EPCOT with Kids & Teens
A Parent’s Passport Guide to Rides, Food, & Fun
Taking kids and teens to EPCOT is its own kind of adventure. Younger kids love the characters, hands-on play areas, and colorful pavilions. Teens love the thrill rides, snacks around the world, and spaces to explore on their own.
This guide brings together everything I’ve learned as a Disney mom — what works, what to skip, and how to keep both kids and teens happy all day long.
Best EPCOT Rides for Kids & Teens
Best EPCOT Attractions for Kids
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Spaceship Earth – Slow, calming, air-conditioned
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The Seas with Nemo & Friends – fun clam shell ride in search of Nemo
- Living with the Land – calm greenhouse boat ride
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Journey Into Imagination with Figment
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Gran Fiesta Tour – featuring Donald Duck
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Frozen Ever After – Ride early or get a Lightning Lane.
Best EPCOT Attractions for Teens
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
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Perfect for teens
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Not ideal for small kids unless they love big coasters
Mom Tip: Ride swap is your best friend here.
2. Test Track
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Fun for kids
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the upgrades are new, fresh, and innovative
Single Rider available for faster lines.
3. Mission: SPACE
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- Mission: SPACE – Green (kid-friendly mission)
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Mission: SPACE – Orange (intense teen-approved version)
4. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
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Perfect for all ages
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No big drops, lots of fun movement
Kids love spotting the details; teens love the tech. - available as a single rider line
5. Soarin’ Around the World
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Gentle and exciting at the same time
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A favorite for mixed-age families
Four incredible festivals
Each with kid fun, teen favorites, snacks, scavenger hunts, and gorgeous decorations.
- Flower & Garden Festival (Spring)
- Topiaries, gardens, playgrounds & beautiful landscaping.
- Festival of the Arts (Winter/Early Spring)
- Interactive art stations, photo ops, and live performances.
- Food & Wine Festival (Fall)
- Perfect for teens who love trying global foods & treats.
- Festival of the Holidays (Winter)
- Holiday stories, seasonal treats, Santa visits & cookie stroll.
Kid-Friendly Activities Around EPCOT
1. Kidcot Fun Stops
Every country in World Showcase has a free art or sticker activity.
Perfect for:
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Littles who need breaks
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Keeping hands busy
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Slowing the pace
2. Aquarium at The Seas Pavilion
- Turtle Talk With Crush (Kids LOVE this)
- This interactive show is perfect for younger kids and still surprisingly fun for older ones.
- Crush talks to the kids live on screen
- Kids get to ask him questions
- Tons of silly jokes and surprisesGreat place to rest, cool off, and reset
- After the show, your family can explore two floors of sea life:
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Sea turtles
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Tropical fish
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Sharks
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Rays
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Manatees
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- Great AC break for the whole family.
3. Play Areas
Look for festival-themed playgrounds (especially during Flower & Garden).
4. Highlights for Kids
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Germany Model Trains
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France Beauty & the Beast Sing-Along
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Japan Matsuriza Drummers
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The American Adventure (A/C break!)
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Canada Far and Wide film
5. Interactive Park Fun
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JAMMitors drum show
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Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
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Moana’s Journey of Water trails
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DuckTales World Showcase Adventure
- ImageWorks labs
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Spaceship Earth post-show games
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Playground by Creations Shop
Don’t Miss:
Club Cool — free soda samples from around the world! My kids still laugh at the “surprise” flavors.
Teen-Approved Fun Around EPCOT
1. Snacks Around the World
Give teens a “snack budget” and let them choose:
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Macarons in France
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School Bread in Norway
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Pretzels in Germany
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Bubble tea in China
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Sushi in Japan
2. Photos & Aesthetics
Teens love these spots:
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Spaceship Earth at sunset
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The purple-pink Flower & Garden walls
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Japan pagoda
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France fountains
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Morocco architecture
3. Exploring the Countries
Teens enjoy roaming the countries on their own (within your boundaries):
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Shopping
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Trying treats
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Looking at art
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Meeting characters
Plan Your Eating Times
Hungry teens + tired kids =use mobile Ordering every time you can.
Evening Magic at EPCOT
Fireworks (Luminous)
Perfect for families:
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Bring snacks
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Sit near World Showcase Lagoon
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Avoid last-minute crowds
Mom Tip: If loud noises scare little ones, watch from near Canada or UK because there are fewer fireworks overhead and easy to exit.
Best EPCOT Characters for Kids
Best EPCOT Characters for Kids
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Donald in Mexico
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Anna & Elsa in Norway
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Mulan in China
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Snow White in Germany
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Jasmine in Morocco
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Belle & Aurora in France
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Alice in Wonderland in U.K.
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Minnie or Goofy at entrance
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Mom Tip: World Showcase characters usually have shorter waits than Magic Kingdom.
Family Photo Spots You Don’t Want to Miss
- The bubblegum and blueberry walls
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Japan gardens
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France bridge toward the Skyliner
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Mexico pyramid at sunset
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Flower & Garden topiaries
Photos are the ONE thing kids and teens both enjoy when you make it fun and quick.
EPCOT Character Dining & Meet-and-Greets
Top Picks
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Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (princess dining)
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Garden Grill Restaurant (Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale)
Final Mom Tips for EPCOT with Kids & Teens
Start in World Nature and work clockwise to save walking
Let teens choose a snack in every country
Let kids collect stamps or stickers
- Don’t push too hard because EPCOT days are long
EPCOT is divided into four neighborhoods:
World Showcase
World Celebration
World Discovery
World Nature
Each area has its own attractions, food, entertainment, and hidden gems that make exploring EPCOT fun for the whole family.
