Is Epcot worth it?

[Disney Princesses LW]

Epcot is my favoutite park I love the world showcase, it also has some decent rides like Test Track I also love Askerhus in Norway for food cant believe its only 1TB credit

Most of all I love the walk around the lake on our first trip DH and I walked round once then when we got back to Mexico went around again albeit for the wine tasting in Germany!!!!

For older children maybe Universal Busch Garden tickets may be better for the rides

 

[zavandor]

A bit off topic, but if your children like roller coaster, you could plan a day to the Tampa Bush Gardens. It has more than a dozen of coasters! Other rides are not great.
It's a 1 hour trip from Orlando and the entrance ticket includes (I think) also a free shuttle leaving from the Universal parking lot.

 

[Corky Morris]

Have to admit my oldest is a bit younger than yours at 12, but his 2 brothers (10 & 6) & him would say Epcot is their absolute bestest park!!!
Have to say I agree with them too.
Great rides, lovely walk, lots of food choices too.
And you can have a different beer in each of the countries in World Showcase!!

 

[MrRomance]

We did not go to Epcot last time we travelled to Florida and now looking through the guide books i am not sure if it is worth visiting.I have a 15 year old son whose loves fast rides and a 9 yr old daughter,who to be honest, is the same!I would appreciate any thoughts/advice .

Personally speaking, I'd be happy to skip Epcot unless I'm going for the food & wine festival. I am not a huge fan but my DW loves it because she's a shopper! Our soon to be 9 year old DD would probably happily skip it in favour of DHS (for the big rides).

Epcot tends to be a love it or not bothered deal. World showcase is predominantly a shopping and eating area. During F & W it's quite neat but at other times, not so much (in my opinion). The big attractions are Soarin', Test Track & Mission Space, none of which really appeal to any of us.

I think it's worth seeing, but you could probably get away with half a day if you're not a big foodie or shopper.

 

[Shazzie B]

I like Epcot; but must admit we always go to all 4 parks every visit. We used to do two full days in Epcot & MK. But now we tend to do just two half days in Epcor. One day we'll go early am and do Futureworld & then go back another day late afternoon to wander around Worldshowcase/have a nice meal/watch fireworks. Magic Kingdom we still spend two full days in.

Of the 4 Epcot is the one that holds least interest now - but I wouldn't not visit at all! If you haven't been give it a go - my kids loved it, Mission Space is quite a unique experience that would appeal to thrill seekers.

 

[tonijo]

Thanks everyone,it seems to be a 'marmite'place love it or not as the case might be,personally I think we will give it a miss,i have booked a 14 day pass for Universal/IOA,Discovery Cove with Busch,Seaworld and Aquatica and i think i will pay on the gate for Animal Kingdom,but a big thanks for the replies it did help

 

[ukool]

Out of our 2 week stay Epcot ended up as our most vistied park. Thiers a lot to do, the rides are pretty cool - Test track and mission space are great thrill rides. The world showcase is nice for walking round and thiers some great dining options and side shows. It really is worth a visit, also Illumintaions is a must see!

 

[StarWarsJez]

Well despite me saying to the contrary, last summer we DID Visit EPCOT - despite the lack of Test Track over the key summer months which was a REAL loss.

However it was fun and is a nice laid back park and now Test Tracks back will be a lot more fun. However I do think Disney should spend some money as IMO they've underinvested there for a few years now.

Our highlights are..
Food - genuinely excellent
Test Track & Soarin'
The free coke place (wierd cokes from around the world - kids LOVE silly fun)
Some interesting if slightly quaint looks at other countries

HOWEVER in the height of the Summer, walking the World Showcase can feel like a chore due to the heat and lack of cover.

 

[princess_ariel_85]

Epcots now the least fave out of all the parks and it's not because I dislike it, it's just I love the other parks more.

That being said we spend a large amount of our time in Epcot, the variety in food choices is brilliant. For me the best bit is walking around the World Showcase, I love the atmosphere. I will confess though... I hate Soarin!

 

[CAROLINE4]

My boys are 12, 9, 5 and the only thing they enjoy in Epcot is Sorin and i feel it is getting a bit dated. The thought of walking around and 'looking' at buildings does nothing for them!
i think i would personally not be bothered if we didnt go there again. I would like to see illuminations one night but that's it. I think it is very much like people say you love it or are just not that bothered and we fall into the latter! x
we did find character opportunities were easier here than at MK though x

 

[T16GEM]

We usually visit Epcot twice on a trip, there is so much for everyone to do there IMO, I just asked the kids whether they liked it and they both said yes but for entirely different reasons.

DS loves Test Track, he is into his fast rides, and DD said she liked Figment, obviously your kids are older but I think they will find something that they like there.