if you're hungry. Italy has a neat comedy street drama skit....interactive. China - acrobats are good. Norway and Mexico have rides if you need to cool down but IMO missable.

They blocked off my fav spot for Illuminations so I've not found a new one since...but just make sure whereever you are ...you can see the middle of the lake and the sky. I'm sure some folks on here will tell you exactly where to stand...

Hope that helps - LMK if you have questions !


Hugs,
Mary

 

[meanmom121]

Thanks for all the great tips , these have given me some better perspective on planning my day. You guys are great. I still welcome any other tips anyone wants to share

love meanmom aka Karen

 

[TinkSassy]

Just a few to add - Try to catch Universe of Energy the kids will like the dinosaurs. Japan has a candy artist that is amazing - if your kids are in the right spot she may make something for them too! She is one of 15 in the world that do this and the only woman trained in this art - I was mesmerized by her and the kids loved it.

A late dessert or dinner at Rose and Crown is good for Illuminations. You need to arrive early - make your reservation about 30 minutes before Illuminations and show up about 30 minutes before that and request outdoor seating. Best view I've had for the show and most comfortable!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Good to hear about the Japan candy maker!

I left out "Honey I shrunk the audience". It can be scary for some kids...but we've always loved it. (It's in Imagination) ...I'll go ahead and tell you what I recall to be the scary stuff. It's a 3d movie so of course something has to pop out at you. Bumbling Professor is receiving an award for his shrinking machine and during the obligatory 'demonstration' "Something goes terribly wrong". (I'm gonna do a thread on this....me & family always laugh about how for most modern rides......"Something goes terribly wrong").

And the audience (YOU) is shrunk. Youngest kid of Prof. has a Snake.....which gets loose.... MIce get loose.....(pick up your feet if you don't want to feel the "tails". )

You get the picture....so if kids can deal with it - warn them....WDW ALWAYS POSTS WARNINGS around rides . Walt doesn't want crying scared kids any more than YOU do !

More later....hope that helps!

Mary

 

[Metro West]

 

[meanmom121]

My kids will love honey I shrunk the kids

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Then fit it in between The Land and The Seas. Imagination is between those two.

If you are having dinner at Alkershus, then you can head there for dinner after Test Track, and do the "World" clockwise, ending up at UK/Canada....which has some good spots for Illuminations....

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Oh - another thing....Epcot has some reall cool (pun) water fun areas. When my kids were younger, Epcot was a day when they would wear their bathing suits with a cover or I'd bring an extra set of clothes....because the water areas (water popping up out of the ground, misting stations, etc) just drew them in like a magnet, couldn't avoid it...nor would I want to - they would have so much fun! Of course now, my teens are too old for that. If your kids love to play in water, it's something to think about.

 

[meanmom121]

OH THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW ABOUT THE WATER!! i CAN GUARANTE
MY KIDS WILL BE IN THE WATER SO THE BATHING SUITS IS A GREAT IDEA. DO YOU THINK WE CAN FIT ALL OF EPCOT IN, IN JUST O NE DAY?
KAREN

 

[meanmom121]

OKAY - EXTRA EPCOT HOURS - WHICH IS BETTER EXTRA HOUR IN THE MORNING OR THREE EXTRA HOURS IN THE EVENING? i WAS THINKING THE THREE EXTRA HOURS WILL HELP US BE ABLE TO SEE ALL OF WORLD SHOWCASE.
HUGS, KAREN

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Hey Mom!

We are NOT morning people so we usually opt for the 3 extra late hours....Some folks might prefer morning if they get up that early...but you may want to check to see exactly what closes down at which time...

Seems to me that just certain attractions remain open....I'll defer to other folks to tell you that.....

DFF's?

Hugs,
Mary

 

[meanmom121]

So Does anyone out here know what stays open on night extended hours at epcot?
meanmom121 aka Karen

 

[kellieb71]

Epcot is our favorite park of the 4, so for each trip, we always try to spend 2 days there - one in the World Showcase and one in Futureworld. (And we try for a Soarin' FP for each day too - we just like it that much). We also plan our trips around the festivals - (Food and Wine or Flower and Garden) so there's some additional reason to spend extra time there.

Enjoy your trip! Don't be in such a rush to see everything that you don't enjoy what you DO see!

 

[meanmom121]

Good advice Kellieb71
Thanks Karen