full day @ Epct too much for 4&6 y/o?

[rhazz]

Just wondering on your thoughts of spending a full day at Epcot with a 4 and 6 year old. We're staying off site and were thinking we'd get there at opening and stay until end. Has anyone done this with kids in this age group? Is there really enough to keep them entertained all day. We plan on doing 2 sit down meals to get a break and stretch out the day. Last year we pretty much breezed through WS stopping once or twice to do the masks, do they still have these stations at the various countries? Last year our kids only lasted to about 4pm...guess we'll see how it goes. Any advice on tactics would be appreciated.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I would suggest a nap break sometime during the afternoon. Then come back with the kids refreshed and able to stay to see Illuminations.

 

[Kimberle]

It depends on the child.

My 4 yo did not like Epcot at all. We met the character bus, then left shortly after.

 

[wuv tigger]

Sounds like a long day - 12 hours - but it could be done depending on the kids. If they will sleep in a stroller there are lots of places to "chill out". If they have lots of energy I think there are plenty of things to do.

My kids 4 and 2 really enjoyed the living seas and would have spent hours there. They also loved the land and the boat ride there and the character meal at the garden grille.

One thing we did was buy them glow sticks at Wal-mart. Much cheaper than the park and they were better than the ones they sold there. You can get them in the camping section.

If it is warm, pack swim suits. Kids love to play in the dancing fountains and it is a good break. They also liked the ride in Mexico and the Malestorm in Norway.

Another possibility is to ride the monorail. My kids love to ride this whenever they get a chance.

Have a good time!!

David

 

[erikthewise]

If you decide to do this, I recommend you consider renting a double stroller. They're about $15/day, and are basically a large plastic shell with wheels. It is suitable for taking a nap in if someone gets bushed, provide some sun protection, and can be used for storage if only one child is riding. Epcot is a big park, and can wear down even the staunchest trooper. We rented one for our (at the time) 8 and 5 yo boys a couple years ago.

A meal at Garden Grill (if the budget allows) is a great way to take a break and recharge. And it doesn't hurt that it's a character meal and a rotating restaurant.

While Epcot doesn't have a playground as such, there is a Viking Ship at the Norway pavilion that most kids (esp boys) enjoy playing on. Going on the monorail is a good idea, but remember you will be leaving and reentering the park to do that (so get your hands stamped). Innoventions can be entertaining for children if it's not too crowded in there.

IMO it's unlikely you will get through to Illuminations unless they take a nap of some sort. If you're lucky they'll go to sleep in the stroller. If they start to fade midafternoon, head for Energy Adventure (Future World) or American Adventure (World Showcase). At Energy Adventure you will be in the dark for 30+ minutes.

 

[CamColt]

IMO, there is plenty to do at Epcot for kids those ages. Mine have always loved FW and on our last trip, they actually got interested in mask making in WS(they are 7 & 4).
However, I think 12 hours is a long day at any park for the kids...but Im going by mine, yours may be different. We were able to do most of what we wanted to do in Epcot(just FW) this past summer in one shot. We arrived at opening(9:00), but we left around 5:00 and spent the evening relaxing by the pool.
Another option might be to arrive for opening, take a break of going to the BW area for a sit down lunch(ESPN is always a big hit with my kids) and some relaxation, then return to Epcot for more touring.

 

[Granny]

I don't think you said when this trip will be....but EPCOT is, in our opinion, one of the hottest parks at WDW during the sumemr, especially the World Showcase area. My kids would never have lasted 12 hours there at those ages. Heat and "boredom" would have done them in.

Drink tons of water, don't rush around the park, and find those air conditioned attractions as often as possible. Spend a lot of time in the Imagination Station. You can do a lot of free stuff that kids of any age enjoy.

And they would probably enjoy getting wet at the fountain from the streams that shoot up from the ground. That can help refresh them on a hot day.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We can't last 12 hours at any park and our DS is 11. DH & I can't do it either. That being said, I think that there is a vast number of things for your children to do at Epcot. It can indeed fill a whole day, but will wear everyone out doing it. The sitdown meals are a great way to relax as well as the monorail ride. We always stay on site so a break is easy, but condsidering how far away your hotel is and how bad you want to see illuminations(not our favorite anyway) I might consider a trip back to the hotel to rest. If you decide not to do this, just relax and tour at a pace that everyone can handle and see all you can as long as everyone is happy and then stop. When everyone is tired, it's time to stop even if you do not get everything done. Have a blast.


Jordan's mom

 

[MulanMom]

Renting a double stroller is a must at Epcot if you want to extend your children's stamina. We've never done a full day with a 9am arrival, but we have started a day with a 10:30am Princess Breakfast at Akershus and stayed until after Illuminations. My children, 4 & 6, konked out in the stroller and we worked around that. Usually we would do a second sit-down meal, either a very late lunch at Teppanyaki, or a very early dinner at Le Cellier.

There is plenty to do at Epcot to engage your children. Besides some of what others have mentioned, there are performers at the various pavillioins throughout World Showcase. My kids gawked at the Chinese acrobats and enjoyed being chosen to wear a balloon sculpture made by a mime.

I tend not to like crowds, so we'll go against the grain as much as we can. When we arrive for a 10:30 bfast PS, we pass through Future World and pick up a fastpass for Test Track, which tends to be for later in the day. (BTW, my kids LOVE Test Track!) After our breakfast, we tour the attractions at world Showcase with very little crowds. (WS opens at 11am). As WS gets crowded, we then move to Future World and usually experience much shorter lines. Spaceship Earth is usually a walk on later in the day, but crowded in the morning. We end the night in WS because FW closes at 7pm.

I think the main reason for our success in getting the kids to last is that we don't force them to. Our attitude is if they last until Illuminations, great. But if they are tiring and we see it's not going to work, we have no problem with heading back early. I think it helps that our day is not scripted and that we approach it as an adventure.

Probably much more info than you needed, but that's how it works for us. Good luck!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

at 6 my daughter was amply unimpressed by epcot - except the character greets - and maybe honey I shrunk the audience - we did the princess breakfast ...she liked that... test trackd she liked... at 7 it was the same thing she was not very excited about going to epcot other then the princess breakfast...and test track...

she is however looking forward to mission space...

all in all when she was six and then again at seven...she thought "epcot is stupid for kids"

 

[rhazz]

Thanks for all the usefull tips. I think we'll have a blast at Epcot and I'll be sure to get a double stroller!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

The double stroller advice is key. Epcot is huge and tiring for adults. There are many advantages of a stroller which include knowing exactly where your children are. The older one is a wanderer.

I've done Epcot all day right until they fall asleep in the stroller. My husband and I have enjoy the slow, quiet walk out of the park then!

The masks are wonderful and be sure to take time to visit the toy shop in England. They have a small Thomas the Tank Engine display we never miss. Germany has a lovely miniature train garden that the girls love. If you happen to be in Germany at the top of the hour watch the mechanical children come out to ring the bell at the clock.

Be sure to pick up a schedule. Our first trip we saw the "World Showcase Player's" in England. My daughter absolutely loved it and it is now a must do. That is one of the joys of Epcot. Who would have guessed a 5 and 6 yr old would love street comedy sketches? The drummer's in Japan also held thier attention and the belly dancer in Morocco.

 

[maps]

most people say that their kids are bored at epcot but we find it to be just the opposite. my kids (now 3 and 4) love going to this park. the love all the things they can touch and explore. they love the fountains. my husband and i enjoy the "down time" at this park since we tend to just stroll at our leisure.
just take your time and explore; you'll find lots of things to enjoy.

 

[Duet]

We have gone with our boys at the ages of 6 & 3, and then again at 10, 7 & 4 and had no problem with a 12 hour day. Our last trip we even had Papa along (62 and doesn't get around too quickly) and all went well. Epcot has so much to offer the kids. We especially take our time through WS - stopping to see some shows and eating alot of snacks! Before our last trip I ordered Epcot Passports through WDW Merchandising and we put the stickers in the books before we left. The boys had a great time getting their passports signed in each country and they made for a great show 'n tell at school.

I say get the double stroller, drink lots of water, go at a leisurely pace and enjoy!

 

[BruceTheShark]

My son (3 almost 4) loves Epcot. It is his fav park-go figure. We spent a whole day there last spring. We used a stroller. During his regular nap time which he skipped (blessed with a child who won't sleep in a stroller) we did Ellen's universe of energy, dark and cool and lenghty, Spaceship earth and the living seas. All of these for the most part are quiet and calm rides.

Mid afternoon we took him to the fountain to play in and let him play for quite a while. It refereshed him to no ends. Then it was off to the world showcase where he enjoyed listening to the music and seeing the jugglers.

We too did 2 sitdown meals. By the end of Illuminations, he was still up and pleasant. Of course the next day we all slept in....

Try it, you knwo your kids best.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

We ALWAYS open and close the parks. I like being first in and last out. Our 6yo did fine. We had a stroller and she took a nap mid afternoon. While she napped we just wandered around and looked at things.

There is a ton to do at EPCOT, just go over the attractions and activities with an eye towards a 1st grader. You'll do fine.

(BTW someone mentioned no stroller napping... my son is turning 18 in a couple of weeks. He hasn't taken a nap since he was 3 months old.)

 

[tjmw2727]

There is plenty to do for 12 hours in epcot and my girls would LOVE that!! At 7 and 9 it's our favorite park and they have loved it for years. I would be open to a stroller esp come mid afternoon. I would alternate activities and thrill rides with cooler attractions and movies and save time to just play in the playgrounds and fountains. I like the idea of your two sit down meals as I think you will all need the break. If there is any park I could spend 12 hours in with my girls it would be epcot.

There are so many different things to do - start with FW and do the rides and shows, just take your time. Check out MS and TT and get a fP if necessary. Then after lunch toward afternoon just take your time strolling WS. Check out the live entertainment and just see what happens. My favorite thing about Epcot is the live element and that it is different every time. My girls must do list includes, test track, the acrobats in china, off kilter (ok that's mine LOL) the train at Germany, the dollmakers in germany and the living statues. Lots of chances for character interaction and the caves at Morrocoo are fun as well. My youngest loves to make a mask, giving us incentive to visit and relax a bit at every country. My oldest would rather do the passport but at your kids ages the mask would probably suit them both. (and its free!).

TJ

 

[winifredweasley]

I think a day's too much. Epcot doesn't have much for little kids. I'm only spending half a day there.

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

We had a 5 & 7 year old and they loved Epcot. If I would have left it until the last day, they could have stayed from opening to closing. We wanted to do the MK the next day though, so we left at 5:30. We did Illuminations the following day (we entered Epcot at 8 after a full day of the MK).

We also took them when they were 4 &2 and they loved Epcot then too. We took funny pictures in each country wearing hats or clothing. They had fun thinking of poses and the 5 yr old still talks about Morocco.