what to do at Epcot?

[Taratink]

What is there to do that would interest my dd3 1/2 and ds5? We went last Feb and we got off to a bad start at Epcot and the kids didn't get into it. We never went to the world showcase because we thought the kids would be bored. I loved the WS before kids. Is it worth another try. We have never seen Illuminations either. Would it be better at night for us? The kids are a year older now and I am hoping to love it once again.
Tara

 

[camliner]

As a child, I don't think I really "got" Epcot until I was about 10 yrs. old. You might want to wait a few more years if they aren't the type of children that like that kind of thing.

 

[Dawnflower]

I just got back in May with my son who is turning 4 in Oct. and he LOVED EPCOT! We did Living Seas and he got to see Nemo and friends, he liked all the silliness of Journey to your Imagination and he also liked the 3D show (name escapes me at the moment)! As far as world showcase, he had just as much fun there because we did Kidcot! and we made sure that we looked at/ played with the childrens toys in each country! So I guess because we really took the time with him and let him see all the stuff that might interest him, he enjoyed hiself!

Have a great time!

 

[princess lovers mom]

last yr with 2 DD's 4 & 7 they did enjoy quick trips to EPCOT...we stayed at BC so would often go over after a day at another park...water park and AK to be specific...

Illuminations was my 4 yo's favorite fireworks viewed from the bridge between France and England ( would run over from hotel as often as we were back in time)....they loved dinner at Tepppanyaki/Japan...boat ride in Norway, the trains in Germany, Mexico ride, Japanese drummers, didn't really do much "up front" saw the dancing fountains, coke station, living seas...

that was about enough for them... we never went there FOR THE DAY...would probably be too much

 

[Maude4Disney]

My DS since age 4 has always loved EPCOT. He'll be 11 our next trip and can't wait to get there. There is alot for the kiddos to see and do. There are all the shows in WS, as well as the kidcot stations. They have a passport for WS so the kids can collect a stamp from each country. In FW they might enjoy the Living Seas, Journey into Imagination and the things to do there. If they're very daring maybe Honey I shrunk the audience... our DS hated that and still has no desire to go back. Innoventions I would think might be boring to them, but you never know. Hmmm, I seem to be drawing a blank what else might be there, which is sad since we just came back yesterday. Anyway, alot of people seem to write off EPCOT for kids, but ours have ALWAYS enjoyed it. If you have hoppers, do give it a try and if things are not working out, then hop to one of the other parks. Have Fun!

 

[Lizzydoll73]

I'm 31 and I don't really like EPCOT.
You're kids might like Journey into Imagination with Figment, Honey I shrunk the audience and Nemo at the living seas. In World Showcase they may like the ride in Mexico and Norway. I like the Koi pond at Japan, the boats that go across the lagoon and the American Adventure is ok because they have comfy seats and is air conditioned.
If it was up to me I would skip world showcase when we take our kids but I know my DH wants to go.

 

[Taratink]

Where do you get the passport books? What kind of activities are at the kidcot stations? Are these stations set up in the evenings? Does anyone know the height requirement for test track?
Tara

 

[shellybaxter]

Darling Niece 4.5 still says Epcot is her FAV park. She loved Test Track and says it and Splash are her fav rides. She also loved Spaceship Earth, The Living Seas, Figment, Malstorm, the Mexico boat ride. Of course, it helps that Epcot was where we did the PSB and that we met Alladan and Jasmine in Morroco and Belle and Beast in France. It was also Mother's Day week and they had a "make a mother's day" card booth and Home Depot had set up a playground for Flower and Garden Festival. She also loved playing in the water fountains between the World Show Case and Future World.

Anyway, we found LOTS for her to do. I was surprised how much she liked it too.

Shelly

 

[luvdamouse]

Epcot is definitely what you make it! I agree with the above posts for things to do with children, and don't forget the shows around WS, especially the acrobat show in China, the drummers in Japan, the mimes in France, etc. My then 4 year old was mesmerized by them (as was my 9 year old). My children also adore the boat rides in Mexico and Norway.

Enjoy!

 

[swilphil]

My toddlers actually get much more out of World Showcase than they do out of Epcot's FW though they do like the Ice Station Cooler, Journey into the Imagination, and Spaceship Earth.

In World Showcase, we really take our time and go with the flow. There are lots of characters you might run into in the "backs" of the countries. The Kidcot stations have masks you can decorate at each country and they give you little charms and stamps at each stop. My sons at ages 2 and 4 absolutely loved the toy train village in Germany. They ran across the bridge chasing the train for almost an hour. They also liked the hedge maze in UK by the bandstand. While you're there, stop in the Toy Shoppe where they have a Thomas the Train station and often Pooh characters in the back. They liked the rides at Mexico and Norway too. At the Africa outpost, there are drums that the kids can sit at and play.

The character bus stops every couple of hours at different places in the parks. Check the daily schedule. Nemo at Living Seas was also a big hit. They now have a Nemo room inside and the Nemo character shows up outside once an hour or so. The MouseGear shop has a big Potato Head display and the kids can put Disney stuff on the potato heads. Of course you may end up having to buy a box of potato head pieces for $18!

 

[tjmw2727]

My girls have loved Epcot since they were toddlers as much as MK! They love all kinds of live entertainment so we watch lots of different live musical acts in WS.

The kidcot statsions are fun and free, you get a mask at the first country and deocrate a bit, then a CM at each subsequent country will give you something respresenting that country to add and the kids can do a bit more deocrating.

In our families opinion Illuminations is the best fireworks show and definately worth an evening at Epcot.

The rides in Mexico and Norway are fun as are the acrobats in China and the living statue in France (sometimes Italy!).

The rides with height restrictions are MS 44" and TT 40", lots of things in FW are great for younger kids as well.

Generally speaking we spend mornings in MK or AK and evenings in Epcot, it can be more relaxing after a hectic day and has more people interaction.

Give it a try!
TJ

 

[erinz]

My 9 yr old DD was really bored with the World Showcase, until we discovered the passport and kidcot stations. The we couldn't get her to leave!

Every country has a special area where the kids can decorate their masks (they can pick up a mask at the first kidcot station they go to) and have the CMs who are from that particular country sign their passports. When you get to the country, if you can't find it, just ask a CM in one of the country's gift shops.

You can get (at least last Dec you could) get a passport at the big gift store right at the main entrance to World Showcase. If I'm not mistaken, there are two big gift shops that look just the same at both the left entrance and the right. If you can't find one DEFINITELY ask a CM where to get one. It is SO WORTH IT!!!!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

You can get a "passport" at any gift shop in EPCOT. They are great for kids!

 

[webmomom]

When you enter the park at the turnstiles you can pick up a Goofy Scavenger Hunt book. It is really a fun thing to do.

In Invenations there are lots of things to do. Playing with computers,etc. Our Grandkids favorite thing to do in Invenations is to make the paper. They are shown how to make make and they actually make paper and take it home with them.

at the Iving Seas they have a Dolphin show that is very cute. You will have to ask a CM when it is held. It is held in the room at the Living Seas that is round.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

My DD (5) loved Epcot! The Kidcot locations are so much fun for them. She really enjoyed coloring her mask and getting the stamps.

She can't wait to go back.

 

[ErinInCT]

At The Land (near Sunshine Season Food) your kids can be Junior Chefs & help bake Nestles cookies. They get a chef hat, bag of choco chips & 2 cookies.
Japan has a candy artist who makes tiny candy animals & gives them to the people watching.
I bet they would like watching the fountains outside of Innoventions.
Fun things:
There are three talking water fountains at Epcot:
1- Outside Mouse Works shop
2- behind Innoventions West, near the restroom, between Innoventions and HISTA Pavilion
3- near the play fountain between Future World and World Showcase.
and a
Talking Trash Can - near the Electric Umbrella
Have fun!