Sea World or Epcot?

[mshanson3121]

Thanks everyone. DH seems really set on doing Sea World. I'm starting to wonder if his insistence on going there is as much for the kids, or himself, lol.

So I think somehow, we're going to have to find a way to do both, which I think will mean doing Epcot on the day we check out of our house. I wouldn't mind staying an extra night at the house, however, that's an addition of $210 to our trip, and while yes, we can technically afford it... it's all the little extras that keep adding up.

So, maybe we will just do a half day at Epcot, and hit the road, and try and make it into/through Georgia.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We just went to sea world for the first time in September, and loved it. I like Epcot, but if I had to choose between the 2, I'd do sea world

 

[msmama]

My son loves Epcot and has since he was a baby so I disagree that there is "nothing for kids."

You said you could add a day in a hotel on the way home, what about adding another day in Orlando (or an hour or two outside) so you will have an extra day.

I think sea world could be done in most of a day. In fact, I have finished sea world before dinner many times so that could be a good "on our way out of town" day, then drive a bit, and stop for the night before heading home.

Best of both worlds there!

 

[mshanson3121]

My son loves Epcot and has since he was a baby so I disagree that there is "nothing for kids."

You said you could add a day in a hotel on the way home, what about adding another day in Orlando (or an hour or two outside) so you will have an extra day.

I think sea world could be done in most of a day. In fact, I have finished sea world before dinner many times so that could be a good "on our way out of town" day, then drive a bit, and stop for the night before heading home.

Best of both worlds there!

Unfortunately we have to do SW and DC back to back (you get a free Atlantis, and SW ticket with your DC ticket, but they have to be used consecutively). And we already have CRT and BBB booked for the day before.
But, I agree with trying to just book another place for that night closer by. Historically, it looks like DW normally overs the room discount at the time we're travelling, so maybe we could even book at a Value Resort for our last night.

 

[ktlm]

No way in a million years would anyone in my family pick SeaWorld over EPCOT. EPCOT has by far been DD's favorite park other than MK since she was 2. We spent 1 day there when she was 2 and quickly realized one full open to close day was not enough time. Since then EPCOT has been a 2 full day park for us. There is so much there for everyone. Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space, Nemo Ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination, Living with the Land (so cool to see the greenhouses and the plants), Club Cool, Aquariums, a ton of characters throughout World Showcase including lots of Princesses, fun shopping both in WS and in Mousegears, which in my opinion is the best shop in any of the parks, the agent P missions (which if either of your kids remotely like Phineas and Ferb they could spend all day doing- you get a communicator which gives you different clues and you have to find locations in the country and then when you do, special effects happen in that area- your 8 year old might love that), things to learn about the different countries, people to talk to from the different countries, great food (Biergarten is a family favorite- German buffet with a band and dance floor), fun entertainment acts throughout WS like jugglers, balancing acts, bands, acrobats, drummers, and if you partake the occasional adult beverage along the way (the Grey Goose Slush is a personal favorite). I do all the planning for our trips and my DH's only question is when are we going to EPCOT and when are we eating at Biergarten. We go out west to Disneyland too and the only thing DD (now 8) says she misses when we go to DL/CA is EPCOT! EPCOT is unique. There is no place else like it. If I told them we were only spending a few hours there, they would flip out. There is no way that would be enough for us.

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks everyone. DH seems really set on doing Sea World. I'm starting to wonder if his insistence on going there is as much for the kids, or himself, lol.

So I think somehow, we're going to have to find a way to do both, which I think will mean doing Epcot on the day we check out of our house. I wouldn't mind staying an extra night at the house, however, that's an addition of $210 to our trip, and while yes, we can technically afford it... it's all the little extras that keep adding up.

So, maybe we will just do a half day at Epcot, and hit the road, and try and make it into/through Georgia.

With a 1/2 day you will need to focus on one section of the park. It is simply too massive to cover most of it in that amount of time. If you are most interested in World Showcase, keep in mind that the countries do not open until 11am. Also, if you are doing FP+ for Soarin and TT, you will probably find that the reservation time dictates a lot of your schedule and may keep you stuck in Future World (we've not used FP+ in Epcot yet, so you'll have to ask around). Personally we always start in Future World and get too tired before we've given enough attention to World Showcase. I much prefer WS, especially since I find it to be the more unique and relaxing portion of the park. I guess I'm trying to say that if you are limited in time and want a good experience, you are going to need to prioritize and work a plan.

FWIW, my DD9 and DD6 were on a short weekend trip to MK only last year. They both saw all of the marketing for the other parks and Epcot was the one they asked about adding "next time."

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We actually had to add a day to our vacation this year bc my husband and my youngest has never been to sea world. And my husband really wants to go to sea world but I couldn't see taking away one of my Disney days to go there lol. So we just added an extra day. We are doing a split stay, 2 nights at an offsite hotel before we check into our Disney hotel for a week. Once we get into Disney it's all about Disney and I have no urge to leave the magic lol.

 

[ktlm]

With a 1/2 day you will need to focus on one section of the park. It is simply too massive to cover most of it in that amount of time. If you are most interested in World Showcase, keep in mind that the countries do not open until 11am. Also, if you are doing FP+ for Soarin and TT, you will probably find that the reservation time dictates a lot of your schedule and may keep you stuck in Future World (we've not used FP+ in Epcot yet, so you'll have to ask around). Personally we always start in Future World and get too tired before we've given enough attention to World Showcase. I much prefer WS, especially since I find it to be the more unique and relaxing portion of the park. I guess I'm trying to say that if you are limited in time and want a good experience, you are going to need to prioritize and work a plan.

FWIW, my DD9 and DD6 were on a short weekend trip to MK only last year. They both saw all of the marketing for the other parks and Epcot was the one they asked about adding "next time."

Along with this, to give you some perspective, the walk from one end of World Showcase all the way to the other end is approximately 1 mile! That's just half the park!

 

[mshanson3121]

We actually had to add a day to our vacation this year bc my husband and my youngest has never been to sea world. And my husband really wants to go to sea world but I couldn't see taking away one of my Disney days to go there lol. So we just added an extra day. We are doing a split stay, 2 nights at an offsite hotel before we check into our Disney hotel for a week. Once we get into Disney it's all about Disney and I have no urge to leave the magic lol.

LOL. Has your husband been talking to my husband?

The hard thing for me is, I know DS/DD will enjoy both places. There's things for them at both. For DS, I did consider doing the Penguin Close-Up tour, since he is just infatuated with all things birds (can't WAIT to get to the Aviary at Discovery Cove!!!!). And yet, I know (despite what MIL has been feeding DH) that the kids will enjoy Epcot, too. This is basically going to be our once and only trip to Disney, so I don't want to leave with regrets.

 

[leahlefler]

We had a hard time making decisions with regard to theme parks - we made the decision that this trip with be *just* Disney, and the next trip to Florida will include Universal and Sea World (but no Disney). We are doing EPCOT with the kids and I know they will love it. The video game areas in Innoventions alone seals the deal for my boys! They do love thrill rides, though, and they are looking forward to Test Track (not really a thrill ride, but a minor thrill since it goes fast at the end).

My boys love science, so Mission Space, the Living Seas, the Land, and Sum of All Thrills are going to be loved by them. DH and I are looking forward to the countries (mostly the food, haha) - but the kids want to do Phineas and Ferb, and will love that, too.

 

[SeilerBird]

You should not skip Epcot IMHO. Soarin' is the best ride in all of WDW IMHO. Test Track and Mission Space Orange are both awesome and you kids will love them.

 

[dachsie]

If this is your one and only trip then definitely dont skip Epcot. Find a room somewhere else to spend another nite and do both if you have to but you will regret missing Epcot.

 

[BroganMc]

Thanks everyone. DH seems really set on doing Sea World. I'm starting to wonder if his insistence on going there is as much for the kids, or himself, lol.

So I think somehow, we're going to have to find a way to do both, which I think will mean doing Epcot on the day we check out of our house. I wouldn't mind staying an extra night at the house, however, that's an addition of $210 to our trip, and while yes, we can technically afford it... it's all the little extras that keep adding up.

So, maybe we will just do a half day at Epcot, and hit the road, and try and make it into/through Georgia.

Hubby is right. If your kids are majorly into sea creatures, SeaWorld is the best place to visit. EPCOT's Living Seas exhibit pales in comparison. It's really just a giant fish bowl. SeaWorld is an aquatic park.

We never go on rollercoasters and will spend days visiting SeaWorld when we go down for 2-3 weeks at a time. It's just a darn beautiful place to be. Lush landscaping, tons of animals and very interesting. We love checking in on the penguins, dolphins, sea lions, seals, sharks and hundreds of other sea life. Even the flamingos are fun to watch.

EPCOT is a totally different experience. More of a concrete jungle. It is definitely a two day park. If you try to do it in half a day, especially a travel day, you'll be so overwhelmed you won't begin to appreciate it.

FutureWorld has most of the rides and is more like a science center. You'll need a FastPass for Test Track and Soarin' to avoid most of the long lines. Mission:Space is less crowded. The other attractions get very little draw. Save Spaceship Earth for later in the day. EVERYONE heads there in the morning and it gets mobbed. By late afternoon, it is dead.

World Showcase doesn't open until 11am and it is 1 mile to walk around. 11 countries with some sort of show or exhibit in each one. They also have restaurants in each country and daytime performers.

There are numerous "around the world" activities. Adults will drink their way around the world. Little kids visit the Kidcot stations and get passport stamps or make signs. Junior investigators will do the Agent P game and look for hidden clues and hidden animatronic displays.

It all gets wrapped up in evening fireworks (Illuminations) in the center of the lake. Clearly one of the best displays of its kind you'll ever see, but remember that is 9, 10 or 11pm at night if you're traveling during the summer.

That's why I say skip it this time. Unless you can dedicate a couple days to it and you don't mind not seeing much nature.

I say this being someone who visits Disney about 45 days a year. My EPCOT visits revolve around one of those touring strategies and are timed with special events. Last Christmas I spend two days touring World Showcase just to enjoy the holiday storytellers and Christmas concert. October, I go for Food & Wine festival. On my non-event days, I'll go to FutureWorld for some rides. I've also done the Agent P, Passport stamping and sign-making activities. I like EPCOT, but SeaWorld appeals to me more.

 

[momof2n2]

Here is my SeaWorld review.
It is such a fantastic place.
We enjoyed two full days there.
http://wwww.disboards.com/showthread.php?mode=hybrid&t=3288841

 

[mshanson3121]

That's why I say skip it this time. Unless you can dedicate a couple days to it and you don't mind not seeing much nature.

This is our one and only trip, so there isn't expected to be a next time.

 

[lroger01]

What if you flopped things around? Hit Epcot for a full day and do Sea World on your going home day? After a week at the "World" you'll likely enjoy sitting for the Sea World shows more than walking around a very large Epcot park on tired feet. Also, this will allow you to see Epcot after dark and Illuminations.

 

[davedmaine]

You should not skip Epcot IMHO. Soarin' is the best ride in all of WDW IMHO. Test Track and Mission Space Orange are both awesome and you kids will love them.

Kids will enjoy SeaWorld 100x more than Epcot. I think a lot of the people commenting here likely haven't been to both. Yes, Epcot can be fun -- but if the question is SeaWorld OR Epcot, it's definitely SeaWorld..

 

[mshanson3121]

What if you flopped things around? Hit Epcot for a full day and do Sea World on your going home day? After a week at the "World" you'll likely enjoy sitting for the Sea World shows more than walking around a very large Epcot park on tired feet. Also, this will allow you to see Epcot after dark and Illuminations.

We could. Our only issue is Sea World and Discovery Cove have to be done back to back, due to how they issue the tickets. So that would mean trying to reschedule our BBB and CRT that we had planned for July 1st. May not be a big deal, might be able to get a new ressie. That way we'd do all 5 days of Disney in a row, then have two days for SW, DC. As you say, might be a bit more relaxing before we head out on a 27 hour drive home, lol.

 

[katie111]

I would do SW. My kids love Epcot but I think with the ages of your kids Seaworld would be better. The kids area in SW is great. They have a bunch of cute kiddie rides that would be perfect for your non-thrill seekers. They also have this huge climbing rope playground structure that my kids could spend hours in. There's also a water play area so I would definitely bring bathing suits or a change of clothes if it's a hot day. I think SW is a nice change of pace from the Disney parks. The shows are great, the rides are different, and it's a really beautiful park. If your kids like sea life they will love it. It is so much more than an aquarium. If your going to be there for a full day, you may want to look into the all day meal plan. Not sure of the cost right now, but we did it on our last visit and it was well worth it as we had breakfast, lunch and dinner there as well as several drinks & a few snacks.

Epcot is great, but especially if your DH and MIL don't want to go there I would pick SW.

 

[kmarie99]

Kids will enjoy SeaWorld 100x more than Epcot. I think a lot of the people commenting here likely haven't been to both. Yes, Epcot can be fun -- but if the question is SeaWorld OR Epcot, it's definitely SeaWorld..

While I don't completely disagree with you it depends on the kids. I have gone with my neice and nephew and the prefer Epcot to Seaworld (and yes they have been to both). So, I think it depends on the kids.