You convinced me on Epcot...

[Roxyfire]

You just made my 8 year old's day. He was not looking forward to WS, but he is now!

Same here. As they say, Gotta Catch 'em All!

 

[DizDaD7]

Gosh, I hope not!

Im confused???

 

[Nancyg56]

Im confused???

The poster I responded to said that she had read Club Cool may close when World of Coke opened in DS> I said that I hoped not.

 

[pa. dad]

Honestly, I really didn't want to bother with Epcot next time around. Neither of our kids (they'll be 10 and 7) are big on thrill rides, they HATED Test Track, and I really didn't plan on doing World Showcase because of the heat (summer visitors), so I figured maybe we'd just skip it. Do a half day at the very most. However, so many of you here encouraged me not to skip it... I took another look at it... and yeah... I don't know what I was thinking, lol. We missed so much last time, and now I'm guessing we'll want at least a day there. Maybe more? (feel free to chime in with your thoughts on that, lol). I can see us doing:

- Figment and Image Works
- Spaceship Earth and Project Tomorrow
- Soarin'
- Living with the Land
- Character Spot M&G
- The Seas & Turtle Talk (I can see us spending a lot of time there, my kids love aquariums)
- Frozen Ever After
- A&E M&G
- Gran Fiesta Tour

and if we're already in WS, I know my son will want to explore China (he's fascinated with China), so I'm guessing we would add on:

- Mulan M&G
- Jeweled Acrobats
- Agent P in China

and... we never saw them last time, but I saw some pictures recently, and I really want to see IllumiNations this time around. So add that. I can also see them enjoying the Advanced Training Lab, but I really have no desire to walk all the way over there, just for that.

So congrats, DISers... you sold me on Epcot

I think you';; all enjoy epcot.
One story i should share also- first time we took our boys on test trak they were about 6 and they hated it. This did surprise us as they did like space mt and splash mt and thunder mt. We came back a couple years later and they now enjoyed test trak. Maybe your kids will warm up to it also.

 

[honeybunches]

If your kids liked customizing the Test Track car, they can definitely do that and then skip the ride. My DH did this on our last trip. It was not a big deal at all!! There is a really cool area at the exit where they analyze your car's details, too. So consider that, even if they don't want to ride TT again.

Our sons (9 and 12) could spend 2 hours in the Japan shop. It has the most awesome collection of Pokemon and other Japanese pop culture items. If they have any interest in such things, you should try it.

My kids save all their money for this. They love the Pokemon gear, and there are other things too (Black Butler, Sanrio, etc). DD bought herself an Eevie hat and wears it every chance she gets!

How long does the Agent P thing take to complete?

Oh, you HAVE to plan to do Agent P!! I bet your son would love it. Heck, I LOVE IT! Plan for the missions to take about 15 minutes each. You can choose to stop after the first one, or keep going (which will take you to another area, or maybe country). It really is cool. A couple of examples - on our last trip, the kids made the volcano in Mexico erupt with their satellite message. And in France, they sent Perry down a zipline off one of the shop buildings. It's so fun. My kids could spend the entire Epcot day doing just this.

 

[Planogirl]

Please report back after your trip. I'm still far from convinced so I'd love to hear what you think.

 

[mshanson3121]

If your kids liked customizing the Test Track car, they can definitely do that and then skip the ride. My DH did this on our last trip. It was not a big deal at all!! There is a really cool area at the exit where they analyze your car's details, too. So consider that, even if they don't want to ride TT again.


My kids save all their money for this. They love the Pokemon gear, and there are other things too (Black Butler, Sanrio, etc). DD bought herself an Eevie hat and wears it every chance she gets!


Oh, you HAVE to plan to do Agent P!! I bet your son would love it. Heck, I LOVE IT! Plan for the missions to take about 15 minutes each. You can choose to stop after the first one, or keep going (which will take you to another area, or maybe country). It really is cool. A couple of examples - on our last trip, the kids made the volcano in Mexico erupt with their satellite message. And in France, they sent Perry down a zipline off one of the shop buildings. It's so fun. My kids could spend the entire Epcot day doing just this.

Yes, even after the disaster of the ride (they were the ones screaming and SOBBBING on the ride, lol), they LOVED the post-ride design area. I didn't realize you could do that area without going on the ride.

And yeah... my kids are huge Pokemon fans. Is it wrong to hope they're out of that stage by the time we go???? lol

 

[honeybunches]

Yes, even after the disaster of the ride (they were the ones screaming and SOBBBING on the ride, lol), they LOVED the post-ride design area. I didn't realize you could do that area without going on the ride.

And yeah... my kids are huge Pokemon fans. Is it wrong to hope they're out of that stage by the time we go???? lol

Have them design the car, then tell the CM that they don't want to ride. When everyone else is lining up in the next room, they will just let you exit.

to avoid Pokemon, just don't go in the store at Japan.

 

[tlmadden73]

I think your kids are at the perfect age for Epcot, despite the changes from its old "World's Fair" style/theming. For me Epcot was a magical place at that age. It lost its luster to me as I got older .. with some fun times trying out some exotic foods once I became and adventurous eater as an adult.
Now? It just seems a shell of its former place with a lot less attractions and a lot of walking. Disney Springs (to me) holds more exotic options for shopping and food than World Showcase does.

Your kids are still young enough that "discovering" new things are cool. So being educated by "rides" like Ellen's Energy Adventure or the exhibits at the Seas or Living with the Land may actually be exciting for them.
(By Middle School/High School most kids aren't as excited about "learning" things ... at least in my opinion .. probably because they are being shoved information at them to be tested to death in school rather than being encouraged to discover things themselves).

They are old enough to be able to go on all the rides.

And old enough to appreciate the "sights".

I think Epcot is pretty bad (even with new Frozen) for toddlers (not a bad thing, just a reality) and will continue to be so until a major rework.

 

[DizDaD7]

The poster I responded to said that she had read Club Cool may close when World of Coke opened in DS> I said that I hoped not.

LoL I was that poster, but I didn't realize that's what you were referring to...LoL Silly me... I hope I'm wrong

 

[Nancyg56]

LoL I was that poster, but I didn't realize that's what you were referring to...LoL Silly me... I hope I'm wrong

OH! Me too! I love Club Cool!