First time Epcot help!

[Sundowner2]

Our family of 4 has been to the other parks 2 years ago, but this will be our first visit to Epcot. I've been trying to make my touring plan, but since we've never been, I could use some help. My sons are 9 and 4. Since we are just doing one day at Epcot we decided to not go back to the hotel mid day. We planned to do future world, (probably only test track, spaceship earth, character spot, nemo, journey into the imagination and lunch) then head over to world showcase around 130pm. We want to have lots of time to shop in Japan and China, as well as check out each of the pavilions, and stop for french pastries, ride frozen and the one in Mexico. We planned to eat dinner in the American Pavillion at the Liberty quick service. I think the boys will want to do the kidcot stations as well.

How much time do you think for each pavilion? Shopping, walking around, etc. I know we will spend the most time looking around at Mexico, Japan and China, just based off of youtube videos and photos weve seen, the others chances are not as long. If possible, we hope to meet a few characters too.

I'm the most worried about the time in each pavilion, and the lack of shade I hear about (my kids and I burn so easily) but also, since we aren't going to go back mid day to the hotel, want to have enough breaks and slower pace that its not a big deal but since its the first trip, not sure how to plan!! Any advice is appreciated! We will be there about mid june.

 

[Hopefully]

That is a very aggressive wish list. I think simply seeing the highlights of each country will take at least 45 minutes.
Lines for characters can be short - 15 minutes, or long - 45 minutes, each.
On a 7 night trip we visit Epcot 4 or 5 times. We love WS
Good Luck

 

[tsme]

If your kids are in the stores with you, they'll be fine. Not all the indoor places are closed door indoor areas, so not as cool, but better than being outside. There are not a lot of shady areas or places to sit unfortunately (the cms also won't let anyone sit on the floor inside). My DD is very fair & doesn't tolerant heat very well. Usually, we'll start out in WS then her & DH will go off on their own while I browse. That way he can keep her out of the sun & she doesn't get bored & start being grumpy. As for how long, that depends on you & the amount of time you browse. Honestly, it's a huge area & it'll take hours to see it all. It would be also good to check the map the day you arrive to see what time the characters will be out at each location in WS, so you can make a plan.

 

[CAS239]

Frozen opens at park opening, not when World Showcase opens, so be there early and head straight for that when the park opens (unless you can get a FP). So you should either do Frozen or TT as your tier 1 FP.

As far as the World Showcase countries, it's all on how long you want to spend in each. You could spend 5 min in each or an hour+. When we stop in a country we usually just spend about 10-15 min in it. And there's plenty of buildings to get out of the heat.

 

[Sundowner2]

Uggh I was worried it was an ambitious list. My husband is not very disney, and hates splitting up, so he gets bribed with hollywood studios twice, and since I'm the only one who wanted to try Epcot, trying to juggle rides for them, and pavilion for me. Hopfully we can find a happy medium! !

 

[Virtucomp]

The good thing for you is tat Space Ship Earth, Nemo, and Figment are usually available for same day fast passes. Test Track and Soarin will be time consuming without fast passes. There is also the Phineas and Ferb World Showcase Agent P adventure that your boys may love. You explore countries while playing a game on smart phones.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

Maybe a way to get the kiddos and hubby involved is to try the Agent P game. There are a couple of stations around WS and the adventures take you into different countries. If hubby will do that with the kids, that frees you up to fully explore while not really "splitting up".

 

[Sundowner2]

Great ideas!! Thank you all!!!