Occupying littles at Epcot's World

[michbaron]

Our 5 year old loved the scavenger hunt around world showcase and it only cost about $6, we made it a point to stop for characters and snacks that the kids like and let them kind of lead the way, our sons loved the ride in Mexico and frozen

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP, not sure if you'll have a stroller for your five year old (we started not bringing one at that age), but I'll often rent one for him at Epcot specifically. I find it helps get a little more mileage out of World Showcase.

 

[Magpie]

I clicked on this thread because I enjoyed the wording of the title. I stayed because I just knew there's be someone whose reaction would be, "OMG, you're planning to imbibe the demon brew in the presence of your innocent children!?"



As others have said, there is plenty for your children to see and do at Epcot. Make sure to snag a FP for the Frozen ride, and maybe a meet-and-greet, in addition to whatever else looks appealing. Go early, and take in the rides in Future World. Head to the World Showcase for lunch and to explore the countries. Try some interesting drinks from foreign countries. Enjoy a stroll as they (possibly) nap in the stroller. If they do nap, you might even be able to stay for dinner and fireworks at the end of the day.

You'll all have a wonderful time!

 

[princess pooh]

When my kids were that age my husband and I kept them busy with snacks while we enjoyed our drinks. Mickey shaped pretzels and cookies worked the best. The kid cot stations were great too!

 

[christmasmagic]

My kids really enjoyed the WS at that exact age. The trains in Germany were my sons favorites! He could sit there for hours. He loved the mime in Italy as well. We packed as well as buy them as we walk around. Both kids would do pressed pennies at each stop and my daughter loved the crafts and the stamps. We end of a lot of nights Epcot so the kids and relax in the stroller and we can pick on some food and have a few drinks.

My son has SPD and a few other issues, so I have to confess, in desperate situations I give him an ipad. I felt silly the first time, but it makes us all happy. Vacation is vacation and if he needs to pull the shade down and watch a movie to calm down, so be it! Over the course of a week vacation, we do have plenty of bonding and this allows us to all be happy.

 

[AFwifelife]

I think the reason why my kids (4.5 and 3) love Epcot so much is that there is tons of space to explore. We haven’t even done the Kidcot stations with them yet and they are rarely bored there.

 

[loves to dive]

Epcot has been my son's favorite park since he was just shy of 3, he loved it much more than MK. WS was his favorite. He loved to eat new things, loved to learn and loved history so it was (and is) perfect for him. When we started going they didn't have kidcot or any of the activities they have now. He loved talking to the cast members, getting pins from every country and getting the CMs to write something to him in their language. The CMs loved it too because he would ask them all sorts of questions about their countries. He loved running around the maze in UK and watching all the acts in the countries. And, yes, Mama would have a drink or two along the way.

 

[Beachmom0317]

What is kid cot? I’m so excited to go there with my littles now! We go in December and I was a little nervous about adding Epcot to our touring plan but now I’m pumped

 

[GADisneyDad14]

What is kid cot? I’m so excited to go there with my littles now! We go in December and I was a little nervous about adding Epcot to our touring plan but now I’m pumped

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/attractions/epcot/kidcot-fun-stops/

 

[danikoski]

I clicked on this thread because we are planning to next year take my my 18 month old son and 15 year old stepson both on there first WDW trip. I was curious what ideas folks had, especially for the 18 month old. Then I started reading the responses and realized why I love WS is because my parents used it as our relaxing end of the day. We used to do evenings at WS, from the time I was 6 to 14, and I don't ever remember being bored, except at the Biergarten... although I think that was because I got an ear infection that trip. My parents, especially my dad, always enjoyed a couple of drinks.

So, to OP, go enjoy WS, have a few drinks and make memories with your kids. One day they may take their kids and remember with fondness the time you spent there.

 

[Southernmiss]

What is kid cot? I’m so excited to go there with my littles now! We go in December and I was a little nervous about adding Epcot to our touring plan but now I’m pumped

There are a lot of Christmas/seasonal themed activities and presentations for kids in Epcot in November and December.

Each country has wonderful story tellers telling their traditional stories of the season.

Kids were mesmerized by them.

There are also food stations around with seasonal foods.

It's a magical time to visit the WS.

 

[jimim]

My kids have a ball doing the passport book you can buy and get stamped at along with the duffy bear thing. They look forward Germany cause the one year the 2 guys workign the kids section went nuts with t he sticker roll right at park closing. they kept taking to them in german asking if they wanted more stickers. once they knew what they were asking they kept saying they wanted more and more and they must have given them a whole roll of stickers. We still laugh about that night. They were great cast members. Very nice and really funny. We usually grab a drink here and there and follow them that night from country to country vs them following us usually. lol

it's all good have fun be responsible and u and the kids will have a great time.

man i wish i knew those guys names. they were great.

jim

 

[ZenDaisy]

My 2.5 year old and 5 year old girls (and infant) and I go around the World maybe once a week? We only go when it's not super crowded, so not really prime drinking time. We usually do a few rides before we head towards the showcase. They love the play area behind Figment, the splash pad, Spaceship Earth, Donald, Frozen. They do OK on the land, but my older daughter loved it at their age. Around the World they find plenty to do and see - the drumming shows, the hedge maze, ice cream at the back of France, etc. I do stroller them for much of it (even the five year old) - less for their comfort, but more so we can look at the souvenirs while they're crowd-controlled. When in doubt, feed with one of the zillion snack options (or take your own). Take a detour to the Boardwalk or the ferry boat ride as needed. If you go during the Flower festival, their playground is neat too! Or stow your 5 year old at the Sand Castle Club for the evening and only take the 2 year old. (Or even get an in-room sitter!)

 

[OneinThree]

There's having a drink or two, and then there's "doing a little drinking", as was indicated by the OP. I do enjoy a few drinks in front of my children (I have 5). That said, I would never go "drinking" with them in tow. I think it comes down to what exactly is meant here. Kids don't really need to be around that, and it's totally problematic at Epcot when adults overindulge in what is essentially a family atmosphere. This is sort of behavior is where the negative comments are probably coming from.

 

[KrazeeK120]

There's having a drink or two, and then there's "doing a little drinking", as was indicated by the OP. I do enjoy a few drinks in front of my children (I have 5). That said, I would never go "drinking" with them in tow. I think it comes down to what exactly is meant here. Kids don't really need to be around that, and it's totally problematic at Epcot when adults overindulge in what is essentially a family atmosphere. This is sort of behavior is where the negative comments are probably coming from.

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that the OP didn’t mean that they were going to get drunk while toting their kids around. A “little” drinking is probably exactly what was meant.

I think this is one of those “you do you” situations. Some people are comfortable with their kids being exposed to alcohol and some aren’t. It doesn’t mean that one is right and the other is wrong.

 

[bumbershoot]

mmmm I would think that taking your kids to WDW and seeing them enjoy themselves would be "fun" and that giving up drinking around EPCOT or even giving up an evening of drinking to spend a week or so with your kids in a very special place would be fun enough. You can have your drinking night when you get back home......Just my humble opinion

Jinkies.

Having some beverages while hanging out with your kids on vacation isn’t bad.

If you wanted a date night while the kids have fun, there’s that new kids club at Contemporary, not sure the minimum age limit though.

What if they want to be WITH their children?

I wouldn’t worry at all about them having fun. They will.

Agreed.

My son has liked Epcot since his first time there at 6.

When our kids were little, someone suggested going to EP early in our trip

Agreed.

There's having a drink or two, and then there's "doing a little drinking", as was indicated by the OP.

A “little drinking” and “having a few drinks” is different how, exactly?

do enjoy a few drinks in front of my children (I have 5). That said, I would never go "drinking" with them in tow.

If you’re having a few drinks that is, in fact, drinking. Having one drink is “drinking”. Taking a sip is “drinking”.

I think we’re having an eye of the beholder issue here. Probably best to not assume that the OP isn’t a frat guy from the 80s, and that “little” means little and that “drinking” is a form of the verb to drink that indicates at least one beverage will be swallowed.

 

[Spork24]

mmmm I would think that taking your kids to WDW and seeing them enjoy themselves would be "fun" and that giving up drinking around EPCOT or even giving up an evening of drinking to spend a week or so with your kids in a very special place would be fun enough. You can have your drinking night when you get back home......Just my humble opinion

This is what’s wrong with the internet.

She didn’t ask for judgement, just for some facts to make sure she was doing right by her kiddos. There are tons of things my kids that age live doing in WS as others have mentioned. (Rides, model trains, characters, street entertainers)

 

[dlavender]

This is how we did EPCOT the last few times with our kids 9,5, and 3 (all while doing a "little drinking")

We rode FEA, met Anna and Elsa, did Mexico ride, living with the land, Nemo, Turtle talk with Crush, SE, Soarin and TT (our 3 year old just made the cut, not sure if your 2.5 yr old will).

The playground at the end of Mission Space is awesome! Our kids loved that whole area playing the games and playing in the playground.

We let them play in the fountains at the front and by TT. We went to a few kidcot stations (these need some work, IMO)

We got them various treats and slushies.

We explained some of the countries to them.

Did the boat ride from side to side.

The little Niagra falls bridge was fun for them in Canada.

Watched a few of the acts.

We had a great time, and our kids did as well.

Still not their favorite, but they enjoyed themselves immensely.

 

[Magpie]

There's having a drink or two, and then there's "doing a little drinking", as was indicated by the OP. I do enjoy a few drinks in front of my children (I have 5). That said, I would never go "drinking" with them in tow. I think it comes down to what exactly is meant here. Kids don't really need to be around that, and it's totally problematic at Epcot when adults overindulge in what is essentially a family atmosphere. This is sort of behavior is where the negative comments are probably coming from.

Not everyone shares that secret code where "having a drink or two" means responsibly imbibing alcoholic beverages and "drinking" means getting drunk.

For most parents, I suspect "doing a little drinking" means exactly what it says, ie, "enjoying a few drinks" just the same as you do around your own children. The OP did not write, "We want to drink our way around the World, kids in tow! We'll print them their own little t-shirts!"

Full disclosure - I'm a teetotaler. Don't drink at all. And still don't have any issue with other parents "drinking" while on vacation with their kids.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I was the weird kid that loved Epcot.

Anyways OP you've gotten some really good advice. Epcot can be great for strolling and relaxing which you could use that time if you wanted to have drinks. Those buildings of the country pavilions in World Showcase I bet will get an oohs and ahhs from your kids.

As far as actual things to do there's the The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride and the aquarium style stuff at SeaBase. There's Living with the Land which they may not really truly understand but I could see it still being something to go on due to the style of the ride. There's Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival which both my husband and I thought was quite cute-we saw a good amount of kids in the showing we did. There's Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. And more attractions. There's also watching the various performances around (that might be an easy enough time to have drinks).

You could try to time certain things depending on their nap schedules (if they are still napping well enough on a schedule).

BTW despite us going during Food & Wine my husband and I only shared 1 beer flight (which had 3 sample sized beer) together. That was all the alcohol we had at Epcot. I could have described that as 'doing a little drinking' or 'having a few drinks' (as there was 3 total sample sized cups shared between us 2). I know there's an image about Epcot and alcohol but truly not everyone by any means is drunk or intending to be drunk kids or no kids.