Walt Disney World is dwelling to 4 main theme parks: Magic Kingdom (the unique), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (dwelling to Star Wars and the films), Disney’s Animal Kingdom (all the animals), and Epcot. The final is maybe finest often known as the park with the World Showcase, and the one which seeks to offer schooling at its core. Due to this, it is also a park that mother and father with children could keep away from if compelled to decide on between Epcot and one of many different parks.
However coming from a mom-slash-Disney-writer who’s been to each parks (~lots~), let me guarantee you: That will be a mistake. Epcot could have aced the ingredient of “edu-tainment” for which it is so well-known, but it surely’s a lot greater than that. I am sharing the 4 main causes children of all ages will adore Epcot the subsequent time you go to Disney World.
World Showcase
The most effective-known elements of Epcot is the World Showcase, which options pavilions meant to symbolize international locations and areas across the globe. At first look, the World Showcase could seem to be an adults-only zone, with its repute for ingesting around the globe. Nevertheless, this part of Epcot is a hidden playground for teenagers, providing a novel mix of leisure and schooling.
For youthful children, World Showcase is a main spot to see their favourite Disney characters. Within the Norway Pavilion, you may journey the one Frozen-themed attraction at Walt Disney World, Frozen Ever After. The pavilion can be dwelling to a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa from the movie, and a Disney Princess character eating buffet at Akershus Royal Banquet Corridor.
Over on the U.Ok. Pavilion, you can have the possibility to fulfill with Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, or Alice, whereas different international locations are host to characters like Belle, Aurora, or Snow White.
World Showcase is dwelling to some unbelievable retailers that children of all ages can get pleasure from, too. Over within the Japan Pavilion, be sure to take a look at Mitsukoshi, the place you will discover an assortment of souvenirs, together with distinctive attire and Japanese sweet, plus Nintendo and Pokémon merchandise.
One other underrated exercise to contemplate within the World Showcase is Kidcot Enjoyable Stops, which yow will discover in varied pavilions. At every spot, your children can acquire exercise playing cards with enjoyable information concerning the nation, serving as a scavenger hunt for them to gather all of them. You’ll find them on the following areas:
- Mexico Pavilion (close to Mexico Folks Artwork Gallery)
- Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost)
- China Pavilion (close to the exit of Reflections of China)
- Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst)
- Italy Pavilion (exterior, close to La Bottega Italiana)
- American Journey Pavilion (exterior, close to Artwork of Disney)
- Japan Pavilion (within the Bijutsu-kan Gallery)
- Morocco Pavilion (on the Market within the Medina)
- France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France)
- United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier)
- Canada Pavilion (on the exit of Canada Far and Vast in Circle-Imaginative and prescient 360)
12 months-Spherical Festivals
Whereas Epcot festivals used to final just some weeks at a time, the park has primarily grow to be a year-round pageant park.
Initially of the yr, you may benefit from the Epcot Pageant of the Arts, specializing in culinary, visible, and performing arts. Within the spring, you will discover a celebration of flowers with the Epcot Flower and Backyard Pageant. In the summertime by way of fall, benefit from the Epcot Meals and Wine Pageant, adopted by the Epcot Pageant of the Holidays.
Every of those festivals contains not solely meals cubicles for the entire household to get pleasure from but additionally kid-friendly actions.
Some of the widespread is the Epcot Flower and Backyard Pageant, the place the park transforms right into a blooming wonderland. The pageant contains vibrant topiaries themed after fan-favorite Disney characters, and you will find many interactive play areas for youthful children to get pleasure from.
The Epcot Meals and Wine Pageant introduces households to a world of world flavors. Whereas mother and father can benefit from the wine and scrumptious eats, youngsters can take part in kid-friendly actions, akin to a Ratatouille-themed scavenger hunt, the place it is advisable discover Remy in every pavilion.
Journey of Water, Impressed by Moana
One of many latest additions to Epcot is a walkthrough attraction, Journey of Water, Impressed by Moana. Because the title suggests, the brand new attraction is impressed by the movie Moana however serves as a love letter to the sweetness and thrill of water. (Significantly, do not let the sh*t-talkers deter you from visiting and having fun with it!)
As you stroll by way of the trail, you will discover totally different water parts which you could work together with, all with the motion of your hand or physique. For instance, at one level, you will come throughout a doorway with water falling, water that can cease for you as you stroll by way of. On the finish of your journey, you will be met by an enormous Te Fiti from the movie, which can thrill any younger followers of the film.
Whereas this is probably not a must-do for teenagers or older children in your group, it will likely be a must-do when visiting Epcot in case you have youthful children.
Thrill Rides
Talking of older children or thrill seekers, Epcot has a secret in the case of its rides. Whereas it could be finest recognized for the slow-moving Spaceship Earth or the leisurely Frozen Ever After, it is truly dwelling to among the finest adrenaline-pumping rides in Disney World.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a surprising curler coaster themed to the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. The revolutionary coaster is Disney’s first backwards-launched curler coaster, and every journey is accompanied by certainly one of six totally different potential songs (“Everyone Needs to Rule the World” is my private favourite). Whereas the favored journey is marketed as a household coaster, you will discover that it is lots thrilling for the teenager in your group who’s so over the slow-moving sights on the park.
Close by, Check Observe is one other must-do should you’re in search of a speedy journey. The journey permits you to create your digital idea automotive and check it out because it goes by way of varied terrains and obstacles. The journey ends with an exhilarating coast across the monitor, rushing you as much as 65 mph.
And for any space-loving children within the group, Mission: Area can be the place you wish to go. The journey is meant to simulate astronaut coaching, so you will end up in a capsule on a centrifuge. What this implies is the journey is especially intense, a lot so to select from two totally different variations: The Orange Mission is extra intense, whereas the Inexperienced Mission is much less intense with a centrifuge that doesn’t spin as a lot.
So, sure, whereas Epcot could have some sneaky “edu-tainment,” it does so in a manner that may be pleasurable for all ages. When you’ll discover lots to do at every of the 4 parks, this is my plea to not skip out on Epcot the subsequent time you go to — you will be glad you did not.
