Updated May 2024
Epcot with kids?
Is there even anything in Epcot for kids to stdo?
Is it worth the time?
I’ll be the first one to admit that of all the Disney World parks, Epcot may rank as the least exciting for young kids right now. For adults, the main draw tends to come from the countries back in the World Showcase. There are endless food and drink options to sample, and the weekends can turn into a bit of a party atmosphere.
As a child, I remember wandering around the countries of Epcot with my family. We’d stop and get a few snacks that would add up to a whole lunch. My dad would sample the beers of various countries. We would relax and watch the numerous street shows along the way, many of which are now gone.
If you're like me and have childhood memories of being knighted as Sir Galahad by The World Showcase Players in the United Kingdom, marveling over the stunts of The Chinese Acrobats, laughing along with the comedic street show in Germany, or biting your nails over the chair climbing performer in France then you're going to be disappointed to hear that they're all gone!
Wow, I’m getting nostalgic just writing this.
It was fun. It was relaxing. It was the perfect way to spend the day as a family. In the evening, we would all gather for the fireworks with another pretzel (and maybe beer) from Germany. Now that’s gone, too… at least for now.
So what IS there to do in Epcot with kids these days?
In my opinion, Epcot with kids is still worth your time… at least for a day. Here's what to do in Epcot with kids.
Quick Note: Epcot is huge. You're going to want a stroller. If you aren't going to be bringing your own, do not rent a stroller from Disney World!! Their strollers are uncomfortable, provide zero storage, and cost around the same amount as renting a high quality stroller from Kingdom Strollers.
Oh, and did I mention Kingdom Strollers will deliver straight to your hotel OR you can pick it up right at the airport to have for your entire trip?
Epcot with Kids: The World Showcase
The World Showcase in Epcot is what many simply and lovingly call “The Countries”. It’s at the back of the park and features eleven nations. Each country has its own little courtyard that is filled with themed food stands, restaurants, and souvenir shops. A few of them have educational movies, and two of them have rides.
Epcot’s Mexico with Kids
As you approach the World Showcase from the front of the park, the first country you’ll encounter is Mexico. If you walk clockwise, that is.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
For kids here, there is a pretty cute ride, officially called “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros”. But, it’s more commonly just called the “Three Caballeros”.
It’s a quiet boat ride that features scenes from Mexico. Donald Duck is wreaking havoc all throughout the nation as his two comrades try to find him. They’re trying to track him down so they can be on time for their next performance as the Three Caballeros.
In the end, they find him of course. The ride ends with the animatronic characters performing their show for you.
Meet Donald Duck
You can also often spot Donald Duck in his Gran Fiesta costume outside of the Mexico pyramid. There's usually a pretty long line, but he makes pretty reliable appearances!
Epcot’s Norway with Kids
Next around the pond is Norway. I have to admit, the old Norway ride was always kind of boring and a little bit scary to my childhood self. The update to the Frozen ride is a huge improvement… especially when you have frozen-obsessed kiddos.
Frozen Ever After
We've ridden Frozen Ever After at least 5 times on some visits. The line can be long, but you can also catch times earlier or later in the day when it’s more reasonable. We never stood in line for longer than 20 minutes, but we certainly passed it up a number of times when the line would have been at least double that. You can also get Lightning Lane for Frozen Ever After.
Frozen Ever After is another boat ride. You’re taken through Arendelle in fun scenes with the characters from the movie. The highlight of the show, of course, is when Elsa is singing “Let it Go”, and uses her magic to propel your boat backwards and through an icy tunnel. Don’t worry, it’s fun, not scary.
In fact, there are no “scary” parts to this ride. It’s all upbeat and fun. And perfect for Frozen-obsessed kids.
The ride of course dumps you right into a Frozen-themed souvenir shop. If you’re looking for something Frozen to bring home with you, this is the place to go. If you’re looking to avoid endless requests of, “I want that! Can we get that? Pleeeease?”, then shield your child’s eyes and walk quickly to the exit.
Meet Anna and Elsa
If meeting Anna and Elsa is high on your priority list, Norway is the place to do it! They're often available for meet and greets at their "Sommerhaus" in Norway. And yes, there's usually a line. But that's probably because it's the only place I know of to meet these two princesses!
Epcot’s China with Kids
We never really spend a whole lot of time in China. The most time we spent there on this trip was when we were in line for Frozen Ever After.
There is a movie in China, though I have to admit I’ve never seen it. It could be a quiet place to get away from the heat for a bit, though. There are also shops with China-themed souvenirs and as kids we would often get the Americanized Chinese food for lunch.
Meet Mulan
Mulan does sometimes make appearances in the Chinese pavilion. You can always ask a cast member for when she's supposed to make her next appearance for a meet and greet.
Epcot’s Germany with Kids
First of all, Germany has bathrooms and drinking fountains. So, there’s a plus.
Miniature Train
The biggest highlight of the Germany pavilion is the model train set. Walt Disney was a huge fan of model trains and even had a miniature rideable train in his backyard. Though not rideable, the model train set in Epcot’s Germany is certainly something to be marveled at by kids and adults alike.
The kids love watching the three trains make their way through the rural German village. As a kid, I could’ve spent hours watching the trains and studying all the miniature houses, gardens, and people throughout the display.
It’s a great activity to entertain the kids if you want to sneak off and pick up a giant soft pretzel to pair with your Erdinger Dunkel.
Meet Snow White
If you want to meet and greet with one of the original princesses without paying for a character dining experience, Germany is the place to go!
Live Music
At times, you'll find live music at the Germany pavilion. If you have kids that like to let loose on the dance floor, it could be a fun stop for the whole family! Especially with a giant pretzel in tow 🙂
Epcot’s Italy with Kids
Although the Italy pavilion is pleasant, has beautiful flowers, and wine for us Mamas, there isn’t a whole lot for kids these days. It’s kind of a pass-through unless the adults in your group want to stop for some “refreshments”.
Sergio the Juggler
Sergio is a juggler that performs at the Italy pavilion. It's a fun, interactive show and definitely worth a stop to watch with the kids! Check the showtimes on the day you're visiting if it's something you want to prioritize!
Epcot’s United States with Kids
The American Pavilion is usually a bit of a pass-through for us as well. There is an animatronic show in some air conditioning that could be a good napping place. And there are also museum-like displays, but that’s not usually the type of mood we’re in as we’re strolling through Epcot.
American Adventure Pavilion
If we do stop in America, it’s because there’s live music playing at the American Adventure Pavilion. It’s a large outdoor amphitheater that is hard to miss. Show times are always posted at the entrance. Performances can range from acapella to Motown to high school bands. It’s a bit of a crap shoot, but it can definitely be a fun stop as you make your way “around the world”.
There's plenty of seating available at the amphitheater, but for more famous bands there can be a line prior to entry.
Epcot’s Japan with Kids
With the drummers gone, the only real draw for kids in the Japan pavilion is a koi pond. It’s tucked back in the relaxing Japanese garden, and can definitely be an exciting stop for the one to three year old range. Older than that, and they’re just some fish to the kids.
Matsuriza Japanese Drummers
Matsuriza is a group of traditional Taiko drummers. If you're in the area, it's hard to miss because they play outside at the temple. It's a dramatic and fun show to pause and watch if you're in the area!
Epcot’s Morocco with Kids
The Morocco pavilion is beautiful. The shops are fun to browse. There are Henna artists. And it has some fun eating opportunities that I enjoy. But for the kids? Not a whole lot. Unless you're like my daughter and love Henna!
Meet Jasmine
Aside from meeting Jasmine at the Magic Kingdom or at a character dining experience, Morocco is another place for a meet and greet with Jasmine!
Epcot’s France with Kids
The France pavilion is marked with a fountain that is typically lined with pastry-eaters and wine-drinkers. There’s an infamous story in my family of my youngest brother reaching too far while playing with the fountain, and falling right in! Aside from falling into fountains, there’s also usually a topiary of Belle and the Beast that kids find fun.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long Show
While writing this article, I found out there’s a Beauty and the Beast sing along show. I’ve never done it, but it could be fun to try out! It's located at the Palais du Cinema in the France pavilion.
Meet Belle and Aurora
At times, you'll find one these princesses available for a meet and greet in the France pavilion. If princesses are on your priority list, this could be a great place to meet a few princesses outside of Magic Kingdom or a character dining experience.
Remy's Ratatouille's Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille’s Adventure is a trackless car ride, like the ones found on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (both are in Disney’s Hollywood Studios). There is no height restriction for the ride.
In the ride, you are a mouse scurrying around the kitchen of a restaurant. In addition to physically moving through the ride, there are also 3D screens (yes, you wear glasses) that help to further immerse your experience.
To be honest, there is usually a long line unless you use one of your Lightning Lane Multi Pass bookings for it. And to our family, the ride is just okay. So unless you find an unusually short line it may not be worth it. But I'm sure others have very strong objections to this claim!
Epcot’s United Kingdom with Kids
Aside from the toy store, there isn’t a whole lot for kids in this pavilion. But if your kids are in to live music or Alice in Wonderland, it could be worth spending some time here!
Live Music with Command Performance
Command Performance is a rock band that regularly plays covers in the United Kingdom pavilion. According to family members that "know music", they're really good. And to me? They play fun songs and I love stopping to enjoy some music and maybe dance a little!
Meet Alice
Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, is sometimes available for a meet and greet at the United Kingdom pavilion in EPCOT. Ask cast members for specific times on the day you're visiting if this is a priority for you!
Epcot’s Canada with Kids
There is another movie inside the Canada pavilion. So another air conditioned sit down spot for younger kids needing a break.
Live Music at Canada Mill Stage
There are also sometimes energetic bands playing on the stage. Let the kids dance and go wild as you laugh along to the corny jokes. The stage is right along the main walkway, so if there's a band playing and you're in the area, it can't be missed!
EPCOT Fireworks
The latest EPCOT fireworks show, Luminous The Symphony of Us is definitely worth sacrificing a later bedtime for... especially compared to the last fireworks show they had... womp womp.
But this show? It has the music, it has the fireworks, it has the water show.... it has the magic. The show starts when it's getting dark. Check the specific times for when you're visiting. But most often the show begins at 9pm. Yes, I know it's late for really little ones. But if there's a day where a late nap happens, it could be worth making the fireworks a priority!
Epcot with Kids: Front of the Park
The front of EPCOT includes what Disney calls "World Celebration", "World Discovery", and "World Nature". Basically it's everything except "World Showcase"... aka the countries. It's meant to be the more educational and innovative part of the park. There are definitely some rides and attractions for kids in this part of EPCOT, and many of them with relatively short lines!
Test Track (closed for retheming as of June 16, 2024)
Although it isn’t for really young kids, anyone over 40” can go on Test Track. Right now, you virtually build and design a car, which is always fun for the kids. They love picking out fun colors, turbo charging everything, and making it their own.
On the ride, you are supposedly in the car that you just built. You’re test driving it to see how it performs through various scenarios and terrains. You’ll move through bumps, around curves, and test the brakes. At the end, you do go fast. But it’s basically like riding down the highway in a convertible.
It’s fun, cute, not at all scary or intimidating, but usually has a long line.
Imagination!
No, the exclamation point you see there isn’t a direct representation of my enthusiasm for this ride, though I do actually like it. That bit of punctuation is simply part of the name of the ride.
Journey Into Imagination with Figment is a really cute ride, where the famous Figment (a little purple dragon), takes you through scenes in which the imagination of your five senses becomes alive. A house gets turned upside down, you smell different scents, and of course you sing the Imagination song!
After the ride, there are various interactive games and activities for the kids to explore. Overall, it's a fun and energetic ride, and the interactive area after the ride is a fun spot for kids.
You can even meet Figment at times!
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
The Seas starts with a cute, relaxing ride that takes you deep down into the “Big Blue World” of Finding Nemo. You’ll see your favorite characters along with real fish that are in the huge aquarium that makes up the rest of the attraction.
After the ride, kids can explore the rest of the aquarium, known as SeaBase. They can learn about how to save manatees. They can view real clown fish like Nemo. And they may even see some SCUBA divers with the sharks and stingrays.
If you want to skip the ride and just visit the aquarium, go to the left of the entrance. You'll walk through the shop and enter the aquarium area!
Soarin’ Around the World
Soarin’ is located within The Land building itself, along with Living with the Land and Awesome Planet. The height requirement for this ride is 40”.
Though not a scary or intense ride, you do have potential to be up high. In fact, the whole point of the ride is to simulate that you’re up really high. In a hang glider. Gliding through scenes of different parts of the world. You’ll fly through places like the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and the Sydney Harbour.
It’s a fun experience and kids will probably love it if they aren’t afraid of heights.
The Playground by Creations Shop
There is a playground found outside of the Creations Shop that can be a great place for kids to get out some of their energy and just be a kid. There are benches for adults, and even a few picnic tables.
The reason we don't usually spend a lot of time here is because it gets HOT. The ground is black rubber underneath and just absorbs heat like crazy. You will burn your feet if you have thin soled shoes! And there is almost no shade. But if you're there in the morning or on a cooler day, it could be worth the stop!
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Journey of Water is a walk through experience that teaches you about the water cycle, how we use water, and different ways water can be found on the earth. Much of the experience is interactive. You can make water jump, dance, and even part ways for you!
You can choose to stay (relatively) dry, or to get wet. And when I say wet, your kids may just get drenched. So maybe factor in a spare outfit when packing up for the day! It really is a fun experience for all ages, though, and a great way to cool off on a hot day!
Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Near Imagination, The Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival is an indoor, seated 3D movie experience. It features 3 Disney Pixar shorts and lasts for 18 minutes. It's cute, not scary, and can be a great break from the heat and for little (and big!) feet to take a rest.
Character Meet and Greets
The entrance of the park often has classic characters available for meet and greets. Characters like Minnie and Goofy. In addition to the entrance, at times you can find Moana near Journey of Water, Figment or Joy (from Inside Out) at Imagination, and maybe even Mickey near Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival. Keep your eyes open or ask a cast member for times!
JAMMitors Show
The JAMMitors are drummers dressed as janitors that will often play drums made of trash cans outside of Creations. The show is really fun and upbeat, and definitely worth spending 10 minutes out of your day at EPCOT to watch.
Forces of Nature Acrobatic Show
Located in the new Inspiration Garden, Forces of Nature is an acrobatic show that lasts for approximately 15 minutes and is definitely a fun stop for the whole family. It's kind of like a miniature Cirque du Soleil show. They only perform select days and times, so be sure to check the schedule to see if you can catch this show!
Attractions Your Kids Probably Won't Like in EPCOT's Front Section
Guardian's of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Big Kids Only!)
Okay, I love this ride. And Guardian's of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is my mother's current favorite ride in all of Disney World. So even if you have young kids in tow, it's worth doing rider swap so that adults and big kids have a chance to ride it! Plus, if you do rider swap, someone gets to go twice!
The height requirement is 42", and you blast off backwards and continue to swirl in all directions, go fast in the dark, and it's pretty unpredictable. It is a roller coaster, and it's a lot of fun. Some kids may like it. My seven year old still isn't so sure (see below!) but continues to try it.
You know your kid best. You currently need to pay for Individual Lightning Lane if you want to skip the line, so it's up to you if you want to pay for your 42" and up kid to try it or not!
Spaceship Earth
This is the ride that is inside the “big ball” that represents Epcot. It always seems cool to do this ride, but it is incredibly boring for kids. And it's dark, which some kids find scary! Relaxing? Sure. Air conditioned? Yep. But worth the line? Probably not.
Mission: SPACE
Okay, so I wouldn’t recommend the “Orange” version of this ride for young kids. It’s pretty intense. You experience G forces of 2.5G and are confined to a small, enclosed space. It simulates you being an astronaut in a spaceship taking off from the Earth.
You have to be 44” to ride the Orange version anyway. The line is usually pretty short, though, since a lot of adults find it too intense or too confining. I like it, but it’s usually a “once a trip” kind of ride for me.
The “Green” version only has a height requirement of 40”, and is much less intense. There are none of the G forces from the Orange version, but you are still in that small, enclosed space. And the ride does still get dark.
Whether it’s kid friendly or not really depends on your child. Would they be okay in a dark, enclosed space? If so, the actual intensity of the ride should be alright for them.
Living With the Land
This relaxing boat ride is located within The Land building. For kids, it could be a bit boring. It showcases the innovative ways that Disney is growing its own veggies and making sustainable choices. I like it now, but as a kid, suggestions of this ride were always paired with an eye roll.
The boat ride could be an "exciting" opportunity for little ones that have to wait for older family members to finish riding Soarin next door.
Awesome Planet
To be honest, I've never done this movie. And I didn't even know it existed until I went to write this article! But it's meant to be a 10 minute educational movie all about protecting the earth. It's located in The Land, along with Soarin' and Living with the Land. Do I like the topic? Sure. Do I think it's what kids want to do in Disney? Not so much.
Looking for more ideas of what to do in Disney World with Kids? Check out the Florida Destination page to find more helpful articles!