Is there enough at Epcot for 4 & 6 year olds?

[alohamom]

Hi everyone! Thinking about doing Disney in a couple of weeks and I am tryong to decide if there is enough for the kids at Epcot (4 & 6 ). I just saw the item about the new Nemo section of Living Seas and we have always wanted to do Test Track (kids are tall and like thrill rides). Is there much beyond that to keep them happy. It has been a loooong time since I was at Epcot and I remember loving it but I just want to get a few opinions. Thanks in advance...

 

[Doug Wolfe]

Figment the dragon is a great ride for the kids. (Someone help me with the name of this ride.)

If "Food Rocks" is still there, this would be a good one. Although I know this attraction is coming to an end.

They might like the Ellen Degeneres ride. (Name of ride assistance again please!) Although the dinosaurs could be a little frightening.

If it is a longer trip, Epcot is fine. If it is a shorter trip go with Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and the Disney Studio's first. As an adult I love Epcot, the kids are not as thrilled.

 

[kbkids]

My DD is 6, been going to Epcot since she was 4. Her most favorite ride is Test Track - we have to go to Epcot everytime just for this ride. She hated Mission:Space. That's it for the thrill rides. Food Rocks is gone, but my kids do enjoy the Land boatride - occasionally. She likes seeing the huge vegetables.
They are intrigued with Spaceship Earth, but they hate Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. They do really like the new Nemo section at the Living Seas. And they really get a kick out of watching Kristos.

As far as the World Showcase, they really are not impressed with going through the countries - Kidcot stations hold their interest only for a short time - but they do enjoy watching the different actors and comedians throughout the countries.

So, yes, they do enjoy it, but we're usually done in half a day. We usually leave around 2:00 and take the boat to MGM or hang out on the boardwalk.

 

[kbkids]

I have heard there is supposed to be a new Goofy Treasure Hunt. Don't really know how it works, but I'm thinking you go through the countries and find certain things. Anyway, you take your sheet back to Guest Services when you're done and they give you a free poster (I'm assuming probably of Goofy). We'll probably give that a try on our next trip.

 

[Tink]

I have a 5 and 2 year old. One of the things they love to do at Epcot is the mask. You get a blank mask on a stick. You can decorate it at every country at the KIDCOT stations. Each country gives a different stamp on the stick and a little earring like thing that hangs off of the mask.

Also, if you have a girl in the group, picking a pearl in Japan is fun. They chose the oyster and the CM digs the pearl out. I am saving all of the pearls from our trips to make something special for each of them.

 

[SamanthaL]

My DD was about 4 on our last trip. We did Epcot. She did love it. She enjoyed World Showcase because she is very artsy and loved making the masks. She couldn't wait to get to each country. In the meantime we got to do taste testing because it was Food and Wind Festival time. If you are going for a longer trip I would give it a try. I also think it was good for Sophia to know that SOME of the time was grown up fun too.

 

[luvaladdin]

Great suggestions so far, let's see if I can add anything. My boys DS8 and DS5 have liked Epcot, not only Spaceship Earth, Test track, Ice station cool, the Mexico and Norway rides, and the like, but also things like jumping in the spouting fountains, using the interactive exhibits in the Imagination pavilion, watching the miniature train set in Germany, walking thru the maze in England, seeing the Japanese toys in their museum (still there?), exploring each country's unique items for sale in the shops, especially China and Mexico, and seeing some of the entertainment. We spend several late afternoons/early evenings there during our one week visit and usually start our first half day there of the trip after we've arrived at our Disney resort.

 

[daisylove]

There is already somany great suggestion here. Let me a dd my 2 cents. My DD (almost 5) loves goint to the land and "baking" cookies. It is to the left (facing) the food court as you are coming down. They have the times posted. The kids all get Chef hats with their names on it and get to participate in cookie making. It is a definite must. Also, don't miss the calvacade of characters (I think that is what it is called) Down by the lake at certian times a busload of characters come in for 20 min o so at a time and fan out for autographs and pictures. You usually can make it to all of them before they leave and it includeds the biggies Mickey, Minnie, Donald (daisy sometimes) , Goofy, Pluto, Baloo, Capt hook and Smee, and about 4 more. Its great and seems to be much less of a line to see the characters than anywhere else in the world. My DD Love Spaceship earth, Test Track, the rides in Mexico, Norway, Figment, Living Seas, Ice Station Cool (absolute must for her to get snowed on). Brother bear characters in canada (ask in gift shop upstairs for times), Pooh in England gift shop, Beauty and Beast in France, Genie, Aladdina nd Jasmine in Morrocco. Wow, i am realizing as I write just how much there is to do for the kids. My DD has recently said Epcot was her fave so that is a huge recomendation for me. Have fun!!!

 

[Baloo]

YES! YES! YES!
As a matter of fact EPCOT was my favorite park to take Erich to when he was little.We liked ,and still do,is look for Hidden Mickey's.


Hidden Mickey's
...................................
Hidden Mickeys started out as inside joke among the Imagineers. A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney ride ,resort,etc. To begin with it took the shape of a head and ears silhouette, °o°, one large circle with two smaller circled on top in the correct place, but Hidden Mickeys can take on many forms.In designing, constructing or adding the final touches to an attraction, Imagineers try to "hide" Mickey Mouse silhouettes in plain sight! Word spread and soon Disney fanantics went searching for Hidden Mickeys in theme parks and movies.

Here's a list of a few that we have searched for in past trips to WDW.We've found a few! Hope you have fun looking!

EPCOT

Spaceship Earth
1.In the boys room,a cap and clock.
2.In the star constellations.

Universe of Energy
1.Fight scene between the t-rex and stegosaurus, large plant shaped like Mickey's head located to the front, right side of the dinosaurs.

Body Wars
1. Hidden Mickey in the mural above Body Wars. There might even be other characters.

Test Track
1.Mickey Pez dispenser in cup on workbench in area 2B.
2.Area 8B there is a white workbench. There are three large washers that make a Mickey .
3.Car in the "Crash Test Car" there are 2 inspection stickers.The driver's door is signed just "Mickey", and the one on the passenger's door is signed "M. Mouse".
4.Cold Room has a Mickey in frost on the back wall.
5.Corrosion Room has a Mickey in rust on both sides of the room.

The Land
1.Paintings in line for Living with the Land.One has bubbles tah form Mickeys.
2.Cloud under blue balloon in pavillion center.

Living Seas
1.Second window after restrooms, full Mickey head in coral

Canada
1.Totem pole 2nd face down from the top. You will see a black traditional tri-circle Hidden Mickey among the markings.

France
1.Grates that are at the base of the trees .

Morocco
1.On the outside wall of the gift shop there are three baskets in the shape of a Mickey.

Japan
1.Fences around trees.
2.Grand Concourse level, stones in lagoon left of stairs.

American Adventure
1.Foyer painting, 3 holes on girder.
2.When Statue of Liberty is shown and torch set is coming up, behind torch, firework 'fizzles' and cloud of smoke forms Mickey.

Italy
1.Bottom right of corner sculpture are 3leaves in a distinct Mickey.

Germany
1.Look at the building to your right on the second floor. There are 3 suits of armor.The crown of the 3rd one has a Mickey.
2.Mini train area.
3.In iron work holding hanging basket near the Teddy Bear shop.Some of those look like the mouse ear hats.

China
1.In "Dragon, Ruler of the Wind and Waves" exhibit, head found in clouds of a dragon mural close to tail.

Norway
1.In the mural in line for Maelstrom, there is a Viking wearing a Mickey Mouse hat!

Mexico
1. El Rio del Tiempo at the marketplace scene there are 3 bowls.
2.From the San Angel Inn Retaurant if you are facing the temple, on the right of it is a volcano. If you watch closely, the smoke that is rising from the volcano Mickey.

Here's a link to the thread I have about saying Hello in Epcot .Erich was 5 or 6 when we started this.http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=504754
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=504754

I think your kids will love Epcot and you will again too!

 

[MinnieGi]

Our DD, now 3 1/2 has always liked Epcot. We usually go over for one day and several nights. I persoanlly think there is alot to do for both kids and adults here. I like that in the pavillions there seems to be both adult and kid attractions. DD just loves the water sprinklers. DH and I take turns doing MS and TT while she plays a way in the sprinklers. Another highlight for DD is all the charcter greets she gets from the "Characters on Holiday" bus. We always make sure we catch this so she can get her character time in! She likes to shop with us a WS and enjoys making the mask and getting it stamped.

Have fun!

 

[wuv tigger]

YES!! My DDs are 4 & 2 and they had a great day. We started at the princess breakfast and went to late afternoon.

There favorites were the Living Seas, The Land boat ride, Garden Grille character meal, playing in the fountains and making masks at the kidcot stations.

I think the key for us is taking it slow. It always amazes me the things that fascinate them. Daddy does not like to wait 20 minutes while they watch the fountain, but they have a good time. They like to stop and see the shows and go at a slow pace.

David

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by kbkids
I have heard there is supposed to be a new Goofy Treasure Hunt. Don't really know how it works, but I'm thinking you go through the countries and find certain things. Anyway, you take your sheet back to Guest Services when you're done and they give you a free poster (I'm assuming probably of Goofy). We'll probably give that a try on our next trip.

Does anyone have more info on this? It sounds like something my kids would enjoy. My DS did a scavenger hunt in dino land at AK in December. He got a magical moments certificate and a pin for completing it and thought that was really neat.

 

[kbkids]

Originally posted by CamColt
Does anyone have more info on this? It sounds like something my kids would enjoy. My DS did a scavenger hunt in dino land at AK in December. He got a magical moments certificate and a pin for completing it and thought that was really neat.

Don't know much more than I originally posted except that I do remember that it was limited to the first 3,500 kids each day. And I believe it was starting in May.

Can you tell me more about the scavenger hunt at AK?

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

Ok, here's my 2 cents... I think it totally depends on your child. After all the advice I got here, I decided to take my boys to EPCOT when they were 4.5 yo. They did not like EPCOT. They didn't care about the crafts and stamps at each country. They weren't old enough to appreciate any of the archetecture. Most of the attractions in FW were too much for them. I think the only thing they really liked was the Living Seas. They didn't mind Spaceship Earth. However, it is a bit dark, and it all pretty much went over their heads. I also wanted to try Test Track with them. However, the outside was very loud and they didn't want to get near it. (We didn't find it nearly as loud outside this time and it wasn't loud at all inside.)

Jump forward to today. We just got back with my now 8 year old twins. They disliked it so much the first time, we weren't planning on spending any real time there. DH and I really wanted to try out Mission Space and TT. Well, these three years made a huge difference for us. They loved TT , the Mission Space pavillion and Innoventions. I really wanted to take them to the Wonders of Life pavillion, but it was not open. They still didn't care about the crafts. However, they are learning so much about other countries in school, that they really appreciated the World Showcase. We all loved the living statues in Italy.

I guess my point is, it all depends on your child. I've read a lot of posts by people whose small kids loved it. Even though my guys are little math/science geeks, they didn't care about it at 4.5 yo. I love EPCOT. This time, it was my boys' favorite park. I guess if it was me, I'd plan on spending a day there. Think of it as your gift you yourself. If it doesn't work out, you can always hop the monorail over to MK!

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by kbkids
Don't know much more than I originally posted except that I do remember that it was limited to the first 3,500 kids each day. And I believe it was starting in May.

Can you tell me more about the scavenger hunt at AK?

Ill have to look into that.

As we were entering Dino land, a CM was standing near the entrance and asked if DS wanted to do a scavenger hunt. Im not sure if its limited to a certain age, because she only asked our 7 year old, not the almost 4yo who was in a stroller(she did give him a certificate and pin too in the end, but he didnt actually do the hunt). Anyway, there was a sheet of paper with questions on it like what is on the dinosaur skeleton's head(Santa hat), how many toes does the giant dino have, whats your favorite game to play there, stuff like that. After DS wrote down all the answers and we were leaving Dino land, he returned the sheet to the CM who filled out the certificates, and gave them to them with the pins. Im not sure if it was something just done over the holidays(possibly due to the Santa hat question), or if they do it all the time, with different questions maybe.

 

[kbkids]

Thanks CamColt - I'll have to look for it. DD is 6, and I think she would enjoy that.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think it's worth a shot. I went with neice when she was 4 1/2 and she liked it, but she has always liked science stuff.

Things that have been mentioned already that are good :
Masks at WS countries

Passports at WS

Innoventions - Robotic Dog & kids games

Journey Into Imagination ride & Image Works
Take a picture of yourself at Image works and play around with it . I saw a lot of kids having fun changing their faces into animals with the various things & then you cna email it home. It's like a free , cheap souvenir!)

Send a Postcard from Space after Mission Space (takes your picture , puts you "in space" and emails to a relative...or if they are in school, to school or classmates)

The Living Seas

If it's hot enough, bring a change of clothes and let them run in the fountains. We saw a 2 year old doing this a few weeks ago and WOW did he look like he was having the time of his life!

The Chinese acrobats (kids just seem to really like them!) We could not pull DN4 away from them that time.

The Character bus (comes out a few times a day with lots of characters)

Universe of Energy (Ellen's Energy Adventure). The Dino's here are not as scary as the ones in AK's Dinosaur. But they are still in a somewhat dark area and might frighten some kids. We sat near a toddler a few weeks ago and she seemed unphased by them. But all kids are different. Also keep in mind that there are two segments that are more like movies on the Discovery Channel, about things children tend to be bored by, like where we get energy from wind and dams and fossil fuels. But you never know... DN4 went on this again when she was DN7 and she was fascinated by it...

Mission Space & Test Track , I don't know how much thrill ride your kids can take. Same thing with Malestrom.

The boat ride in Mexico is relaxing though rather outdated and might be boring to kids.

Honey I shrunk the Audience has some scenes involving a snake which may be too intense for the little ones. And some adults.

Spaceship Earth is not scary , but also might not interest little ones. There are some scenes of darkness.

I think Epcot is definately worth a day. Do you have Park Hopper passes? If so, why not go for a day and see how long the kids want to stay. The Garden Grill has a great character meal, and an Ice Cream Social with characters.

Also, the restaraunts in Biergarten and Morocco have musicians and dancers who sometimes involve kids in the show.

Enjoy!

 

[alohamom]

For everyone that answered, thanks a million!!! I think we will be giving it a whirl. You people are so amazing with all this info, it boggles my mind-Thanks again, Aloha...

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

Let us know how it all turns out!

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

Ours had a blast! They loved test track and even the countries. We took the cutest pictures of them dressed up or hamming it up. Whoever found a cute pose or idea got some chocolate.