Epcot vs. Hollywood Studios?

[familygal]

If you had a half day to spare and had to choose, which park and why? I am traveling with two kids, ages 7 and 4. Thanks for your input!

 

[kellypooh]

I'd do Epcot -- I've never really been a fan of the Studios. I like Tower of Terror and Rock 'n Roller Coaster and Fantasmic (haven't done TSM yet!) but Epcot has a LOT more that's appealing to me.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

Definitely Epcot. We don't really like DHS, we're only going this year so we can see Osbourne Festival of Lights. I also think there are more things to do at Epcot, and there are also the fireworks. It all depends on your family, and what rides they would like. I have 2 little ones, and they aren't into RNR or TOT yet.

Good luck and you'll have fun regardless!

 

[brandylouwho]

Hmm, that is tough (if it were our family at least). My 4 yr old is too short for most rides w/ height restrictions, so most of the biggies are out, but she loves shows, so HS is a good park for her. Not only Little Mermaid & Beauty & the Beast, but the car stunt show & Indiana Jones too. AND all the characters that HS that aren't at other parks.

But at Epcot she thoroughly enjoys the Living Seas, but that is about it. But we adults enjoy Epcot more than the Studios, so...tough choice.

 

[Chelley00]

My kids would pick DHS over Epcot. They liked the shows and characters more at DHS.

 

[JiminyGuyMaine]

I agree that I'd pick Epcot for myself every single time......but HS is a bit more kid oriented!

 

[tbranan]

While I love Epcot, I LOVE movies, so I am a fan of the HS. Epcot has too much to do in a half day, and there is a LOT of real estate to hoof across. If you are moving with a purpose, you could knock out a great deal of HS in a half day. Now, AK on the other hand...you can do EVERYTHING at AK in a half day!

 

[AJA]

Epcot!

DHS only had one ride my 4 year old could go on and that was TSM, and the wait time for that ride is CRAZY! While DH and I enjoyed DHS Epcot was a much better choice for us. At Epcot DD had several rides to choose from including Nemo (which she loved!). Don't get me wrong DHS is a great park just not for a young child that wants to 'ride rides'. If you think your 4 year old would enjoy the shows then DHS would be fine but my DD really wanted to 'ride' not take in shows kwim?

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

I Love Epcot, but if my kids had to choose, they would pick HS everytime.

We rode TSM 4 times last week, that is the cutest ride for kids, and "kids at heart". The Playhouse Disney Show is a hit and so is The Little Mermaid. And for some strange reason, my kids love to get their "shop on" at HS! LOL

 

[familygal]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Now I wonder if I should switch my itinerary all together.

We were planning:

1st night (arrive late afternoon, go to dinner at a resort)
1st day - AK half day then rest and go for dinner
2nd day - MK
3rd day - MK
4th day - Epcot or HS half day, then driving to S. Florida

Now I wonder if I should switch to 1st day Epcot or HS, in case we want to spend more than 1/2 day!

Oh, the anxiety of it all!

 

[PrincessMonkey]

If your kids like musicals, stage shows or watch a lot of the Disney Channel, do not miss DHS. I remember being in awe of all of the backstage secrets that we learned in this park when I was a kid... it definitely stirs up the imagination!

Like PP said, you can see and finish more of DHS in half a day than you can with Epcot. The World Showcase walk can take a long time to browse and experience, and many families I know don't make it all the way around, even in a single day. If you're fine with that, then it could be good to expose the kids to other cultures around the world, and then of course, there are neat fast rides like Test Track and a big attraction like Soarin' in Future World. It's A LOT more walking though, and Fast passes for these rides tend to be unavailable after 1pm.

There are tons of characters right when you enter DHS and at the blue Mickey hat, so you can get autographs from some of the more rare characters. At Epcot, there are the classic Disney characters near Innoventions on the right (not the Mouse Gear store side), and the other characters can found in special photo areas in their respective countries (e.g., Snow White in Germany, etc.).

DHS also has two very cool Disney stunt shows: Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (2000 seat stadium) paying homage to famous scenes in Indy movies, and the Lights, Stunts, Action Motor Show (4000 seat stadium) with modified race cars doing incredible ballet-like choreography and spectacular stunts. If you have a son, or a husband, who is into action movies, those would be the shows to see.

If you'll be there at DHS in the evening, be sure not to miss the Fantasmic! (the theatre is located to the left of the Beauty and the Beast musical stage). It's a compilation of a bunch of Disney movies, all wrapped up in the theme of Mickey's imagination triumphing over the evil villains in Disney films. There's a cute Princess portion in the middle of the show, and a special Disney surprise involving a Steamboat at the end!

 

[annabelle]

We only doing 2 days of parks in Oct... going to be MK and probably HS.
We have 2 girls who will love the princess shows (B&B and Ariel) and a son who will love the stunt shows. Plus my 4 yr old will enjoy the playhouse disney show.

I just think my kids will have more fun at HS vs Epcot.

 

[suzimar57]

for us it would be HS - less rides/attractions than at EP (that we like) - although there are 3 places we like to eat at! (sci-fi, 50s, BD) - decisions....

 

[Stitchfans]

Epcot is my utmost favorite tied with MK. I love the World Showcase. Although small children might not find that very entertaining.

 

[KCmike]

It is my favorite park behind the original Disneyland.

For kids your age it has:
Nemo and the living seas
Spaceship Earth
Journey into Imagination
Test Track

For Adults:
World Showcase - I love to stroll the countries

Hollywood Studios is more of a teenager park - ie. rockin rollercoaster, tower of terror, stunt show.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I would suggest DHS. My nephews (ages 4-8) don't really enjoy EPCOT all that much. I think there is more to do at DHS (shows, TSM, etc...) for kids. I agree with another poster, there is far more you can do within a half day at DHS than at EPCOT.

 

[MJAJmom]

Well you didn't say if yours were 2 boys or girls....

For us, my boys were ages 3 and 5 in April, we went for 4 days and skipped Epcot. We did one day AK, one day HS, and 2 at MK.

My boys loved HS. They loved the Indy show, Star Tours, got picked for Jedi Academy, PH Disney. So our pick would be DHS over Epcot.

 

[familygal]

I have one of each, girl 7, boy 4.

I think I am going to stick with HS.

 

[Shelton123]

Hmm... DHS has TOT which is the best attraction anywhere in the world, but it has no atmosphere. It's more like a regular amusement park than any of the other parks. So I'd say EPCOT!

 

[mayjay]

I was there in Feb with my 3.5yo DS. We're going back in Nov and his (and my Mom's) requests are

-Beauty and the Beast
-Little Mermaid
-Lights, Motors Action
-seeing Buzz and Woody
-Fantasmic

We didn't do Epcot and we're not doing it this time either because of time constraints. We are adding in AK though and we didn't last time.