Gimme one good reason--

[JudeBarnes]

We are spending 4 days in DW coming up here, having never been there, original plan was going to spend one day at each of the (non water parks). But having trouble committing one of the days to Epcot.
It really appears to be more of an adult and educational oriented park, which is not a bad thing, just that our party is mostly kids (10 out of the 15 in our party). I think the extra hours we will get at MK for example or the ability to get three more fastpasses there for experiences I'm afraid we might not be able to fit in with only one day at MK.

 

[TurboCaroline]

We usually spend 4 days at WDW too. Normally we don't get park hopper but our last trip we did so we were able to go back to MK in the evening of the day we were at AK. Don't skip Epcot. There are plenty of things the kids will enjoy.

 

[Toad Hall]

For as people on these boards knock EPCOT because the future world side is not as "glorious" as it was in its heyday...still an AMAZING park and needs to be experienced by a WDW first timer. Depending on ages, kids will love Soarin' and Test track, and I think they will find the Seas, Spaceship Earth (educational as it may be), and Energy somewhat entertaining. Imagination, though a shell of its former self, is still an OK ride for the young ones. World Showcase is amazing and I think it has appeal for all ages. Food is great and options are plentiful, both for meals and snacks. I would opt for a day at each of the four parks.

 

[CP_alum08]

Depending on the ages of the kids I'd say skip DHS before Epcot.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

Curious: are the ages of the kids? Or maybe just the range of ages.

 

[JudeBarnes]

The ages are 18,15,12,12,12,11,11,8,8,7, all 48" or taller, and all more ride and show oriented over educational oriented. (I, for one, really would like to go see "American Adventure" at Epcot but I just dont think the kids would appreciate it).
CP: That is an interesting thought, why would you say skip DHS? I know from Cali-experience they all will want to go on the Tower, and all of the additional entertainment/show options at DHS seem compelling (such as the Indiana Jones/stunt show etc.)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Are you going to try to tour the parks as a single party of 15? Sounds like a nightmare. I wouldn't even attempt it.

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

The ages are 18,15,12,12,12,11,11,8,8,7, all 48" or taller, and all more ride and show oriented over educational oriented. (I, for one, really would like to go see "American Adventure" at Epcot but I just dont think the kids would appreciate it).
CP: That is an interesting thought, why would you say skip DHS? I know from Cali-experience they all will want to go on the Tower, and all of the additional entertainment/show options at DHS seem compelling (such as the Indiana Jones/stunt show etc.)

Epcot isn't a giant museum. The "educational" part is just the nature of some of the rides, but they are still fun. Test Track is one of my favorites. Even American Adventure is an animatronic show (and you say the kids are partly "show oriented"). Not to mention there's TONS of yummy food all over the World Showcase. I would give it a few hours at least in the morning and see how it goes.

 

[officialtom]

Do NOT skip EPCOT!!!!! It's our favourite park and we always do 2-3 days there (out of 7-10 days, normally). That said, we're not first-thing-in-the-morning to right-before-bed types. We normally take our time in the morning, get to parks between 9 and 10, and usually stay til the fireworks, sometimes with mid-day resort breaks in between.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Epcot can be educational but not in a bad way. We always have to drag the kids away from the area at the end of Spaceship Earth ride, where they can stay a long time. There is the design your own car at Test Track, educational but fun. My sister in-law thought her son would be bored with Epcot and finally went on her last trip and said she wished she had gone sooner.
I also agree with CaptainAmerica don't try to keep the entire party of 15 together, it will never work.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Well considering 10 out of 15 of your party are kids, I would recommend EPCOT so these kids can be immersed into something grand, inspirational, with a whiff of educational too, which will make their spirits soar and will make them set their bar in life higher.

I would avoid Nemo, Mexico and Norway as you do not want to expose kids over the age of five/six to that.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Epcot can be educational but not in a bad way.

I know you don't mean it this way, but it's kind of sad that this entire thread is built on the premise that "educational" is "bad." When I was a kid (not that long ago), I welcomed the educational elements of Epcot, and anything I didn't think I'd enjoy, my parents made me experience it and I ended up loving it. I strongly disagree with the OP that "educational is bad" and also that the children in a group should be running the show.

I also agree with CaptainAmerica don't try to keep the entire party of 15 together, it will never work.

Yep. Three parties of five, five parties of three, something like that.

 

[awilliams4]

4 days, only on your first visit? MK twice, HS once and AK once isn't a bad idea. Epcot is pretty cool though but more reason for a 2nd visit.

 

[JudeBarnes]

Well I kept a party of 10 together pretty well at DL-CA before for multiple days (!!) , but believe me I hear what you are saying. I dont expect everyone to stay together the entire adventure but we at least need to meet for the fastpasses that we signed up for! I thank everyone wholeheartedly for their .02 cents on EPCOT. I need to decide by midnight before we either signup for EPCOT fastpasses or try to get on the 7 dwarves ride at MK.
I dunno.. I like the idea of having the extra 3 hours at MK to use (since we dont have hoppers) -- those 3 hours could come in handy even if we need to get away back to the hotel from the park for a few.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

we at least need to meet for the fastpasses that we signed up for!

No you don't. You can sign up for fastpasses in smaller groups. It might also be easier to secure preferred times for things like Mine Train if you go through the FP+ selection process in chunks rather than all at once.

 

[JudeBarnes]

Captain, you make a great point, and yes I did not mean it that way-- and in truth the educational factor will probably fascinate all of them but since the age ranges vary I see that almost more of a hindrance in this case, as some spots will greatly interest the youngsters but the older ones will bore quickly of it, and vice versa. Which comes back to your point of trying to keep a party together of 15 -- I think I'll probably end up getting FP for MK and if some of the adults and kids want to over-rule me they can login to the system themselves and make FP reservation changes and we split up that day.

 

[epcotisbest]

Well I kept a party of 10 together pretty well at DL-CA before for multiple days (!!) , but believe me I hear what you are saying. I dont expect everyone to stay together the entire adventure but we at least need to meet for the fastpasses that we signed up for! I thank everyone wholeheartedly for their .02 cents on EPCOT. I need to decide by midnight before we either signup for EPCOT fastpasses or try to get on the 7 dwarves ride at MK.
I dunno.. I like the idea of having the extra 3 hours at MK to use (since we dont have hoppers) -- those 3 hours could come in handy even if we need to get away back to the hotel from the park for a few.

I say skip Epcot and don't give it another thought. If you go in with the idea you should have gone back to MK for a second day, then you will be thinking about that the whole time and might not enjoy Epcot to its fullest. Besides, SDMT is a two minute ride...would not want to miss that for 12.5 incredible hours at Epcot.

 

[JudeBarnes]

Captain-- you are right! However a fact I left out is that no one seems to want to get involved and do the work and put me in charge, so I'm making sweeping decisions. FYI for those that were interested I was able to get fastpasses for everything at the times we wanted (all AM or very early PM) for the other 3 days at AK, MK, and HS, for all 15 at once. (with exception of mine train). I'm glad you brought this point up as I may try in smaller chunks tonight to see if I can get mine train earlier in the day.

 

[JIMINYCR]

EP has grown on me over the years, I've come to like it more and more but if I was looking for the fun factor with a group of young kids as you have listed I'd be more inclined to say go with 2 days MK,DHS, + AK. EP does have a lot to offer, but I just dont see it being enough to keep the kids interest as long as the other 3 parks.

 

[marni1971]

It certainly isn't as educational as it was. It's been severely dumbed down from what you may have heard in the past.