To Epcot or not to Epcot? 2 days only!

[blueskadoo]

Hi Everyone! We are planning a Thanksgiving trip for my 6 year old daughter and trying to decide if we should do Epcot as one of our two days (only) at the theme parks. She went once when she was three and spent a total of about 8 hours in the Magic Kingdom. Her nana (hubby's mom) thinks she will want to see FEA and she wants to use one of our park days this trip to do Epcot. Hubby thinks MK all day, both days. I am really confused because we have such limited time (and we're going during thanksgiving to boot) so I want to make the right choice. She's been waiting and looking forward to this since the day she got back from the last trip so I want it to live up to her expectations. We're also limiting our character dining this trip to only once IF we can get princesses (she did one a day last time) and doing BBB one day. Any wisdom, disney vets? TIA!

 

[buzzrelly]

Personally, with just two days and a six year old, I would skip EPCOT. I'd probably do either 2 days at MK, or 1 at MK and 1 at AK.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

If I only had two days - even with my 12 yr old - I would choose MK both days. Unless your girl is a HUGE Elsa and Anna fan. Then that would be a more difficult decision, IMO. Princess character dining can be done at either Epcot (Akershus - lots of princesses) or MK (CRT). It can also be done at 1900 Park Fare for dinner, but you only get Cinderella (and her step relatives who are AWESOME!). For a 6 yr old w/o a huge stake in seeing Elsa and Anna, I would go with 2 days at MK. Good luck deciding. No doubt in my mind, whatever you decide, it will be magical to your little one.

 

[Asellus]

Hmm, tough to say. You can see princesses throughout Epcot I believe. (I may be wrong since my last trip was four years ago...forever and a day) I remember seeing Belle in France, Jasmine in Morocco and Mulan in China at the very least. Epcot is a lot of walking but it can be fun for kids. My younger daughter went to Epcot at six and loved it.

 

[jaceraden]

While EPCOT is my family's favourite park, I think your situation makes more sense to be all MK both days. Hopefully, you can do another trip some time in the future and get to experience EPCOT in all its splendour then.

 

[preemiemama]

Hmm, tough to say. You can see princesses throughout Epcot I believe. (I may be wrong since my last trip was four years ago...forever and a day) I remember seeing Belle in France, Jasmine in Morocco and Mulan in China at the very least. Epcot is a lot of walking but it can be fun for kids. My younger daughter went to Epcot at six and loved it.

There is also Snow White in Germany and Alice/Mary Poppins (I know- they are not princesses!) in the UK. Also, Akershus has princess dining at all 3 meals. I agree with the PP that if Anna and Elsa are not priorities, then you can find the princesses at MK (all except Mulan). My opinion with a 6 year old (IF you have to do Frozen) would be do breakfast at Akershus (pre park opening?) and then wait on Frozen. After that, try and see some princesses in WS. I'd then have a park hopper and head to DHS for Hollywood and Vine Lunch (Doc McStuffins, Sofia, and not sure who else...). You can also meet Sorcerer Mickey and Hollywood Minnie and Olaf.

You could also do Hollywood and Vine breakfast and Akershus dinner- just FP Frozen then instead of using a FP in DHS. With a park hopper you can always head back to MK as well. On a short trip, it gives you a lot of flexibility IMHO.

 

[blueskadoo]

Apparently, the princesses who are MOST IMPORTANT for us to see are Sofia and Belle. Is Sofia exclusive to DHS?

 

[Misha72683]

Can you get park hopper? Do a half day at Epcot and do breakfast or lunch at Akershus, do FEA and then go over to MK. That way she gets 1.5 MK days and still gets to do the frozen ride/have a nice meal with princess and see Anna and Elsa.

 

[Misha72683]

Hmm, tough to say. You can see princesses throughout Epcot I believe. (I may be wrong since my last trip was four years ago...forever and a day) I remember seeing Belle in France, Jasmine in Morocco and Mulan in China at the very least. Epcot is a lot of walking but it can be fun for kids. My younger daughter went to Epcot at six and loved it.

Snow White in Germany and Aurora in France. Plus Alice (not a princess) in the UK.

Apparently, the princesses who are MOST IMPORTANT for us to see are Sofia and Belle. Is Sofia exclusive to DHS?

Yes. You can meet her seperately or she's at breakfast/lunch at H&V along with Jake, Doc McStuffins and Handy Manny.

Belle can be seen at Enchanted Tales in the MK and she meets iN France at Epcot. Plus she's usually the greeter at Akershus and you pose for a picture with her. I don't know if she's ever at CRT.

 

[preemiemama]

Snow White in Germany and Aurora in France. Plus Alice (not a princess) in the UK.



Yes. You can meet her seperately or she's at breakfast/lunch at H&V along with Jake, Doc McStuffins and Handy Manny.

Belle can be seen at Enchanted Tales in the MK and she meets iN France at Epcot. Plus she's usually the greeter at Akershus and you pose for a picture with her. I don't know if she's ever at CRT.

Yes- this exactly. Enchanted Tales you only get a picture with Belle if you are one of the characters in the story. This is easy to do- they usually have parts for all who want them. Just good to know in advance! I believe she can occasionally be at CRT but it is not a regular thing, and Akershus typically is (though also not guaranteed).

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Yep, Akershus or Enchanted Tales with Belle for seeing Belle. When we tried to see Belle in France, they capped the line before we could get in. If she really likes Beauty and the Beast and you are going to get Memory Maker, get your pics taken in France well before the sun sets (if you go to Epcot, that is). One of the magic shots - at least this past Jan - was Chip sitting in the child's hand, but they stop this shot ahead of dusk. If you don't go to Epcot and use Enchanted Tales with Belle to see Belle, then be sure to tell your child to raise her hand when they ask who wants to help with the special surprise for Belle. They do try to make sure everyone who wants a part gets to be in the show. Even though DD was 12, she still enjoyed being part of the show, and the pics photopass took were great. Belle at Enchanted Tales was much more interactive with the kids than our Belle was at Akershus. Akershus felt very rushed.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Given her princess preference, I would do one day MK and one day park hopping to DHS (for Sofia) and EP (for Akershus, FEA and all the other princesses). On your hopping day, get FP+ for FEA.

 

[Nancyg56]

Apparently, the princesses who are MOST IMPORTANT for us to see are Sofia and Belle. Is Sofia exclusive to DHS?

I would say that you are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to Princesses and limited days in the parks. I would get hoppers, and plan to at least work in H&V breakfast PPO if possible or lunch. Make your rounds of her must do in DHS, hop to MK and use your FP there. If your daughter needs A&E you need to get to Epcot, so I would eat at Akershus PPO Breakfast, and make sure I went to FEA right off the bat, and spend 1/2 day doing what else you all want to do and see. Then back to MK for the rest of the day. Depending on what is most important, use your FP in that park. Know that you will be spending time traveling, but the Princess Dining will take care of he important character M&G and IMO will be a time saver in the long run.

If she does not need A&E, I would still pay for hoppers to get her to DHS, but I would skip Epcot. You can plan a break on a MK day to have dinner at 1900 PF. Cindy is there and the Tremaine family. What fun!

 

[mstephen87]

Hi Everyone! We are planning a Thanksgiving trip for my 6 year old daughter and trying to decide if we should do Epcot as one of our two days (only) at the theme parks. She went once when she was three and spent a total of about 8 hours in the Magic Kingdom. Her nana (hubby's mom) thinks she will want to see FEA and she wants to use one of our park days this trip to do Epcot. Hubby thinks MK all day, both days. I am really confused because we have such limited time (and we're going during thanksgiving to boot) so I want to make the right choice. She's been waiting and looking forward to this since the day she got back from the last trip so I want it to live up to her expectations. We're also limiting our character dining this trip to only once IF we can get princesses (she did one a day last time) and doing BBB one day. Any wisdom, disney vets? TIA!

I would do 2 days at MK. You won't see Sofia, but she will be so overwhelmed she probably won't notice! Also, you can always do supper at 1900 Park fare and see Cinderella, The Prince, Stepmother and Step Sisters. With two days you will barely make it through all of magic kingdom, but there are many princesses for her to see! Park hoppers would work if you want to split one day between HS (for Sofia) and and finish the day in Epcot or MK. But that is an extra 60$ per person just to see Sofia.