A Guide to Epcot with Kids

Yes, You Should You Take Your Kids to Epcot!

Epcot isn't just for adults - you and your kids can have a great day at Epcot!

There is an Epcot myth that is so widely accepted that you will even sometimes find it in Disney World related guidebooks - this official sounding legend states "that kids will be bored by Epcot" and that "parents of small children should skip this theme park altogether." We at Build A Better Mouse Trip want to expose this crazy anti-Epcot conspiracy once and for all!

Epcot is a great place for the whole family - including preschoolers! It is true that Epcot is different than the Magic Kingdom but that's not a bad thing.  There are very few thrill rides at Epcot that will exclude the younger members of the family. Instead, there are lots of interactive opportunities to engage the senses and hold the interest of almost every age group. You will also find your favorite characters (including character meals) at Epcot and those little touches of Disney whimsy that delight young and old alike.

Look at the smile on the face of Kaylynn, the incredibly cute little girl with an incredible sense of style in the photo to the left.  She and her dad had a great day together in Epcot and your family will too. If you keep reading to find out about all the great things Epcot has to offer your family, you'll see more pictures of Kaylynn having a great time in the China and Morocco pavilions at Epcot.

Epcot Character Spot & Other Disney Character Experiences

Did you know that your little one can meet lots of Disney characters at Epcot? There are lots of beloved Disney characters who appear at the World Showcase Pavilions. Check your Epcot Times Guide for characters, times and locations. Disney Visa cardholders have a special character location at this park so check your benefits information for more about that.

Epcot has two character meals:

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

2.) Chip & Dale’s Harvest Feast (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) at The Garden Grill in the Land Pavilion.
 

Epcot's Future World for Little Kids

Spaceship Earth at Night - lights sparkle and shine from within Spaceship Earth’s reflective panels. It is absolutely beautiful! Even more fun is if you’re positioned in a spot where you can see the monorail go by with it’s new nighttime lighting while watching Spaceship Earth.

Epcot's Spaceship Earth - Kids Enjoy this Gentle Ride

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 that travels past scenes depicting the development of human communication – 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. 

The Land Pavilion at Epcot - Soarin' and Living with the Land

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

Soarin’ is one of 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 – and 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 attraction was so popular that Disney added another theater to accommodate more riders but it is still a popular option. Ride as soon as the park opens, if you don't have a Genie+ reservation or come back late afternoon.  

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 my think 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 boating through a greenhouse was better than expected in holding my child’s interest. The ride lasts about 15 minutes.

Epcot - the film “Awesome Planet” highlights the beauty, diversity, and dynamic story of Earth.

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 great selection of kids meals as well as a nice variety of food options for adults 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. Dessert recommendations: the turtle brownie and strawberry shortcake served here are both really, really good.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends & Turtle Talk with Crush

The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion should be on every family’s Epcot “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) Finding Dory’s Friends Scavenger Hunt (self-led) - pick up your free scavenger hunt booklet on the first floor of the Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion and solve the puzzles and clues to help Dory remember and find her marine friends. Click here to print the booklet before your trip.

4) 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. Click here to print the booklet at home.

5.) Coral Reef – A table-service restaurant with one entire wall looking into the huge saltwater aquarium. The food is generally good but is on the expensive side. 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.

Moana: Journey of Water - This is such a delightful walk-through experience that teaches about water as it comes to the earth in the form of rain, forms streams, makes its way to the ocean, and evaporates up into the clouds.

The Imagination Pavilion -

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 - The “What If” Labs – 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.)  Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival (3-D movie). An enjoyable 18-minute experience featuring 3 short films and in-theater effects. TIP: You can meet Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse inside Disney & Pixar Short Film. This location is usually less busy than the Mickey & Minnie Meet-&-Greet locations at the other parks. Check the Disney World app for times during your visit.

Disney Visa Cardholders can enjoy a special photo opportunity to the left of the entrance of the Pixar Film Festival. Hours: typically offered from 1PM - 6:30PM daily.

Epcot's Test Track - A good starter for little kids who want to try big kid rides.

Test Track falls somewhere between a “headliner” and a “thrill ride”. 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 Genie+ reservation.

Epcot's Mission Space - height requirement: 44"

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 but probably too intense for most children under age 6, or even a bit older. If some of the family wants to ride, get a “Rider Switch Pass” at the ride entrance 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 at the ride exit.

Jammitors at Epcot

The Jammitors are a garbage can percussion group at Epcot. Epcot has some really great live entertainment – for example, the JAMMitors are a “Stomp” like percussion group that performs in Future World. During the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, they sometimes preforme in the Canada pavilion under the name “JAMMin’ Chefs” and are use pots and pans instead of their typical garbage cans and buckets. Always fun and worth taking time to see.

Epcot's World Showcase for Little Ones

Epcot Kidcot Stations - Fun and Free Epcot Activity Specifically for Kids!

There are Kidcot stations at each of the World Showcase country pavilions. At this time, kids are pre-packaged activity cards and momentos for you to take with you.

DuckTales World Showcase Adventure! - Follow clues to find the 2 Lost Magic Treasures in the World Showcase pavilions using the Play Disney Parks mobile app.

Epcot's Mexico Pavilion - Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!

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”. You may find this ride kind of underwhelming. but our littles love 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.   The pavilion's Kidcot station is inside the pyramid in the first entryway.

Your children might enjoy the music and dance performances presented here at various intervals throughout the day.

Donald Duck (temporarily unavailable) appears here intermittently throughout the afternoon – check the Disney World app for exact times during your visit.

Epcot's Norway Pavilion - Frozen Ever After and Princess Storybook Dining

Epcot’s Norway Pavilion is home to Frozen Ever After - a viking boat ride through a "Summer Snow Day" with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and friends.   It is a sweet little ride that has nothing to do with the actual country of Norway but it is sure to appeal to young fans of the Disney movie "Frozen".   There isn't a height restriction for this ride but parents should be aware that the boat does make a bit of a drop that could startle some timid riders. While most of the World Showcase section of Epcot does not open until 11:00AM, the Norway Pavilion opens at 9:00AM. 

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (breakfast, lunch, & dinner) 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 Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, is usually present. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

Meet Queen Elsa and Princess Anna at the Royal Summerhus from park opening to park closing. 

Epcot's The China Pavilion - Circle-Vision Movie, and Mulan

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.

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

Kid-friendly snack suggestion: try the egg rolls from the Lotus Blossom Cafe.

Epcot's Germany Pavilion - Snow White & a Model Train

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

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

The Biergarten Restaurant features a German band that gets surprisingly high marks with small children.

Do your kids love mac ‘n cheese? The Nudel Gratin sold at Sommerfest is made with real cheese and is arguably the best baked noodle and cheese dishes on Disney property. They may be suspicious when it isn’t that bright orange color you get from the powdered cheese in other mac ‘n cheese options but then you get to eat it which is a win for you! The apple strudel from Sommerfest is also very good and the Jumbo pretzel sold here is better tasting than the Mickey pretzels you find in other locations around the park.

Other goodies from this pavilion include the caramel popcorn at Karamell-Küche. The milk chocolate caramel pecan cluster sold here is also delicious.

The American Adventure

The American Adventure is a 30-minute show highlighting some of the most important people and points in America's history.   It features animatronics and multimedia elements and is led by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain.   The subject matter may not hold the attention of the littlest members of your family but, with 1024 seats, it is a perfect spot to get off your feet and out of the heat or rain. 

Trivia: It took 5 years to complete this attraction.  There are 110,000 Georgian red clay bricks in the building and the pavilion encompasses 108,555.   While some attractions at Disney World use visual tricks to make them appear larger, this pavilion does just the opposite and is designed to look smaller than actual size so that it doesn't dwarf the other nearby pavilions.

Morocco Pavilion

This has always been one of my children's favorite pavilions in the World Showcase.   They have fun wandering through the passageways and seemed to stay a little longer at the Kidcot station there than at other pavilions.   Another great thing about this pavilion is the fun appearances by Princess Jasmine.    

France Pavilion

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle from Beauty and the Beast appear for photos at intermittent intervals throughout the day - check your Epcot Times Guide and try to arrive at least 5-minutes prior to the scheduled appearance time so that you are sure to see them.

A new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (film) debuted in Epcot’s France pavilion in January 2020. Click here for all the places to see and meet characters from Beauty and the Beast. The Impressions de France movie is lovely but may not hold the attention of many children but it is a great spot for a rest or to get out of the heat/rain.  

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure - Fun ride where you will zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s kitchen. This attraction has Individual Lightening Lane available.

United Kingdom Pavilion

Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins appear throughout the day in the United Kingdom pavilion.   Check your Disney World app for exact times during your visit and try to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled appearance time to be sure you'll be able to get a photo with and autograph from your favorite characters. 

Winnie the Pooh also appears here. Look for him in Christopher Robin’s room at the back of the toy store.

There is a small hedge maze in this pavilion that is too short for adults but there always seem to be gleeful children running through it.

Canada Pavilion

The Canada Pavilion is lovely but, other than the Kidcot Station, doesn't really have anything geared to young children.  Live entertainment at this pavilion changes regularly so check your Epcot Times Guide to see if they’re offering something that interests you. You can see a Circle-Vision movie called Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 and enjoy the beautiful flowers.  

Special Events at Epcot

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is presented mid-January to mid-February and always includes special activities for kids. 

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is presented every spring and is included in park admission.  This is a gardener's dream but kids also enjoy special activities and exhibits designed just for them, including character topiaries and a butterfly pavilion.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is somewhat notorious for people "drinking around the world' offered every fall but there are some kid-friendly food choices and activities.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Christmas is a wonderful and special time at Epcot.  Each of the World Showcase pavilions will have special holiday storytellers that do a delightful job of presenting a holiday tradition from that country.   Another wonderful Epcot Holiday tradition is the Candlelight Processional where a celebrity narrator and huge choir present the Nativity story through readings and song three times nightly.

Check our list of Special Events and Ride Closures for important information about Epcot during your visit.

Kid-friendly Epcot Tips

TIP: Originally the park name was an acronym: EPCOT = Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.   Others have suggested that a more accurate acronym would be: Every Person Comes Out Tired. The truth is that Epcot is huge – it is about twice the size of the Magic Kingdom and you can easily walk 8 - 12 miles over the course of a full day in the park. Consider renting a stroller for toddlers and children who generally no longer use one – even six or seven year old kids will find this a lot of territory to cover and will appreciate the ride.

Epcot takes a little advance planning so that you see the entertainment that you want to see - some starts earlier in the day, others a little later in the afternoon – France's entertainment usually ends earliest in the day (around 4:30PM) . You'll received a "Times Guide" when you get to the park but you can get an idea of the schedule in advance by clicking on the "Epcot" tab at http://www.wdwent.com/

Let Us Help You Have A Great Disney World Vacation!

We love Epcot and find great delight in helping your family enjoy this wonderful park. Please contact us today and let our Disney-focused travel agents help you plan a wonderful and memorable vacation that is sure to please everyone, from young to old.