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

Animal Kingdom for Preschoolers: My Suggested Preschool Tour (2 of 2)

If there was a park where I wished we had spent more time, it would be Animal Kingdom. We made some poor decisions with our time, but still thoroughly enjoyed this theme park because our kids loved it so much.

Here is my Animal Kingdom Preschool Touring Guide:
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris – Go early for your best chance to see the animals
2. Camp Minnie-Mickey – let your kids dance and play with the characters, and participate in story time with Pocchohantas
3. Festival of the Lion King – Best show at Disney World
4. Kali River Rapids
5. TriceraTop Spin
6. The Boneyard
7. Finding Nemo-The Musical
* To be fair, this is a half-day touring plan based on our experience.


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
• Purchase most of your souvenirs from Magic Kingdom, but know Target has cheaper items just down the road.
•Take your time and enjoy Camp Minnie-Mickey. Your kids will love dancing and playing with the characters, as well as story time with Pocahontas.


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

Animal Kingdom for Preschoolers: Best and Worst (1 of 2)

When we were preparing to go to Disney World we were told to avoid Animal Kingdom. The consensus told us that there was too much walking and that it simply was not worth the time… they were TOTALLY WRONG! Animal Kingdom was fantastic.

Their unique approach to theme parks and the real life animals made this one of our favorite spots of the entire trip. The only problem with Animal Kingdom is that it has probably ruined our Tulsa Zoo experience, which wouldn’t take much to do anyways.

As with any of the Disney theme parks, it is important to get their early to beat long lines at the premier attractions. Also, the fast passes are inactive here for some reason, which was annoying to me! Finally, be prepared to have a great time. While you will have to walk from place to place, it was not overwhelming for us or our preschoolers. Here is the Best and Worst list for Preschoolers at Animal Kingdom:

Best Rides:
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Kali River Rapids
3. TriceraTop Spin


Best Attractions:
1. Camp Minnie-Mickey – there is a stage on the left as you enter the park where you preschooler can dance, sing, and have story time Pocahontas
2. Festival of the Lion King
3. Finding Nemo-The Musical – know this show was a little long, still worth seeing though

Worst Rides:
1. Rafiki’s Planet Watch = waste of time

Worst Attractions:
1. All walking trails – our kids did not care to search for animals, plus this is the part that can tire everyone out.
2. It’s Tough to Be a Bug – Great for older children, too much for preschoolers

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
• Purchase most of your souvenirs from Magic Kingdom, but know Target has cheaper items just down the road.
•Take your time and enjoy Camp Minnie-Mickey. Your kids will love dancing and playing with the characters, as well as story time with Pocahontas.

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

Magic Kingdom for Preschoolers: My Suggested Preschool Tour (2 of 2)

This is my Magic Kingdom Preschool Touring Guide. If you are planning on spending multiple days at Magic Kingdom, do what you can the first day and do the rest the second day. Whatever you do, stay late one night to catch "Summer Nightastic Fireworks," you will be glad you did!

My Suggested Preschool Tour:
1. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Indoor)
3. “It’s a Small World” (Indoor)
4. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
5. Fairytale Garden – Storytime with Belle
6. Jungle Cruise
7. The magic Carpets of Aladdin
8. Lunch at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café
9. Country Bear Jamboree
10. Take Walt Disney World Railroad from Frontierland to Mickey’s Toontown Fair
11. Toontown Hall of Fame Tent (Meet the Princesses)
12. The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre
13. Tour Mickey & Minnie’s house
14. Mad Tea Party
15. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
16. Tomorrowland Speedway
17. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Indoor)
18. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
19. Nighttime Electrical Parade
20. Summer Nightastic Fireworks

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.

My Thoughts on LOST

Lost ended in a way that was characteristic of every other ending the show had ever had in its 6 year history, unanswered questions. These questions though were not specific to the island, the man in black, or who won – those were clearly answered. The island remained, everything you saw was real, Jack killed the man in black, the light (although out briefly out) persevered. Good beat evil, evil was contained, and free will wins out (Hurley chose to protect the island, Jack chose to die, Kate chose to leave).

But… there are lingering questions, 2 main ones to be exact. Were they dead all along? This was one of the main theories throughout the show. That the island was some sort of purgatory mean to hold them and there was a battle (good verse evil) that needed to be fought. In the closing scene Jack sees and embraces his dead father, his father reveals that Jack is like him, dead. The question comes in his father’s answer, “we all die at some point, some before and some long after.” So, when did Jack die? Was he dead from the final scene on the island or was this some sort of Sixth Sense existence we have been watching?

The other main question has to do with how they all ended up in the church. On one of the closing island scenes with Hurley and Benjamin, Ben indicates that Hurley can change the rules from what Jacob had done, adding that the new rules could be “better.” The closing moments heading into the church indicated that Hurley and Ben had been working together for quite some time, as they complemented each other’s work. Thus, the question presents itself; did the two of them orchestrate this reunion in order to help the survivors of the Oceanic flight in order to “help” them? It is an odd question for a great yet odd show.

Whatever the answers are, I don’t care, it does not matter, it was all make belief anyway. I am glad the show is over and that it is an hour of my week I no longer feel compelled to watch Lost. I though, am admittedly not a diehard fan of the show, so it makes it easier for me. I was one who saw the pilot, loved the show and for the first two years barely missed an episode or even part of an episode. Then it just got stupid. Time travel was lost on me, and I hardly watched any of seasons 3-5. I did catch the season 5 finale, and watched all of season 6.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to give it my 5 minutes of thought (compared to jack’s 5 seconds of fear), and then be done with it. The irony for me personally is found in reading a book about the show, a terrible book where my thought was, “this guy (the author) watches way too much television, I hope I never watch this much TV…” My fear is that I watch too much TV!