By Mindy Fontan
Is Epcot for Kids?
Epcot is divided into four main themed areas, known as “neighborhoods”: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase. And it is the only park that has 2 entrances on opposite sides!!! World Showcase generally opens two hours after the other neighborhoods. However, each section has tons of things for families of all ages to enjoy, you just need to know where to look.
In World Showcase, Epcot allows guests the opportunity to see the world (or at least 11 countries) in a day. Many families enjoy visiting each pavilion and learning about the customs of other cultures. There are street performers that you can stop and watch as well as many interesting shops to walk through. It is so much fun to explore!
With over 25 restaurants you can broaden your family’s palate by sampling a variety of international cuisines. The World Showcase traveler only needs to wear a pair of decent walking shoes to travel the 1.1 miles around the lagoon, while encountering authentic restaurants representing the flavors of Morocco, Mexico, Norway, China, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Kidcot Fun Stops are craft stations at each World Showcase pavilion where kids can draw, color and collect stamps for every country they visit. Plus it’s a great way to take a break when you need to slow your family’s pace down.
Oh! Did I mention that the cast members in each country are from that specific country? Families can learn a lot just by speaking to them. Pick a word or phrase and have a family member try to speak to someone in each country to learn their language. Or just talk to cast members in order to learn about their country and where they are from!
Another fun family activity to do while at Epcot is taste the different sweets and desserts the World Showcase offers. Here are some favorites:
- France – Chocolate Crepes
- Germany – Black Forest Cake
- Norway – School Bread
- Morocco – Baklava
- Canada – Maple Crème Brule
- USA – Funnel Cakes
- Japan – Shaved Ice
- United Kingdom – Sticky Toffee Pudding
- China – Caramel Ginger Ice Cream
- Italy – Gelato
- Mexico – Churros
The Mexico Pavilion has a boat ride that most kids enjoy (and it doesn’t tend to have a long line!). It’s like the “Small World” of Epcot. And let’s not forget Frozen Ever After or Meeting Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus for our Frozen Fans!!!
World Celebration is directly in front of you as you enter Epcot. It’s the first area you encounter, stretching out from the main entrance. It serves as the central hub, and covers much of the old Future World area, including the Imagination Pavilion.
Spaceship Earth is the ride housed in the big “golf ball” at the front of Epcot in World Celebration. It is a continuous moving car that takes you up into the ball, through scenes showing the history of communication. Then you go down backwards, and get to participate in an interactive story that lets you shape what you want your future to look like. My kids love touching the screen and watching the future they chose right in front of them! There is also a fun interactive play area for little ones at the exit of the ride!
Meet Mickey and Friends at Communicore Hall. This is my favorite character spot and I am so happy it is back open. Have those cameras ready and get ready to have fun and strike a pose!!
The Imagination Pavilion is another great one for young children. First, you can ride Journey Into Imagination with Figment. Next, enter an interactive room where kids and adults can explore their imaginations!
Nothing is better than a free cold drink in the hot Florida sun. Before you start your culinary adventure make sure you check out Club Cool located on the left side of Spaceship Earth from the main entrance and next to the Creations Shop. Disney has partnered with Coca-Cola to offer samples of various Coke products that are not available in the U.S. These sodas were recently highlighted as favorites from these countries.
- China – Smart Sur Plum
- Madagascar-Bon Bon Anglais
- DR-Country Club Merengue
- Korea-Minute Maid Joy Apple
- Philippines-Royal Watermelon
- Russia-Sprite Cucumber
- Moldova-Viva Raspberry
- Italy – Beverly
Make sure everyone in your group tastes the Beverly from Italy. The description on the dispenser reads: “Beverly, with its bitter flavor, is a popular non-alcoholic aperitif that stimulates the appetite before dinner.” Quinine is the key ingredient that gives the Beverly its distinctive bitter flavor. Make sure you have your cameras ready to capture the facial expression of a first sip!
World Nature is a land in Epcot themed around a dedication to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. It’s home to the new Journey Through Water and has become my personal favorite neighborhood.
The Land Pavilion houses one of Epcot’s more popular rides, ‘Soarin. This is a hang-gliding simulation where you sit in rows of seats, and are lifted up (while seated and strapped in) to be surrounded by a large movie screen. It gives the feeling of flying through the World, and is a wonderful experience. In addition, the Land Pavilion also has Living with the Land. This is a nice boat ride that takes you through the history of agriculture and through the actual greenhouses being used in Epcot. Much of the produce used in the Garden Grill restaurant is grown right here!
The Living Seas Pavilion is perfect for children. It starts with a tame clamshell ride with the characters from Finding Nemo. It then empties into an aquarium with so much to see, you might even get to watch a SCUBA demonstration! Best of all, be sure not to miss Turtle Talk with Crush. This is a great interactive show with Crush (from Finding Nemo) on screen interacting with guests. Children get to sit up front, and can ask Crush questions. It’s a wonderful show!
Journey through Water is absolutely beautiful!! It’s inspired by the animated film Moana and is a self-guided walkthrough that explores the water cycle and how it sustains the planet. The attraction displays interactive water features, lush greenery, and contains different sections themed after parts of the water cycle.
Guests can play with the water in new ways and you have the option to choose between wet and dry paths. Make sure you have your cameras ready AND make sure it check it out in the evening when it is all lit up.
World Discovery is designed to celebrate space exploration, technological innovation, and the possibilities of the future. It’s also home to the very first intergalactic world pavilion which houses Epcot’s first roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!
Reach out to your Straight Away Travel Advisor as they will book your Disney Vacation at the best price and have you extremely prepared to experience at that the Disney World offers!
