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Epcot Infant Guide
Epcot Center was built as a place to marry education and entertainment and as a result, many rides are slow-moving and designed to be ridden by the whole family, but many newer rides are designed for those seeking thrills. It’s easy to see which are which by checking the height requirement at each ride.
Many families with infants like to book our vacation homes near Disney World because we offer 3, 4, and 5 bedroom houses. Many families with small children like having separate bedrooms since it allows them to put their children down early and sleep through the night without interruption, while mom and dad can stay up and enjoy their evenings.
Infant Stations
Every restroom in the Epcot is equipped with a changing table in the form of dedicated counter space with some raised edges to prevent roll off. There are sometimes paper towels provided as well, but not diapers or baby wipes. Diaper disposal is done directly into the regular trash cans, which are changed often.
Without fail, the changing tables in women’s restrooms are more in demand than in the men’s, so if it’s possible, you may want to arrange to change diapers in the men’s room.
The child care center is a godsend for parents with infants. At Epcot, it’s located on one side of the Odyssey building, where Future World meets the World Showcase. Here is a room only for nursing mothers, where they’ll find rocking chairs, changing tables, a play area for older siblings (complete with a TV playing Disney movies), bathrooms, training potties, and a shop selling baby products like diapers, wipes, creams, and clothing. Just about everything you could possibly need is sold here.
Strollers can be rented near the Main Entrance, including double strollers that hold two children. These are hard plastic, highly durable pieces of equipment, so comfort is not the first concern. Stroller theft is almost unheard of, but sometimes rented strollers are taken by accident, so don’t leave valuables behind. If that happens, replacing the rental is easy to do, as long as you keep your receipt.
A good many parents bring or rent strollers for children who can walk, planning to let the child use the stroller only later in the day when he or she becomes tired, and a stroller becomes a useful cart for holding personal items like purchases, jackets, or bags.
In addition to the baby center, mothers may nurse anywhere in the park. Park employees will never ask nursing mothers to stop or move. Because outdoor Florida is too hot in summer and sometimes too cold in winter, many mothers choose to find a spot in climate-controlled indoors. Good spots in Epcot are plentiful. Besides the restaurants (especially Electric Umbrella and Sunshine Seasons Fair) and longer dark rides such as Universe of Energy, you may find the sparsely used concourse area south of Innoventions-West to be ideal.
Remember when ordering your discount Disney World tickets, children under the age of 3 get in free. If you have small children, we recommend ordering the base tickets. Typically, families with children under the age of 3 only stay at the theme parks between 6 and 7 hours a day and they typically do not have time to hop to another theme park.
Rides
Since infants don’t particularly care about their surroundings (it’s all new to them), this list will focus on rides that you can ride with your infant in your arms (or in a snugli), presented in subjective order of importance, starting with rides infants seem to like the best.
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
A stop-and-go dark ride with middling special effects and a largely uninteresting storyline for adults, this attraction might rank lower on the list if not for the fact that it’s moving, which is always a plus for infants.
Spaceship Earth
A classic Omnimover attraction with music and robotic performers. It lasts longer than most rides at other amusement parks (including the Magic Kingdom).
Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros
A boat ride through Mexican sights with Donald Duck, Jose Carioca and Panchito. This is a slow-moving ride with some great cartoon gags.
Turtle Talk with Crush
A live interaction, along the lines of a stage show, with an animated character on the screen. Humor is highlighted in this fun but short interaction with Crush. While older kids get a lot out of this, there’s little here for infants.
Frozen Ever After
A dark ride on a boat, including a portion traveling backwards for a minor thrill. This is a fun ride that would rank higher on the list except that it often has waits times longer than two hours.
Living with the Land
an automated boat ride through simulated ecosystems and futuristic greenhouses. The line moves quickly, and there’s lots to look at, but the material isn’t gripping for most adults. Infants, of course, don’t care.
Reflections of China
A film projected in 360-degrees on screens all around you. The innovative presentation will be engaging, and the constantly shifting imagery may keep kids involved for the whole 20-minute movie. Audiences have to stand, however, which can grow tiresome. No lines to speak of.