Top Ten Things My Toddler Enjoys at Epcot

Epcot may seem like a Park that is geared more towards older children and adults and in many ways it is, however, it can also be enjoyable for a toddler. My toddler loves the playgrounds they have best but (other than a small one at the exit to Mission Space) unfortunately they are often only set up for the Flower and Garden and Food and Wine Festivals. Here are the top ten things my two year old enjoys about Epcot year round:

1. The rides- Most of the rides at Epcot that do not have a height limit are very slow moving. She loves the boat rides that take her sailing through Norway and Mexico and she loves journeying through time as she travels to the top of the big ball (Spaceship Earth). Nemo and the Imagination ride are two other favorites. Note: Spaceship Earth and Imagination have some dark parts that can scare a young child fearful of the dark. Nemo also has a very brief section in the dark. Imagination has some sudden elements involving smell and sound that might scare a way toddler but my little one loves them!
   
2. The fountains- Epcot has several interactive fountains around Future World. The small splash areas are perfect for a toddler to cool off in on a hot day. (Just make sure you have shoes that can get wet and a change of clothes!) My daughter finds trying to catch the water and water droplets in the fountains by the Imagination pavilion to be great fun!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. The characters- Hidden in their respective countries around World Showcase you can find several characters and even a few princesses. My daughter loves to pose for a photo with Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco or Winnie the Pooh and Friends in the United Kingdom. Traditional characters such as Mickey and Minnie can be found in Future World in the building between the Fountain of Nations and the buildings that house The Living Seas, the Land, and the Imagination Pavilion.
   
4. The aquarium- The Living Seas Pavilion houses the Nemo ride but it also has a great aquarium. My daughter could spend all day looking at the fish and other ocean life if I let her and as an added bonus it is air conditioned!
   
   
   
   
5. The music acts- Many bands perform around World Showcase. My daughter loves to stop and listen to the music and dance along! (Note:She finds the one in the United Kingdom to be a little too loud for her taste!)
   
6. Innoventions- These two buildings (on either side of the Fountain of Nations in Future World) are often overlooked by many. They happen to be, however, one of my daughter's all time favorite places in Epcot. The one on the west side in particular is a favorite. Innoventions West has a large firetruck and a fake house meant to teach kids about fire safety. She is still a little young to have the attention span for the whole fire safety show but she loves climbing on the firetruck and playing in the house and you do not have to go through the whole show to do these things. There is a kiosk in the back where you can email a photo of yourself with a fireman's hat on. On one particular day we were even lucky enough to find a real firefighter giving a demonstration! She also enjoys playing the Great Piggy Bank Race. (She is still too young to play most of the actual games but she enjoys carrying around the fake piggy bank while mommy and daddy play them.) And lastly, if you have a Disney VISA card, it is in this building that you can have a private meet and greet with Mickey Mouse or one of his friends. You even get a free photo!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. The gardens- Many of the countries in World Showcase have little gardens tucked into the back of them. My daughter loves running around and exploring them and they usually are not crowded so I feel comfortable letting her do so. The maze garden in the back of the United Kingdom is a favorite. (Note: If there is a musical performance going on, the garden may be closed.) When she was younger I also found the gardens to be a great quiet place to sit nearby and feed her.
   
8. The miniature trains- Between the Germany and Italy pavilions there is a miniature train set-up that any little train lover will love. There is a path through the middle of the display and my daughter really enjoys "following" the trains.
   
9. The Kidcot Stations and Interactive Phineas and Ferb Adventure- The Kidcot Stations and Interactive Phineas and Ferb Adventure are two elements that were added to World Showcase to make it more enjoyable for children. The Kidcot Stations are little stands located throughout World Showcase where children can decorate a mask/puppet (actual item can vary). They can then add more color to it, get it signed or stamped by a Cast Member in each country. You can visit all of the stations or choose to stop at just one. My toddler always stops at one to make a mask and then will stop randomly throughout World Showcase. (Note: Some stations only have sharpies to decorate the mask with...not the best choice for a toddler wearing a cute new Disney outfit!) For the Phineas and Ferb Adventure you have to pick up a little phone device located at one of the kiosks noted on the Park map. My two year old is still too young to actually understand and play the game but she enjoys the interactive elements the phone triggers throughout World Showcase. (Note: My toddler also loves carrying the phone but keep an eye on it so it doesn't get lost!) There are several adventures throughout World Showcase and you can choose to play one or all of them.
   
10. The drums- Close to the bridge between China and Germany there is a little African outpost that has several drums set up in front of it. My toddler loves to bang on them and it makes for some cute photo ops. We always have to make a stop here and I always have to drag her away!