Is epcot the hardest walking park?

[birdiesunshine]

I was wondering as I await our next trip, how nice it would be if Epcot had escalators through-out the park like they do at the Orlando Airport. In some spots its a long walk and they have wide enough walk-ways and its very sunny. Possibly a solar powered people mover would be an idea for an imagineer. My husband and I don't have problems walking but when we go with our parents they have trouble especially when they try to save their energy to get around world showcase. It would be nice to enjoy this park with our whole family. By no means is this a knock against Epcot I just wondered if they toyed with the idea of making it more "walker friendly"

 

[winniedapooh]

I have not heard anything but this park does not bother me nearly as much as Animal Kingdom. I have bad knees, need new ones but .....I am too young-lol . Animal Kingdom puts me in bed and on pain meds for 2 days after!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Epcot is big on distance, but AK is hilly. I can see why you get pain. Why did they design it this way? At the end of a long day in the park you have to climb that hill across the bridge- I hate that...

BLessings

 

[iwannabeminnie]

At the end of a long day???????


We always want to do Kilamanjaro Safaris first thing. They say the animals are more active in the mornings right? NOT THIS ONE! I am so out of breath by time we get there. Is it straight uphill or what?

 

[lentesta]

winniedapooh, I know exactly what you mean. After walking the AK non-stop for 10 hours collecting data, I needed Alleve for a month (literally) for my knees to stop hurting. I think it's the way the Imagineers designed the ground to be natural-looking. The subtle un-even nature of the concrete plays havoc on your joints. IANAD, but that's my guess.

Len

 

[princesscrazydaughte]

Yes, Epcot is the worst walking park. It is an absolute nightmare if you have to be somewhere for a PS in the WS and you have to walk around the loop just to get there. No matter what you have to walk around the lake. There are no short cuts. My DH hates the walking at Epcot and doesn't complain at all at the other parks.

 

[orvilleair]

I had a harder time at AK too. Start out like a funnel, packed like sardines.

I though Epcot had a ferry to take you across the lake from the plaza to the back of World Showcase, but I'm not sure.

------------------
Scott

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Originally posted by mic_key_mouse
Epcot is big on distance, but AK is hilly. I can see why you get pain. Why did they design it this way?

I think I remember one of the AK designers saying the park was designed with certain "sight-lines" in order to keep the barricades natural looking. I guess this required certain elevation changes.

 

[DebbieB]

I think that AK is the worst too. There doesn't seem to be direct routes between alot of the attractions, many winding paths.

 

[my3princes]

Animal Kingdom is definately larger and more hilly. Pushing a stroller on the bumpy pavement certainly doesn't make it any easier.

 

[OhMickey]

I am with you guys, AK is the hardest park to walk. The hills and uneven pavement combined with the heat - UGH! That said, I wouldn't miss it for the world!

 

[betterlatethannever]

My vote goes to AK also. The heat and hills are bad. But, those little stones they put in the pavement are what gets me the most.

Obviously I don't wear the right shoes since, no matter what I put in them (BodyGlide, Blister Shield, two pair of socks) my feet get hammered. I purposly look for a flat spot to put my feet. It looks like I am playing hopscotch.

Ed

 

[ryley26]

ak gets my vote too not only is it hilly but the sun bakes the energy right out of you.

 

[carone0318]

I vote for AK too.

I am a walker and the walking doesn't really bother me at any park, but at AK the humidity that just builds there in addition to the walking, now that is what gets to me. There isn't as much as rides inside either, so you seem to be outside and in the heat longer too.

 

[hoosll]

Except for MK (with the train) - at the end of a long day all the parks even MGM seem like a hike. One year we did Osborne Lights at MGM which is located at the farthest point from the front and I thought I would pass out before we made it to the gate. Same trip, I thought I would just sit down on the bridge to WS and refuse to move at Epcot and let them carry me out if they insisted I leave after closing.

Now I make sure that I really work on my cardio-walking before we go.

 

[jiminyml]

I too find AK a bit harder on the old limbs than Epcot. Although, part of it might be psychological for those who find Epcot walking to be difficult.......in the fact that you can SEE how far off everything is. There is nothing more daunting than to know where you want to go, and actually see that large expanse of walking between you, and it.
At AK, you don't really have this, unless your heading for the tree of life from somewhere within the park!

 

[Eeyore2003]

This is not very encouraging!!! We have only made it to AK once. Seems to keep getting put on the back burner when we're there. Now this time with niece and nephew we have it planned in. I have bad knees and I'm glad I planned it for the last day!!!!!!!!!!!! YIKES!!!

 

[swilphil]

If your parents want to tour World Showcase, maybe you can plan to enter through International Gateway. Perhaps after a meal at the Boardwalk or one of the Epcot area hotels. You can also get to International Gateway from MGM by boat. We stayed at an Epcot area resort and went to just World Showcase without venturing into the rest of the park.

 

[vmkids]

Think the different pavements are hard on the feet. We use to go here first but this last time went last few days and think that might be why I didn;t get blisters. (Along with the duct tape) Even my skinny kids say they are dragging on some of those paths!

 

[jcemom]

Thanks a lot guys! We did two half-days back to back at AK in February and I didn't notice it being difficult at all. Now that everyone has pointed it out I bet I'll notice next year!

I was MUCH more tired after Epcot than any of the other parks.