The World is Your Classroom: Educational Opportunities at Epcot

With Epcot's focus on exploration, innovation, and imagination, it is easy to understand why people perceive it to be an educational park. However, with this common perception comes the belief that Epcot is geared solely toward teenagers and adults. This belief leads many parents of young children to bypass the park during their visit to Walt Disney World, for with its wealth of hands-on learning opportunities available in advanced subjects, Epcot does appear to cater to more mature audiences.

But what about Piglet-size guests, who may not yet meet the height requirement of Mission Space or understand its use of centrifugal force to simulate lift-off? Are there educational attractions to be found at Epcot for younger minds? The answer is YES. But, as wise, old Rafiki so eloquently said in The Lion King 1 ½, to find them, "You must look beyond what you see."

When touring with tots, the key to finding teachable moments is to remember what skills your child is normally focused on outside of Epcot. For instance, the average pre-schooler is not ready to identify the differences between sea mammals and fish, but they are at the perfect age to grasp the concept of number sequencing. While exploring The Seas with Nemo and Friends, children can practice counting by climbing into the gaping jaws of a shark. No, I am not encouraging you to toss your child into Epcot's 5.7 million gallon aquarium to pry open the mouth of a brown shark. There is a perfectly safe way to count a shark's teeth. In Bruce's Sub House, the resident Great White lives by the motto, "Fish are friends, not food," a motto that seems to extend to children. Kids can crawl into the giant replica of Bruce, and while hanging out among his rows of pearly whites, count how many teeth make up his ink-inducing smile. Parents - have your cameras ready; this is a wonderful photo op.

Keely Hutton's sons in The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot

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Once you've sharpened your child's number skills, "just keep swimming" over to the Observation Deck for some practice in recognizing similarities and differences. Bait your children with a fun challenge found swimming in the coral reef, by matching the marine life to the pictures provided at each exhibit for a "righteous" game of I Spy.

After exploring early education in "the big blue," make your way over to Journey into Imagination for a lesson on the five senses with Figment. Here, children take a whimsical ride through several "labs" that demonstrate the important role our senses play in our imaginations. Vividly colorful images, melodic and raucous noise and sometimes pleasant, sometimes unpleasant scents effectively demonstrate our use of sight, sound and smell to explore the world around us. The sense of touch is highlighted through the fun, hands-on experiments found in the What If Labs at the end of the ride.

Fortunately for guests, taste is only discussed on the ride, providing a less potent experience for that sense. However, if your child is thirsty for a more "tongues-on" experience, head over to Club Cool to taste test samples of soft-drinks from around the world. For an example of what bitter tastes likes, daring guests should try the soft drink, Beverly from Italy. This, too, would be a good time to have your cameras ready. You won't want to miss the hilarious puckers that this taste-test produces.

With senses alert and imaginations primed, it's on to The Land, where lessons on the four seasons, the life cycle of plants, and the five food groups flourish. Upon entering the pavilion, children's eyes are immediately drawn to the five colorful balloons hanging from the ceiling. This is the perfect time to learn about the four seasons. Encircling a large balloon that represents Earth, you'll find a yellow balloon representing summer, an orange balloon for fall, a blue balloon for winter and a green balloon for spring. To take this teachable moment to a higher level, use this opportunity to discuss why each color best represents each season.

Next we head downstairs. If your little one does not quite make the height requirement for the popular ride, Soarin', take them on the gentle 14-minute boat ride, Living with the Land, where they can witness the life cycle in a variety of plants while gliding through The Land's four experimental growing areas. If all this learning and good food is making you hungry, how about a quick break for lunch at The Land's counter service, Sunshine Seasons, where the five food groups and nutrition are on the menu?

If your little ones are still hungry for more, take them for a walk around World Showcase. The amazing architecture found in each of the eleven countries encircling the lagoon provides a wonderful opportunity to have an international scavenger hunt for shapes. While searching for triangles, circles and squares, take some time out for arts and crafts. KIDCOT stations are sprinkled throughout World Showcase and offer children a chance to talk with cast members from each country and create craft projects to keep as souvenirs. This interaction also gives little globetrotters the chance to learn some basics in foreign languages. Ask cast members to sign autograph books and write "hello" in their native language, and by the end of the day, your children will be on their way to becoming multilingual.

As night falls, there's no better grand finale to an enjoyable day of exploration and education than a lesson in the "Wonderful World of Color." Pint-sized pirates and princesses can identify a rainbow of colors in their jaw-dropping splendor while watching Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Reds, blues, greens, yellows, purples and whites light up the sky and your child's imagination during this 13-minute firework spectacular. On our last trip, my six-year old son swore he even saw black fireworks in the sky over World Showcase Lagoon. Who was I to argue? At Disney, anything is possible.

So when visiting Walt Disney World, if you're traveling with young children, include Epcot in your plans. For whether you are two or ninety-two, Epcot is a park that, to me, means a playground of fun-filled, interactive learning opportunities for ALL ages, or ...

Everyone's Perfect Classroom Of Today.

About the Author: Keely Hutton is a mother of two, writer of children's books, teacher of English and fan of all things Disney. When she is not planning her next Disney vacation or in front of her computer or class, she can be found at the local karate dojo, working out the stress brought on by a tough day of revising.

Related Links:
Enjoying the Japan Pavilion at Epcot - A World Showcase Favorite last updated 2/24/2011
The Parades of the Magic Kingdom - A Plethora of Processions last updated 01/22/2009
Epcot's World Showcase - Pavilions vs. The "Real" World last updated 01/29/2009
Recent Changes to Disneyland - Part 1 last updated 02/12/2009
The Seas With Nemo And Friends - In Love With The Living Seas last updated 4/23/2009

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Reader Comments:

As a soon-to-be first time traveler (with children) to Disneyworld with my 2 (ages 9 and 3), I was quickly overwhelmed by all there is to see and do while on vacation! Now that the dust has settled, flights and rooms are booked, I am left wondering, "Which parks should I attempt to visit and will the parks be exciting experiences for both children?" :confused: I know that my daughter will enjoy everything we see and do, but her Tigger-ish brother may not always be able to slow down enough to see all there is to see. As an adult visitor to EPCOT, I enjoyed the multi-cultural experiences and can now see the value in the experience through my daughter's eyes. I thought that this would not be the trip to visit EPCOT because I didn't think that my son would get much out of this park at his age and that it might end in frustration for all of us. :foreheadslap:
This article was so timely! I now see that it is possible to engage even the yougest audience - just keep in mind the perspective of the child. The tips and suggestions are so creative, I will certainly employ what this writer has offered while we visit!! EPCOT, here we come! Keep these tips coming - my family thanks you for the advice!!:applause:

     megmcg on February 18, 2010 @ 9:33 am

This 2/18/10 article by Keely Hutton is excellent. It's a wonderful view of how to enjoy EPCOT with small ones. I wish I had it when my kids were that age; they are now teens. I'll have to remember this in 10-15 years for grandchildren!

     disnut90 on February 20, 2010 @ 1:20 am

Great article

     home4us123 on February 25, 2010 @ 3:21 pm

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Updated 02/18/2010 - Article #435 

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