Must dos at Epcot and AK

[ljca79]

We will spend two half days, but will have more time on one than the other. One will be the EPCOT day and one will be for AK. What are the must dos for a family of four, kids 5 and 2? We had planned to skip EPCOT altogether, but figure we will swing in for a little while on our "day off."

 

[prudence64]

I love Epcot, but maybe not with a two year old.

AK - Safari, lion king show, finding nemo, flights of wonder.

 

[cakebaker]

I love Epcot, but maybe not with a two year old.

AK - Safari, lion king show, finding nemo, flights of wonder.

That's my list too with Festival of the Lion King being #1. I'd devote much more time to AK than Epcot with little ones. We love AK!

 

[Newsies]

Is your 2-year-old meeting characters? Because there is a lot of fun characters in the world showcase for young children to meet at Epcot!

-Winnie the Pooh
-Alice
-Mary Poppins
-Aurora
-Donald
-Aladdin and Jasmine
-Mulan
-Snow White
-Duffy


As far as AK goes, PPs have pretty much hit the nail on the head with safari, lion king show, flights of wonder, etc. I'm not sure I would take a 2-year-old into Finding Nemo just because it runs a little bit long. Also- Minnie and Mickey have a very fun meet and greet with typically short lines at AK! Have a fun time

 

[Tomh]

My must do's in AK are the Safari, Expedition Everest, Kali, FOTLK, and Flights of Wonder, and perhaps Finding Nemo (not ashamed to admit it made me cry, and I was 43 at the time lol)

In EPCOT . .. gosh, we MUST MUST MUST do Soarin (several times), Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination (many times), Captain EO (also useually more than once), The Universe of Energy, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, The Three Caballeros, and The Maelstrom.

 

[MrsForeverEeyore]

Character meet and greets and The Seas with Nemo and Friends - at Epcot.

 

[AllieBoo]

Definitely Nemo and Turtle Talk with Crush! My kids loved both of those at that age. My kids have also always loved Living with the Land. I know a lot of people seems to skip over it, but it is a really cool ride and there is rarely a wait. Journey into imagination is good for small children as well. I would also defintely hit the World Showcase and ride the boat ride in Mexico, and do some character meets. There are lots to choose from (get a times guide to see when each one will be out) - Snow White, Aurora, Aladdin and Jasmine, Marie, Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland to name a few.

 

[SplashMo]

We will spend two half days, but will have more time on one than the other. One will be the EPCOT day and one will be for AK. What are the must dos for a family of four, kids 5 and 2? We had planned to skip EPCOT altogether, but figure we will swing in for a little while on our "day off."

For AK the Safari and a show or two. Get a stroller for two as it is a lot of ground and heat. But worth it. Catch some shows. Skip Dinosaur ride. EE and Kali are great for adults but not likely ones the entire family will enjoy...

For Epcot SOARIN and TT and walk the countries. Maybe see Illuminations.

 

[DisneyDetective]

You must do Spaceship Earth and Living With Land. The World Showcase has great stuff for young kids on each pavilion. I'm not sure about Animal Kingdom as I don't know the park as well.

 

[k1koala]

Aside from what the others posts have listed, Epcot I believe also has the Passport to the countries for the kids, or something similar. Maybe a more recent traveler with younger children can help here. My daughter LOVED this when she was younger. As you go through every country they will stamp the passport for them, until they get all of the countries. And as mentioned there are also characters to meet along the way, as well as different types of entertainment from music to jugglers to acrobats.

Also I didnt see anyone mention DinoLand USA at AK for the little ones. This is a huge hit with rides, carnival games and a dino-dig play area to play and relax for a while, as well as meet & greet with Donald Duck around at some point.

 

[raven69david]

In EPCOT . .. gosh, we MUST MUST MUST do Soarin (several times), Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination (many times), Captain EO (also useually more than once), The Universe of Energy, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, The Three Caballeros, and The Maelstrom.

It looks like Tomh and I share the same list for Epcot, but I'd like to include Club Cool. The first thing we do is go straight to Club Cool and try some of the beverages and people watch those that try Beverly for the first time. LOL

 

[Pfau]

We could spend a week in Animal Kingdom!

The DinoLand playground is wonderful for little ones. Just walking the trails takes a long time but you can see so many great animals and talk with the cast members who are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Conservation Station has a little goat petting area and the littles might enjoy the short train ride to and from. They may also be able to catch Rafiki there!

Flights of Wonder, Finding Nemo, Turtle Talk with Crush, Festival of the Lion King, beating on the drums in Africa, enjoying all of the live music and dancing, all while mom and dad can enjoy an adult beverage or two!

I love Animal Kingdom!

 

[L&Lfan]

My must dos:

Epcot:
Spaceship Earth
Living With The Land
Soarin'
Journey Into Imagination
Test Track
Impressions De France
Gran Fiesta Tour
Margaritas In Mexico
Cronuts At The Refreshment Port

Animal Kingdom:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Festival Of The Lion King
Pangani Forest Exploration trail
Discovery Island Trails
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Flights Of Wonder
Expedition Everest
Primeval Whirl
Dinosaur
Cocktails At The Dawa Bar

 

[disnut8]

With kids that age, Flights of Wonder is a must. Get there maybe a half hour before as there is a preshow thing done outside the theatre with a live bird that's really interesting and cute. I'd recommend sitting in the bleachers inside the theatre as the sightline is better with smaller people. Also, after the show, kids of all ages are welcome to go to the edge of the stage and get to see some birds up close.

 

[kastoney]

My daughter is right between your age wise and her two favorite things at AK are the boneyard (huge play area) and conservation station, which has a goat petting area, as well as chip n dale and rafiki meet and greets. She could easily spend an hour in each one.

She could take of leave Epcot, but she does enjoy spaceship earth, figment, nemo n crush, all the characters, and watching the trains in Germany

 

[NickEslick]

AK would be better with the kids at that age. You could do like Innoventions at EPCOT, and they could enjoy the World Showcase. There are a few rides and shows throughout that they could enjoy. The Finding Nemo ride is also in EPCOT along with a nice aquarium I am sure they would enjoy.

EDIT: I just realized I said enjoy way to much HAHA