EPCOT with Kids: Seven Reasons You Shouldn’t Skip This Disney Park

I see and hear this question all the time from people visiting Walt Disney World Resort for the first time. For some reason, a lot of the time, the answer is NO; it’s Disney’s adult theme park. People seem to think Epcot isn’t for kids, especially younger kids, and are inclined to skip the park altogether. This train of thought drives me crazy. Why?

Because it’s not true.

I’m here to change your mind and tell you why I think Epcot is PERFECT for kids. And I mean that 200%. My kids have loved Epcot since they were small children. It’s the first Disney Park they want to visit, and the park we see most every Walt Disney World trip, because they have so much fun!

Epcot is fun for children of all ages, including your inner child. It’s also age-appropriate for young children, educational, and has enough activities to keep the entire family entertained for a full day, if not longer!

Here are seven reasons you shouldn’t skip Epcot with kids, especially if this is their first trip to Disney Parks!

EPCOT is educational

Not in that boring, OMG, we have to sit and listen to someone lecture way. And this is before you even get into the World Showcase to learn about other countries and cultures (we’ll talk about that in a few minutes).

Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and was built to educate kids learn through interactive fun, hands-on learning, and play. Future World is full of interactive areas focused on technology that serve as a fabulous backdrop for engaging educational fun for kids of all ages, from babies to toddlers to preschoolers to school-age children to teens, tweens, and even adults.

Kids can learn about marine life in The Living Seas Pavilion with Nemo and Friends. Here you will find manatees, dolphins (yes, Disney has dolphins), and other aquatic life. Kids can also learn about ocean life and sea turtles with Crush at Turtle Talk with Crush.

Over at The Land Pavilion, Living with the Land teaches kids about sustainable farming and where their food comes from. Older kids can explore the world on Soarin’ Around the World. Take a break and watch Awesome Planet, a ten-minute film that tells the story of life on our planet and why it’s vitally important to care for it.

A history lesson on communication can be found on Spaceship Earth, the ride inside the giant golf ball! Be sure to hold your nose as you pass scenes of the fall of Rome. At the end of the ride, you can learn about how technology will advance communication in the future!

In the Mission Space, little kids can train for a mission to Mars in this interactive play area with a space theme while waiting for older siblings.

Journey of Water with Moana celebrates the water cycle and the fantastic things water can do.

Explore Twelve Different Cultures at Epcot’s World Showcase

Since most of us will never be lucky enough to take a trip around the world, Epcot’s World Showcase offers a great way to learn about twelve different cultures and countries with a mini world trip!

The World Showcase is filled with mini versions of eleven different countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Morocco, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, plus the African Outpost.

Not only is the World Showcase educational, but the pavilions are full of some of the best rides, popular attractions, and table service restaurants in all of Disney World! Plus, most of the cast members who work in the country pavilions are native to that country and, in my experience, love talking about life back home.

Don’t forget to stop by the Kidcot Fun Stops or Kidcot Stations in each country to color a picture and learn more about that country. During special events and festivals like the Food and Wine Festival or the Flower and Garden Festival, the whole family can go on a scavenger hunt to win prizes!

You will also find activities, live entertainment, and food in each country that teach you about the country. Learn about the Day of the Dead in Mexico, see the trolls and learn about Norweigan Mythology in Norway, watch the acrobats in China, watch the candy maker in Japan, see a performance in the United Kingdom, learn about Canada with the film “Canda Far and Wide (FYI this is a great place to rest), explore American art at the Amerian Heritage Gallery. During the Festival of the Holidays, you can learn about how each of the countries celebrates the winter holidays and meet Father Christmas, Papa Noel, and Santa! I could go on and on, but I think you understand how educational the World Showcase Pavilions are for everyone!

Tons Of Attractions At Epcot For Kids

Epcot has the most kid-friendly rides and attractions outside of Magic Kingdom Park. YES, more than Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Because Epcot is full of the most popular rides at Disney World, there tend to be long lines. Be sure to check your My Disney Experience App for wait times.

Best Attractions for Preschoolers and Toddlers at Epcot:

These rides have no height requirements, making them perfect for small kids and children of all ages!

• Spaceship Earth inside the Epcot Ball
• Living with the Land, the boat ride inside the Land Pavilion
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends from Finding Nemo
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Imageworks – The What If Labs
• Pixar Short Film Festival
• The Advanced Training Lab by Mission Space
• The American Adventure
• Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure
• Frozen Ever After at the Norway Pavilion
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, aka the Mexican Boat Ride in the Mexico Pavilion
• Nightly fireworks and light show around the World Showcase Lagoon
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along in the France Pavilion
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure als int he France Pavilion

Best Attractions for 6-10 year olds, Tweens, and Teens at Epcot

Big kids will still love the rides and attractions, which are perfect for small children. But they will also love these thrill rides that can only be found at Epcot Center. These rides do have a height requirement, so be sure to check before you ride.

• Soarin’ Around the World
• Mission Space
• Test Track
• Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

ALL The Disney Princesses

Some of the most popular character meet and greets at Walt Disney World are the Disney Princesses, and you can find them at Epcot! You can dine with them at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway and meet them in their home countries around the World Showcase Lagoon. The only other Disney Park with this many princesses is Magic Kingdom.

Disney Princesses at Epcot:

• Frozen Fans will find Elsa and Anna in Norway
• Mulan in China
• Snow White in Germany
• Jasmine in Morocco
• Aurora and Belle in France
• Asha near the World Showcase Plaza

Meet More Characters at Epcot

Not only can you meet almost all the Disney Princesses, but you can also meet other Disney characters, some of whom you can’t meet anywhere else. Character greetings take place throughout the day, so be sure to pick up a Times Guide at the front of the park or in a gift shop to know when you can meet your favorite Disney characters!

Characters at Epcot:

• Mickey Mouse and Friends (Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Chip & Dale) at Mickey and Friends
• Pluto at the Epcot Main Entrance
• Donald Duck in Mexico
• Figment in the Imagination Pavilion in ImageWorks
• Alice in Wonderland and Friends from the Hundred Ace Wood in the United Kingdom
• Star-Lord near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Epcot has Play Spaces and Splash Pads

Little ones need to run and play, and Epcot is the best place to do just that.

During Festivals like the Flower and Garden Festival, you can find play spaces geared for children. There is a great one behind Mouse Gear. There is also a small maze in the Garden of the UK Pavilion.

There are also some indoor play areas. Kids can play at the Mission Space Training Lab Advanced, Project Tomorrow at the exit of Spaceship Earth, Test Track Design Studio, Seabase, and Image Works.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes because, on hot days, the kids will want to play in the splash pads. They are located by Test Track and on the bridge between Future World and the World Showcase. These are great spots to cool off on a hot summer day!

PLUS, don’t miss the jumping fountains by Image Works.

Food At Epcot

One of the best things about Epcot is the food. Even if you don’t have adventurous eaters, there are many food options for them.

For those with adventurous eaters, try an eat-around-the-world challenge where you try one food from each country. My kids, who happen to be picky eaters, even love this! Epcot is where I can get them to try new things. We now have a list of food we must get each trip, like the sushi in Japan and the Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwiches in France.

Princess fans will love dining with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. The breakfast here is one of our favorite must-dos!

Three other Epcot table service restaurants kids will LOVE are:

• Garden Grill is a character meal in The Land Pavilion where they can meet Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. The restaurant slowly rotates, which adds more fun to the meal.
• Coral Reef Restaurant, who wouldn’t love eating next to a giant six-million-gallon aquarium?
• Biergarten in Germany. Celebrate Oktoberfest all year long with German cuisine and entertainment. Kids will love dancing the chicken dance during lunch or dinner.

There is so much food at Epcot, so so much food. I think some of the best food at Walt Disney World is at Epcot. I have friends who agree and will book every meal at a different restaurant at Epcot.

Did I change your mind about Epcot? Did I prove to you that it’s the PERFECT place for kids to play, learn, and enjoy? There is so much here, and I know if you give Epcot a chance, you will LOVE it, and it will become a favorite park for your family. Don’t forget to grab some Disney Gift Cards for your trip!

If you’re thinking about planning a Disney trip and want someone who gets it and loves the magic as much as you do, I’m here to help. I’ll handle the details so you can focus on the fun. Reach out anytime at cara@magicaldestinationstravel.com or visit this page to get started.