Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [68]
The ride inside, which coils toward the top of the 17-story geosphere, traces developments in communication from cave drawings to computers. You climb past scenes of Egyptian temples, a Greek classroom, and the invention of the Gutenberg press. A simple interactive game near the end lets you answer some questions and then see your own “future”—complete with your own face.
Take a few minutes to check out the postshow as you exit the ride. Most of the exhibits are technology based and geared toward older kids, but children of any age will enjoy watching their image flash on the screen and their hometown light up on a global map that indicates the hometowns of past guests.
Hidden Mickey
We all know Mickey is a star, and he actually has his own constellation in Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. Look for him in the starry sky at the beginning of the ride, just after you load.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends/Turtle Talk with Crush
The Seas saltwater aquarium is so enormous that Spaceship Earth could float inside it. The Finding Nemo ride within is a hit with preschoolers. You board “clamobiles” (similar in shape to the Haunted Mansion doom buggies) and travel through a coral reef looking for Nemo. On the way, you meet Dory, Bruce, and other stars from the film. At the end of the ride, you disembark at Sea Base, with its interactive exhibits.
Insider’s Secret
If you really want to experience the Living Seas, a program called DiveQuest ($175) lets visitors 10 and over scuba dive in the aquarium, while the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour ($140) lets guests 8 and up snorkel. Whether you go under the sea or stay on top, these three-hour programs give you bragging rights and a cool T-shirt. Call 407/WDW–TOUR if you’re interested.
Don’t miss the lighthearted and funny Turtle Talk with Crush, in which the laid-back animated turtle interacts with the kids in the audience through real-time animation technology. Encourage your child to sit up front on the floor and ask Crush questions. We get tons of positive mail about this show. “Adorable,” wrote a mom from Canada. “Our children considered it one of the highlights of the day.”
Helpful Hint
Turtle Talk with Crush is far more popular than its out-of-the-way location and small seating area would indicate. If you have preschoolers, try to get here before 11:30 AM. Afternoon shows are very crowded.
The Land
This cheerful pavilion, devoted to the subjects of food production and the environment, is home to three attractions, a rotating restaurant, and one of Epcot’s most elaborate fast-food courts. Because there are so many places to eat here, the Land is crowded from 11 AM to 2 PM, when everyone heads in for lunch.
Living with the Land. You travel by boat past scenes of farming environments, ending with a peek at fish farming, drip irrigation, and other innovative agricultural technologies. It’s a fairly adult presentation, but it moves swiftly, so kids shouldn’t be too bored. If you have older kids who might benefit from doing a school project on the subject of futuristic farming, consider the hour-long “Behind the Seeds” greenhouse tour. The sign-up booth is tucked away near the entrance to Soarin’, and the price is $16 for adults and $12 for kids.
Circle of Life. This 20-minute film stars Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon from The Lion King, and the beloved characters do a terrific job of pitching the conservation message. Simba explains how humans affect, both positively and negatively, their environment, so the show is both educational and entertaining. And because the Harvest Theater is large, with comfortable seats, Circle of Life is the perfect choice for afternoon.
Soarin’. Soarin’ provides a bird’s-eye view on an exhilarating flight above the beautiful state of California. It works like this: you’re lifted 40 feet off the ground inside a giant dome. The interior of the dome is actually an enormous screen with images of redwood forests, Napa Valley, Yosemite, and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll feel like you’re hang gliding as you gently climb, bank, and descend