 |
| Guests of all ages enjoying the Biergarten! |
Most
people would agree Magic Kingdom is clearly the park at the heart of Walt
Disney World. I have never had a family
tell me they’d like to see Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios but
they’re thinking of skipping Magic Kingdom. However, despite the fact that each park
offers something for everyone, I sometimes hear families ready to ditch Epcot,
particularly if they are traveling with younger kids. While I agree, Epcot features many
experiences adults love, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss an entire park. In fact, I think it is a fabulous way to
spend a day with your toddler. And here
is why.
First,
let’s start with the obvious - the attractions created with little ones in
mind. The entire family is sure to love
The Seas with Nemo and Friends. From traveling
under the ocean in search of Nemo, to chatting it up with Crush, to enjoying the
real creatures of the sea in a nearly 6 million gallon aquarium, this pavilion
can definitely entertain your little one (and you!) for a good portion of the
morning. Then there’s the zany world of
Figment as you explore the Imagination Institute. After the ride, a fun interactive area can
give toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to get out of the stroller and
stretch their legs. And just because much
of an attraction may go over their heads, it doesn’t mean they won’t find it
enjoyable. My children have always loved
riding on the boat in Living with the Land and exploring the history of
communication on Space Ship Earth. If
your preschooler can sit for a longer ride they just might love seeing real
live animatronic dinosaurs in Ellen’s Energy Adventure. And of course, there are various meet and
greet opportunities with the lovable Disney characters. Everything I’ve listed so far could easily
take you from park opening to nap time! Still
want more to do? Take a break in the air
conditioned Innoventions West for some fun exploration. Learn money skills with The Great Piggy Bank
Adventure as well as life saving tips in Where’s the Fire? where even 5 year
olds and younger can learn how to safely exit their home in case of an emergency. Just like their movies, Disney is wonderful
at creating entertainment that targets all ages and the attractions at Epcot
are no exception. But the attractions
are not the only reasons why I love Epcot with younger guests.
Epcot
is big. It’s twice the size of Magic
Kingdom and it boasts beautiful park like settings with gorgeous gardens and
wide walkways. For me, it’s the perfect
way to take it down a few notches. Strolling
through the areas of Epcot pushing kids in strollers is more akin to a
wonderful and relaxing day at your favorite garden park than the sensory
bombardment of visiting Magic Kingdom.
Several days into your trip of excitement overload, a calmer day at
Epcot may be just what the mouse ordered.
Besides all the delights I’ve mentioned, there are other features most
little ones will love. If you are able
to easily take the monorail to Epcot from the Transportation and Ticket center,
it’s a great ride that circles inside the park before stopping. Also, once inside the park during the warmer
months, pack a change of clothes for your little one as they will want to cool
off and romp through the popjet fountains situated in the walkway between Future
World and the World Showcase and near Test Track. And speaking of fountains, not only is there
the grand Fountain of the Nations which sets off a wonderful display to a fantastic
musical score every 15 minutes, but every kid big and small loves the antics of
the leaping water fountains tucked up the stairs near Captain EO. Even with all this, I feel like I’ve only
mentioned part of the list as there is still live entertainment throughout the
World Showcase, a boatride featuring Donald Duck in Mexico and Kidcot Fun Stops
where kids can enjoy a quiet, crafty moment around the world. Oh, and did I mention the night time
firework/laser show, Illuminations for those not afraid of the big booms??
When
it comes to a table service meal the youngest guests will enjoy as much as mom
and dad, three great restaurants come to mind although it certainly doesn’t
stop there. The Coral Reef, part of The
Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion, is a lovely restaurant with windows open
to the giant aquarium providing wonderful views of ocean creatures gently
swimming by. The Biergarten in Germany
is great fun, with a fabulous buffet and entertainment that gets everyone
involved while celebrating Oktoberfest, no matter what time of the year. And Teppan Edo in Japan where after enjoying
the beautiful koi ponds outside, you can come in to an entertaining hibachi
dinner, featuring the amazing cooking skills of Japanese chefs as they prepare
your dinner right at your table! What
more can you ask for? Delicious food and
entertainment that will satisfy the whole family!Disney World is huge and you can only accomplish so much in one vacation. As you make your touring decisions, remember the reason behind the spark of Walt’s great plan… there ought to be a place where families of all ages can have fun together. Part of the magic of Disney is their ability to appeal to multiple generations at different levels. Remember this as you make your choices. There’s no doubt that Magic Kingdom is the epitome of Disney but I love Epcot as there is no other park like it in the world. It delivers a different kind of magic at perhaps a slower pace. Oh and one more feature for both you and your toddler should they manage to remain awake as you make your way out of the park. Do stop to enjoy the small patch of fiber optics… oops, I mean pixie dust that makes the walkway come to life at night. It is a classic Disney touch that no matter what your age will bring a smile to your face and, you can only see it at Epcot!
