Epcot's WS Questions

[mom of five]

Hi all!
We will be touring Epcot on 3/26, two adults and 5 kids.
We want to do as much of FW as we can in the morniing. We have 6pm PS at Coral Reef. My question is, How long does it take to do the majority of WS? We want to see the stuff the kids will think is cool (living statues, etc.), complete their passports, and maybe kidcot centers but not be rush rushing around. So, how long do you think it would take?
Also, should we start around 4:30 in WS (We are taking a mid-day break) then get back up to Coral Reef for dinner at 6pm then go back to WS till ToDP and Ill? Or is that just wasting time walking back and forth?
Any ideas anyone?

Also, I think there is a Double-Decker bus that drops characters off in WS??? Does that only happen in the morning or is there an evening drop off also?

Thanks for any tips you can give me!!!
-Mom of five

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

If you want to see and enjoy every single thing Epcot has to offer, then you'd better plan on 3 days!!! LOL!!!

I would suggest you do your homework and make a list of those things that you just HAVE TO SEE. Anything else is going to be icing on the cake.

Some of Epcot highlights for us over the years have been when we've come around the corner to find an acrobatic group at China, that fellow at Japan, etc. Unexpected things are all around and these can be the most fun and memorable.

I would suggest that you just figure out what you HAVE to see and then don't worry about all that you are missing. There is always next time!!!

 

[B'rer Karen]

I concur with Trapped Parent. It may be different with kids, but I could easily spend a day in the World Showcase. Also, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Tapestry of Dreams Parade ended. They have not replaced it yet nor have they announced any concrete plans to replace it. But Illuminations is definitely something you cannot miss!

 

[currycook]

Greetings,
I dont think if you start the WS at 4:30 you will have much time to see anything if you have a ps at 6:00 at Coral Reef. That is one reason why we like to eat in the WS. What you could do is go to Canada and maybe the UK. That is also the closest walking distance back to the Coral sea. I am guessing its about a 15 minute walk from the UK to Coral sea. I'm sure you will have fun either way, have a good time.

 

[cleo]

I agree that you will need much more than an evening to see even a small portion of what World Showcase has to offer. If you arrive at 4:30 you will have apx. 1 hour or so for touring before you will need to head back to Future World for your PS at 6pm. Figure an hour to eat and apx. 20 minutes (not counting bathroom breaks!) to get back into the heart of World Showcase, which leaves you about an hour-plus before Illuminations begins.

If you have more than one day to work with, I'd tour FW in the morning until WS opens, head back to WS and tour there for the afternoon, then head back to FW for your PS and a bit more touring in the evening (Is Test Track still open late? Go for a late Fast Pass!). If you have a second day (or even a second evening) to work with, I'd return for the Must Do's you missed.

 

[mom of five]

Mom of Five here again---

We do have two days for Epcot.

However, I wanted to do as much of WS the first day we arrive, because I know after the 5 kiddies get a glimpse of much of FW, or any other parks, then they won't let themselves enjoy WS. As it is we will have to do EE for Test Track as my 9yr old knows it's in Epcot and then anything else until WS opens.

We actually have 8 full days in WDW.

 

[donna in Oz]

Perhaps it might save time if you planned a late-afternoon meal (sort of a combination of lunch/dinner) at the Coral Seas and then planned WS for the rest of your day.

Say, for example, if you planned a meal for 3:00, you would then have several more uninterrupted hours at WS. A plus is the fact that lunch meals are usually cheaper than dinner. (If you consider this, be sure to check to see what time they quit serving lunch).

 

[jenjie]

Just as a frame of reference, it took us about 2 hours just to do a mad rush through the WS. We had to catch a plane and just spent enough time in each country for the kids to do their kidcot project. I would definitely prefer to actually be able to see what was in the countries, taking my time. You might want to rethink your schedule.