in need of a bit of help here...

[la79al]

We are leaving in less than 3 weeks. Taking DS 8 and DD 4. I was just looking for some ideas of what do try to do in Epcot and MGM. We are trying to not spend a whole day at once but instead doing the future world half of Epcot one day and then going to MGM for the other half of that day and then doing the world showcase another day after we have finished at AK. Like I said, I am trying to decide what is important to put on the list and the trip is primarily for the kids. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh and if it helps at all, the 8 year old knows no fear and except for dirt, the 4 year old is pretty fearless too.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I can't give any advice about the children. But just wanted to let you know that you can get to the Studios by exiting Epcot at the International Gateway (around Great Britain). From there you can take the Friendship boat over to the Studios or walk. The walk is about 25-30 minutes. The boat takes as long or longer since it stops at the Beach/Yacht clubs, Boardwalk, and Swan/Dolphin along the way. It is a nice relaxing ride.
I'm sure other can help with your question since this will BUMP you to the top.

 

[Tishke]

DS is 6 and he is working on getting fearless (he wants to ride Space Mountain this trip, but has only done the BarnStormer once ). He got the most fun out of:

Epcot:
The character meet and greets
Spaceship Earth
The Living Seas
Norway's Maelstrom
Mexico's El Rio del Tiempo
Journey into you Imagination- it was closed our last trip for some type of electrical problem that plagued the parks all week.

If your children are fearless (and tall enough) add Soarin and Test Track. We're doing both this year.

MGM:
Playhouse Live- had some great characters in it like Pooh and Olie- your 8 year old may yawn at this one
All of the shows
Great Movie Ride
Backlot Tour
Muppet Studios

Again, for the fearless and tall enough, Tower of Terror, Rockin Roller Coaster and Star Tours.

Hope that helps

 

[aussiemickeys]

Also at EPCOT world showcase they have something called kid cot (I think) stations in each different country. The kids get to interact with the cast members from each country & get to make a mask. They start off in one country & add different items to the mask in each country. You can also purchase a little EPCOT passport which includes stickers for each country & these can be stamped & written in at each kidcot station by the cast members. About halfway around the world showcase they have a band from Africa called Orisirisi which have set times when they perform. This is great for kids as they let them join in & play the various instruments!

I also noticed in EPCOT that children really seemed to get a kick out of the Chinese Acrobats (who were mostly young as well) & the lady in Japan that made the animals out of candy.

Hope this helps, Have a great trip!

 

[Magic2000]

My DD loves to make her mask at Epcot! She likes to stop at each country, get it stamped, and color a section of the mask!

 

[evajerr]

This January, my ds (9) and dd (6) had the most fun at EPCOT and MGM. Here are the favorite attractions for them at each park. Bear in mind that my dd (6) is a total chicken.

EPCOT:
Journey into Imagination with Figment,plus the Imagination play area after the ride. We actually did this three times this past visit.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience (have the kids pull their feet off the floor so they dont get wigged out about the "mice")

Living Seas pavilion -Crush is a must see!

Test Track (even my scaredy-cat dd loved this ride)
Mission Space if they are brave and not prone to motion sickness- ds rode this when he was 8 and had no problems

I would check out Soarin too. We didnt get to go there (it wasnt open yet) but I hear it is awesome.

MGM
All the shows ( both my kids especially loved the Muppets)
Star Tours if they dont get motion sickness
Aerosmith rock n roller coaster (my sons' favorite)

I cant tell you about Tower of Terror- it scared the bejeezus out of me.
Hope that helps!
Eva

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

You kids would probably enjoy the Passports at Epcot. You can buy them in the gift shops then they get them stamped at each country. My kids 5, 4 loved the World Showcase.

 

[Jackie H.]

The advice you have received so far is great! I think you are wise to break EPCOT into two visits.

I would like to give you one more option to think about. Instead of dividing EPCOT into a Future World Day and a World Showcase day, consider doing a "left side" and "right side" day. For example the first day, you enter and after riding Spaceship Earth (if it's busy save it for the next day) you go to the left and visit: Test Track (for those tall enough), Wonders of Life Pavilion and Ellen's Energy. Then instead of going back across to the other side of FW, go do the "left side" of WS. Visit - Mexico (a cheesy ride, but kids like it and it is cool and dark and relaxing), Norway (another boat ride, one kind of scary part but not really - they try to make you think you are going over the edge of a water fall, but you stop and backup) - you can skip the movie at the end if you wish; China -they may not be ready for the movie, but they have a lot of acrobat shows here; Germany, Italy and American Adventure (another show that is dark and cool! The show is great, but maybe kids your age won't find it very exciting - great time to take a nap!); Japan, Morroco and France .

Then duck out the International Gateway and take the boat to MGM.

On the day after you've been to AK do the "right side": The Living Seas, The Land, Journey Into Imagination (the 3D show here can be intense), Canada and the United Kingdom. If you didn't quite see everything in WS on the first day finish it out then back to the International Gateway to...maybe to Beaches & Cream Ice Cream Shoppe at the Beach Club Resort for something yummy before returning. If you are staying onsite, you can catch the BC bus to Downtown Disney and then catch the bus back to your resort (unless you are a Boardwalk area resort then you can walk or ride the boat!)

This way it isn't ALL world showcase on one day. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE Epcot and my kids have from the first. They have always enjoyed the Kid Cot Stations and yours probably will also. But a full day of WS may be a bit much for them at this age! They may be yelling, "HEY! Where are the rides?!?!"

Just a thought!