NEW Epcot Tour: World Showcase DestiNations Discovered

KeithNotKieth · Jul 4, 2015

I took this tour earlier this week, Tuesday 6/30. I thought it was just going to be me and the tour guide until I saw Kathy Werling come in. :earseek:

Our tour was hosted by Robert, who is awesome and also conducts the FW tour and other VIP tours, but there seems to be 2 or 3 guides that rotate while the tour is still new. It starts in Guest Relations with the expected history discussion about Walt Disney and origins of EPCOT. From there you work your way down to WS and work your way around to each country starting with Canada and ending inside Mexico. We were taken backstage at Canada, France, and the Outpost to see the illuminations barges. All other experiences are "on stage" and pictures are allowed for those areas. (80% of the tour is on-stage). At each country your are given backstory to the façades and their cultural relevance. Learning more in-depth information about the showcase pavilions is really the draw for this tour. The backstage element is really not a focus like parts of the Keys to the Kingdom, Future World Undiscovered, or Backstage Magic tours. Lunch w/ dessert is included at Marrakesh in the Morocco pavilion.

I like to think of myself as an EPCOT pro myself, but there were MANY facts and callouts that I never knew. One could take this tour without really ruining any of the magic, but it seems to be geared more towards those looking for an in-depth look into the creation, lore, and culture of each of the WS pavilions. I believe Kathy will be posting a blog review soon so that should also provide some more insight and photos! For now, I hope this helps everyone get a better idea.

FeralCatRogue · Jul 4, 2015

awesome that sounds quite interesting. Were there spots to rest? My mom would be with me and she has knee problems and wouldn't be able to walk non stop.

bookgirl · Jul 4, 2015

So was there a pin? I really have liked having a momento of tours.

KeithNotKieth · Jul 4, 2015

There are spots available to sit while the guide is talking every so often. No pins were given at the end of this tour -- I was kinda hoping for one as well since that is the norm for other tours. Maybe something to hope for once it becomes fully advertised? I dunno.

slp87 · Jul 5, 2015

We did the Undiscovered Future World tour last trip and are trying to decide between this one and the Gardens of the World tour since we will be there during the Flower & Garden Festival. I liked the perk of having the reserved viewing for Illuminations after the tour.

Princess Mulan · Jul 5, 2015

FeralCatRogue said:
Is it more a cultural tour or a this is how we made this tour? I'm trying to figure out if it will interest me or not.

I would say it is a mixture of both. For example, our guide gave the cultural reasons for the totem poles in the Canadian pavilion and also described how they were created.

Princess Mulan · Jul 5, 2015

FeralCatRogue said:
awesome that sounds quite interesting. Were there spots to rest? My mom would be with me and she has knee problems and wouldn't be able to walk non stop.

Our guide emphasized that we could ask for additional breaks and rest stops. He was very good about making sure we were in the shade whenever he stopped to explain a feature.

2xcited2sleep · Jul 5, 2015

Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming! The description definitely caught my eye but a 4-5 hr walking tour in the summer sounded a bit daunting so I was thinking I'd wait for fall/winter. In addition to the lunch, wasn't there supposed to be a "cultural demo?"

Princess Mulan · Jul 5, 2015

2xcited2sleep said:
Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming! The description definitely caught my eye but a 4-5 hr walking tour in the summer sounded a bit daunting so I was thinking I'd wait for fall/winter. In addition to the lunch, wasn't there supposed to be a "cultural demo?"

Yes, there is supposed to be a cultural demonstration. Our guide said we would see the Voices of Liberty "if we timed it right." Apparently we did not since we didn't have any entertainment.

WDWKOOK · Jul 5, 2015

Princess Mulan said:
I just completed this tour a few days ago. The tour times are 9:30 and 10, and it begins at Guest Relations in Future World (near Spaceship Earth). The tour is supposed to be 4.5 to 5 hours, but ours was shorter than 4.5 hours. We waited a few minutes for the final tour guest to arrive, and the tour ended a little early. It included lunch at Marrakesh and was supposed to include a performance by the Voices of Liberty, according to the guide. However, our group didn't experience any entertainment or performance, which I assumed was because of timing. The tour stopped in every country, and we had three backstage views. Our guide was personable and well-versed in World Showcase knowledge, but I think other tours provide more bang for the buck. I would gladly repeat Wild Africa Trek, but I don't think I would do the World Showcase tour again. I knew most of the information the guide provided, but more casual visitors might find it more entertaining.

Princess Mulan said:
When I booked I also was told that absolutely no photography is allowed on the tour. The guide specifically reminded us not to take photos backstage, but he didn't say anything about "onstage." However, none of us had cameras, probably because we were all told that photography is not allowed.

I found myself very jealous of guests who were happily taking photos of a nearly deserted World Showcase between 10 and noon.

Thank you @Princess Mulan! Yours must be one of the first online reviews and we appreciate you posting it to this thread.

Did you feel you got your money's worth or did it seem to not be a good value? I booked with the AP rate. There aren't many Epcot tours and this seemed like one of the more "in depth" tours, but if you knew most of the information, then it doesn't sound very informative or exciting. Now that DD is 16, we wanted to try an "adult" tour in each park and this seemed like it might be the best, but maybe not?

Lancer said:
Wasn't there a similar tour offered maybe 8 years ago? I seem to recall being on a tour (it was just me and the cm) and we toured the world show case on foot(not Segway). One thing I remember asking the cm is why they had not replaced a cracked door in the Morocco pavilion. It seemed very unDisney like to me. He said that it was done on purpose by the Moroccan government builders because they believe no one can be more perfect than Allah. Perhaps it is the same tour revived?

Very interesting. I hope someone else will comment on this. This wasn't some sort of VIP tour since you were the only participant?

ETA: My apologies, completely ignored PAGE 2 so I'm off to multi-quote PAGE 2. My mind is on vacation...

2xcited2sleep · Jul 5, 2015

Princess Mulan said:
Yes, there is supposed to be a cultural demonstration. Our guide said we would see the Voices of Liberty "if we timed it right." Apparently we did not since we didn't have any entertainment.

Thanks. I think the Voices of Liberty are phenomenal and would welcome any opportunity to hear them perform but can't say they came to mind when I was thinking of what a "cultural demonstration" might be. Sorry you missed them on your tour.

WDWKOOK · Jul 5, 2015

KeithNotKieth said:
I took this tour earlier this week, Tuesday 6/30. I thought it was just going to be me and the tour guide until I saw Kathy Werling come in.

Our tour was hosted by Robert, who is awesome and also conducts the FW tour and other VIP tours, but there seems to be 2 or 3 guides that rotate while the tour is still new. It starts in Guest Relations with the expected history discussion about Walt Disney and origins of EPCOT. From there you work your way down to WS and work your way around to each country starting with Canada and ending inside Mexico. We were taken backstage at Canada, France, and the Outpost to see the illuminations barges. All other experiences are "on stage" and pictures are allowed for those areas. (80% of the tour is on-stage). At each country your are given backstory to the façades and their cultural relevance. Learning more in-depth information about the showcase pavilions is really the draw for this tour. The backstage element is really not a focus like parts of the Keys to the Kingdom, Future World Undiscovered, or Backstage Magic tours. Lunch w/ dessert is included at Marrakesh in the Morocco pavilion.

I like to think of myself as an EPCOT pro myself, but there were MANY facts and callouts that I never knew. One could take this tour without really ruining any of the magic, but it seems to be geared more towards those looking for an in-depth look into the creation, lore, and culture of each of the WS pavilions. I believe Kathy will be posting a blog review soon so that should also provide some more insight and photos! For now, I hope this helps everyone get a better idea.

Thank you, Keith for your thorough review! You've answered the questions I just posted before seeing your review. I'm definitely going to keep our booking. We also feel we know quite a bit about the parks so I'm relieved to read that you still learned something new and didn't feel "bored." I love learning something new about Disney Parks so thank you again for posting here. And, what an exciting brush with greatness you had…maybe you'll be invited to the Podcast

2xcited2sleep said:
Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming! The description definitely caught my eye but a 4-5 hr walking tour in the summer sounded a bit daunting so I was thinking I'd wait for fall/winter. In addition to the lunch, wasn't there supposed to be a "cultural demo?"

This is a good point and we'll be taking this tour at the end of August, the hottest time of the year…and rainiest :umbrella:

Princess Mulan · Jul 5, 2015

WDWKOOK said:
Thank you @Princess Mulan! Yours must be one of the first online reviews and we appreciate you posting it to this thread.

Did you feel you got your money's worth or did it seem to not be a good value? I booked with the AP rate. There aren't many Epcot tours and this seemed like one of the more "in depth" tours, but if you knew most of the information, then it doesn't sound very informative or exciting. Now that DD is 16, we wanted to try an "adult" tour in each park and this seemed like it might be the best, but maybe not?

Very interesting. I hope someone else will comment on this. This wasn't some sort of VIP tour since you were the only participant?

ETA: My apologies, completely ignored PAGE 2 so I'm off to multi-quote PAGE 2. My mind is on vacation...

My opinion, and mine alone, is that the tour is slightly overpriced, even though I paid a discounted rate. I enjoyed the tour and am glad that I tried it. However, I think other tours provide more bang for the buck. Perhaps Disney will drop the price or will offer additional perks (a tour pin, maybe?) in the future. As with all things Disney, your mileage may vary, so please don't let my quibbling about the price dissuade you and your DD from taking the tour. A fellow tour participant, closer to your DD's age, volunteered that she learned a lot on the tour.

Princess Mulan · Jul 5, 2015

WDWKOOK said:
Thank you, Keith for your thorough review! You've answered the questions I just posted before seeing your review. I'm definitely going to keep our booking. We also feel we know quite a bit about the parks so I'm relieved to read that you still learned something new and didn't feel "bored." I love learning something new about Disney Parks so thank you again for posting here. And, what an exciting brush with greatness you had…maybe you'll be invited to the Podcast

This is a good point and we'll be taking this tour at the end of August, the hottest time of the year…and rainiest

The tour takes place rain or shine, so be sure to bring an umbrella or a poncho. Also, you should bring your own water. Our tour guide did a great job in finding shade and providing plenty of rest stops, so I think you'll be fine in the heat of August.

joxer1014 · Jul 5, 2015

Geez no water? At KTTK tour you at least got a bottle of water when you checked in. They also gave you water for the Marceline tour. Just another example of Disney getting cheap.

FeralCatRogue · Jul 5, 2015

Cool ty for the info, definitely gonna try to give this a go when i'm there in october.

aprilnmay · Jul 5, 2015

I'm hoping to do this tour in October and was wondering how lunch is handled. Do you order from a menu or is it served family style (like they do at Whispering Canyon Cafe on the Backstage Magic tour)? I have never had Moroccan food, so I have no clue what to order.

Wigit12 · Jul 7, 2015

I think I might sign up for this in September when DH decides to golf.

KeithNotKieth · Jul 7, 2015

aprilnmay said:
Do you order from a menu or is it served family style (like they do at Whispering Canyon Cafe on the Backstage Magic tour)? I have never had Moroccan food, so I have no clue what to order.

I believe there were a couple of options the first one presented was a vegetarian dish that we passed on. The second was a plate that consisted of Roasted Chicken served over vegetables and couscous; which is what we went with. It wasn't bad, but not necessarily my meal of choice either. Dessert wasn't bad either -- I believe it was called Bastille and was a type of pastry covered with almonds and caramel.

Princess Mulan · Jul 7, 2015

aprilnmay said:
I'm hoping to do this tour in October and was wondering how lunch is handled. Do you order from a menu or is it served family style (like they do at Whispering Canyon Cafe on the Backstage Magic tour)? I have never had Moroccan food, so I have no clue what to order.

We had only two choices for an entree: a vegetarian option of couscous with mixed vegetables or the same dish with chicken. We all were served bread, mint tea and three types of baklava. The meals were individual, not family style.

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