A Guide to Epcot with Kids

There are Kidcot stations throughout Epcot, in both FutureWorld and the World Showcase. Your kids can decorate a cardstock Duffy the Bear (free) 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 (Disney employee) from the country represented by the pavilion - giving kids the chance to meet someone from another county. My kid's asked the Cast Member in the Japan and China Pavilions to write their (the child's) name on the back of the bear - it was neat to see it written in a way that is so very different from our English alphabet.

Epcot's iconic focal point is a big, silver geodesic sphere called Spaceship Earth. Inside the 18-story sphere is a gentle, slow moving ride past scenes that depict the development of human communications - from cave paintings to writing to telephones to satellite communications. Honestly, the history lesson is lost on most youngsters but they do seem to enjoy the visual elements of this ride. My daughter loved this ride when she was six. At the end of the ride, you can customize a short animated video and email it to yourself.

Tip: This ride is the first thing you see when you come through the gates and, as a result, is often crazy-busy for the first few hours of the morning. Ride this in the afternoon and you'll enjoy much shorter lines.

If you're going to Epcot with kids, you'll be glad to know that you can find classic Disney Characters - like Goofy and Donald Duck - at the Epcot Character Spot, near Innoventions West, in Epcot's Future World. The characters are in front of very cute backgrounds, making it a great spot to get photos. You can utilize Disney's Photopass service or use your own camera. This is a very popular spot and lines can get very long - they post the expecting waiting time near the entrance.

Remember that there are lots of characters who appear at the World Showcase Pavilions so don't feel like you have to stand in a long line with your toddler to see - though this is the spot to find classic Disney characters like Donald Duck.

Epcot has three character meals:

1) Princess Storybook Dining (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion.

2) Remy, from Ratatouille, appears intermittently from Lunch to 5:20PM at Chef's de France in the France Pavilion.

3.) Chip & Dale's Harvest Fest (Dinner Only) at The Garden Grill in the Land Pavilion.

Click Here & Select the Epcot Tab for Entertainment Schedules and Disney Character Locations

Epcot's Land Pavilion has three attractions and two restaurants - all of which are appropriate for families with small children.

Soarin' is Epcot's most popular attraction but should be considered a "headliner", rather than a "thrill ride" because it is gentle enough for almost everyone tall enough to ride this hang-glider flight simulator ride. Don't worry, you'll sit upright and have a seat belt as you are raised to experience the sights - an smells - projected on a large IMAX screen. Parents and child can sit side-by-side. The seats do raise and the sensation for flying does bother some people who are sensitive to heights but the ride is very popular with all age groups - from preschoolers to senior citizens. TIP: This ride is so popular that, during busy seasons, all FASTPASS tickets are often distributed by noon or early afternoon. Get a FASTPASS as soon as the park opens. You must be at least 40-inches tall to ride Soarin'.

Living with the Land is an indoor boat ride past examples of farming and agriculture, both past and present. Gardeners love this ride while others think it sounds suspiciously too educational for vacation purposes. Don't feel like you have to see it but don't rule it out either - the sight of a Mickey Mouse shaped pumpkin or the experience of boathing through a greenhouse might be better than expected in holding your child's interest. The ride lasts about 15 minutes.

The Circle of Life is a 20-minute film starring Timon & Pumba (The Lion King) about environmental responsibility. It is okay - not amazing, but okay. Go ahead and see it if you have time or need a break in an air-conditioned space.

The Garden Grill is a rotating restaurant offering the Chip & Dale's Harvest Feast Character Dinner inside the Land Pavilion. Advance reservations are recommended - call 407-WDW-DINE. You can check for last minute reservations at Epcot's Guest Services desk but do so early in the day.

Sunshine Seasons is a quick-service restaurant in the Land Pavilion - no reservations accepted. This is one of the best quick-service restaurants in all of Disney World, with a nice variety of food selections and free refills on beverages. TIP: This location gets VERY busy - have lunch early (around 11:15AM) to avoid long lines at the counters and for ease in finding a table.

Epcot's The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion should be on every family's "must see" list. Here's what you'll find:

1.) The Finding Nemo "clamobile" ride takes you into the main part of the pavilion. It is an easy ride that is appropriate for all ages.

2.) An impressive indoor aquarium featuring a huge saltwater aquarium, oceanography exhibits, and real marine life. There are often two rescued manatees on display - especially interesting during feeding time.

3) Turtle Talk with Crush - An interactive animated film featuring Crush (the turtle from Finding Nemo) who tells jokes and answers questions from audience members. Entertaining and education, this tends to be very popular with kids.

Coral Reef - A table-service restaurant with one entire wall looking into the huge saltwater aquarium. The food is generally good but spendy, if you're not on a dining plan. Coral Reef serves lunch and dinner. The restaurant's entrance is on the outside of the Seas pavilion. Advance reservations recommended (call 407-WDW-DINE) or check by the restaurant podium early in the day for last minute openings.

Epcot's Imagination Pavilion has three attractions:

1) Journey Into Imagination is a traditional "dark ride" where you ride past different scenes about the four senses...and imagination...in a brightly colored car. There is no height restriction for this ride so it can be enjoyed by the whole family. Adults probably won't be too impressed by this attraction but little kids love it!

2.) ImageWorks Lab - 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.

3.) Captain EO 3-D movie. This older Disney 3-D movie attraction starring Michael Jackson was brought out again after the singer's death. Michael Jackson plays the spaceship captain of a rag-tag bunch of space creatures who conquer evil with song, dance, and 1980's hair. There is no height or age restriction for this show but some small children might find the movie a bit frightening.

Test Track falls somewhere between a "headliner" and a "thrill ride" that let's you experience a car manufacturer's vehicle safety test. The whole attraction is very well done and part of the ride includes a few banked laps in a car going about 60 miles an hour. Each car holds up to six riders, with two rows of three seats. My own children all experienced this attraction as soon as they were tall enough and did just fine when told what to expect and when seated next to a parent. It is a great ride and is very popular. If you want to ride, do so as soon as the park opens - after getting your Soarin' FASTPASS tickets.

Mission Space is a wonderfully executed space simulation ride that showcases the some best work of the Disney Imagineers. There are two experiences and the one labeled "less intense" is still exciting and probably too intense for most children under age 6, or even a bit older. If some of the family want to ride, get a "Rider Switch Pass" (information below) and let one parent evaluate the ride to determine whether or not it is appropriate for your child. Even if your little one isn't going to ride, you can still enjoy the interactive activities at the end of the attraction, including a climbing play area for little ones called "Space Base". If you're in the line, a cast member can direct you to this area from inside the attraction; if not, you can access this area by entering through the Mission Space gift shop.

Ellen's Energy Adventure is a 40-minute attraction that stars Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. The attraction combines filmed portions and a slow moving ride through a scene with dinosaurs. It isn't scary and the air conditioning alone makes this ride worthwhile on a hot, humid day. My daughter would fall asleep as soon as we sat down on this ride - she was at least 10 before she managed to stay awake for the whole thing. This is a great attraction to enjoy in the afternoon, when your preschooler is ready to slow down a bit.

Innoventions features World's Fair type interactive exhibits sponsored by various corporations, with a big emphasis on Technology. There are several exhibits geared towards younger kids. While interesting, these are not the best of the best that Epcot has to offer and we recommend saving this area until after you've enjoyed a lot of the other exhibits in the park, especially if you intend to exit the park for a mid-day break.

Epcot has some really great live entertainment - the JAMMitors are a "Stomp" like percussion group that perform in Future World.

The Mexico Pavilion is a beautifully designed pavilion with a Kidcot station, a place to send a free e-postcard, some restaurants, and a boat ride called "The Gran Fiesta Tour, Starring the Three Caballeros" that is a little like a Taco Bell version of "it's a small world". Honestly, the ride isn't Disney's best work - not by a long shot - but your kids may still enjoy it.

San Angel Inn is a table-service restaurant inside the pyramid and is kind of special. The pyramid's interior looks like a Mexican village and overlooks the boats from the "Gran Fiesta Tour" ride. It is a lovely setting that families enjoy.

Donald Duck appears here intermittently throughout the afternoon - check your Epcot Times Guide for exact times during your visit.

Epcot's Norway Pavilion is home to "Maelstrom", an adventurous Viking boat ride past Scandinavian trolls, polar bears, and over a few rapids. It is fun but you must be at least three years old to ride. Some children might find it a little frightening.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is home to a character meal featuring Disney Princesses and there are generally at least four princesses in the dining room at all times. Disney does not announce which princesses will be present at any particular time but Cinderella does not usually appear at this Princess meal because she has two other character meals to preside over. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Advance reservations are highly recommened. Because of the location of this restaurant, I recommend lunch or dinner instead of breakfast.

Epcot's China Pavilion is a beautiful pavilion. It's also home to a visually stunning Circle-Vision movie depicting scenes throughout China - it is gorgeous but might not hold the attention of small children. You do stand through the movie and parents seem to end up holding toddlers at some point.

The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats appear here and are very popular with children.

As for Disney characters, Mulan does appear here intermittently through the day.

The Germany Pavilion doesn't have any rides or movies but you can meet Snow White here at various times during the afternoon.

The pavilion also has a model train that children enjoy watching.

The Biergarten Restaurant features a German band, that small children seem to enjoy.

The Italy Pavilion doesn't have any rides or movies but it is home to two fun performances:

1) Sergio (pictured here) is a juggler that kids enjoy.

2) The Ziti Sisters are comedic actors that will make you giggle.

Both acts are fun for families.

The Italy Pavilion also has a restaurant, Via Napoli, and a Gelato Stand.

The Japan Pavilion is one of my favorite pavilions at Epcot but there are some things for children to enjoy too. Kids enjoy the fish pond and the gift shop is full of Hello Kitty and other fun items.

Miyuki is a Japanese candy artist is a must-see for my family. She appears several days a week (check your Epcot Times Guide) and is simply amazing. She creates animals like swans, dragons, monkeys, and more in just minutes. Women candy artists are extremely rare and Miyuki is interesting for everyone but is also certainly a great role model for girls.

Matzuriza are Taiko Drummers who perform in the Japan pavilion.

Katsura Grill is a quick-service restaurant that we enjoy - one of the great things s that they offer a Teriyaki Chicken kids meal that is a little different that the usual chicken nuggets or hamburger.

The Morocco Pavilion doesn't have a ride or show but it a great place for families because it is just plain fun with a bustling bazaar atmosphere with a Kidcot station and opportunity to meet Aladdin and Jasmine.

The Tangierine Cafe is a quick-service restaurant that gives hearty portions and has some unique choices for those wanting to get away from the usual fast food fare.

Restaurant Marrakesh a table-service restaurant that features a family-friendly belly dancer and music in a neat Middle Eastern setting.

The United Kingdom pavilion doesn't have a movie or show but does have a few fun options for famiies.

Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Alice in Wonderland characters, and Mary Poppins all appear on a rotating basis in this pavilion. Check your Epcot times guide or the sign at the pavilion for times.

There is a little hedge maze at this pavilion that is too short to entertain adult but kids seem to enjoy going through it.

Epcot's France Pavilion has a theater that shows a lovely - if a little dated - movie that probably will not hold the interest of most children.

There is a great balancing act called "Serveur Amusant" that performs her that will hold the interest of most kids. We've seen it many times and still make a point of checking it out.

Remy, from Ratatouille, appears intermittently for diners at Chefs De France, a table-service restaurant in the pavilion from about noon - 5:20PM.

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle and Beast, and Marie (Aristocats) all appear here intermittently.

At 9:00PM nightly - 9:30PM during the Christmas season - Epcot presents an impressive fireworks display called IllumiNations. The fireworks are fairly low to the ground so you need to be in the World Showcase area to enjoy them but any spot with an unobstructed view of the center of the World Showcase Lagoon will provide an excellent view.

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is a special event that occurs every spring with events and demonstrations that are very popular with gardeners. Guests who don't have green thumbs will still enjoy the beautiful topiaries featuring Disney characters. There are often special playground areas and even character meet-and-greets for kids.

Click Here for More Information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

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