Un-excited about Epcot?

[jenniferahardin87]

Hubby & I are staying at Caribbean Beach March 5-7, I mainly chose Epcot because of Skyliner & since we are adults only.

but...

i haven't been to Epcot for about 8 years & i remember being the most bored there, so second guessing myself a bit. Last time I did go with kids, and it was our last park of the trip, so maybe I was just tired? There is of course now Frozen, Remy, it's going to be F&G festival & i am excited for Harmonious!

so...

give Epcot another try, or consider a different park?

 

[lmdean]

We just got back. There is still plenty to do at Epcot, but if you are a visual person, the front of the park will be a disappointment. There are construction walls EVERYWHERE, which makes it seem like there is not much to do, but we still managed to spend 2 days in Epcot and enjoyed it a lot.

For rides like Frozen and Remy, be prepared to buy individual lightning lane selections for $$ or be prepared for hours long wait times. We wanted to do Remy, but I wasn't willing to pay or do over an hour in line for it. In contrast, we went on the Grand Fiesta Tour in Mexico twice (just walked on) and LOVED it. It's all in the planning. Be willing to see stuff that you haven't done before.

I'm a big geek of course and was really excited that Club Cool was back and dragged the hubby to taste disgusting soda from around the world! LOL

 

[StageTek]

I say give it another try.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

We personally love Epcot, that is my daughter's second favorite park, Magic Kingdom first. There are just so many nooks & crannies to discover in this park but if you are mainly "ride/attraction" motivated this may not be for a short trip. Also they have changed up Soarin since your last visit so that will be "newer" to you.

 

[starousse]

We were so underwhelmed w Epcot back in August that we left the park around 2. The front of the park is a complete construction zone....walls everywhere. Just blehhhh.

 

[gharter]

Over the last year:
We found we are disappointed in EPCOT. The construction makes getting around the park challenging.
The attractions haven't changed and world showcase is still fun. We go during a festival (nearly year round now). Without the festival, I don't think we would spend as much time in the park.

 

[jenniferahardin87]

for those that were underwhelmed or disappointed, is there a park you would suggest instead? My hubby has never been to epcot or AK - we did MK and HS both last year, so i was also thinking AK. Could park hop & do both but don't want a fully packed/super early day

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

We enjoy Epcot. It has some of the best food of all the parks. It isn't ride heavy, but we like to travel around the world and view different mini-shows, taste food and drinks, and shop.

 

[PollyannaMom]

so...

give Epcot another try, or consider a different park?

My hubby has never been to epcot or AK - we did MK and HS both last year, so i was also thinking AK. Could park hop & do both but don't want a fully packed/super early day

I haven't been in a while, and generally love Epcot (and WS is very pretty during flower and garden) so I was about to say "give it another try"...buuuut, if I only had time for one, I would choose AK!

 

[DisneyOma]

EPCOT is still too gutted for me to think it's really worth it if I had to choose between EPCOT and AK. World Showcase needs some TLC, and what was once "Future World" is still a hot mess.

 

[Her Dotness]

We just got back. There is still plenty to do at Epcot, but if you are a visual person, the front of the park will be a disappointment. There are construction walls EVERYWHERE...

You reminded me of DH's quip upon our first entering what he dubbed "Maze of Mouse."

It really did feel like going back and forth trying to get out of a maze.

 

[Farro]

for those that were underwhelmed or disappointed, is there a park you would suggest instead? My hubby has never been to epcot or AK - we did MK and HS both last year, so i was also thinking AK. Could park hop & do both but don't want a fully packed/super early day

Well, we love Epcot but....

Animal Kingdom. Hands down greatest park. Read up on it about all there is to see/do. Great rides, shows, theming, plant life, animals, story, meandering paths, animal trails, food, music/entertainment, shops....you are completely transported.
If you can be there after dark, do so. It's magic at night.

 

[Dis Dragon]

I'd say plan for Epcot but be open to park hop to AK if you do find it's not meeting your expectations.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Start at AK since it opens earlier and then park hop to Epcot in the afternoon. Safari is best early in the day. Epcot is open later and you can stay to watch HarmoniUS in the evening.

 

[Anna131517]

What do you like? Are you foodies? Do you like fast rides like roller coasters? Are you into classic Disney characters and experiences or are you into newer Disney IP like Star Wars or Ratatouille? Do you like shows? Epcot doesn’t have a ton of fast rides if that’s what you’re into, although it does have flight of passage and test track. It has lots of classic, slower rides like Spaceship earth and living with the land. It has amazing food and the world showcase part can be beautiful. I agree park hopper might be a good option, doing Epcot in the later part of the day.

 

[glocon]

What do you like? Are you foodies? Do you like fast rides like roller coasters? Are you into classic Disney characters and experiences or are you into newer Disney IP like Star Wars or Ratatouille? Do you like shows? Epcot doesn’t have a ton of fast rides if that’s what you’re into, although it does have flight of passage and test track. It has lots of classic, slower rides like Spaceship earth and living with the land. It has amazing food and the world showcase part can be beautiful. I agree park hopper might be a good option, doing Epcot in the later part of the day.

Actually Flight oh Passage is at AK not EP. Maybe you’re thinking of Soarin’? I do love Soarin’!

 

[Bullseye]

We enjoy Epcot. It has some of the best food of all the parks. It isn't ride heavy, but we like to travel around the world and view different mini-shows, taste food and drinks, and shop.

Yeah I agree, I feel like Epcot is less of a hustle than the other parks. I like to get all my FW done by early afternoon and then it's WS the rest of the day.

 

[kathy884]

Only you can answer whether you want to give Epcot a shot on your upcoming vacation. I just want to say that I can relate to what you are saying. My brother always loved Epcot, and his kids even when they were really little loved it too. But I never liked it much as a 20 something or as a parent of a young child in my 30s and early 40s. It wasn't appealing to my son when he was little either - six and under. We just went because we were vacationing with my brother and his family and decided to do the same theme parks they were doing. I sort of thought of it as more of a gentrified World's Fair, which just didn't have much appeal to me in my earlier years -- least favorite theme park in Orlando for me and my family. And it felt kind of sterile (Flower and Garden should help that I think.)

I skipped the park for 15+ years, and then went when I was in my late 50s with my son who was in his early 20s then. Maybe I've just slowed down, had super low expectations that were exceeded, just enjoyed the more chill experience of not keeping little ones entertained and hanging out with my 20 something son, but we had a really fun day there. DH doesn't care for theme parks, and he stays home these days if we go to Orlando.

And now I'm planning an Orlando trip in March catering to my 85 year old dad -- Epcot during Flower and Garden and SeaWorld seem like the best two parks to go to with him (wide paths for scooters (He needs one at the parks now) and lots to see without doing too many rides (Just a few rides works better for him than doing a lot of getting in and out of little cars, etc.)). Our 20 and 30 somethings joining us want to experience Epcot Flower and Garden too and love SeaWorld.

 

[mousehouse23]

AK is great, but just a note that Expedition Everest will be down for refurbishment during your stay, if that makes a difference to you.

Still lots of good stuff to do at Epcot, though it is a bit of an eyesore now.

 

[rdaky]

I'm local and Epcot is my favorite park. It really depends on what you're interested in. I love it because I love the festivals and everything that comes with them and the food. I enjoy the entertainment (even when it's local) And I like all of the rides there. My kids love Epcot, too, so it's not just a park for adults.

I guess it's all perspective, but I don't think the walls and construction are that bad or ruining Epcot. Yes, they're a bit of an eyesore, but they're only at the front of the park and I just don't think it's that big of a deal. However, if you're going into it thinking you will be bored, and World Showcase sounds boring to you, then it might be better for you to skip it.