How Much Time (in terms of hours) To Do Epcot right?

[tanyaegangibson]

Hi All!

Our three-generational family, all Disneyland vets together, is going to Disney World for the first time, and then Universal, in April. It's me, DH, DD11, DD8, DMIL, and DFIL. I'm the family planner for all such trips, as I love doing it. I'd thought I'd planned everything perfectly--and as many of you I'm sure know, as soon as you think every detail is perfect, the universe laughs at you and makes you rethink all of it.

DD11 tried out for her middle school play, the performances of which were the two days before we were supposed to leave for our trip. I figured that taking her out of school one day before Spring Break week wasn't a big deal, and this way we could use the Friday as a travel day, since it takes the whole day to get to Orlando from the West Coast. Made the reservations nearly a year ago (used David's Vacation Club) and booked the air travel months ago. Perfect, right? Well, turns out that the play also has two in-school productions on the day before school break. And they are mandatory. Yeah, the day we are supposed to be in the air. Cue the tears from DD11, who didn't know this. To be fair, I didn't know either, as it wasn't mentioned in announcements about the play. (We're new to the school.) So, DH and DD11 are now going to fly out a day later than the rest of us (because he is the nicest DH ever and understands that after a year of planning this trip, I really want to be there for all of it). All of which is to give you context for my Epcot question:

I had originally planned for us to spend all of our first full day at Epcot and then had us visiting it for a half day at some point and a few hours at another. We are staying at Beach Club Villas, so it's the easiest park for us to visit. My kids love educational things, and this is the park they are most interested in. The rest of us are still going to go to Epcot for some of that first full day, but I do want to make sure that DH and DD11 have enough time at Epcot to really enjoy it, too. So, how much time is enough, in your opinion? We have 6 days at the Disney Parks (well, 5 1/2 because on our last day there we'll be driving to Universal to check into HRH and have dinner, etc.) so I can reallocate some of our time if necessary to give them more time at Epcot.

Thanks so much in advance. This forum makes me *so happy*, as few people IRL understand how much fun (and yet how fraught) planning for these vacations can be!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I have always said that you can't do everything in EPCOT in one day. That is borderline impossible. For that reason, I always give EPCOT two days. I still normally don't see everything, because I like to repeat my favorites. I would focus one day on Future World and another day on World Showcase. If you wanted to repeat certain things, you might be able to as well.

 

[AllieBoo]

We normally spend 2 full days at Epcot and could easily do more! We love going through the World Showcase and don't like to rush.

 

[Alesia]

We typically spend 20 to 25 hours there each trip.

 

[tanyaegangibson]

Thank you all for your quick responses so far! You're reaffirming what I already thought--that we should reallocate some of the hours from MK to Epcot, given the change in our schedule. We go to DL about twice a year--will be there this summer for my 50th birthday--so we can probably skip some rides that are similar (though I know not the same) in MK and DL.

 

[Mousetopia]

Hi All!

Our three-generational family, all Disneyland vets together, is going to Disney World for the first time, and then Universal, in April. It's me, DH, DD11, DD8, DMIL, and DFIL. I'm the family planner for all such trips, as I love doing it. I'd thought I'd planned everything perfectly--and as many of you I'm sure know, as soon as you think every detail is perfect, the universe laughs at you and makes you rethink all of it.

DD11 tried out for her middle school play, the performances of which were the two days before we were supposed to leave for our trip. I figured that taking her out of school one day before Spring Break week wasn't a big deal, and this way we could use the Friday as a travel day, since it takes the whole day to get to Orlando from the West Coast. Made the reservations nearly a year ago (used David's Vacation Club) and booked the air travel months ago. Perfect, right? Well, turns out that the play also has two in-school productions on the day before school break. And they are mandatory. Yeah, the day we are supposed to be in the air. Cue the tears from DD11, who didn't know this. To be fair, I didn't know either, as it wasn't mentioned in announcements about the play. (We're new to the school.) So, DH and DD11 are now going to fly out a day later than the rest of us (because he is the nicest DH ever and understands that after a year of planning this trip, I really want to be there for all of it). All of which is to give you context for my Epcot question:

I had originally planned for us to spend all of our first full day at Epcot and then had us visiting it for a half day at some point and a few hours at another. We are staying at Beach Club Villas, so it's the easiest park for us to visit. My kids love educational things, and this is the park they are most interested in. The rest of us are still going to go to Epcot for some of that first full day, but I do want to make sure that DH and DD11 have enough time at Epcot to really enjoy it, too. So, how much time is enough, in your opinion? We have 6 days at the Disney Parks (well, 5 1/2 because on our last day there we'll be driving to Universal to check into HRH and have dinner, etc.) so I can reallocate some of our time if necessary to give them more time at Epcot.

Thanks so much in advance. This forum makes me *so happy*, as few people IRL understand how much fun (and yet how fraught) planning for these vacations can be!

Epcot, if you want to really take time and enjoy the beautiful gardens people miss, art, films and just walk and explore each pavilion is at least 2 days. It is HUGE and a lot of walking. For a first visit A great plan is one side each day. We for example tour the left all the way to the bag then have a rest taking the friendship boats back to Future world for a break.!

AK is FILLED with educational opportunities if your kids are interested in animals. Badges can be earned, keepers talked to, some of the best animal exhibits I have ever seen in the 2 main nature trails and now they have added more around tree of life. This is also a huge park and easily a two day park if you want to learn and not just ride rides. I can sit for a long while watching the tigers, gorillas and meerkats!! Same tour plan for us here..min two days and pick a side to enjoy each visit.

For a first timer my best advice is plan for getting around to take much longer than you think..this is a huge property over all

 

[IrishNYC]

To do Epcot really right, DH and I would need about 4 days.

 

[bweagle]

We plan 2 full days. We attack Future World on one day (with a dinner in WS before Illuminations) and then the second day focus solely on WS but we still get there at Rope Drop and hit a couple of our favorites in FW before WS opens.

This year we are adding another 1/2 day to focus on the F & G Festival

 

[NJ Goofy]

Did you get Park Hoppers ? If so, since you are staying so close, you can walk over there on several nights to catch anything you missed on your "EPCOT day". We stay at BWV quite often and that's what we do. We usually spend a long 1/2 day there and then go back 2 or 3 times at night. However, we've been there more than a dozen times so it's a little different for 1st timers.

 

[disneyfreak202]

Honestly, EPCOT is my least favorite of the parks. Both of my trips we have done half a day, done all the rides and wondered around the world showcase and watched illuminations. It was plenty. However, it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. We spent more time at MK.

Both of our trips were 8 days (2 travel as we come from the west coast). So for the 6 park days, we did Universal for one cutting us down to 5 park days. For us we were able to accomplish all 4 parks, (MK twice), both Water Parks, Cirque, Mini Golf.

Im here to help, if you have questions! Im not a seasoned WDW vet, but I can help you accomplish a lot in a little amount of time.

 

[msk]

I love NJ Goofy's idea. You can always add Park Hoppers. They do make WDW more fun. I've been several times and can't imagine going without the hoppers, they make getting around so much more convenient.

 

[PolyRob]

When you say "right" what are you most interested in or what did you have planned the first day that you are missing? Epcot is very unique in that it has 3 highly sought after tier 1 FP+ attractions, educational opportunities (which sound important for your group), and the World Showcase which can take hours and has some spectacular dining options.

I agree with the previous posters that park hoppers would be very beneficial for your group if you do not already have them. You could rope drop Epcot one morning, do Soarin' right away, single rider Test Track, and have a Frozen Ever After FP+ booked. That would take care of all of those tier 1 FP+s.

I would also take advantage of Extra Magic Hours since you are staying on sight. You can cover some decent ground in Future World for the mornings since that is the only area that opens. This usually happens on Thursdays. You can also explore both Future World and the World Showcase at night since they are both open late. This is usually on a Tuesday. This would allow you to squeeze in some extra time before or after your other plans, depending on if you are early risers or like to stay until park close. Either way, its a short walk back to the Beach Club Villas.

April will also be Flower and Garden. How interested are you in seeing every topiary? I know this was a main concern for my family last spring. We saw them all during the day, and then realized it was a completely new experience at night!

Lastly, while April does not have high rain projections like May into summer months, it is always a possibility. If Epcot is very important, I would make sure you have time to enjoy it another day in the event of inclement weather. My full Epcot day POURED last spring, but we persevered as much as we could. Rides (besides Test Track) were not an issue, but topiaries were not fun. We had another half day planned later in the week, but scrapped that, and dedicated it all to Epcot since we liked it that much and the weather was great. Just some things to consider.

 

[tanyaegangibson]

Did you get Park Hoppers ? If so, since you are staying so close, you can walk over there on several nights to catch anything you missed on your "EPCOT day". We stay at BWV quite often and that's what we do. We usually spend a long 1/2 day there and then go back 2 or 3 times at night. However, we've been there more than a dozen times so it's a little different for 1st timers.

Yes, we got park hoppers for exactly this reason. My in-laws will probably want more rest time than the kids and I will, so I'm thinking that during some of that down-time, I'll bring them back to Epcot to hit things we will have missed.

DS8 informed me today that we doesn't want to get FPs for Test Track or Mission Space that first day (the one that DH and DD11 will miss) because he doesn't want his sister to feel like she missed anything, so we need to wait until the second Epcot day for either of them. (He's the sweetest brother ever.)

 

[tanyaegangibson]

I agree with the previous posters that park hoppers would be very beneficial for your group if you do not already have them. You could rope drop Epcot one morning, do Soarin' right away, single rider Test Track, and have a Frozen Ever After FP+ booked. That would take care of all of those tier 1 FP+s.

Test Track is a definite for us, both Soarin' isn't necessary because we have gone on it so many times at DCA (and we're going there again this summer). My kids are anti-Frozen, so I don't have to worry about that one either. (DH would turn a funny color is I tried to drag him to anything Frozen, too!)

I would also take advantage of Extra Magic Hours since you are staying on sight. You can cover some decent ground in Future World for the mornings since that is the only area that opens. This usually happens on Thursdays. You can also explore both Future World and the World Showcase at night since they are both open late. This is usually on a Tuesday. This would allow you to squeeze in some extra time before or after your other plans, depending on if you are early risers or like to stay until park close. Either way, its a short walk back to the Beach Club Villas.

We are definitely going to take advantage of EMH, both in the morning and at night. (My in-laws will probably pass on the extra hours, but the kids are night owls, plus they are used to getting up at 6 or so when we go to DLR, so they know the drill!)

 

[jvz82]

We went to EPCOT this time from 9 am until 7 pm and we barely saw anything in the World Showcase except Norway and Mexico. I definitely could have used another half day at least.

 

[StilAPrincessAtHeart]

We always do 2 full days. But in a dream world, I'd have 3.

 

[crazylady]

A couple of half days is enough for our family.

 

[emonade8]

There's no amount of time in Epcot that is enough!!!

We actually joke that we could spend our entire trip at Epcot and be happy.

 

[Jade K.]

I totally agree with the majority, you'd be hard-pressed to do EPCOT in one day! There's so much to see and do, soak up and experience (EPCOT is GIGANTIC) that I feel you'd absolutely benefit from two whole days, if not a few extra hours on the side (sometimes you find something that really just strikes your fancy (my EPCOT obsession is Living With the Land and if your kids love educational things I think they'll love this ride!)) Plus, since nobody knows your family better than you, you'll be able to pick out things your first go round that you know your husband and daughter will love for their turn! I hope your family enjoys their trip to WDW!!

 

[Justin91]

The first time we were there we only spent a day and rushed everything. We missed out on a lot. Last year we visited EPCOT for two days, took our time and LOVED it. We definitely want to come back during a food festival and also to try some more of the restaurants out.