Mouse Extra

Although Epcot has just turned 25 years old, it is a park that continues to flourish and change since its first rope drop.  In its beginning years, Epcot was chock full of dark rides designed to teach visitors about technology, agriculture and efficient energy use. There were no thrill rides nor characters to meet and whining bored children could be heard complaining from every direction traveled.  Over the years, Disney has redefined this park, even changing its name from Epcot Center to simply Epcot. There are now plenty of characters and a wide variety of attractions created for the preschooler set.

As for thrill rides, there are two that preschoolers will really enjoy. Soarin’ is an attraction even fraidy cats will love. The seats are gently raised into the air and give riders a sensation of gliding over California.  The ride also pumps in different scents throughout various sights of this beautiful state. Test Track takes riders into the career of crash test dummies with 34 turns, 50 degree banking and a top speed on the straightway of 65 mph. While fast, young kids generally handle this ride better than some of the coasters and Tower of Terror.

Mission Space has a height restriction of 44 inches which may leave out some of the 4 to 6 crowd. But for the tykes that can ride, Epcot offers two versions of this attraction.  One with an intense centrifuge and the second tamer version.  The tame version is an easy simulator ride created after a 4 year old boy died while riding the original in the summer of 2005. While a tad claustrophobic, the tame version is perfectly fine to take a preschooler on. The height restriction is only in place due to the seat design (mainly the speakers in the head rest) and locking device. Elsewhere in Future World, hop on Spaceship Earth and Journey into Your Imagination.  Both are dark rides, but Imagination is more whimsical while Spaceship Earth is a relaxing trip through time.

Future World also holds some pleasant surprises for preschoolers. At Innoventions, there is Ice Station Cool, where kids can taste sodas from around the world. Flavors can range from the good, to the odd, to the down right disgusting.  Our son particularly enjoyed the watermelon soda and had plenty of refills. Also, near Mission Space, there is a little water fountain that rises from the ground soaking kids and unsuspecting adults. Many parents don’t sense the trouble until their child is dripping from head to toe. As we have discovered, the kids love it so let them go to town, it is vacation after all.  A little word of advice, though, as we learned the hard way, bring extra clothing for the tykes to change into.  It will save your wallet from having to purchase expensive apparel from nearby souvenir shops.

Nowhere is the evolution of Epcot more apparent than at the Living Seas. At its opening, this attraction contained informative movies followed by a brief ride through the (then) largest aquarium in the country. Outside, the attraction currently features the “Mine Mine” seagulls from the Nemo movie to greet visitors. The ride is entirely devoted to the characters of “Finding Nemo” and ends with the neat effect of superimposing the singing cartoon fish with the real fish in this aquarium. The highlight for many kids of this park is Turtle Talk with Crush, which is truly amazing. In a nutshell, or turtle shell, I suppose, kids sit up front and interact with a cartoon Crush who is animated in real-time behind the scenes.  Kids and adults are typically blown away in a real “how did they do that?” moment. And since the show is animated real-time, each viewing is unique.

Epcot features other great shows besides Turtle Talk. Kids may enjoy Honey I Shrunk the Audience at the Imagination pavilion.  To avoid any fears with this show, our advice is to warn them about the 3-D technology. There are a few parts in this movie that could scare small children.  The effect of mice running beneath their feet, for one, as well as a snake that gets released into the audience can be seemingly too real.

Music shows are popular around the World Showcase Lagoon. Our families like Off Kilter, a Canadian rock folk band, British Invasion, a Beatles cover band, and the Mariachi Cobra who perform outside the Mexican pavilion. Times for these and other performers can be found at the entrance.  But be advised that the Mariachi Cobra sometimes play inside the Pyramid.

While visiting the World Showcase Lagoon, our son especially loved the Maelstrom in the Norwegian pavilion. This attraction is relatively brief, but riders cross paths with vikings and trolls before a quick plummet down a short flume. At the end, guests are deposited into a norse fishing village and a travelogue movie on the country.  Rumors abound that this movie will be upgraded, until then, enjoy the ride but skip the movie.

Food can be a major part of the day at a visit to Epcot. The dining options are unlike any at the other parks of Walt Disney World or of any other theme park. Each country has their own eating establishment and many feature more than one. Also, children do not need to be adventurous diners for parents to taste Morroccan or Norwegian cuisine. Most of the eateries have kids’ menus with the obligatory chicken fingers and mac n’ cheese. We discovered our child loved Alfredo’s for the fettucine and the ability to visit the living statues in the courtyard between courses. Another good option, if not feeling up to a sit down restaurant would be to try tacos and churros at the Cantina in Mexico. Just make sure kids and adults save room for the delectable Haagen-Dazs Mickey Mouse ice cream bars located at various kiosks throughout the park.

After dinner stick around for the fabulous fireworks display Illuminations. Preschoolers will be wowed by the giant floating globe as it opens and creates an amazing display of lights in the nighttime sky while creating a child’s most magical moment.

Today’s Touring Tips is by Mike and Brooke, contributing writers to Mouse Extra