Is second Epcot Park reservation worth it?

Chughes812

Mouseketeer
Joined
Oct 19, 2018
Messages
80
We have an upcoming 10 day trip w/ PH and will be staying at YC. I will keep at least 1 reservation for Epcot. However, I am wondering if a second park reservations at Epcot is worth it. I imagine we will park hop to EP a few times for WS and eating, but since it isn't opening until 11 would the reservation be better served with a different park?

Background - Second family trip, 2 adults + 3 young kids, pregnant, expecting this trip to be a little slower pace

Current park days - MK-3 (including arrival), EP-2, AK-2, HS-2, Rest -1. Side note is MK worth it on arrival day with early close? Driving, so not sure when we will arrive, but just seems like a good place to start for the kids.

TIA!
 
It really depends on how much you like EP. it’s my second favorite park (after MK), so I would do a second day there for sure. What if you are too tired to hop to EP? Disney is exhausting, and you might be tempted to call it an early day one day instead of hopping.

As far as MK on your first day, I think it’s the perfect place to start. Not sure when you are going, but they have been extending hours. MK might be open later than the time that is currently listed.

Have a great trip!
 
Epcot is our favorite park. We only ended up going there one day out of two planned. We did not feel that much was open. We rode everything except test track (closed due to weather). We ate at Garden grill. We arrived 11:30 via skyliner, grabbed some pastries and gelato from France and was done with the WS by 1:30. We left the park around 5.
 
It really depends on how much you like EP. it’s my second favorite park (after MK), so I would do a second day there for sure. What if you are too tired to hop to EP? Disney is exhausting, and you might be tempted to call it an early day one day instead of hopping.

Very true. We were unable to spend much time in WS last time. I know WS will not be quite the same this year, but would still be nice spend day strolling around. Going late APR, so maybe it will be warm enough to spend some time at SAB in the morning. Or we may choose to spend afternoons there rather than hopping. Last trip I had very detailed, packed plans. So this trip will be different for many reasons. It will be longer so less rush in general, plus I will likely tire more easily. I know DH will appreciate the slower pace, too. We had a great trip last time and hardly waited in lines thanks to FP and planning, but it was exhausting.

As far as MK on your first day, I think it’s the perfect place to start. Not sure when you are going, but they have been extending hours. MK might be open later than the time that is currently listed.

That is what I am hoping for, a later closing time.
 
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Epcot is our favorite park. We only ended up going there one day out of two planned. We did not feel that much was open. We rode everything except test track (closed due to weather). We ate at Garden grill. We arrived 11:30 via skyliner, grabbed some pastries and gelato from France and was done with the WS by 1:30. We left the park around 5.

So you think 1 day is sufficient given current openings? I was hoping Remi would be open, but since we just learned it won't be that takes away part of the appeal. We will definitely be doing FEA and have a GG ADR for lunch (need to decide between 1:00 or 2:30) on our EP day that I will keep. Since TT skips the vehicle design part right now, at least last I checked, that takes away some of the fun. (And I won't be able ride anyways...) DH and DD enjoy the thrill rides, I will be sitting them out with the younger two this time.

I've also noticed that EP seems to be the easiest reservation to get (or at least the last to reach capacity) so I was thinking it may be easier to switch to EP than another option if we decide we want a second day. What would be recommended second park for 3rd day (or 4th if MK) if we do reduce EP to 1 day?
 
EP may be a good park to go to if you want a later start for the day since it opens later. Maybe a good park for after a later night the day before. You can mosey around the room and have a leisurely breakfast before going. 2 EP days sound good for as long as you’re going.
 
So you think 1 day is sufficient given current openings? I was hoping Remi would be open, but since we just learned it won't be that takes away part of the appeal. We will definitely be doing FEA and have a GG ADR for lunch (need to decide between 1:00 or 2:30) on our EP day that I will keep. Since TT skips the vehicle design part right now, at least last I checked, that takes away some of the fun. (And I won't be able ride anyways...) DH and DD enjoy the thrill rides, I will be sitting them out with the younger two this time.

I've also noticed that EP seems to be the easiest reservation to get (or at least the last to reach capacity) so I was thinking it may be easier to switch to EP than another option if we decide we want a second day. What would be recommended second park for 3rd day (or 4th if MK) if we do reduce EP to 1 day?
I would do another day at MK. the way the social distancing lines are make it seem very crowded. or keep your second Epcot day let the kids have some pool time before going to the park. The pool was crowded in the evenings but very quiet in the morning.
 
I’m using my 2nd Epcot day with an opening at 11 as my “sleep in” day during our 10 day trip. Gives me the perfect excuse for not getting up early during our 10 day trip
 
Personally, I would trade one of your animal kingdom days for Epcot or Hollywood Studios. It’s all up to what you like though. Without shows, animal kingdom can’t take long to get through

Dan
 
We'll also be at DW for 9 days in June (so far, might add a day lol). As an older couple, we enjoy Epcot the most, AK is my personal second fave.

That said, one must take into account the heat, the walking and walking and walking, and the tiredness factor from said walking. Epcot is a huge park with a lot of hot cement, and not all that much entertainment for kids who might not be interested in shopping, Frozen, Sorin' etc. I can't recall in OP's post, but park hoppers might be an idea--that way you could visit Epcot in the cooler part of the day and either hop or go to the resort and spend some cooling/resting time around the pool or in an air conditioned room. If you broke up Epcot in two days that way, it might be a bit easier to deal with.

I'd think that AK might have more interest for younger children. I've heard/read a lot of people saying that AK was the hottest park, but I'm a really heat-sensitive person and I find the jungle/shade areas of AK to be cooler than, say, MK or HS when it's hot, sunny and humid. Your mileage may vary :)
 
Epcot is the only park we are repeating. We went last October when crowds were pretty bad like they are now, and I'd rather have spinal tap than battle more than one day at MK or HS with small kids--the crowds and the lines were wayyyy too stressful and exhausting. We even did a midday break and it still was just too much. Then we did our day at Epcot and it was like heaven. Crowds don't feel so bad because they are spread out between FW and all around the WS. Not too many attractions with waits in lines. So much easier to do things at a leisurely pace. And there is so much more for the kids to enjoy at Epcot beyond the main attractions. We spent ages exploring the "Seas" area, even more time letting them run around the little maze in England, we all relaxed and watched the concerts in the outdoor theater with a snow cone for kiddos and treats from the festival booths for me. Also, loved the Mexico boat ride and American Adventure. And there were so many sights to explore--the waterfall overlook in Canada, the bad alleys in Morocco, the koi ponds in Japan, the miniature train village in Germany.

This was the first trip we really "dug in" and explored Epcot to its fullest and we LOVED it. Polled the kids and DH and the vote was all unanimous that Epcot was the one park we should repeat on our 5 day ticket.
 
For how long you're going, I would keep the 2 days at Epcot. I think you'll appreciate the later opening time and will appreciate those 2 days to have at a more leisurely pace. I don't think you need 4 days at MK, nor do you need 3 days at AK or HS.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Thinking I will keep current plans. We are hitting each park the first 4 days, so hopefully (reservations permitting) we can adjust as we go.
 


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