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

[DisneyFive]

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

While Galaxies Edge was a pretty awesome replacement, we really miss the backstage ride too. Our very first visit in 2010 we knew nothing about it but they convinced my wife, mother in law, and myself to be out there in that one scene with the boats, acting like fools, getting splashed etc... it's still an awesome memory for us all.

 

[MomOTwins]

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.

I don’t dispute that DHS theoretically should be a good park for kids. What makes it terrible in reality is that little kids don’t do long lines so and all the DHS rides have terrible waits and return times for G+ that either require lots of long waits between G+ return times (which is unpleasant at DHS due to the absence of play spaces like Epcot and AK have), or stacking the evening (when kids are tired and don’t want to run around the park). It’s always been our meltdown guaranteed park.

 

[DisneyFive]

It’s always been our meltdown guaranteed park.

Love this LOL. "meltdown guaranteed"

At first I was like, why would HS have longer lines than other parks, but the more I think about it you are right. The lines on average are longer than other parks. There's just a lot of headliners with few secondary rides. At least at MK there are always a lot of other secondary rides with short waits, even if they are not headliners...

We still love HS. It's been our second favorite park going back all the way back to 2011

Dan

 

[Aimeedyan]

HS has been a disaster for us since he was a young walker. He cannot sit for shows yet (we recently attempted Frozen and had to leave halfway through) and there are only 2 rides without height restriction: MMRR and TSMM. He can now ride Swirling but young toddlers/babies cannot. The ONLY show he has the attention span for is Playhouse Disney (he loves it!) but they end the shows so darn early in the day!

I think HS is a really challenging park for baby/toddler/young preschoolers due to limited rides + short attention spans for shows. It's also the only park without a playspace (playground or splash pad option).

We are on property every couple of weeks and rarely visit HS. It's a frustrating park for us at this stage in life.

 

[MamaMermaid]

It's my 4yo's favorite park!

 

[mdoc]

HS has been a disaster for us since he was a young walker. He cannot sit for shows yet (we recently attempted Frozen and had to leave halfway through) and there are only 2 rides without height restriction: MMRR and TSMM. He can now ride Swirling but young toddlers/babies cannot. The ONLY show he has the attention span for is Playhouse Disney (he loves it!) but they end the shows so darn early in the day!

I think HS is a really challenging park for baby/toddler/young preschoolers due to limited rides + short attention spans for shows. It's also the only park without a playspace (playground or splash pad option).

We are on property every couple of weeks and rarely visit HS. It's a frustrating park for us at this stage in life.

Totally agree with this. We're taking a 2 year old to WDW in November and didn't bother to make a park reservation for HS. We figure we'll hop over here on a party day when MK closes early if the mood strikes us.

 

[Timandalicia]

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?

I think it’s the second best park for many reasons and that’s one of them.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I don’t dispute that DHS theoretically should be a good park for kids. What makes it terrible in reality is that little kids don’t do long lines so and all the DHS rides have terrible waits and return times for G+ that either require lots of long waits between G+ return times (which is unpleasant at DHS due to the absence of play spaces like Epcot and AK have), or stacking the evening (when kids are tired and don’t want to run around the park). It’s always been our meltdown guaranteed park.

Lol - yup!! My DD and I still laugh about the double hangry meltdown we had together on our way out of Toy Story Land! It lasted about 2 mins but was memorable and now makes us laugh.

Since then I’m sure to always pack a variety of high protein snacks to fight off the hangries!