Epcot, what rides are musts for young mousketeers?

[DISNEYLOVER70]

We recently shortend our stay from 7 nights to 5 nights. We are going to do the Universal/IOA things for 2 days . So I want to get a lot in for those 2 days. I have been to Epcot a couple times, but when I was younger without my children. My DD is 9 and my DS is 5. What rides/attractions do you think are a must there for them? Thanks for the imput. I might try to squeeze a water park in the morning till 1-2ish, and then hit the key spots in Epcot. Thanks for the advice guys.............

Woo-Hoo, life is grand, Disney here we come!!!!!!!!!

 

[mad4themouse]

For my kids their favorite are:

• Test Track
• Body Wars
• Cranium Command
• Spaceship Earth
• Journey into Your Imagination
• Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!
• The leap waters outside of the Imagination Pavillion
• Ice Station Cool (free Coca Cola products!)
• Lunch at the Sunshine Food Fair
• Beaver Tails at Canada (more food)
• Off Kilter in the UK
• The Living Statues in France
• Water Ice in Italy (and more food)
• Miniature train in Germany
• Drummers in Japan
• Acrobats in China
• Churros in Mexico (even more food)
• Maelstrom in Norway
• Illuminations

Can you tell that we eat our way around the World Showcase?

My kids also like the hands-on exhibits found in Innoventions. If you need a break from the heat or it's raining buckets, this is a good place to go to spend some time.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

It looks like there is more for kids there than what I remembered there being!! Wow. Thanks, I guess I better figure in more than a 1/2 day by the sounds of your post. I don't want them to miss out on anything! To be honest with you, I was thinking about skipping the whole World Showcase, not figuring they would get enough out of it, but then again, I haven't been in quite awhile so I am sure there is alot more there now than used to be.

Thanks so much. I printed off your list and it will be in our suitcase for a checklist!

Have a nice holiday

Renee

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

forgot to ask............ how old are your kids?

I saw your countdown clock, it seems like it was yesterday that we hade 121 days to go........now it is only 27!!! Hope that is inspiring for ya!!!

Renee

 

[LAWalz23]

There are KidCot stations at all of the World Showcase pavilions. At the first one you get a cardboard mask on a stick and start to decorate it, then add decorations and a stamp at the other countries. I don't think they open until 1 p.m. though. My niece and nephew are 5, they did it last year and have already said they want to do it this year again. It does take time though because the kids decided that they absolutely had to go to each of the 11 countries. They also absolutely loved Test Track and Spaceship Earth. There is also a character bus ( with about 10 of the characters) that stops along the World Showcase usually 2 or 3 times late am early pm you can check the schedule when you get there. Have fun!

 

[mad4themouse]

My kids are now 12 and 11. They've been going to WDW almost every year for the past 6 years. EPCOT is one of their favorite parks. We usually spend two 1/2-days there; one Early Entry until early afternoon and one late afternoon until closing.

With 120+ days to go, mid-August seems like it will take forever to get here. Especially since the temperature dropped from 87º yesterday to 43º today! It has been the winter that would never end! I guess it just makes me appreciate the spring more. {{sigh}}

 

[RoqueC]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
For my kids their favorite are:

• Test Track
• Body Wars
• Cranium Command
• Spaceship Earth
• Journey into Your Imagination
• Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!
• The leap waters outside of the Imagination Pavillion
• Ice Station Cool (free Coca Cola products!)
• Lunch at the Sunshine Food Fair
• Beaver Tails at Canada (more food)
• Off Kilter in the UK
• The Living Statues in France
• Water Ice in Italy (and more food)
• Miniature train in Germany
• Drummers in Japan
• Acrobats in China
• Churros in Mexico (even more food)
• Maelstrom in Norway
• Illuminations

I think this list is perfect, but personally I'd keep Body Wars out of the question for your five year old. It tends to be a bit bumpy.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

I hear ya about the weather, I live in Upstate NewYork. We were 80 on Tuesday and this morning when I left for work the thermometer said 27 burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! The time will fly,, and this rotten weather has a limited number of days to roar its ugly head, May is spring, no matter what!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info from all of you. I did think bodywars might be a little much, but I guess I will see how the kids deal with the other attractions and go from there!

Disney is the place I wanna be!!!!!!

 

[jaysue]

I would add in:

Living Seas

The Land - boat cruise - DS loved this - looking at the plants and fish

El Rio de Tiempo (I know a lot of people think this is lame but DS loved this as well)

He also got a real kick out of the model train next to Germany and the comedia players in Italy

thanks
Jason

 

[erinch]

I would add, if it's in the budget, lunch at the Coral Reef--if your kids like fish (watching them swim); get a PS right when it opens to be by the water;

The Interactive Playground in the Imagination Pavilion

Playing on the fitness equipment in the Body Wars Pavilion

The Making of Me movie with Martin Short in the "Body Wars" pavilion--very sensitive movie about conception and birth

My kids love to ride El Rio de Tiempo in mexico by themselves while we lounge over dinner in the "magic temple"

We, too, spend 2 days in Epcot

 

[KHuntress]

Epcot may be my favorite park -- I ADORE the world showcase.

For any age kid -- you could spend a FULL day in just the WS. One of my favorite Pixie Dust memories was a HOT afternoon. We had ducked into the toy store in Britain to get out of the heat while we adjusted plans. DS, then 3, desperately wanted a Tigger book there. We consented, but then, of course, he wanted it read NOW. DD (Then 1) needed to be fed, and we were a little short tempered due to the heat. Just then a CM (Claire from Sussex) came up and asked, "Would it be okay if I read to him?" I was so stunned that I just nodded.

She sat on the floor and read the whole story with him. I just circled them taking pictures. Chandler loved hearing the story in her lilting British accent.

Almost all of the international CM's take great pride in showing children special hospitality.

Having never been to Universal, I am probably biased, but the phenomenal combination that makes learning fun at EPCOT is part of the brilliance of Disney -- its not all just smoke and mirrors, it is positive values, nice people and a strong sense of learning. That's why we keep coming back.

 

[zurgswife]

Innoventions has a disney interactive game that my kids love...along with most of the list posted earlier....epcot is one of our favorite parks with kids...

 

[IndyJammer]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Journey Into Imagination with Figment! It was my DS7's favorite ride at Epcot - We rode it 3 times one day!

My DS7 also loved getting his mask for decorating and collecting Stamps throughout the World Showcase. (We almost skipped the WS b/c we didn't think he would like it!) But, he would immediately find the new station and loved whatever new decoration he could add! It was very nice b/c either my wife or I would stay with him, & the other one of us would browse the shop or check out the attraction or browse lanyards for pin-trading or just sit & entertain DD6Mon!

Illuminations were Awesome too! Both DS7 & DD6Mon loved every minute of the Epcot Fireworks! It's a definite Do-Not-Miss attraction!