Help me give nieces best Epcot day ever!

[ceeceegee]

Hi all – I’ve been hanging around the DISboards for years and am a WDW veteran, but I am struggling to put together plans for my upcoming trip. It is the first trip for my nieces (ages 4 and 6) and of course, I want it to be amazing. I’ve never been to WDW with kids in tow, plus the FP+ tiers (ok - and my desire to get it perfect and of course cram too much into one day), are really tripping me up. Can you take a look and let me know what you think? We are staying offsite and 30-day FP+ window is fast approaching. #1 priority is Frozen Ever After, #2 is meeting Anna and Elsa (shocking, I know) and #3 is Test Track. Thanks so much!

8am – 9am Akershus ADR – get check right away and hope to get out of there no later than 9am

9am – 10am *FEA stand-by - budgeting an hour in case we can’t get out of Akershus.

*Since this is #1 priority that we HAVE to do (said in desperate 6-yr old niece voice) I’m thinking that I will need to use our Tier 1 FP on FEA to assure we get on it (assuming I can get a time slot at 30 days out – if not, it’s a moot point and I’ll use FP for Test Track) I’m afraid that it will be down as EE was down last time I tried this strategy of “we won’t need a FP, we’ll just jump on at rope drop” – never did get to ride it that day as unwilling to wait in 45 minute single-rider line.

10am – 11am *Test Track stand-by – again budgeting an hour for line (ugh!)

*Question – if we have a FP for FEA later in the day, but do end up riding it at rope drop, can we cancel and make a FP for Test Track once we get off FEA? We won’t need to wait until we use our other Tier 2 FPs will we? I’d rather make a FP for Test Track and then head over to Nemo, Turtle Talk, Living with the Land after FEA to get those all in. Or should we keep TT as standy-by and try to grab a Soarin’ FP for later in day? It seems the TT queue is worse, but more to do to keep them occupied? Soarin’ line moves better with 3 bays, but nothing to do? I’ve only ever FP’d it.

1:15pm Biergarten ADR – a request from my parents so likely should keep this.

The plan after lunch is to Meet Anna & Elsa, visit the countries doing Kidcot stations and snacking/drinking, hit up Soarin’ and Spaceship Earth on the way out of the park when littles start to be done. This will be our first park day and I have no idea how they’ll handle it. We will have a stroller to let their legs rest, but we are doing MK the next day and I don’t want them to be so worn out from Epcot that they tire out early on MK day (1 of 3 days at MK – I’ll save that for another thread since this is turning into a book).

If you’re still with me, thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

I can't tell if you know this from your post, but Anna and Elsa meet and greets are not FP options. That is, unless things have recently changed. If it's still stand-by only, then you have an extra FP option to fill.

 

[ceeceegee]

Thanks Twilight! Yeah - I know A&E are stand-by but the waits don't seem to be too terrible. Not sure if I should use AM time to meet them or push until later. I feel like I need to get this Tier 1 FP issue figured out and then plan the Tier 2s - likely Turtle Talk and Spaceship Earth??

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

If you think your nieces would love FEA and want to ride it more than once, I would not let the later FP go.

Also, are there height restrictions on Soarin'? I'm thinking of the 4 yr old. My daughter was older when we started going, so I never had to pay attention to height restrictions.

I think the girls will LOVE Akershus. Good choice!

The passport KidCOT stops will be fun, too. Even my older girl liked doing that the first time we went.

Another idea for resting legs is to ride the Friendship Boats across the lake a few times.

Also, they might really like the boat ride in Mexico.

I'm not sure about TT, since we choose not to spend time on that, but Soarin' has been really easy for us to get evening Fast Passes. We go in January, though, so lower crowds play into that, I'm sure.

It sounds like you have a fun day planned for the girls. Hope you all have a great trip!

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Thanks Twilight! Yeah - I know A&E are stand-by but the waits don't seem to be too terrible. Not sure if I should use AM time to meet them or push until later. I feel like I need to get this Tier 1 FP issue figured out and then plan the Tier 2s - likely Turtle Talk and Spaceship Earth??

When we met Elsa and Anna, it was mid-day and the wait was about 20 minutes. Again, it was January. I didn't have that planned, so I don't know if there are better times. We just happened to walk by and see the low wait time, so I forced my too-cool-for-princesses-except-Rapunzel daughter into the line. She later admitted it was fun meeting them, so considering your nieces' ages, I would definitely not pass that up! Hopefully people with more Anna and Elsa experience will chime in. If not, go to Kenny the Pirate's website and search for his Anna and Elsa post. When you ask a question in the comments, he tends to answer it pretty quickly.

I agree with Turtle Talk and Spaceship Earth for other fast passes. I would maybe even look into grabbing another fast pass after using those for the Pixar short films. That would give you guys another chance to sit for a few minutes.

I forgot to answer your question about changing fast passes before using them all. You CAN change them before using them all up. However, you cannot get extras w/o first using your first three. So, if you decide not to keep FEA, you can try to change it to something else.

 

[LaBelleVie]

Also, are there height restrictions on Soarin'? I'm thinking of the 4 yr old. My daughter was older when we started going, so I never had to pay attention to height restrictions.

40"

 

[pitpat]

Something that would be fun is Pick a Pearl at the Japan pavilion. You can get pearl cage necklaces cheap from etsy before the trip and they can each have a fun, inexpensive keepsake from the trip.

 

[Emtgirljen]

Also, just remember when doing your FP+ picks that the FPs for FEA don't start until 11. The ride is standby only until then.

 

[OB1]

That is a lot of food in a short amount of time. 2 buffets in 5 hours may be too much.

If you are at breakfast a little early, that should get you in & out in decent time. Everyone else will be doing the same thing.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Definitely FP+ FEA. You really don't want to risk not being able to get on that if it is the major priority for your nieces. Breakfast may take you more than 1 hour, so be prepared for that. I would include Gran Fiesta tour, Living Seas with Nemo (just the ride and the aquarium not Turtle Talk), Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land. Spaceship Earth is a favorite for both of my kids and they are several years apart. I haven't tried getting a FP for Soarin' later in the day, so I don't know how hard that will be, but I wouldn't sell it to them in case it doesn't happen.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Buy a couple of tiara's at Walmart/Target. I think we got one for $7. The girls will get lots of attention from CM's and they are fun to wear!

Agree with above poster, Pick a Pearl at Japan is really fun. The CM's do a cute show. I always pick a really hairy ugly looking one.

 

[ceeceegee]

Thank you so much everyone! Such helpful feedback - I love it! It's so different planning for kids and a group (rather than just two adults). The nieces are 40in and 44in so I'm definitely keeping my eye on those height restrictions. I'll shoot for a FEA FP+ and depending on TT wait times might keep it for a second ride.

They will LOVE the tiaras! It can be their "tinkerbell gift" on the first day. We will definitely hit up the Gran Fiesta tour and Pick a Pearl too. Great ideas for rest time on the Friendship Boats and Pixar films.

I was also concerned about the two buffets so close together - maybe I'll move Biergarten to dinner time?

 

[SG131]

I agree you are probably better off moving Biergarten to an earlier time slot.

If FEA is the highest priority stick with a fastpass for that just to be safe. If you make it to the line at 9 and want to switch to another tier 1 FP (I'd say test track), try to switch as soon as possible.

I would also recomend the figment ride.

 

[North of Mouse]

No way we could eat 5 hrs. between two buffets - takes time too!

We're here now and the low crowds have been great. Haven't done 'any' rope drops in 10 days here - had only one FP for FEA, but have ridden it 4 times - about 35 min. wait times. About noon and after, the waits are longer, as the FP's have kicked in!!

The same for Soarin' (which we 'love' the new version). We have gone SB for it 5 times with 15-30 min. wait times. Don't think I saw the dates you were going, but that will make a huge difference in how 'one day' will be!! Enjoy!

 

[WestieCrazy]

Sounds like your nieces have a nice day planned so far! I agree with some previous replies on having them ride the Gran Fiesta Boat Ride (Mexico), Turtle Talk with Crush, Spaceship Earth. There should not be long lines for the boat ride or Turtle Talk.

Here are some other activities:
*Shopping at Japan and China - lots of cute toys, candy & other treats, China has personalized mugs/cups written in both English and Chinese characters.
*The Kawaii exhibit in Japan.
*Germany pavilion - shop for a Christmas ornament

Have fun!

 

[shm_helene]

Aren't you so awesome!

I would agree with the others, two buffets might be too much. My girls were 4 and 6 last time and that would have been a lot of sitting for them and a lot of time since they do move a bit slower. We enjoyed the couple of Kidcot stations we did and it was a nice break for the craziness of the other parks.

 

[ceeceegee]

Aren't you so awesome!

I would agree with the others, two buffets might be too much. My girls were 4 and 6 last time and that would have been a lot of sitting for them and a lot of time since they do move a bit slower. We enjoyed the couple of Kidcot stations we did and it was a nice break for the craziness of the other parks.

Thank you for the feedback! I'd appreciate any other tips on things your girls loved (not just at Epcot). What are the things they seem to remember the most?

 

[shm_helene]

Thank you for the feedback! I'd appreciate any other tips on things your girls loved (not just at Epcot). What are the things they seem to remember the most?

We did the Family Magic Tour at MK (if you have a Disney Visa it was 10% off). You do a scavenger hunt at MK and get on some rides (we went on Under the Sea, Mad Tea Party, and something else...maybe Pooh? plus we met Talking Mickey) but the highlight was we met Peter Pan and you and probably with him for about 8 minutes. He finds a clue with you and then does some other interactive stuff and then he flew with the girls...but mine LOVE Peter Pan...so that was the highlight. Of course this is not always the order (though it pretty much always seems to be the order).

Now, this isn't a cheap thing and you don't get to be with them but my girls LOVED Lilo's PLayhouse at Poly. It starts I think at 430 and goes until whenever (I think midnight). They get snacks, dinner, movies, games, the cooked and did crafts, played dressup, it was probably their favorite part of the trip, lol. Gave us some time to have some drinks and apps pool side (we stayed at Poly though).

Rapunzel's MnG is always a favorite, she's great (and anything you don't have to wait in line for is tops for me )

They loved the Boneyard at AK (though it can get super hot there, so watch out! and it doesn't open until 10 most days I think). Plan plenty of time as well as water and fans.

If the hotel you're staying at has kids stuff my kids liked participating in those games, etc.

The play area at Dumbo is one of their favorite things, we probably spent a good 30+minutes each time we went and Casey's splash station.

They both love riding the monorail the resort loop is always fun.

My daughters both loved Living with the Land (which I do love too) but I didn't expect them to like it at all.

They love the Aladdin ride, get there when it first opens andyou can probably ride it over and over. The spitting camel is great.

Watch for things like the vendors, we saw some popcorn vendors playing with hula hoops and my youngest stopped to watch them and they taught them some hula hoop stuff and got free Mickey pretzels

We did TSMM over and over again close to close (using FP) which was so much fun (anything that can bedone over and over again is awesome).

Exploring Tom Sawyer Island, always a good time.

Overall we limited the number of sit down meals we had, just because they do take a while. The value can come from characters you can't get a FP to do MnG with. I think we only did 1 last time we were there and we were there 8 days.

At Epcot we had out best luck doing the Nemo stuff in the evening (say after 615 and it is usually walk on) but the stuff inside (at least when we were there) didn't close so we still had aqaurium, turtle talk,etc. They loved that aquarium part. Now we went another day in the AM and an hour after opening the wait was 20+ minutes.

They like the train over to rafiki's planet watch (also a good place to meet Chip n Dale). But my kids are really into animals.

(I'm asking them to share with me, lol).

IDK if you can get MM off site but the photobooths were lots of fun.

AK has a dance party over next to DinoLand and there is one in MK at Tomorrowland, my kids liked those.

We didn't do Downtown Disney, it didn't seem a good use of my time.

Getting a PPO ressie at BOG is great, even with the changes. At least Fantasyland is open and if you get out early you can walk through the PeterPan queue and enjoy it but it doesn't eat a lot of time (plus it saves a FP).

You can try to pull the sword from sword in the stone near the carousel, we didn't pull but apparently you can

They didn't care much for fireworks (they liked, but didn't love) they wouldnt have loved waiting a long time. We watch from the bridge on Tomorrowland and generally get there a few mins before it goes off. They do like the castle projection show, which we watch from in the hub area.

We split their meals at the QS places, because a lot of time it's a lot of food (but not always)

They liked the PeopleMover (?) it's a different experience for them.

I'll try to think of some of the more key things over the next few days. Have a great and magical trip Please let me know if you have any specific questions and I will do my best to answer!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I think your nieces will love Epcot.

Here are the height restrictions for Epcot rides:
1. Test Track – 40”
2. Soarin’ – 40”
3. Mission: SPACE® – 44”

So this will help to see if your nieces can get on the ride. I would rope drop FEA and FP Test track or Soarin if your nieces are tall enough. I do have to say that I have never seen Soarin less than 60 minute wait - so if they fit I would FP that. Test track is closer to FEA and would do FEA after Akershus and then head to Test Track.

I would definitely move Biergarten to a little later - like 3pm.

Enjoy - we love EPCOT.