5 Things For Families To Do At EPCOT Outside Of The World Showcase

EPCOT is a large park that is divided into several sections: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase. The front of the park consists of World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature. World Showcase is located in the back of the park, and if you are arriving through International Gateway you exit within World Showcase. EPCOT’s front park section, formerly known as Future World, is full of fun activities and attractions for families with young children. EPCOT once had a reputation of being a skippable park for families with children, but this is certainly not the case. Here are 5 things to do in EPCOT’s front park section for families with young children.

1. The Seas With Nemo and Friends

When I visited EPCOT with my two toddlers, The Seas With Nemo and Friends located in World Nature was their favorite attraction in the entire park. This attraction begins with a Nemo dark-ride in which guests board a clammobile and watch as the story of Nemo and friends unfolds. After the ride is over, guests disembark and find themselves inside Sea Base, a massive aquarium. Sea Base has just about any aquatic animal that you can imagine: dolphins, sharks, turtles, even manatees. My children and I spent over an hour exploring the aquarium which is home to the largest man-made ocean environment on the planet.

2. Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana

One of EPCOT’s newest attractions, also located in World Nature, is Journey of Water- Inspired by Moana. This beautiful water-playground allows guests to interact with water like never before. The best part of this attraction is that guests can choose to get wet or stay dry during this experience. No need to pack extra clothes for the little ones! Your children will love touching the various interactive water elements throughout this display, and you will love learning about the planet’s water cycle and water conservation efforts.

3. Journey Into Imagination With Figment and ImageWorks Labs

Another great attraction, this time located within World Celebration, is Journey Into Imagination With Figment and ImageWorks Labs. Journey Into Imagination with figment is a dark ride that explores the idea of imagination and encourages guests of all ages to use their imagination in their daily lives. Starring the lovable dragon Figment, this attraction is suitable for guests of all ages. Upon exiting the attraction guests enter the ImageWorks Lab which contains several interactive games for kids of all ages. Here, guests are encouraged to use their senses and their imaginations and explore and play.

4. Dine With Characters at Garden Grill

Character dining is a great way to ensure that your child gets to meet their favorite characters without waiting in long lines. Garden Grill restaurant is located within The Land pavilion in the World Nature section of the park. This restaurant slowly rotates during your meal and gives guests a view of the Living With The Land attraction and scenery within. Garden Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style feast. Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale, all greet you during your meal, allowing your kids to get special one-on-one time with their favorite characters, and allowing adults to indulge in a delicious meal while doing so.

5. Enjoy Several Character Meet and Greets

EPCOT’s front park section is filled with meet-and-greet opportunities for several characters. Figment, Epcot’s lovable mascot, greets guests inside the Imagination Pavilion near ImageWorks Lab. Joy from Inside Out also greets here. Right outside of this area you’ll find a meet-and-greet for Mickey Mouse inside the theatre that hosts the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival. Moana can be found near her Journey of Water attraction. Additionally, Minnie and Goofy can be found near the front entrance to the park. Winnie the Pooh can sometimes be found as a wandering character catching butterflies behind a fence near Journey Into Imagination with Figment, but cannot be directly interacted with.

Featured Image: Emily Murray.