Let’s get back to our list of minimal wait attractions, this time at Epcot. Epcot has long been tagged with the (fortunately fading) label of “a park that’s not fun for kids.” Well, let’s both dispel that notion once and for all today, and also put to rest the idea that the only thing for kids at Epcot are rides with long lines. So with that, let’s pull a Nemo and dive right in!
Playground near World Discovery: This one is definitely all about the kids. Sometimes despite being in a world class vacation resort at a world class theme park, kids just need some good old-fashioned running and climbing. Fortunately, when that happens, there is a really fun, cute, and easily accessible playground right across from the entrance to Test Track as you head towards World Showcase. And here’s the even better news: during any of Epcot’s festivals (which is now most of the year aside from a few select weeks), there are a few festival booths in this area, meaning you can pick up a few tasty treats to eat or drink while your kids play!
Play areas at the exits of Mission Space and Test Track: Mission Space and Test Track are both incredibly fun, exciting thrill rides (those with motion sensitivity might argue that point as it pertains to Mission Space, but I digress), but they can both draw substantial lines (Test Track, I’m looking at you) and have height requirements for kids. However, without having to wait in line or ride either of these rides, you can actually walk in through the exit to play areas that are air conditioned, have no lines at all, and are fun for kids and adults alike. At Mission Space, kids can play in the Advanced Training Lab, where they can climb through tunnels, make funny space-themed video postcards, and play a multiplayer game involving navigating a spaceship. At Test Track, the experience is a bit more limited, but my kids love the racing game with steering wheels that control on-screen racecars.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends: In addition to a slow-moving, very kid friendly ride (which often has no wait except in the middle of the day), the Seas is an absolute gold mine of activities for guests of any age, and none of it involves a queue of any sort. Enormous freshwater and saltwater aquarium tanks house manatees, dolphins, rays, sharks, sea turtles, and a vast array of tropical fish, and from time to time, guests can even watch castmembers in scuba gear cleaning the tanks! For the littlest aspiring marine biologists, a kids’ play area themed to Bruce the Shark provides an opportunity to burn off energy and to learn about the intimidating but oh so interesting sharks. Did I mention that this entire area is also air-conditioned?
Model trains in the Germany Pavilion: This is a favorite for everyone in my family, including my husband and myself. Adults and kids will love watching the large G scale model trains whizzing around a highly detailed, scaled model of quaint German villages. This includes kids of all ages, as toddlers will love the fun movement of the trains, while teenagers will likely appreciate the detail and complexity of the impressive display. Located in between the Germany and Italy pavilions in the World Showcase area of Epcot, this provides a great place to take a break from walking the quite lengthy World Showcase promenade and simply take in the quiet beauty of this part of the park. This train display stands in an area of the park with no nearby rides, so it tends to draw fewer crowds and can be a very nice way to step away from the hustle and bustle of the otherwise busy theme park.
Club Cool: And now for something completely different. If you’re in need of an energy recharge, Club Cool, located just past Spaceship Earth (the giant silver ball near the park entrance) in the breezeway between World Nature and World Discovery, is the place to be. This delightfully air-conditioned space is sponsored by Coca Cola and gives guests the opportunity to taste free samples of various sodas from around the world (go try the Beverly from Italy and let me know in the comments what you think!).
This just scratches the surface of wait-free attractions and activities available at Epcot, as Epcot is simply filled with options for those tired of lines. Check out any of the World Showcase pavilions and explore the shops, find the KidCot Fun Stops for free craft activities, and take a look around the miniature museums found in several of the different country pavilions. Cool off at the splash pad near the entrance to World Discovery. Watch live musc at the stage near the American Adventure in World Showcase. The list goes on and on. We have literally visited Epcot for an entire afternoon and not waited in a single ride queue, so if that’s your goal, it is definitely possible at this park.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these activities and, if so, which ones are your favorites! If I forgot anything (which I probably did!), I would love to know about those too. See you next time for wait-free activities at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!