help for upcoming trip!

[briarberry]

My DD7 and I are heading for WDW Aug 29-Sept 3. We are staying at PC. It is her first trip and I haven't been there since it was just MK and Epcot! I am overwhelmed by the choices!
This site is great but I need some more advice, if anyone can help I would be super grateful! This is our first "big vacation" and I want it to be special for both of us.
I have PS for dinner at Chef Mickey's the night we arrive (we arrive late in afternoon and I don't want to use the PH for just the evening) and at the Crystal Palace for a late breakfast later in the week (Pooh is DD's favourite).
Here's where I need help!
DD says she doesn't really want to go to Epcot because it sounds too educational - should I try to convince her to try it? She's only 7 and chances are we will be travelling to WDW again in the near future.
DD also wants to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I am thinking we go for part of an afternoon? I am not real comfortable in water parks at the best of times, let alone one the size TL appears to be! Any advice?
Any other tips for "green travellers" like us, would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[mollyo-nh]

When my DD was 6, my parents gave us a trip to Disney - I had gone back to school when I got divorced and finally graduated - about 4 months before graduation - her dad moved to FL and I was sooooo sad he would get to take her to Disney before I did - maybe childish - but I was genuinely sad - so...as a graduation present, my parents gave us the trip. It was a wonderful, special time for just the two of us.

I was scared about taking her to Epcot - because, as your dd said - it would be too "educational" but I took her - and Epcot is now her favorite park - has been from that first trip. There are the passports, kids can get them and take them to each country and the CMs will write something in their native language in the passport. There is the boat ride in Norway - which my dd loves - she also loves to go to Japan and pick out an oyster and get the pearl - you could even have it set in a necklace that you two could take turns wearing.

There are also lots of characters wandering in Epcot - we have seen Aladdin, Jasmine, Snow White and the Dwarfs, Pinocchio and Gepetto (spelling??) and the cat, the wicked queen from Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, the Hunchback and jester - just wandering around -

In Future World - there is a place (I think in Innovations) where you can send an e-postcard with your picture on it - that is always fun too. Also there is a talking trash can and a talking water fountain (if you can find them)

I am sure there are a ton of things she will love that I am missing - but don't underestimate the fun you can have at Epcot - we love it there!!

Have a wonderful, magical trip!!

 

[WDSearcher]

There are also the KidCot stops, where kids can make masks and do other craft things.

Take her to Epcot!

 

[briarberry]

Thank you for the ideas on Epcot. I think we will give it a try. I didn't realize it was so child oriented. The crafts are right up her alley!

 

[CamColt]

Welcome to the Dis!
I know all kids are different, but my kids are 4 & 7 and Epcot is their second favorite park, after the MK of course. Ive often heard theres not much for kids to do there, but I find just the opposite. In fact on our recent visit we got to Epcot for opening at 9:00 and stayed until 7:00,with our only break being a walk over to ESPN on the Boardwalk for lunch. If you are interested, heres a link to my trip report for that day, with pictures... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=616289

 

[mellbe113]

Briarberry,

You will have a great time. I too took my DD7 to WDW last year for the first time and had the trip of a life time. She loved Epcot second to MK and the only time I stressed out was at Typhoon Lagoon. Tons of people everywhere, running around, lots of different paths with big bushes for kids to disapear into. I was a wreck the entire time. We got there when it first opened and were gone in two hours. But... I managed to take a controled breath in the enormous wave pool. We must have spent almost an hour in there. My daughter still talks about it.

Lots of luck!

 

[kathmzh]

My DD, then 6, loved Epcot, especially Test Track. She enjoyed the countries, too, and is looking forward to going back. If you can stand it, do try Typhoon Lagoon. at one end of the huge wave pool (the far end from the entrance) is a small slide and a beachy area that my DD loved, she spent hours there. The lazy river is low-key, too, and there is a "family" slide that is fun. Enjoy yourselves!

 

[cindy_k]

I'm going to recommend you make a schedule... not of what to ride when, but an overview schedule of which parks you are going to on what days, the hours for each park, and include your dining priority seatings.
Also note which park has early entry on which days. Whether you are going to Early Entry or avoiding it, it is good to have the information.

This is the Early Entry Schedule:

Sunday - Magic Kingdom
Monday - Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Disney-MGM Studios

Don't forget to check out the Firework displays at Epcot, Magic Kingdom and MGM. They are all spectacular.

And above all else....

Have a Great Time!

 

[4thof52003]

I think that Epcot is great for children for the same reasons as above, but also for the little discoveries in all the countries and the shows. Don't forget about the ride in Norway! The living statues which are now called something else and are in Italy are absolutely histerical. The British show usually draws all people and is very entertaining. So I wouldn't worry about whether she'll like it.
As for Typhoon Lagoon, I got in for only 10 dollars and therefore found it a great park. However, the regular price is 30 dollars and I find that a little steep. Though I loved the wave pool and you have a chance to snorkel and look at fish and sharks. Very fun. It may be a little worrisome as you say about keeping track of DD, but if you set up a homebase and get settled, it should be alright.

 

[LeftCoaster]

I think, in addition to what the others have said here, present the "kid activities" to your DD. Show her the fun things, characters, etc. that will be there for her in Epcot. I think if you make her feel like she's part of the planning process, she'll be more receptive and excited.