First time at WDW - Epcot Planning Help (Lots of Questions!)

[RemyIsMyFave]

Family trip to Epcot on Sunday, May 17th. MK on the 18th and HS on the 19th for a half day. (I'll put a separate post up for those days.) Two kids, 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. We have booked an ADR Askerhus at 8:30am and Garden Grill at 7pm. They'll need a short nap after lunchtime in the hotel room. Staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Travel time - how long should I expect the buses to take from AKL to Epcot? Are taxis/Uber any faster?

What is the best strategy/order for Princess Meet & Greets? How do they factor in for rides? I want to do the Nemo ride and maybe the Crush Turtle Talk.

Is it worth it to use a FP for Illuminations or use for Soarin'? Daughter is tall enough, Son is not. Is it a good ride for 5 year olds?

Also, the Flower Festival will be going on - does that change things?

Sorry for all the questions.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON THIS BOARD!!!! It has been an absolute TREMENDOUS help in planning. It can be quite overwhelming

 

[ammag]

We have gone when our kids were about the same age and we found Epcot to be a two day park there was so much that they loved so I would really hesitate to leave and go far awy to the hotel midday. Are you using a double stroller? Both my kids slept in the double stroller we rented in the parks, I has a light blanket I draped over the front for light. My husband just walked without stopping, they passed out! Every day at ages 5/1.5 and even age 6/2 and the last time neither kids napped at all normally. We tried leaving mid day on our first trip and it didn't work out for us. But then again we are in a big city so the youngest was used to going aces and napping in his stroller sometimes. Something to consider though?
If not then personally I'd get rid of the garden grill ADR unless it's very special to you. There is so much wonderful food there you can eat or just snack around and then you're still seeing world showcase while doing so. Even at age 5 my daughter loved the countries, we did a perry adventure or wo...they also loved spaceship earth! I was surprised. The Nemo ride and aquarium were also fantastic. She didn't go on soarin at age 5 though she was tall enough she just didn't want to so I didn't push it. We all loved the living wiht the land boat ride as well as figment. There probably isn't time but the innovention so things were fun too but for one day I would skip. In the roll showcase the three caberellos ride in Mexico was another hit with my kids. They liked going to the different ships, watching the baby ducks in the water, sorry I meant different shops.

 

[ammag]

Oh also the inside of mission space has a great play area space themed of course there are games and a place to run and play. Great break for little energy filled kids. There is a play area after figment as well though not certain if you can access that without going on the ride? I didn't try. It's not the highest tech anymore but still fun place to get some free play.

 

[msmama]

I can't help with travel time.

I wouldn't use a FP for Illuminations. There are lots of places to watch it from. Soarin' on the other hand is going to be a VERY LONG wait without a FP. My son is 6 and doesn't want to ride it because "he's afraid of heights."

If you're going to do Princesses for breakfast who else do you want to see? (I have a boy so don't do princesses). There are some around World Showcase (Jasmine and Mulan are 2 I can think off of the top of my head). In my experience, the lines are not terrible for any characters in WS.

Flower and Garden has several playgrounds which we tend to spent a lot of time in. It's something familiar instead of rides and characters. But in reality, I think F&G can have as much or as little impact as you want (it's kind of easy to ignore it).

I love Garden Grill dinner! Probably my favorite meal in all WDW, definitely my favorite character meal!!

We don't do mid day breaks at all, but I do think Epcot is the hardest to work in a break because there is just so much to do!!

 

[Suzanne74]

My daughter just turned 4 when we went last time and Soarin and Test Track were her 2nd and 3rd favorite rides in all of Disney. She is now 5 and we leave soon and that is all she is talking about. They are a lot of fun!

It takes awhile to get to Epcot and then walk all the way to Norway. I would plan on being on a bus no later than 7:30am. So showers/baths the night before, alarm set around 6:30am. Be walking to a bus stop by 7am. Bring a piece of fruit or breakfast bar to hold them over.

I would FP Soarin, Nemo and Crush for the evening time around your Garden Grill ADR. Maybe Nemo at 4-5pm, Crush at 5-6pmpm, Soarin at 6-7pm. Head over to Nemo around 4:45pm.

You will be done breakfast around 9:30am. Head straight to Test Track which is not that far and get a kid swap pass and one of you take the 5yr on - the wait that time of the year will be about 20-30min. The adult who is in charge of the younger one can either go in the Test Track exit area, Innovations or Mission Space exit (huge inside playground) or there is a splash area (bring extra set of clothes) right under the monorail track near Test Track. If the 5yr old likes it the other adult can go on it with her immediately (perk for having annoying younger siblings ) Once that is done the 5yr old may want to play in the playground and you and DH can swap Mission Space and go on it alone if the line is short. If you rather not do Mission Space, you can all try Spaceship Earth.

After that, I would head to the countries for the rest of the early afternoon. Do the Kidcot activity stops and passports. Ride the boat ride in Mexico, grab lunch at a CS in a county you like. There are also multiple characters in the countries to see too. The youngest will probably nap in the stroller. If they start to get tired and can't make it around the countries, take a boat back towards Future World. Skip Captain EO. Do Journey into Imagination and plan for some time for the kids to play in the exit (fun things) and near the "magic" fountains. Then by 4:45pm head over to Nemo. Plan about 1.5hrs in there for ride, Turtle Talk, aquarium, dolphins, etc... Keep the stroller parked and walk to Living in the Land. Do Soarin and if you still have a little time before 7pm, go on the Land Boat ride. After dinner, plan on getting a place to relax and watch Innovations.

 

[Hisgirl]

You'll have a wonderful time! Illuminations wasn't as big of a deal as wishes at Magic Kingdom. Chances are the kids would love to spend some time back at the pool and you'll have so much to see at AKL. It's our favorite resort! Try to eat breakfast at Boma if you have a chance. Is there a reason you're not going to Animal kingdom?
We just took all of our grandsons last Feb and it was their favorite. So much for little ones to see! Hollywood studios had only a few things that caught their attention but several they couldn't do. We would choose AK anyday over HS.

The flower festival will have wonderful topiaries all through epcot and I would play a game with the kids to Identify each one and take pictures and talk about who they are. There will be interesting food set up in each countries...just small plates $3 to $4 each. it's fun to sample! In fact, you can leave out lunch for that day and just nosh around the countries!

When we took the little ones, we focused on magic kingdom and went many times. There's so much to do and the little ones get so tired so it was back to the resort by 2 every day.

Another thing to note...mid May trips can be really really hot. A couple of years ago in mid May, it was 97 when we were walking through Epcot...with high humidity. It was so hot! And so sweaty! Keep that in mind. Oh! And last....in Epcot, we walk an average of 7 miles. So pay attention to what shoes the little ones are wearing. Enjoy the trip!

 

[philschrek]

Flower and Garden doesn't affect much at all, like said above there are playgrounds for the kids and some food kiosks. It doesn't draw a bigger crowd like food and wine.

 

[KathyNY76]

I think Suzanne's post above is an excellent plan. I'd switch out one thing based on the trip I just took with my kids (4 & 7 at the time). I would FP+ Spaceship Earth in the morning and skip the FP+ for Crush. The Crush FP+ just gets you into the same holding area as standby people. And it's a big room, so lots of people get in for each show and the FP+ doesn't give you much of an advantage. Plus, while it's a cool show, my kids didn't think it was that fabulous - and DD was one of the kids chosen to speak to Crush, yet she still never talks about it when reminiscing about the trip! Basically, I think this is a 'skip it' ride (especially for the 2 year old) if time is not permitting, so I'd hate to 'waste' a FP+ on it.

What I would do...Start just as she said with heading right over to Test Track standby after breakfast. You should be done by 10:30, so get a Spaceship Earth FP+ around then. Both my kids LOVED SE and the standby line was long. And I've been reading on the Dis that lines have been long for it a lot recently.

Then I'd follow the rest of her plan and use the FP+ for Nemo. The ride dumps you out into the aquarium area which is also where the entrance for Crush is. If the wait is short, go see it. If it's too long, just enjoy the other things in that area and the kids will never be the wiser! Then, as she said, FP+ Soarin' and hit Living with the Land if you have time before your ADR. Both my kids LOVED Soarin' as well - even though the 4 year old says he's 'afraid of heights'.

 

[SplashMo]

Family trip to Epcot on Sunday, May 17th. MK on the 18th and HS on the 19th for a half day. (I'll put a separate post up for those days.) Two kids, 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. We have booked an ADR Askerhus at 8:30am and Garden Grill at 7pm. They'll need a short nap after lunchtime in the hotel room. Staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Travel time - how long should I expect the buses to take from AKL to Epcot? Are taxis/Uber any faster?

What is the best strategy/order for Princess Meet & Greets? How do they factor in for rides? I want to do the Nemo ride and maybe the Crush Turtle Talk.

Is it worth it to use a FP for Illuminations or use for Soarin'? Daughter is tall enough, Son is not. Is it a good ride for 5 year olds?

Also, the Flower Festival will be going on - does that change things?

Sorry for all the questions.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON THIS BOARD!!!! It has been an absolute TREMENDOUS help in planning. It can be quite overwhelming

Use FP+ for SOARIN. Then use Rider Swap and FP+ to ride SOARIN. Perhaps single rider TT with rider swap as well. You can use Rider swap when one or more of your children do not meet the height requirements for a ride...

I would change Garden Grill to a lunch and rest there... And get a double stroller and rest in that....

 

[Suzanne74]

I think Suzanne's post above is an excellent plan. I'd switch out one thing based on the trip I just took with my kids (4 & 7 at the time). I would FP+ Spaceship Earth in the morning and skip the FP+ for Crush. The Crush FP+ just gets you into the same holding area as standby people. And it's a big room, so lots of people get in for each show and the FP+ doesn't give you much of an advantage. Plus, while it's a cool show, my kids didn't think it was that fabulous - and DD was one of the kids chosen to speak to Crush, yet she still never talks about it when reminiscing about the trip! Basically, I think this is a 'skip it' ride (especially for the 2 year old) if time is not permitting, so I'd hate to 'waste' a FP+ on it.

What I would do...Start just as she said with heading right over to Test Track standby after breakfast. You should be done by 10:30, so get a Spaceship Earth FP+ around then. Both my kids LOVED SE and the standby line was long. And I've been reading on the Dis that lines have been long for it a lot recently.

Then I'd follow the rest of her plan and use the FP+ for Nemo. The ride dumps you out into the aquarium area which is also where the entrance for Crush is. If the wait is short, go see it. If it's too long, just enjoy the other things in that area and the kids will never be the wiser! Then, as she said, FP+ Soarin' and hit Living with the Land if you have time before your ADR. Both my kids LOVED Soarin' as well - even though the 4 year old says he's 'afraid of heights'.

I agree. I forgot you can FP Spaceship Earth.

 

[dreamregent]

I'm a passholder who lives locally and I go quite often. In fact, I'll be there tomorrow. I can't believe people are telling you to get a FP for Finding Nemo. There's rarely a line and, even when there is, it moves quickly & continuously inside an air conditioned space. So, if you have to stand in a line, you'd probably much rather stand in that one. If Turtle Talk with Crush is really that important, I'd suggest you get a FP for that one...also for Soarin' & Test Track (these 2 rides are guaranteed to have the longest lines, by far). The other attractions don't usually have much of a line, if any at all...except when it's extremely busy. Although, Spaceship Earth can be iffy. But again, that line moves continuously. It's outside, though. If you can get away with not doing Turtle Talk (like someone said above, the kids won't know the difference if you skip it), you might get the 3rd FP for Spaceship Earth to be on the safe side in case there's a line. Princess meet & greets are often a nightmare of waiting with little payoff and are best avoided if you can help it. There's so much other stuff that could fill your time.

As for the bus, it takes a while to go back and forth. If you have a car with you, it will be much quicker for you to take the mid-day break. If you're not bringing a car, the taxi option will be much quicker than the bus. Although, I like the option somebody mentioned of having the kid nap in the stroller...there are plenty of shaded areas. I sometimes stay on-site to get the magic hours but I never take the bus because of the time necessary to do so...we always drive from one park to another.

The Flower & Garden Festival doesn't make much difference. It's more about decoration for the park than anything else.

 

[GillianP1301]

I can't comment on the transportation question because we drive, but the driving time between Epcot and AKL is short, about 5 - 10 minutes. I would factor for a 1/2 transit time, which assumes a reasonable wait for a bus. You could always cab back if the transit back to the resort takes longer than you expect.

I would definitely FP Soarin', the wait gets long quickly. My son has loved that ride since he first rode it, at age 4. I definitely recommend it.

Garden Grill is one of our favourite WDW restaurants and the best character meal on property, IMO. If you set your FPs for later in the day, around the timing of your Garden Grill dinner, you'll minimize walking because the land and seas buildings are in relatively close proximity.

 

[Suzanne74]

I'm a passholder who lives locally and I go quite often. In fact, I'll be there tomorrow. I can't believe people are telling you to get a FP for Finding Nemo. There's rarely a line and, even when there is, it moves quickly & continuously inside an air conditioned space. So, if you have to stand in a line, you'd probably much rather stand in that one. If Turtle Talk with Crush is really that important, I'd suggest you get a FP for that one...also for Soarin' & Test Track (these 2 rides are guaranteed to have the longest lines, by far). The other attractions don't usually have much of a line, if any at all...except when it's extremely busy. Although, Spaceship Earth can be iffy. But again, that line moves continuously. It's outside, though. If you can get away with not doing Turtle Talk (like someone said above, the kids won't know the difference if you skip it), you might get the 3rd FP for Spaceship Earth to be on the safe side in case there's a line. Princess meet & greets are often a nightmare of waiting with little payoff and are best avoided if you can help it. There's so much other stuff that could fill your time.

As for the bus, it takes a while to go back and forth. If you have a car with you, it will be much quicker for you to take the mid-day break. If you're not bringing a car, the taxi option will be much quicker than the bus. Although, I like the option somebody mentioned of having the kid nap in the stroller...there are plenty of shaded areas. I sometimes stay on-site to get the magic hours but I never take the bus because of the time necessary to do so...we always drive from one park to another.

The Flower & Garden Festival doesn't make much difference. It's more about decoration for the park than anything else.

You can not get a fast pass for Soarin and Test Track anymore. It is one or the other as they are on 2 separate tiers. She has a total of 3 fast passes. I agree there is usually only a minimal wait at Nemo but there really isn't many other things a family with a 5 and 2yr need to fast pass. I have seen the wait goes as high as 35 minutes and after walking around the counties in the afternoon, it is nice to know you are guaranteed a quick way on the ride.

 

[dreamregent]

You can not get a fast pass for Soarin and Test Track anymore. It is one or the other as they are on 2 separate tiers. She has a total of 3 fast passes. I agree there is usually only a minimal wait at Nemo but there really isn't many other things a family with a 5 and 2yr need to fast pass. I have seen the wait goes as high as 35 minutes and after walking around the counties in the afternoon, it is nice to know you are guaranteed a quick way on the ride.

You can't go back for more fast passes later on anymore? Although, admittedly, I have a different strategy and I never stand in line anyway, FP or no.

 

[dreamregent]

One other tip I'll provide the OP if this is their first visit: when boarding Soarin', request a seat in the front row of B section so you don't have feet in front of you and don't notice the edge of the screen so much. It truly is more immersive if you do that. The seat location on the other rides at Epcot don't matter so much.

 

[Suzanne74]

You can't go back for more fast passes later on anymore? Although, admittedly, I have a different strategy and I never stand in line anyway, FP or no.

You can only get a 4th fast pass once all 3 fast passes are used and Test Track and Soarin area usually all gone by 10-11am. Since she has an ADR in the morning, there is no way she could do this and running all over Epcot with a 2 and 5yr old really isn't that fun. And I actually meant to say Soarin and Test Track are on the SAME tier and you can only choose one or the other for a FP. It stinks but they don't have enough rides!

 

[tink9702]

My 5 year old LOVED Soarin' and rode it twice in a row because we did rider switch since DD wasn't tall enough (she's very short!).

No idea on transportation as we drive to the parks.

I would FP+ Soarin' for sure. Then I'd choose between Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Epcot Character Spot (meet Mickey & Minnie) or Turtle Talk for your others. Your daughter will probably like Test Track as well so I'd head there immediately after breakfast.

Also keep in mind that the World Showcase doesn't open until 11am so taking a mid-afternoon break will mean very little afternoon time in the World Showcase area to meet characters. Some characters don't meet later in the evening at all. For example this week Belle meets at 11:00am, 12:00, 1:00, 2:50, 3:50 & 4:50pm. You are going to need to prioritize which princesses you want to see the most so you see the ones you want. Epcot has Belle (blue dress), Aurora, Jasmine, Mulan & Snow White. There is also Alice & Mary Poppins, Pooh & Tigger & Duffy.

 

[RemyIsMyFave]

Thank you to everyone for your help!!

I was able to get a FP+ for Soarin' at 9:50-10:50. Is there still a really long wait even with a FP+ at this time? I see on other sites the wait times are listed as very long (45-60mins), but does this assume getting in line later on without a FP+? Or is it still a 45 min wait with a FP+? Should I try for an earlier FP+ and try for the later range of it after our 8:30am ADR?

We'll probably skip Test Track. Too much to do, not enough time!

I'll have to balance nap time against all the Princess scheduled times. Kenny the Pirate's site has been fantastic for this task. I'm hoping to meet most of the Princesses at the Akeshus ADR and Cinderella Royal Table the following morning.

I also signed up for later afternoon FP+ for Nemo and Crush Talk. Hopefully we can squeeze in Living with the Land before dinner.