MGM or Epcot better with kids?

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

Our kids will be 11, 4, and 1 when we go and I just wondered which park they would enjoy more? I figured it would be MGM, it seems like there is more for them to do there. And I know that Epcot is more about being about the 'world', and all the different cultures. I know our 11 year old will find that interesting though. Thanks

Lee

 

[honey11dog]

I have an 8 year old and 5 year old. I thought that MGM would be their favorite. They did enjoy it. But, to my surprise, we could not get them out of Epcot. We arrived before the opening for the Storybook Breakfast and did not leave until after the fireworks. I tried to get them to go back to the hotel for an afternoon break and return later. But they were just having too much fun! We spent most of our time in Future World. They loved making cookies at the Land, making email photos to send home at the Kodak Lab in Immagination, Innovations games, and the play area at Mission Space. Don't get me wrong, they liked MGM too. But we finished much earlier there then in Epcot.

 

[Bete]

want to be entertained Disney Studios is probably the better choice. If your kids can entertain themselves then Epcot is a better choice. You have to get more involved in Epcot; it's more hands on while Disney Studios is hands off.

If your child is a more of a reader Epcot is probably better for them. If your kids like TV better than reading then Disney Studios will be a better choice.

You really can't go wrong with either park. You may want to get their input beforehand.

 

[tmarquez]

I thought it would be MGM too, but to our surprise our DD (almost 4) has become a fan of Epcot. She's an active, hands on type that loves rides. She's not into shows at all.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

There are a lot of kid friendly things at both parks. At Epcot, there's Innoventions, which is a big hands on type of thing. I always see a lot of kids there. There's also Turtle Talk with Crush, which kids adore. The Living Seas is nice for them too, a lot of fish and marine life. Kids also like KidCot Fun Spots, where they can make masks.

At MGM, there are a lot of shows for them, such as Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. There's also a Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground, which is fun. The parade at MGM is cute too, Stars and Motorcars. A lot of popular characters are in this parade.

I've always found Epcot to be more educational and geared more towards older kids, where MGM has more kid friendly shows and attractions. but it all depends on what your children like. They'll have fun either way!!

 

[Hadjii]

Epcot has a surprising amount of things kids love. We took my 5 year old niece in March and wondered if she'd be bored but she loved EVERYTHING. She loved Turtle talk with Crush (who picked her to ask a question..awwww) Soaring, and was fascinated by Ellen's Universe of Energy. I have to admit, I even loved that one. She wasn't big enough to go on Mission Space but didn't seem to care. She loved the fountains and ran through the kids sprinklers for a long time. We stayed for illuminations and the look on her face was worth a million dollars.
If your kids are into technology and video game type activities, Innoventions can keep them occupied forever. We had a hard time getting her out of there. So much to do in those pavilions.
All in all, we were glad we took her to Epcot. It was much better than expected with a small child.

We did do MGM too but the only thing she was really interested in was the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Playhouse. She couldn't go on RnR and we were afraid to take her on ToT in case she got too frightened. She did however love Fantasmic and she still talks about it. That's a great show for kids.

Have fun on your trip. There's something for everyone at each park.

 

[ImagineEar]

I have a DD 8, DS 4 and they liked MGM, but they liked Epcot better. Why because they get to create things such as the masks, and bake choc. chip cookies in the Land, and build robots in Innoventions, Play in the jumping fountains near TT. They love all the entertainment that goes on throuout the day in WS - especially the Candy Lady in Japan. DD 8 has even begun to have a new appreciation for all the things that countries have to offer on a "learning" level.

But Epcot certainly isn't your traditional theme park, but that's what I find appealing about it.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

IMO I think MGM. However I suppose it depends on their personalities and interests. There are only some things I like in EPCOT and since I am interested in the entertainment industry MGM was always my favourite, I went when I was 11 and 15 and both times I liked MGM better. I still do now lol. But maybe it's a personal thing rather than an age thing I dunno.

 

[disnut8]

I was just talking yesterday with my daughter-in-law about my granddaughter's first trip to Disney World when she was five. We planned what we thought would be a perfect trip centered all around her. My daughter-in-law's comment yesterday was "we did all that planning and found out her favorite thing was Epcot and the World Showcase". She loved the KidCot stops and the entertainment. When we went back the second time when she was 6-1/2, we asked her what she wanted to do first. "Epcot". We couldn't get that girl out of there. Never did make it to Magic Kingdom in seven days.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Lee;
Why dont you try both. I know you might think its alot of running around w/ kids but if you are staying on property you can definately do it. Try and find out which park is opened late and use the Extra hours. In between parks you can go back to the resort and just chill out for a little while. The kids can take a nap and you can relax. I think both places have benifits for all of you. Maybe you can get lucky and the day that you plan to visit the parks they will have both parks for Extra hours (ie: morning MGM/ evening EPCOT)

 

[wld]

My dd 20 informed me a couple of years ago when we were there that she had not liked mgm the first few times we went. (she was 8 the first time) She said she was about 15 before she really liked it. Hmm who knew!! Of course alot about this park has changed in the last several years but it seems like it has changed more geared to older kids, but then again we don't pay attention much to the real little kid stuff.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

Thank you all for so much feedback! It's great! We do plan on going to both MGM and Epcot but we plan on doing one of them for a extra 1/2 day before we go to dinner before MNSSHP. From all your answers it seems like my kids might like epcot better. THey are definatley 'hands-on' type of kids They don't watch very much TV. (DS is watching something as I type) No but seriously only the occasional show! They love to create things though! I think that we probably will go to Epcot for that 1/2 day, Thanks again!

Lee

 

[Michelle R]

Thanks! This is a great thread and I have an entirely different opinion of Epcot now!