Epcot strategy with a Nemo obsessed toddler

[mgc]

Hello everyone-
I am heading to Disney in November with my 2 1/2 year old...He LOVES Nemo (so we are staying at Art of Animation) and, of course, we want to do the Nemo ride at Epcot.

I am a little concerned about crowds as we will be there during Food & Wine festival and "Jersey Week". Our plan is to go to Epcot on Monday 11/7 with the hopes that this day might be a little less crowded than later in the week?

We were late planning this trip, so the only character breakfast I could book is at the Garden Grill at 9:25 am... My priorities for Epcot (in this order) are 1. The Seas with Nemo Pavillion (nemo ride, looking at the aquarium, and Turtle Talk) 2. Walking the World Showcase and having lunch there 3. The character spot.

We'll do other things if we have time but I'm more concerned about going at our own pace and spending time where we most want to vs. cramming everything in. I've also heard that Food & Wine can make the World Showcase crowded and rowdy as the day goes on so I am not interested in having dinner there.

My son is NOT one who will nap in the stroller so we will likely head back to the hotel around 2-2:30pm or so...Can anyone make suggestions about how I should time the Fast Passes and organize our day? I know my son will want to spend time looking at the aquarium and might want to ride the ride again. Should I cancel the 9:25 breakfast reservation to give us more park time?

Thanks so much for any help/advice!

 

[Robo]

Should I cancel the 9:25 breakfast reservation to give us more park time?

No need to do that.

You should be able to ride the Nemo Clamshells 2-3 times with little difficulty.

Seeing Turtle Talk a couple of times is a lot of fun, too.

You'll be fine.

BTW, you can schedule a LATE lunch in WS (say 4PM, or so) and you'll be OK there, too.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Also F&W is busier/rowdier (sp?) on the weekends as more locals head to the park then so I wouldn't be too concerned with being in world showcase on a Monday afternoon/evening if you come back after your son's nap

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My only concern is that you will be eating breakfast at 9:30 and, if you also want to eat lunch and head out by 2:30, you will be spending a lot of time eating! Is there a Garden Grill lunch available? If so, I would try to switch to lunch, perhaps around 11:30 - noon and considering eating something light at your resort for breakfast. When you get to EP, I would go to character spot first (get a FP+, perhaps 9 - 10 am), then on to Living Seas where you can spend the majority of your time (my DS could spend 2 hours in here!). If you have some time before lunch, perhaps ride Living with the Land. Then lunch at Garden Grill and walk around WS. That would give you about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to leisurely walk around WS. Then you can leave for your afternoon break.

 

[Klayfish]

Nemo is not a very crowded ride, so you can get on it pretty much anytime you want. Since it's a Tier 2 level FP+, I'd recommend using one of those for it simply because your son loves Nemo so much and most of the other Tier 2 rides don't "need" FP+ either. That way, even if there's a 15 minute wait, you can get right to the front of the line. But reality is, like Robo said, you should be able to ride it several times within a short time period. Turtle Talk is at the exit of the ride and it's not crowded either. You can also take your time and see the aquarium as long as you wish.

If he loves Nemo so much, be sure to see the Finding Nemo show in Animal Kingdom.

 

[BippityBrittany]

In addition to the Nemo attraction, Turtle Talk with Crush is a MUST do! It's very cute and the children have the opportunity to ask Crush any question they wish! It's super cute even for adults! It's also very interactive which is always great for the little ones!

 

[poohfriend77]

My only concern is that you will be eating breakfast at 9:30 and, if you also want to eat lunch and head out by 2:30, you will be spending a lot of time eating! Is there a Garden Grill lunch available? If so, I would try to switch to lunch, perhaps around 11:30 - noon and considering eating something light at your resort for breakfast. When you get to EP, I would go to character spot first (get a FP+, perhaps 9 - 10 am), then on to Living Seas where you can spend the majority of your time (my DS could spend 2 hours in here!). If you have some time before lunch, perhaps ride Living with the Land. Then lunch at Garden Grill and walk around WS. That would give you about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to leisurely walk around WS. Then you can leave for your afternoon break.

This is a GREAT plan! I just wanted to add that the Touring Plans web site has an AWESOME dining reservation finder that could help you secure different dining times/restaurants. It's free, you don't even need the paid subscription. We planned our trip 7 months in advance, and I made all the perfect ADRs at the 180-day mark... then we changed our minds and moved the trip up by 6 weeks, and all our favorites were full. With the Touring Plans feature and a little patience, I have now secured ADRs at all my desired restaurants, at the times I wanted. Have a great trip!

 

[kayemgi]

My daughter loves Nemo as well. For our Epcot morning, we are planning to do Joy & Sadness at rope drop, and then Baymax if his line is still short. Then a 10am (hopefully) FP for Soarin', Living with the Land, and then we will head over to The Seas, ride Nemo, use a FP for Turtle Talk, and then let her run around the aquariums to her heart's content. We will head up to the WS for a F&W late lunch and then head back to the resort for a nap and a swim.

 

[mgc]

My only concern is that you will be eating breakfast at 9:30 and, if you also want to eat lunch and head out by 2:30, you will be spending a lot of time eating! Is there a Garden Grill lunch available? If so, I would try to switch to lunch, perhaps around 11:30 - noon and considering eating something light at your resort for breakfast. When you get to EP, I would go to character spot first (get a FP+, perhaps 9 - 10 am), then on to Living Seas where you can spend the majority of your time (my DS could spend 2 hours in here!). If you have some time before lunch, perhaps ride Living with the Land. Then lunch at Garden Grill and walk around WS. That would give you about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to leisurely walk around WS. Then you can leave for your afternoon break.

Thank you for your advice! I had been thinking about this possibility, my only hesitation being that since it is Food & Wine, I was hoping we could wander around WS and stop at kiosks along the way as our "lunch"...Is that a realistic plan? Or will we be waiting in too many lines at the kiosks? Thanks again!

 

[mgc]

This is a GREAT plan! I just wanted to add that the Touring Plans web site has an AWESOME dining reservation finder that could help you secure different dining times/restaurants. It's free, you don't even need the paid subscription. We planned our trip 7 months in advance, and I made all the perfect ADRs at the 180-day mark... then we changed our minds and moved the trip up by 6 weeks, and all our favorites were full. With the Touring Plans feature and a little patience, I have now secured ADRs at all my desired restaurants, at the times I wanted. Have a great trip!

Good to know! Thank you!

 

[mgc]

Nemo is not a very crowded ride, so you can get on it pretty much anytime you want. Since it's a Tier 2 level FP+, I'd recommend using one of those for it simply because your son loves Nemo so much and most of the other Tier 2 rides don't "need" FP+ either. That way, even if there's a 15 minute wait, you can get right to the front of the line. But reality is, like Robo said, you should be able to ride it several times within a short time period. Turtle Talk is at the exit of the ride and it's not crowded either. You can also take your time and see the aquarium as long as you wish.

If he loves Nemo so much, be sure to see the Finding Nemo show in Animal Kingdom.

Thank you! Yes- the Nemo show at Animal kingdom is a definite! Thanks again.

 

[mgc]

This is a GREAT plan! I just wanted to add that the Touring Plans web site has an AWESOME dining reservation finder that could help you secure different dining times/restaurants. It's free, you don't even need the paid subscription. We planned our trip 7 months in advance, and I made all the perfect ADRs at the 180-day mark... then we changed our minds and moved the trip up by 6 weeks, and all our favorites were full. With the Touring Plans feature and a little patience, I have now secured ADRs at all my desired restaurants, at the times I wanted. Have a great trip!

I can not thank you enough for this tip! In the last 24 hours I got reservations for breakfast at 1900 Park Fare ( my son loves Winnie & Tigger!) and dinner at Chef Mickey's! I never thought we'd get in to either place! They are on different days and fit with our plans so I will likely cancel the Garden Grill to free up our morning at Epcot... Thank you again, what an amazing resource!

 

[mommycrawford]

TIP: If you are willing to give your son a faux hawk, or crazy hair do in some way, it VERY often gets the attention of CRUSH during the show!...not a guarantee, but I have seen kids singled out who have had their hair done at Bibbity Bobbity Boutique/have a cool do each time I have seen the show (my DD loved it when it happened to her at 6!) The characters want to engage with the kids, so sit up front., and have him be easy to verbally describe (ie. the little dude with the spikey shell.)

 

[poohfriend77]

I can not thank you enough for this tip! In the last 24 hours I got reservations for breakfast at 1900 Park Fare ( my son loves Winnie & Tigger!) and dinner at Chef Mickey's! I never thought we'd get in to either place! They are on different days and fit with our plans so I will likely cancel the Garden Grill to free up our morning at Epcot... Thank you again, what an amazing resource!

I'm happy it worked out for you! It seriously is an amazing resource, as long as you're willing and able to immediately try to make the reservation when the alert comes through. Have a wonderful trip!!!