EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort differs from the other theme parks at the Resort due to its compliment of both rides, attractions, experiences and annual events like the countries in the World Showcase, the International Food & Wine Festival, and Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival.
While these rides, attractions and events are suitable for tweens, teens and adults, Disney Imagineers have not forgotten of the younger guests that visit EPCOT. Although EPCOT may not be the ultimate “kid friendly” park like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, there are still a great number of rides and attractions that are suitable for the young children.
Endless Summer feels that “Kid Rides” are rides that a theme park guest of any age would be able to enjoy or is a ride that is “themed” for kids in general. In this post we are going to give your our Top 5 best rides & attractions for kids at Epcot as well as a number of other great attractions and experiences that we consider “family friendly”.
The unique aspect of putting together a “Top 5” list of just about anything, especially theme park rides, is that opinions will vary greatly. Our list is based on personal experience as well as the large number of guests that we have hosted in our theme park visits.
Top 5 Best Rides & Attractions for Kids at EPCOT
5. Living with the Land
4. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
3. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
2. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
1. Frozen Ever After
5. Living with the Land
Living with the Land is an amazing boat ride where guests learn about the ways we grow food, followed by a ride through a working greenhouse. This amazing ride is located right next to Soarin’ Around the World and is one of the hidden gems of Epcot.
There is are no height requirements for this attraction and since it is a slow ride, it’s perfect for guests of all ages. Keep in mind that once inside, it’s a little dark. Wait times can vary at this ride but are typically less than 25 minutes on most days.
4. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
One of the cutest attractions at EPCOT is The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Guests board a “clamobile” and descend below the water along with Dory and Marlin to find Nemo. Watch out for those jellyfish as well as Bruce the shark.
There is are no height requirements for this attraction and since it is a smooth and easy ride, it’s perfect for guests of all ages. Wait times can vary at this ride but are typically less than 30 minutes on most days.
Just after the ride guests will get to explore a massive 5.7 million gallon saltwater aquarium which has shark, rays and more. There are a number of different exhibits and play areas as well as a Dory themed self-guided scavenger hunt.
3. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Guests will explore the five senses in Journey Into Imagination with Figment which is definitely a Disney classic. Featuring Dr. Nigel Channing and that little dragon Figment, be prepare to have a mischievous adventure.
There is are no height requirements for this attraction and since it is a smooth and easy ride, it’s perfect for guests of all ages. Wait times can vary at this ride but are typically less than 30 minutes on most days.
2. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
One of the newest rides at Epcot is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure which opened on October 1, 2021. Located in the France Pavilion of the World Showcase, the Remy attraction is part of the expansion of Epcot for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World.
The ride is also a 4D motion-simulator attractions where guests ride along with Chef Remy as he scurry’s through the kitchen and dining room of Gusteau’s restaurant in Paris, France.
There are no height restrictions and the ride is suitable for guests of all ages. Wait times typically exceed 60 minutes on a typical summer day but individual Lightning Lanes are available.
1. Frozen Ever After
Our top ride for kids is Frozen Ever After which is located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase. This board a Nordic style boat for their voyage to Arendelle and encounter Anna & Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and other characters from the Disney movie franchise.
There are no height requirements but this is a dark ride with some small drops. Frozen Ever After is one of the most popular rides at EPCOT and typically has wait times that exceed 60 minutes. However, an Individual Lightning Lane is available for purchase through the Disney Genie app.
Additional Rides and Attractions for Kids at EPCOT, Walt Disney World
There are a number of other rides, attractions and experiences that are suitable for families with young children.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros is located in the Mexico pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. On this Mexican themed boat ride guests travel down the Rio Grande river to find Donald Duck.
There is are no height requirements for this attraction and since it is a smooth and easy ride, it’s perfect for guests of all ages. Wait times can vary at this ride but are typically less than 30 minutes on most days.
Spaceship Earth
You just can’t miss this amazing attraction from anywhere within Epcot. Spaceship Earth will take guests on a time machine as they explore how humans communication since the Stone Age right up until modern time.
There is are no height requirements for Spaceship Earth and since it is a smooth and easy ride, it’s perfect for guests of all ages. Wait times can vary at this ride but are typically less than 20 minutes on most days.
Just after the ride guests can visit Project Tomorrow which is an interactive indoor play area that is perfect for a quick visit.
Additional Entertainment for Kids at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort
Parades and Cavalcades
Guests of all ages (not only the young ones) will enjoy a number of parades and cavalcades that happen throughout the day.
Meet and Greets
There are a number of Disney character meet and greets throughout Epcot including Anna & Elsa from Frozen, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto. There is location in Norway in the World Showcase as well as a character station at the front of the park near Spaceship Earth.
Another great place to meet characters is at the Garden Grill Restaurant in the Land Pavilion at Future World. Here at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast guests will enjoy family style dining while getting the opportunity to meet Chip & Dale, Farmer Mickey and Pluto. It’s a fun experience and the food is really good as well.
In addition the the characters throughout the park, there is a special character photo opportunity for Disney Visa Card members (offered prior to the COVID Pandemic). We are hoping that this will come back soon.
Nighttime Shows
And when the day is over, make your way over to the World Showcase Lagoon to watch EPCOT Forever – a live show with fireworks, fountains and special effects. Show times start around 9:00 PM but the best spots are taken up to 60 minutes early.
Scavenger Hunts & Interactive Games
With the closure of Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure in 2020, there is currently not a year round scavenger hunt type game offered at Epcot. However, there are also scavenger hunts / interactive games offered during Epcot’s seasonal events. One of the most popular is Remy’s Hide and Squeak Scavenger Hunt that is held during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and Spike’s Pollen-National Exploration that was previously offered during the International Flower and Garden Festival.
Located in Future World within The Seas with Nemo and Friends is a Dory themed self-guided scavenger hunt called Finding Dory’s Friends. This scavenger hunt is completely inside so it’s a perfect spot for the adults to take a break from the summer heat while the kids play.
Where should we stay when visiting EPCOT at Walt Disney World?
When we are visiting EPCOT (or Disney’s Hollywood Studios for that matter), our favorite place to stay is either the Walt Disney World Dolphin or Walt Disney World Swan hotels. Both are Marriott brand hotels so as a Lifetime Titanium Elite members, we can use or earn reward points when visiting either of these hotels.
The Dolphin and Swan are part of the EPCOT Resort Area and within walking distance to the entrance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as EPCOT’s International Gateway (passing through Disney’s Boardwalk area). There is also a water taxi that will take guests from the rear of the hotels to just outside of the entrance of either theme park.
With these hotels so close to EPCOT, guests can take a break during the middle of the day and go back to the hotel and sit by the pool, take a nap or even check their e-mail if so inclined. There are plenty of amenities to enjoy but the best part is the extraordinarily close location to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Both hotels are fairly well priced for theme park hotels and we have recently stayed at both with room rates below $200 per night. The one drawback is that resort fees ($30/day), self-parking ($30/day) and taxes (combined 12.5%) could quickly add to the nightly rate.
Click here to learn more about the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Click here to learn more about the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
