I was helping a friend the other day come up with a plan for which park they were going to visit each day when she informed me that Epcot was really just for adults and they were going to skip Epcot.  I was kind of stunned by her statement, because in my mind nothing could be further from the truth and skipping an entire park made me sad. If you asked my oldest son when he was 9 what his favorite park was, he would have told you “Epcot,” in fact now at 17 he still would tell you Epcot. After I picked my chin up off the floor, I began to dispel that widely accepted Epcot myth that “kids will be bored by Epcot” and that “parents of small children should skip this theme park altogether.” Epcot is a great place for the entire family…

FutureWorld

There are only 3 thrill rides that will exclude younger members of your party in Epcot’s Future World, but there are other things for them to do while others are enjoying the thrill rides…

Go Under the Sea in the Living Seas Pavilion-You will find a world class aquarium here and until 2005 it was the world’s largest saltwater tank, home to more than 6,000 sea creatures.

Be part of the Fab 5 at the Epcot Character Spot-Here you will find the classic Disney Characters including Mickey Mouse. The characters are in front of fun backgrounds, making it a great spot to get photos. You can utilize Disney’s PhotoPass service or use your own camera.

Explore your Senses in Imageworks-This interactive area is found at the exit of Journey into Imagination. There are several stations that let you explore sights and sounds. You can also email a fun, free e-postcard to yourself or to someone else from this area.

Laugh a little and take a rest with Pixar Shorts-The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival is an 18-minute 4D cinema attraction at Epcot, featuring 3 dazzling short animated films.

Take a Boat Ride through a Green House-The sight of a Mickey Mouse shaped pumpkin or the experience of boating through a greenhouse might be better than expected in holding your child’s interest.

Explore Space-Even if your little one isn’t going to ride Mission Space, they can take their own space adventure in the Advanced Training Lab. There is a play structure there for little kids to explore, buttons to push, and seats in the air conditioning for their grown-ups. It’s a fun stop, especially if your child is obsessed with space!

Play in the Fountains-There are three sets of fun fountains that encourage the littlest EPCOT visitors to cool off on a hot day. Two interactive fountains along the Futureworld walkways (one in Futureworld East and one in Futureworld West) allow kids (and adults) to walk right in and get soaked by the spray! The fountains outside of the Imagination! Pavilion aren’t ground level, but you can stand under the jumping water or try to catch the bouncing water balls. A very fun way to cool off on a hot day!

World Showcase

When you’re ready to explore the world, take your kids along to because there is plenty to keep them busy while you enjoy the World Showcase including…

Explore the People of the World at the Kidcot Stations-Kids decorate a card stock Duffy Bear at which ever station they stop at first. Then they can add a decoration at each additional station throughout Epcot. The World Showcase Kidcot stations can be especially fun because there will often be a Cast Member from the country represented by the pavilion – giving kids the chance to meet someone from another country. Cast members will embellish the back with the child’s name in their language or a fun symbol of their country

Go on a mission to Save the World while learning about the World-Kids will love the interactive Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure, particularly if they are Phineas and Ferb fans. There are several locations where families can sign up for this free activity and get a free app to guide them through the mission searching for clues in the various countries of the World Showcase. Each mission only takes 30-45 minutes but will ensure the kids are keen to explore the country pavilions.

Explore the Artistry-Throughout Epcot’s World Showcase, you can find a variety of live entertainment representing each country’s culture that ranks among the best at Walt Disney World. These performances happen throughout the day, so there’s a good chance you’ll happen upon a performance as you go around the World Showcase. The acts are always entertaining and give a great flavor of the country’s culture.

Find even more characters– Epcot’s World Showcase is the best place at Disney World to meet characters. The lines are often shorter than at other Disney World parks and you can met characters that you haven’t seen anywhere else. The World Showcase is a prime location for character greetings since many Disney movies are based on traditional stories from these countries… Mary Poppins, Mulan, Alice in Wonderland and Marie from The Aristocats in their homelands.

I think you can see that Epcot is not just for adults and offers experiences that should not be skipped.

I love Epcot and would find great delight in helping your family enjoy this wonderful park. Remember all my trip planning services are complimentary when you book your Disney Vacation with me!