Epcot's FW for preschooler?

[clairesmom]

Does anyone know if there is enough in Epcot's future world to entertain a preschooler? We will probably skip the Sea, as we are going to Seaworld later in the week, and the Land pavillion seems to have been diminished by the closure of food rocks show. I see Wonders of life also is closed now, and my little one isn't read for Test track. Is there enough in Innovations to interest the preschool set, or would we be better off just waiting for the World Showcase to open? many thanks for any input.

 

[llp479]

Other than the Journey Into Imagination Ride and the movie in the Land with Timon and Pumba, not really. My 3dds have always enjoyed the Living Seas. Even though you're going to Sea World, you really can't compare the two.

I don't think there is much in the World Showcase for a pre-schooler either. Even my 3 dds who are 10,10, and 7 aren't really interested in it, except for dinner.

I'm not sure when you're going, but we always save doing Epcot until at night when some of the other parks are closing early. We'll get there around 4 or 5, ride TT, then grab dinner and walk around until Illuminations. Our youngest rode TT when she was 3, and it's still one of her favorite rides.

 

[janette]

Ice Station Cool and the water fountains are both something they would be interested in. Journey Into Imagination Ride with Figment is sure to be a hit and rarely has a wait. If you are going in the summer months bring a swimsuit or extra clothes and they can play in the walkway fountains.

Innovations and most of the pavilions have lots of hands on things that they can do.

I think Epcot has a lot to offer smaller children, it is very interactive and many things they can participate in instead of just look at.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

My dd's (3 & 7) enjoy EPCOT very much. They like the Imagination ride with Figment and the things you can do in the exit area of Honey I shrunk the audience. They really enjoyed making cookies at the Land and they even enjoyed the boat ride in the Land. They think the "ball" is cool. I know they don't understand a lot of what is being shown but seem to like what they see. They like Universe of Energy, but some children may be afraid of the dinasours. They love the Jaminators and all the different water fountains.
My dd's really like the World Showcase, too. Their favorite is the acrobats in the China area. They Masque in Italy is something they think is cool, too. They really are impressed by the outfits the CM's are wearing.

 

[CamColt]

Another one here whose kids love Epcot. Weve gone when they were 4 1/2 & 1 1/2, 5 1/2& 2 1/2, 6 1/2 & 3 1/2, then again just in December when they were just 7 & just about 4.

They love watching the fish in the Living Seas. They did love FR, and we are sad to see it go. They like the Imagination Ride, but its not a must do, however they have a good time in the interactive play area there. Innoventions is a blast for them...be sure to make paper and color on it. They also enjoy Universe of Energy very much, although the youngest will sometimes nap there. If WOL is open, the Fitness Fairgrounds keeps them busy. The also get a kick out of going in the "ball" and Ice Station Cool. And silly as it sounds, the sidewalks that light up are a huge hit.

Oh and while its not in FW, the Viking ship in Norway is one of their favorties. It seems Epcot has a lot of hands on stuff which I think is really good for little ones. It keeps them busy.

 

[nasmith]

My just-turned 4 yo son loved Epcot Future world (Okay, not as much as Buzz Lightyear - in MK, or Honey I shrunk the kids play area at MGM, or Dinoland excavation pit at Ak --- but we weren't at those parks now were we?) - He liked the Living Seas, loved ice station Cool (c'mon - how often does he get to help himself to soda??- this is a really big thing for him!), thought the various fountains are great (if you are there during the warmer months- bring a change of clothes in case they want to play in a fountain- there are at least 2 they can play in (one on the walkway to WS, and one between innovations and Mission Space).

Speaking of Mission Space - there is a great "play area" at it's exit for smaller children to play in while parents do the "swap" and ride mission space (it's got tubes to crawl thru ala Chuckee Cheese with a space theme) - He loved that!

He was okay with Journey into the imagination - but it does have one dark part that sort of scared him a little- so he wouldn't go on it again. SPOILER HERE---- (when the lights go out, a big, LOUD train seems like it is going by really close) - so warn your child if that is a problem. He did like all of the music/imagination games you can play as you exit Journey (you can access both of the exit areas through their gift shops without going on the ride).

My son did TT (he's tall), and seemed fine on it - but wouldn't go on it twice.

He loved the acrobatic act "Kristos" that performs near the fountain- they dress like aliens so that appealed to his inner Buzz Lightyear.

I'd say that there is more than enough to do to occupy a couple hours!! Have fun! Jill

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

FUTURE WORLD FOR LITTLE ONES
I had the same questions about Future World. We've been to WDW when my kids were ranging in ages from 8 months - 4 years old, and we've skipped most of Future World. This next trip I'm hoping to do things there and would love to hear more about it....

How big is the Fitness Fairgrounds? Is it part of Innoventions? I'd love to know more things in Innoventions to look for. I've always been afraid to go in there - thinking it would be chaotic and crowded! LOL

I'd love to make paper. Where's that?

I also heard there was some place to make cookies. Can anyone tell me more about that?

What else in Innoventions or the rest of Future World is good for pre-schoolers? THis trip my kiddos will be 2, 4, and 6. We'll try:
- Spaceship Earth
- Journey into Your Imagination
- Honey I Shrunk the Audience (they've done ITTBAB in AK)
- Universe of Energy (maybe)

(We've visited the Living Seas, the fountains and the Coca Cola station before ).

Any advice or suggestions?

WORLD SHOWCASE FOR LITTLE ONES
We spend lots of time in Epcot with our kids. DH & I love it and so do the kids!! Plenty to do - It's not Magic Kingdom, but it's fun!

First of all we usually go there later in the trip, when the kids are somewhat tired out from the other parks and ready for a break. They ride in strollers to rest and relax and get out when they want....

Some highlights include:
- making masks at the Kidcot stations
- Epcot Passports with stamps
- characters in each country (Aladdin & Jasmine, Peter Pan & Wendy, Mary Poppins, Pooh & Piglet, Belle & Beast)
- boat ride in Mexico (El Rio del Tiempo)
- boat ride in Norway (Maelstrom)
- viking ship to climb on in Norway
- the hedge maze in the UK
- the trains in Germany
- the parade and fireworks
- live street entertainment (chinese acrobats, living statues, mimes in Italy, etc.)
- toys in the toy shops (especially Germany & the UK, plus the trolls in Norway)
- instruments and hats in all the shops
- candy & cookies in all the shops (we do try different things)
- the films in different countries when it's hot out (Nice break)

We still need to find/try:
- the candy lady in Japan
- picking a pearl in the dept store in Japan

We find the Showcase a great place to be with kids!

Hope that helps...

(the smilies are for my DD 3 who is sitting on my lap right now)

 

[Baloo]

Innoventions EAST has some hands on games aimed right at the pre school crowd.Toon Tag is still one of my son Erich,who's 10 now,favorites! Don't be afraid of Innoventions at all...it's one of the least crowded spots in ALL of WDW,well unless there's a downpour! It's a GREAT place to escape the heat and explore new technology and all sorts of cool things!

SnowWhiteRabbit...I'd think twice before taking them to HISTA.There are a couple scenes in it that are pretty intense! UoE is waaaaaaay less scarey!!!

Fitness Fairgrounds is located in Wonders of Life.My boys have enjoyed it through the years.


Here's a link to a thread of a few more fun things to do while visiting Epcot!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=504754

 

[Kimberle]

My pre-schooler does not like Epcot at all, except for the character bus.

She does not like rides that she can't "see".....

 

[sters]

my kids are always partial to the fountains. THey could play there for hours.

 

[t2simon]

My DS had just turned four when we went last year. He LOVED Epcot! Especially Future World! His favorite ride was Spaceship Earth (he just told me that again!). He also loved Innoventions - kept asking if we could go back to "his place"! Wonders of Life was a big hit also - especially Cranium Command - although it can be loud in some spots. Liked Universe of Energy well enough-but was a little intimidated by the dinosaurs. Loved the Figment ride and playground after it as well. Liked Living Seas, but got bored quickly.

Wasn't real impressed by World Showcase, however.

It basically depends on your child, though.

Have fun, whatever you decide to do!!!

 

[debbiedana]

My DD4 loooooooves Epcot. She does every attraction in Future World except for Mission:Space and only b/c she doesn't meet the height requirement. We went on Test Track four times in two days. I should state that NOTHING scares her (except for things that pop out and go "boo", but even then it's no big deal to her). She loved Dinosaur at AK and Tower of Terror at MGM. She's a fearless kid!

She was less thrilled with World Showcase, but still liked the boat ride in Mexico, Maelstrom, the Viking Ship, the hedge maze, and all the live performers.

 

[chamonix]

kimberle, my dd also doesn't like rides that she can't "see". It took three trips, but we now know that her main concern is "is it fast, or is it slow??"
She likes Spaceship Earth (the Ball), because it's slow. I wonder, for those who have done the Energy/Dinosaur one, is it slow? I though it was a show, is it a ride too?
Although we didn't take her on test track this time, I think she would like it--both fast and slow, lol. We'll try it in March. She loves all the stuff to play with in FW--the stuff at the end of SE, for example, the interactive stuff, etc. She likes HISTA. She liked the LS, but if you are pressed for time, skip it if you are going to SW anyway. (which she loves) She liked Living With the Land. No, she doesn't understand most of it, but she enjoys it anyway.

She just turned (this week!) 7yo, btw.
Oh, and I'm a "claire's mom" too, LOL--my dd's name is Claire.

 

[pjshaff]

My daughter loved going on Test Track, we also went on Imagination, Food Rocks(now closed), the Land's boat ride, and she really enjoyed the interactive area in Imagination.

She also liked the Maelstrom. It's funny, but my daughter who's going to be 5 in May, loved going on all the rides including TOT, SM, and BTM but wanted nothing to do with the characters, whereas her little brother who's almost 2 was all over the characters AND the rides.

You never know, your kids might suprise you.

Pam