Should we skip Epcot??

[MissManda]

So, here is my quandry. We will be at WDW 6/9 - 6/16. DH and I along with 3 kids (niece and nephews) have 6 day park hopper passes through the YES program. The kids will be taking their YES program classes on 6/12 at EPCOT.

Here is our problem, we are travelling with another group of 3 (2 adults, 1 child). They did not get the YES tickets and will get regular admissions tickets. They have not purchased tickets yet, but it looks likey they will only get 4 or 5 day non-park hopper tickets.

I'm trying to finalize our park plans for all of us (8 in total). I'm really torn as to whether or not we should skip EPCOT (except for the YES program) and concentrate on the other parks. I've only ever been to the parks with just DH and myself so I'm not sure if kids (age ranges from 8 - 14) will really enjoy EPCOT. To be honest, its the one park that we've spent the least amount of time in. The kids are very much into rides and I know that Test Track will be down. I also think that they would like Kim Possible, but I read that will be closed as well and I'm not sure that Agent P will be up yet. Really other than Mission Space and Soarin (both of which I expect to be pretty busy) there aren't a lot or rides at EPCOT. I'm worried that the kids will get bored. If the other group doesn't have park hoppers then they will essentially be stuck without being able to go anywhere else. I'm wondering if they should go to another park and we can use our hopper to go over there.

FYI- this will be the first trip for everyone except DH and I. Any thoughts on this? Is EPCOT worth it? Or would the kids get more enjoyment out of the other parks?

Thoughts/advise appreciated.

 

[amym2]

I can't imagine skipping EP with kids those ages. Our kids are 8 and 10 and EP has always been their favorite (and mine!). We've been to WDW and ONLY done EP before! We love the rides, but we also love things like Innoventions, Turtle Talk with Crush, interacting with cast members in WS, street entertainers, and trying foods from different countries.

 

[W.E.D.]

I can't imagine skipping EP with kids those ages. Our kids are 8 and 10 and EP has always been their favorite (and mine!). We've been to WDW and ONLY done EP before! We love the rides, but we also love things like Innoventions, Turtle Talk with Crush, interacting with cast members in WS, street entertainers, and trying foods from different countries.

What they said!

I can't imagine a trip to WDW without EPCOT included in there somewhere.

 

[jdcthree]

We really enjoy Epcot and I would never skip it, and my son has been several times between the ages of 4 and 9 and loves it! I just asked him if we could skip Epcot this year and he looked at me like I had two heads, lol. We really enjoy both Future World and World Showcase.

 

[marmalade]

My vacation wouldn't be complete if I didn't visit Epcot.

 

[MarkyMouse]

if your kids only enjoy thrill rides then yeah, you might want to skip it. However, if your kids enjoy history, science, culture, etc. Then no I would not miss it. My children have always loved Epcot! We HAVE to do the American Adventure every trip. Spaceship Earth is a must for my oldest, who is 18 btw.

 

[KigerKat]

If you have 6 day tickets and your friends have 4 or 5 day tickets, then why don't you just go to EP on the day or two that they won't have tickets?

 

[hakepb]

I would involve the other family in the discussion, but I think there is enough to do EPCOT. Especially if you can do any dining there.
I would think most people are curious about the "golf ball" there's also Maelstrom and Illuminations among others. Depending on the children, while the KidCot crafts are too young, talking to those CM's from other countries and getting a passport stamped and a personalized written phrase is enjoyable for some in that age bracket.

 

[wdvak]

We have always enjoyed Epcot. That said, however, if the kids are really wanting to do rides you might consider skipping. What you might do is schedule Epcot last. Then if everyone would rather go back to one of the other parks it is an easy substitution.

 

[MissManda]

If you have 6 day tickets and your friends have 4 or 5 day tickets, then why don't you just go to EP on the day or two that they won't have tickets?

We have to go to EPCOT for the YES program class, so we will definately be there. What I'm trying to figure out is if the others should join us that day after the class (plus explore on their own that morning if they want), should they use that as their non-park day, or should we plan to meet up with them at a different park?

What they really need to do is make up their minds how many days tickets they are getting. That would make planning a lot easier. If they get 4 day tickets, they have to make up their minds if they want to do one day at each park or give up a park and do two parks twice (DH, myself and the 3 kids plan to do 2 days at DHS). Of course, if they go with the 5 day tickets that will help. They are looking to me to plan the itinerary, but they really haven't given me everything that I need to work with yet.

In addition to that, I just wasn't sure if kids used to thrill rides would enjoy a day at EPCOT. I enjoy World Showcase, but I've never seen it through a kids eyes. Of course, there is really no way to know for certain if they would like it or not until they see it for themselves, right!

 

[everythingALICE]

I agree with the above posters. I know everyone is different and may not have the same amount of enthusiasm for each park, but I'd feel like I was missing something if I didn't see them all on a visit.

The other family you're traveling with could either go to Epcot for the full day (With the size of the place and the amount of great shows and live performances, I really doubt they will get bored), or go to another park. If they decide to do the latter, then you could go to Epcot and always hop to the park that they visit that day if you feel you've seen everything you want to see.

 

[MissManda]

I would involve the other family in the discussion, but I think there is enough to do EPCOT. Especially if you can do any dining there.
I would think most people are curious about the "golf ball" there's also Maelstrom and Illuminations among others. Depending on the children, while the KidCot crafts are too young, talking to those CM's from other countries and getting a passport stamped and a personalized written phrase is enjoyable for some in that age bracket.

The other family has pretty much left it up to me to schedule the entire trip. Yikes! No pressure there, right! I think that they have to make up their minds how many days tickets they are getting before I can make these plans.

I think the kids would enjoy World Showcase if they give it a chance ...but these are the same kids who get antsy if they are at Busch Gardens and aren't riding rides non-stop. They do like to watch some shows at Busch Gardends (in Williamsburg, not Tampa..don't know if they have shows or not). I keep trying to explain to them that Disney is totally different and more than just rides. We'll see!

 

[thebwit]

No don't skip it. If anything, skip your day at AK and go to Epcot

 

[goofyintoronto]

We really enjoy Epcot and I would never skip it, and my son has been several times between the ages of 4 and 9 and loves it! I just asked him if we could skip Epcot this year and he looked at me like I had two heads, lol. We really enjoy both Future World and World Showcase.

Funny!! I would get the same reaction from my son!

My vacation wouldn't be complete if I didn't visit Epcot.

This!!

if your kids only enjoy thrill rides then yeah, you might want to skip it. However, if your kids enjoy history, science, culture, etc. Then no I would not miss it. My children have always loved Epcot! We HAVE to do the American Adventure every trip. Spaceship Earth is a must for my oldest, who is 18 btw.

This!!

I agree, I really cannot imagine skipping epcot. Are you kidding?! At epcot you have turtle talk with crush, the aquarium section after the nemo ride.... alot of neat fishes like seahorse, etc. There's test track (if its open), soarin', mission space, plus you can sample different cokes from around the world in club cool. Love this! you also have that section where kids can play video games, i think its near club cool. Dont even get me started on the world showcase, so much to see and do there. Tons of amazing restaurants and bakeries. So many neat shops. So much to do!

 

[goofyintoronto]

No don't skip it. If anything, skip your day at AK and go to Epcot

Not a big fan of AK I see? I love that park!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I agree with the others to not skip Epcot. There is so much to see and do there. My kids are 11 and 8 and they both love that park, we make a point to go to Epcot and to MK 2-3 times each a trip. There would be no way that we could go to Disney without going to Epcot...it is a requirement in our family, just like it is required to go to MK too. Yes TT will be down, but there are just sooo many other things that will entertain the kids, especially of those ages. For instance...

- Sum of All Thrills in Innoventions
- Club Cool to try out the different Cokes around the world
- Maelstrom
- Soarin
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- The whole Living Seas Pavilion, especially if you have anyone in your party that loves marine life.
- Innoventions East and West
- World Showcase as a whole
- Illuminations at night...make sure to get something from one of the bakeries before watching.
- Mission Space (not really a big fan, but your group may like it)
- Spaceship Earth is always a must...we have to go on it at least 2 times a day.
- The performers in each of the countries
- The movies and shops at each country

There are probably more that I am not thinking of right now, but you get my drift .

 

[hakepb]

The other family has pretty much left it up to me to schedule the entire trip. Yikes! No pressure there, right! I think that they have to make up their minds how many days tickets they are getting before I can make these plans.

I think the kids would enjoy World Showcase if they give it a chance ...but these are the same kids who get antsy if they are at Busch Gardens and aren't riding rides non-stop. They do like to watch some shows at Busch Gardends (in Williamsburg, not Tampa..don't know if they have shows or not). I keep trying to explain to them that Disney is totally different and more than just rides. We'll see!

I would take the rides observation means they would rather have the opportunity to experience the rides at all of the parks.
You should probably look into the sum Of all thrills for them, too. It would be nice to have an upgrade opportunity to add an extra day at the end, but they might like a bunch of pool time, too.
They almost sound like they would enjoy water park time as much or more than the theme parks.

 

[BrerNashville]

I've got most of the same list as above, but I would emphasize:

Innoventions East/West: Great place to explore and cool hands on games, including sum of all thrills and that piggy bank game;

All the video game activities when you exit spaceship earth

All the video game activities when you exit mission space -- my kids could easily spend an hour in here, so it's s good place to rest in the a/c at midday

Aquarium at the Seas

Cokes from around the world

I'd definitely give it a shot -- For first timers, Soarin' is something not to be missed. Play the rest by ear -- if attention is fading, split up and take some kids back to the hotel for swimming that day, while the rest go on to world showcase to check out the street shows, see the various movies and eat some food. (and the adult beverages, for the adults of course).

 

[goofyintoronto]

I forgot about the performers from each country. Simply amazing! my faves are the drummers in japan, and the chair climbers in france. pretty cool! (sorry i dont know the exact names of the acts etc).

 

[mikerobrewer]

No don't skip it. If anything, skip your day at AK and go to Epcot

If they are thrill riders there is no way you can skip AK and miss Expedition Everest.