Epcot for Preschoolers: My Suggested Preschool Tour (2 of 2)

This is my Epcot Preschool Touring Guide. If you are not spending multiple days at Disney World, do not waste your time here, stay at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. If you have 4 days or more, Epcot will be well worth your time! Here is my Epcot Preschool Touring Guide:

1. Test Track (if you child is 40” or taller)
2. Epcot Character Spot
3. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
4. Turtle Talk With Crush
5. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (Mexico)
6. Stop in the Mayan Ruins to make a mask for your child – this will give them something to do and keep them entertained… and it’s free! You can get this stamped at each country if you so choose, but you will have to decide if that is worth it to you or not, we got 2 stamps and were more than satisfied.
7. Character Meet & Greets
8. Stop in Japan for Kaki Gore (snow cone) at a kiosk as you enter
9. Finish your Character Meet & Greets and head back to your hotel!
10. After your rest & relaxation, head to a different theme park.

Helpful tips:
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Purchase your tickets before your get to the park.
• Take advantage of the Disney photographers. Even if you do not purchase their photos, they will also take pictures for you, so do not be afraid to ask them to do so!
• Bring your own snacks – Disney allows you to brings food and dinks (at least plastic bottles) into the parks
• Stop for a Kaki Gore (snow cone) at a kiosk as you enter Japan, probably the most reasonably priced item in all of Disney World.
• Purchase most of your souvenirs from Magic Kingdom, but know Target has cheaper items just down the road.
• If you do not get a park hopper pass, do not go to Epcot, no way it is worth it. If you do get a park hopper pass, only spend a morning here.

Related Articles:
Magic Kingdom for Preschoolers: Best and Worst
Disney World for Preschoolers

Epcot for Preschoolers: Best and Worst (1 of 2)

Epcot is hard to judge for preschoolers. While the rides are not very friendly, we found this to be the best place for our kids to meet the Disney characters. In fact, they met everyone they cared to meet here: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofey, Mulan, Jasmine, Snow White, and more. So I would agree with the majority who say this park is not toddler friendly, but I think Disney has as countered that by creating an environment where children can meet all the characters without waiting in long line (aside from Epcot Character Spot).

Please keep in mind that this is based upon the Preschooler’s (birth-5) experience and not older kids. There were no rides worthwhile for our children. Our 4 year old did enjoy Test Track, but our 2 year old was not tall enough to ride it, thus it was an overall fail. Neither child road Soarin. The other rides were blah at best.

Even with the fact that Epcot is not really kid friendly, I would recommend for you to bring your preschooler here for a morning. You can meet the beloved Disney characters, head back to your hotel for rest and relaxation, then spend you evening at a fun park (I would suggest going to Magic Kingdom in the evening for some attractions, the parade and fireworks display). Here is my best and worst preschooler’s guide for Epcot:

Best Rides
1. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (Mexico)
2. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
3. Test Track (40’ minimum height)


Best Shows/Attractions
1. Epcot Character Spot
2. Character Meet & Greets (each country has a different character – i.e. meet Snow White in Germany. A list of character meeting times is available upon arrival to the park, along with a map)
3. Turtle Talk with Crush

Worst Rides
1. Maelstrom – as boring as Norway
2. Soarin – Great for children, not preschoolers
3. All the other shows and rides toddlers find boring or are too little for

Worst Shows
• Take you pick of those not listed on the best shows!

Helpful tips:
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Purchase your tickets before your get to the park.
• Take advantage of the Disney photographers. Even if you do not purchase their photos, they will also take pictures for you, so do not be afraid to ask them to do so!
• Bring your own snacks – Disney allows you to brings food and dinks (at least plastic bottles) into the parks
• Stop for a Kaki Gore (snow cone) at a kiosk as you enter Japan, probably the most reasonably priced item in all of Disney World.
• Purchase most of your souvenirs from Magic Kingdom, but know Target has cheaper items just down the road.
• If you are there for more than one day, leave the park for a few hours in the afternoon to rest, eat, swim, relax, and head back… you will still have plenty of time to do everything in 2 days at Magic Kingdom with your preschoolers.

Related Articles:
Magic Kingdom for Preschoolers: Best and Worst
Disney World for Preschoolers

Disney World for Preschoolers

Last month my family had the opportunity to go to Disneyworld. When we told our kids that they would be able to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and the Princesses (for my daughter), they were elated (as were we)! My wife did her due diligence in researching the parks, finding out all the helpful information, and even finding “touring plans.” My first thought was that she was doing way too much work for what was supposed to be a relaxing time, but I was WAY WRONG!

We read through some online websites and the Unofficial Guide To Disneyworld. Through this we found some very helpful advice, but there was much to be learned by experience. This series of blog posts is intended to help parents with preschoolers plan for a fun trip to Disneyworld.

Throughout this series, it is of the utmost importance to remember a few things:
• This is for preschoolers (2-5 not older kids)
• Keep it Fun
• Understand you will sweat, a bunch
• You, your kids, and others are all going to get warn out
• Keep your cool when others don’t
• Don’t be a jerk – like pushing your way past others
• Disneyworld should be experienced by every child!

Helpful tips:
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Arrive at the park by 8:15AM or 45 minutes before it opens.
• Purchase your tickets before your get to the park.
• Take advantage of the Disney photographers. Even if you do not purchase their photos, they will also take pictures for you, so do not be afraid to ask them to do so!
• Bring your own snacks – Disney allows you to brings food and dinks (at least plastic bottles) into the parks
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café – reasonably priced, roomy, good selection = best place in the park to eat!
• Purchase most of your souvenirs from Magic Kingdom, but know Target has cheaper items just down the road.
• If you are there for more than one day, leave the park for a few hours in the afternoon to rest, eat, swim, relax, and head back… you will still have plenty of time to do everything in 2 days at Magic Kingdom with your preschoolers.
• Stay for the Nighttime Electrical Parade and Fireworks.