Hiya pals!
As you know, we recently enjoyed a trip to Walt Disney World! However, you may not know it was an adults only trip, as we left our 6 year old at home with his MawMaw! Of course, we planned a day at EPCOT so we could sample food and drinks to our hearts content. More on our adults only trip will be coming soon. But, I was really able to think about what we can do to help our kids enjoy a more “adult friendly” park. Here’s my tips to get kids to like EPCOT as much as adults ALMOST! These are in no particular order.
Tip # 1 Get a festival scavenger hunt map! There is a festival pretty much year round now, so one thing we always do is get the kids scavenger map. There is a small prize included in the cost of the map which you can redeem at time of purchase or at the end. First, the kids then look in areas of the park to find objects such as Spike the bee, Figment, Chip and Dale or others. Then there are stickers that coordinate to the various locations, but NONE OF IT MATTERS! Just let your kids play with the map or stickers. This gives them something to look for throughout the park and a little something to do too! Additionally, the cost of this game is cheap compared to other souvenirs, usually around $10. We ALWAYS get the scavenger hunt map!
Tip # 2 Participate in Kid Cot locations! Each country has a Kid Cot location where they can do a fun activity, color and meet someone from that country. While they are just starting to bring ambassadors back to each country post-Covid they are still entertaining. These spots offer a place where kids can have fun and maybe even learn something new!
Tip # 3 Try new food! There are so many interesting things to try at EPCOT! The food is some of the best! We always let our son choose what he tries. We never force him to try anything and he usually tries most things! He’s a HUGE fan of almost all the frozen (non-alcoholic) drinks! Importantly, during the Festival of the Holidays he’s the official cookie taste-tester! We usually bring chips or other small snacks to supplement our taste testing adventures.
Tip # 4 Ride the rides! Indeed kids love the rides like Soarin’ and Nemo. You can even break up the countries by riding the rides there. The Three Caballeros is in Mexico, Frozen Ever After is in Norway, and Remy’s Ratatouille is in France. My son LOVES the aquarium and we spend a lot of time looking for different types of fish. Let the kids pick a few things and promise more rides after the countries. Don’t forget about shows too like Turtle talk, or the Shorts Film Festival. Obviously, kids love to have some control so let them pick what to do sometimes.
Tip # 5 Take a toy or two! Usually we pack a few small toys in our bag so he can play while in line or when waiting for us to eat something he doesn’t like. This can be anything from bubbles or a stuffed animal to a phone or tablet. We usually pack some little Disney Dorables from target. I always have them on hand in my purse. They make waiting a lot more fun!
Tip # 6 Break up the day! Sometimes it’s best not to spend the whole day in a park. We often will start out early in the morning, take a break mid-afternoon, and head back to a park for dinner and more exploring! Besides giving kids a much needed break, you get a break and as a bonus you can promise your kids pool time!
Tip # 7 Try Club Cool! Did you know you can sample sodas for free in EPCOT? Check out Club Cool located in the same building as Creations Shop in the Neighborhood. There are quite a few yummy drinks. They are a great pick me up! Unlike most things Disney, these are FREE!
Obviously, there are lots of tips to get kids to like EPCOT as much as adults! Tell me your tips in the comments below! Looking for more about EPCOT? Find our favorite rides here. Additionally, if you’re looking for an awesome travel agent who can help you plan your trip, look no further! Erica is awesome and you can find her here!
