Should we skip Epcot??

[CyndiLooWho]

If I were you, I'd give them a synopsis of each park and let them decide which one(s) they might like to skip. Our boys were 7 & 9 when we took them, and they loved both EP and DHS - given the choice, they would have skipped MK (and I kind of agree with them). We did not make AK, as we had 4 day single park passes, and the 4th day they wanted to go back to DHS instead of AK.

While I can see where your travel companions might want to economize, or have plans besides WDW, asking you all to accommodate their ticket choices when you already have tickets is a bit presumptuous.

 

[disneynutsss]

where'd my reply go?

 

[MauMau]

What is the YES programme

 

[palmettostatemom]

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).

My fave is the japan drummers also. Last time we went China had acrobats that were amazing. There is no way we ever miss Epcot - we love it.

 

[hakepb]

What is the YES programme

Mostly known for school type groups here the main interest is:
http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/

 

[Luv2trav]

There is NO WAY I would skip Epcot... My kids are 10 and 8 and it is their favorite park.. There is just something about it...

 

[Art 1]

That would be the one park not to miss.

 

[bgirl29]

Ok I have to ask, do your friends know how cheap the 5th and 6th days are to add to a park pass? If they do decide to go to the parks less days than your family I would spend your extra days at Epcot. It was always the favorite of one of my children and the second favorite of the other two.

 

[famousmockingbird]

I've often asked if we can skip all of the other parks and just go to Epcot, but I get overruled. I think the ages of those kids are perfect for Epcot. There's not a whole lot of rides, but my 11 year old could just hang out in Innoventions all day long.

 

[Cyrano]

EPCOT followed by Animal Kingdom are our favourite parks.

First trip our youngest DD was 7. She at that time was not a thrill seeker.
Pirates in Magic Kingdom had drops that she said upset her stomach.

However Soarin and World Showcase were such a hit that on subsequent visits EPCOT is probably our most visited park and definitely the park we like to start off each vacation

 

[heyitsmejosh]

i'm in the minority but i'd say skip it, i always found epcot boring even as a kid, as an adult i like it more because of the world showcase but there really arent that many great rides at epot imo and with test track down the only big one really is soarin (im not that big a fan of mission space).

i dont know why everyone loves epcot so much i just dont get it

 

[NaLisa]

Another vote to NOT skip Epcot. My kds were 6 and 7 when we went last year and they loved Epcot. We went three days out of 8. It's very interesting, beautiful and a nice change of pace from the other parks. It's also a great park to visit on sleep-in days. And I could never, ever miss Illuminations!

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't skip Epcot personally. DS always enjoyed it at every age.

 

[MissManda]

Thanks everyone for the input. I had actually totally forgotten about the aquarium section. All the kids love aquariums and zoos so they would not want to miss that at all.

After discussing with DH, we will stay and explore EPCOT after the YES class. The others can join us or they can use it as a rest day.

 

[MissManda]

What is the YES programme

It's the Youth Education Series. They offer individual enrollment classes (as opposed to school groups) at various times of the year. The kids and a chaperone get to participate in a 3 hour educational class. On top of what I hope is a neat educational opportunity, you can get highly discounted park tickets. The classes are age based. For us, my niece and I are attending a Synergy in Science class and my DH and nephews are taking a Chemistry class. We've never been to these before, but they look interesting.

 

[Neverland98]

Also, I suggest listening to the DIS Podcast they just recently recorded about Epcot World Showcase. We went two years ago, and spent several days/part-days in Epcot and never even got a chance to check out all the back areas of the countries. I would plan to do some of that, as well. My kids (now 6, 8 and almost 10) would LOVE to see the rooms in the UK with the armor and the Beatles memorabilia. Also, they would've enjoyed the Japanese garden and the "rocky" Canadian garden. I am very excited to return and explore these areas more.

We just spent so much time on all those other attractions that other posters listed. It was lots of fun. Plus - try to catch Illuminations at night!

Good luck planning! It is a big (but FUN!) job!

 

[YellowJackets]

I would definitely go to EPCOT. My kids are 12 and 10 and love the Land, Soarin, the Seas and love exploring new cultures around the world showcase.

 

[thebwit]

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

I am a fan of every park and I know that AK probably has the most hidden things to find (outside of MK) that I haven't found, but if I had to go exploring it would be in Epcot.

 

[k3chantal]

We are traveling with five kids ranging in age from 2 to 12. If we had to skip a park it would be Hollywood Studios NOT Epcot. My two oldest the 12 year old and 9 year old love Epcot! They love collecting the stamps from all the lands. It will be sad that Test Track is closed but I still think that there is enough to do for all.

 

[ols386]

If the kids are mainly interested in thrill rides, then yes, I'd skip Epcot.

I personally would never skip it because I really like it.

But with what you described, op, seems like it makes sense to skip it.