1 whole day in Epcot with a 6 and 4 year old

[JLMommy]

We want to do 3 days in WDW before our cruise.
2 days at MK.

1 day at Epcot.

Would rather not buy park hoppers as this is costing a lot already!!! Our daughters are 6 and 4. I've read things here that suggest Epcot should be 1/2 day. Can we stretch it to a full day or would my kids be bored?

 

[Allabouthemouse]

EPCOT is a huge park and there are so many fun things for the kids to do. We have a 9 and 6 year old and they LOVE EPCOT. It is hard to experience all that EPCOT offers in a day. There is a lot of walking so try to factor in some rest time out of the park in the afternoon.
Some suggestions:
1. Try out the KidCot stops at each country.
2. Visit Club Cool and let them try out different soda drinks from different countries.
3. Turtle talk with Crush is always a huge hit.
4. Your children may love Soarin' if they are tall enough to ride.
5. Spend some time talking to cast members at each country and learn how to say hello in lots of different languages.
6. Pack some water shoes and a change of clothes so the children can splash at the different water zones in future world.
7. Catch some of the different "street shows" at each country - our favorites are France and China.
8. There are always different limited time events depending on when you go- we just got back today and caught a promo play and game area for the Oz movie coming out. Previously, we played Highland games for the Brave DVD release.
9. Consider walking over to the boardwalk area via the international gateway if you need an EPCOT break.

The list can be endless. Check out some guide books like the Unofficial Guide to WDW with Kids if you need more suggestions.
Have fun!

 

[momof3ds]

We did a full day with a 5, 7, and 9 year old. We rode soarin twice, walked around a bit, did turtle talk with crush, and spent a bunch of time in te area where you build your own rollar coaster and then ride it (4-5 times). Test track was closed.

We had dinner at Le Celier and then watched the fireworks.

 

[6disneykids]

I have never understood the suggestion that EPCOT is only a 1/2 day park. The sheer size of the park alone takes a while to see the many parts of the park.

My kids have never been bored at EPCOT and we have been with kids of all ages and stages since my oldest sons were toddlers, and now they are teens, and can't wait until our trip to see it again, they are: DS 15, DS 13, DD 9, DS 7, DS 4, and DD 2.

 

[gladdiola]

Tons of fun stuff for kids at Epcot. We have 3 kids from ages 4 to 7 and Epcot is a 2 day park for us. In addition to what others have posted here, there are lots of fun activities at Innoventions, Imagination and upon exiting Spaceship Earth. Next time we go back we're going to spend more time at the Land, my kids were fascinated by the garden and ecosystem. You should have no problem filling your day at Epcot

 

[oopinkisfunoo]

My girls will be 4 and 7 when we visit Disney World in October.

We plan on a "full day" at Epcot for sure! It has been many years since I have been to Epcot but I remember as a child enjoying it and visiting all the countries.

 

[WantToGoNow]

We have always spent 2 days at Epcot and we still don't get to spend the time at world showcase that we would like. I wouldn't think you could even see half of future world in a half day. You have Spaceship Earth, Seas with Nemo, Living with the Land, Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space, Universe of Energy, and Innoventions. My kids could spend a half day as y Innoventions alone. Then there's world showcase with 2 rides, 4 shows and lots of snacking and shopping.

 

[Anya22]

We were at Epcot for one day with my 2 and 5 year old boys last May. We got there just after opening and left at about 1:00 for a nap and returned at 4:30 for a character dinner reservation at Garden Grill. We then stayed until 9:00. We agreed it would have been great to have a full day or at least another half day there! It is pretty spread out and there is plenty to do, which has already been mentioned. Also, a great choice for character interactions with less lines than many of the other parks (and it is indoors with a/c). You can DEFINITELY fill an entire day at Epcot. Have fun!

My kids could have watched the "jumping" water fountains for hours if we had the time!

 

[shoney]

It really depends on your kids. My boys want rides. they do not want parades, shows, etc.

So, the world showcase was always a bore to them! Some kids like, some don't. While we have spent a whole day at Epcot with them, they weren't always willing participants

 

[tzolkin]

Epcot as a 1/2 day park?

We usually go for 10 park days and always have PH (we have never stayed at any one park from rope drop to close) but I would say we spend at least 1/3 of our time at Epcot (so 3-4 full days per trip)

Kids are now 14, 8, and 6-- we have been going since the youngest was under 2 and have always spent that much time at Epcot.


I have never understood the "Epcot isn't for kids" idea. My family lived in the area and had annual passes when I was a kid and we always loved going to Epcot.

 

[ktlm]

My DD just turned 7. At ages 4 and 6, Epcot was a 2 full day park for her. There is no way that we could do it in 1/2 a day, and if I told her that was all the time we were spending there, I can guarantee there would be tears.


To give you an idea - Our typical 1st day is 1. DH and DD stop to see the characters at the front of the park while I run for fast passes for Soarin; 2. go by the Character Spot to see Mickey and friends; 3. Ride Nemo, see Turtle Talk with Crush and look at the Aquariums; 4. Ride Living with the Land; 5. Usually time for Soarin FP about this point; 6. Sometimes, but not always have time to ride Journey into Imagination or visit Duffy before lunch; 7. Lunch ADR at around 12:15 or 12:30 for either Biergarten or Akershus (DD's favorite WDW restaurants are 1. CRT 2. Biergarten and 3. Akershus in that order); --- by the time we are done with that, it can already be around 2:00 p.m. 8. Start at Mexico (or see Duffy first if didn't make it before lunch)- ride Donald Duck boat ride 9. Spend the rest of that day going from country to country visiting the princesses and other characters, watching the entertainers, doing Perry (Phineas and Ferb) missions (when she was 2, 3, and 4- it was the Kidcot stations instead of the missions getting stamps from each country and coloring); picking a pearl in Japan etc.

On Day 2, we go try to pick up the other side of Future World (Test Track), hit Spaceship Earth, Club Cool, eat at whichever of DD's 2 favorite restaurants we didn't do the first day, see whatever else we missed the 1st day in World Showcase (characters and entertainers we missed, pick up more Perry missions (DD loves those), and pick up anything else throughout the park we missed the first day (there is always a bunch) or re-do the absolute favorites.

 

[Disneylover99]

Epcot is definitely not a half day park in my opinion.

When we go to Disney for 10 days, we spend 4 days at Epcot. We have a 9 and 6 year old who love Epcot and it has been their favourite park since our first visit three years ago.

Hope your family loves it as much as we do!

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

I was worried that my DD3 wouldn't like Epcot so skipped it on our first drip thinking she was too young. We went this last time and she had a BLAST! She loved the Nemo pavilion so much that I think we rode that ride two or three times and spent a long time looking at the fish.

Add in all the other stuff to do there and it will definitely be a full day (or maybe even two) on our next trip!

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

We just went in november with our 3 and 5 year old and epcot was there favorite park. I dobt know why you couldn't do a full day there.

 

[DaniMoon]

My kids will be 5 and 6 when we get to WDW . We have 8 days planned at the parks and are doing at least two days at EPCOT. I am planning EPCOT to be the first park we visit, I think they'll enjoy it, but I think they will appreciate it more if we do EPCOT before MK.

Just trying to figure out my touring plan. I have time, we aren't going til October.

Have a great trip!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

EPCOT is always a 2-day park for us and we have been with infants on up. Last trip in Sept/Oct, 9yo, 7yo, 3yo and 1yo. My kids love EPCOT. We always seem to run out of time there. They spent a couple hours alone in INNOVENTIONS.

 

[dcwild2001]

I was a little concerned about this as well. My husband and I love world showcase, but thought it might be boring for our 3 year old. I did see that Epcot now has an interactive adventure through the World Showcase with Special Agent P from Phineaus and Ferb. You look for clues to stop the villian in the different countries. Sounds like something we will try with our son.