epcot, what to do?

[GoofyG]

Ok, I know this is pitiful, but we are going on our 4th trip to the world and never did the worlds at Epcot.
My ? is I will be going with a 4yr old, 2yr old and baby. What should we do for the kids? I'm wanting to do the world this time, but what do you all recomend. Is there a certain country you would go to or miss. I just need opinions or ideas!

 

[happymommy]

Epcot has been our kids' favorite since they first went together at 2 and 4!

We loved strolling through ALL the countries - eating at Morocco and Japan (counter service) is yummy (my kids love rice so Japan is a must).

The kids LOVE Innoventions - sometimes I can't get them to leave! It's like a science center only better! Definitely go to the Fantastic Plastic place - you (they can help) build a robot on a computer screen and race against other teams, then they get to make a little plastic toy "robot" to take home. We have a box full of them, and DD still plays with them in the bath sometimes.

Spaceship Earth is pretty and relaxing (if there is a long line, just come back later, it usually thins out by later afternoon). I think the 4 year old may like Test Track - check height requirement. The Living Seas is fun - now it's themed after Nemo, and you can spend time exploring the aquarium there. I think it's the largest indoor aquarium in the US or world? The Land pavillion has a great food court, Soarin' (get fastpasses early and baby swap), the Living with the Land ride is super cool and slow, OH I almost forgot - Journey into Imagination with Figment - super cute and kids will love it! If they like 3D then go to Honey I Shrunk the Audience. And Ellen's Energy Adventure is nice, long ride (use the bathroom ahead of time) and it's good to cool off in - we still love that one and my kids have seen it about 6 or 7 times.

There is so much there, you can spend days! Don't miss the Cokes from around the world too!

We almost always eat there, and if you have time and want to check out the Boardwalk, just exit through the International Gateway and you're right there. We love staying at the Boardwalk Villas and the Swan and Dolphin (haven't done the Beach Club in a while) so we can just walk or take the boat rides to our favorite park.

Just definitely have a stroller for all kids - it involves more walking as it's much bigger than MK.

 

[lovin'DVC]

You can try the Kidcot stations with your kids. My kids loved those. When my kiddos were preschool-aged, they loved running around the garden in the UK and the courtyard and fountain in the US. Miyuki, the candy artist in Japan, is a hit for all ages. Make sure you get to her show early so you can be in the front row. Check out the entertainment schedule before you go at http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/ My kids always liked the bands, the Nigerian storytellers, Miyuki, and the chair stacker in France.

The toy store and train in Germany are always a big hit. My kids adored getting autographs when they were preschool-aged, and Epcot is good for that - most of the countries have a spot for autographs. There are interesting shops in most of the countries, and kid-friendly food to pick up. My kids adore the crepes in France, funnel cakes in the US, rice creams in Norway, Kaki Gori (shaved ice) in Japan, churros in Mexico...

Hopefully you have a stroller for the kids - it's a lot of walking. We're going in 9 days and we will get a stroller for our Epcot day, and my kids are 11,9,7,7! I know some people hate seeing older kids in strollers, but my husband and I have worn pedometers on our trips and our Epcot days are always between 8-12 miles of walking. Too much for little legs!

Have fun!
Terry

 

[jenb1023]

Epcot has tons to do for young kids! My DD was a little over 4 on our last trip and loves Epcot!

First, there are lots of rides and attractions for little ones - The Nemo ride and Turtle talk with Crush, all of the activities in Innoventions, Living with the Land, Journey into Imagination, your 4 year old might be tall enough for Soarin and Test Track.

My DD loved the Kidcot stops which are in Futureworld and World Showcase and they are free! In Future World, you make and attach various objects to a lanyard. In World Showcase, each country has a symbol that you attach to a mask. Also, we bought the passport for WS and felt it was worth every penny (about $11). She loved getting it signed and stamped in every country. Each CM also wrote a note to DD in his or her language with many of them writing her name as well. She then adhered the stamps that came with the passport after going to each country.

This link is to Brad K's guide to Kidcot - http://www.stitchkingdom.com/kidcot/

Another thing many people don't realize about Epcot is how many characters you can find there. The lines are usually a little shorter than MK and you can sometimes find those harder to find characters. My DD loves meeting the characters and getting their autographs - she loved this as well on our first trip at age 3 1/2. In Epcot, we met Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie, Mulan and Mushu, Mary Poppins, Alice, Marie from Aristocats, Pooh and Tigger, etc. I used the Steve Soares site listed above to look for character spots and times as well as entertainment schedules.

After MK, we spent our most time in Epcot. Enjoy!

 

[karibritt01]

There are rides in Mexico and Norway. Germany has a miniature train garden that is really cool. Beirgarten in Germany is wonderful for dinner. They have a traditional German buffet as well as kids buffet. There is an OomPah band that plays during dinner and the kids can go dance in front of the stage. There are boats to take you acroos the lake... longer than walking, but a fun break for the kids. Future World has tons for little ones. My kids spent 3 hours in Innoventions! Fireworks in the evening are really cool, just get a good spot to see the globe in the middle of the lake. (anywhere next to the fence is good IMO.)

 

[GoofyG]

We've been to the front part of Epcot, but never did the worlds. I will have an extra stroller, but my 4 yr old hasn't used a stroller for the last 2 visits. I'm still taking an extra one, since we have an extra car going on this trip. Other wise I couldn't fit 3 strollers in the van.
I think it will be fun and different for the kids. we are doing a water park this time too. We are on our 4th visit in 2 yrs, so need to do something different.
Can you tell we Disney! I'm on countdown mode , they really need a smiley face that is packing a suitcase!