Is EPCOT becoming the second best park to take young children?

[scrappinginontario]

It’s very much a personal decision. My DD is 13 and we’ve been going to WDW since she was 18 months. Epcot has always been her favourite park!

 

[RamblinWreck]

I wouldn't discard AK too quickly as the second best park for the little ones. Epcot has more for them, but my little guy really loved AK. The River Journey, the lights and play area in Avatar, Safari, the animal trails and exhibits, the Kites, Triceratop Spin, and the carny games in Dino Land. He loved all of that. Not sure which I think is truly second best, but either way, I think it is close

I definitely agree with you in the sense that I think HS is a distant fourth.

AK has a lot to offer if you are looking to take your kids to a zoo.

MK is still #1 by far.
AK is 2nd for young kids.
EPCOT is still far behind. As an adult, I love it, but not for kids compared to other options.

What’s good at Animal Kingdom for young kids?

Other than basically walking around and looking at the animals, I didn’t find much for my toddlers to do last year. Of course, a lot of things were still closed down then.

 

[browneyedgirl1683]

Large planet statues to run around. Endless gardens (pretend you are toddler height). Fun and magical fountains to run around. Play places outside of rides. Character meet and greets. International snacks. Friendship boats.

It was the best park for my toddler.

 

[HeiHei2018]

Frozen drew us to Epcot, and it is still our second after MK. DD and I would spend an hour in the aquarium while grandparents did World Showcase.

 

[lorenae]

Epcot was my kids’ favorite 20 years ago, and it’s my grandsons’ favorite today.
It’s definitely changed, but they always saw magic there.

In January, we went to Epcot three times, MK once, HS once (but they loved RnR and we rode over and over, they were “cool” with smugglers run and ROtR), and AK one and a half day.
They love Epcot, and always have. They are currently 11 and 8.

The do like Universal better, especially IOA now, though.

 

[_19disnA]

I think it depends on the ages of your children and which rides/shows they like best. MK & HS has several things geared to younger children and they may already be familiar with those characters from toys they have or TV shows they watch. AK has appeal due to most people's fascination with animals and the various exhibits. Our experience has been that Epcot has less appeal to children. Children generally are less interested in shopping and the themed snacks offered from various countries may not appeal to them.

 

[CynBeth]

If you are ok with them having a little sugar there is Club Cool near the Creations shop where they can try Coca Cola from around the world.

Also if you go around the holiday season there are the storytellers at the countries and Candlelight Processional.

 

[mdoc]

My kids (now adults) always loved Epcot as children. We spent a few years going to only MK (weekend trips), and then another couple years going only to MK and AK before trying Epcot, and I wish we'd visited Epcot sooner. They liked Figment, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Club Cool, the Norway Ride (now Frozen), the Mexico ride, Ellen's Energy Adventure (where GotG is now, and the best napping opportunity for parents at WDW), the Seas and Turtle Talk, Living with the Land, and when they were old enough Test Track and Soarin'. They also loved coloring at the different countries and some of the shows (the acrobats, the candy maker). When we took our 2 year old granddaughter to WDW for the first time a few months ago, we only went to MK, but when we return later this year we'll be heading to Epcot and AK as well. I think she'll like the animals at AK, but there's a lot more to do at Epcot, even more now than there was when my kids were little.

 

[Jennasis]

Epcot bored me to tears as a kid, but it's my favorite as an adult. Only you know your kids. Some will ADORE it and some will be bored with it, just like anything else.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My now adult son loved Epcot when he was little!

 

[MomOTwins]

I think what you are seeing in the comments is “a tale of two epcots”. Some go to epcot solely to ride test track and eat and drink around the world and listen to live music. To them, Epcot is an adults park. But as others have pointed out there is a ton of stuff for little kids that people without kids just skip over.

 

[georgina]

Agree it is going to depend on the kids and their ages. Mine liked Epcot in later elementary through adulthood. They were interested in the countries, their displays and stores (we miss Maelstrom!) When we first went there was no Soarin, no Test Track, no Mission Space. HS had different things for kids when they were young, Honey I shrunk the kids playground comes to mind, the backstage ride, and the Hunchback stage show. Animal Kingdom was great, ITTBAB, conservation station, the walkways, Safari, original flights of wonder, Rapids ride, dinoland playground. Personally I would not take a toddler to Disney World and expect much. Youngest was 3.5 when we went, and she was over 40" and a fearless rider. I think it was better when she was 5.

 

[DisneyFive]

Nah I would still rank it fourth for young children. Frozen was added 6 years ago. The only thing that is new for young kids is the Remy ride, maybe Guardians if they are big enough.

Meanwhile Animal Kingdom added all of Pandora, Hollywood Studios added two whole lands, Toy story land and Galaxies edge, and of course Magic kingdom has always been number 1.

We LOVE Epcot, and I think there are a lot of fun things for young kids to do, but I still see it fourth young kids.

ETA: I think a large part of the reason that EP is growing on us so much is because our kids are older now, 15, 18 and 20. We just love the FEEL of Epcot. It's a wonderful park to just walk around in, take your time, enjoy the sights, and it handles the crowds well. When the kids were little that kind us stuff didn't matter as much, and it was more about the rides, which EP still has relatively few of. It's getting better though.

Dan

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

My kids (4 and 9) said they rank them HS, MK and EP/AK tied for 3rd. They like all the parks a lot but HS is definitely their favourite.

 

[TonyLovesDis]

Absolutely!! I was just going over the list of attractions with no height requirements. Taking my son on his first trip in January and I think Epcot may be the best day of the trip.

 

[ktlm]

I think it really just depends on your kid and what they like.

When my now teen was a pre-schooler and grade schooler, EPCOT was always her favorite after MK. Lots of Princesses and other characters to visit, the boat ride in Mexico, Living with the Land, Figment, Nemo, and Kidcot stations (which hopefully will be back).

We have a good zoo at home so she always hated AK and started begging to go back to MK or EPCOT within about an hour. Basically, she wanted to ride Safari and eat at Tusker House to see the characters, and maybe see the Lion King show and then she was done. She complained that AK had no princesses or princess things--- her secondary complaint was that it had no "Disney" rides (meaning no characters-- aka Peter Pan, Pooh, Figment, Boat in Mexico, etc.). I distinctly remember her at 3 years old about 11:00 am telling us she could see the same animals at home and demanding we take her to MK or EPCOT! Maybe if someone didn't have a good zoo at home, or had kids who really loved animals, their kids would absolutely love AK.

 

[julie-o]

On our last trip our son was 20 months old. MK was his favorite, and I'd say Epcot was second. There is a lot to do there for the littles. Waaaaaay more than at HS, where his favorite activity was pushing his stroller. He had trouble sitting still for the Frozen singalong, and MMRR was too much for him. He didn't spend a lot of time at AK, so I can't comment on that. Our 10 year old is into anything thrilling now, so HS is prob his number 1.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

Obviously Magic Kingdom reigns supreme in this category.

Frozen Ever After
Journey into Imagination
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
Turtle Talk with Crush
Nemo / The Seas
Livin with the Land! (best ride ever)
Moana's Journey of Water (soon)


This is only going to be my second trip to Disney since having children, so this is sort of new territory for me.

It does seem like there are a lot more attractions and even rides at EPCOT that the tiny little kids can take part it and enjoy than there are at any other park not named Magic Kingdom. Am I wrong?

We've always loved it and I think they have a ton to offer young kids. In addition, they also have the boat ride in Mexico. They have TONS of characters. They have Spaceship Earth. They have cool experiences like the restaurant in Germany and the awesome oompa band (my kids used to love to dance during the shows while I could relax. The store in Japan and the little anime exhibit is so cool. The performers are entertaining. The slower pace also appeals to younger kids.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Obviously Magic Kingdom reigns supreme in this category.

Frozen Ever After
Journey into Imagination
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure
Turtle Talk with Crush
Nemo / The Seas
Livin with the Land! (best ride ever)
Moana's Journey of Water (soon)


This is only going to be my second trip to Disney since having children, so this is sort of new territory for me.

It does seem like there are a lot more attractions and even rides at EPCOT that the tiny little kids can take part it and enjoy than there are at any other park not named Magic Kingdom. Am I wrong?

So imho I think the epcot of today, and even the 80's epcot, is more geared for older kids, teens and adults than for younger kids. I love Epcot and my kids have enjoyed it more as they're now teens but they still feel like it's light on attractions. Just not enough rides!! I love Epcot for what it is but I agree that MK reigns supreme for the youngest of kids.

Right now, If I was taking littles to WDW now, I'd peg DHS as the second best park for preschoolers with all the shows like Beauty and The Beast and Frozen sing along, TSM, SDD, Alien Swirling Saucers, Disney Junior meet/greet, the dance party, Muppet Vision, lightening mcqueen, Star Tours and MMRR.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Agree it is going to depend on the kids and their ages. Mine liked Epcot in later elementary through adulthood. They were interested in the countries, their displays and stores (we miss Maelstrom!) When we first went there was no Soarin, no Test Track, no Mission Space. HS had different things for kids when they were young, Honey I shrunk the kids playground comes to mind, the backstage ride, and the Hunchback stage show. Animal Kingdom was great, ITTBAB, conservation station, the walkways, Safari, original flights of wonder, Rapids ride, dinoland playground. Personally I would not take a toddler to Disney World and expect much. Youngest was 3.5 when we went, and she was over 40" and a fearless rider. I think it was better when she was 5.

I always miss the backstage ride, I tell my kids about it all the time and what they're missing.