Crazy - I have never actually gone into a "country" - which ones are best??

[fiveforall]

I can't believe so many people told you to do the Mexico boat ride, it is the one thing a person in a time pinch can miss with no regrets. Its this tacky,out dated ride. It's kind of like its a small world in places but, the rest of the time it plays these weird little movies from the 70s. My kids love it so we do this but, it is a pretty stupid ride.

At age 3, my DS convinced my DH to ride the Mexico ride 10 times in a row. My kids all love this ride. I like it too. Sure it's outdated, but I think you should try it at least once. THe Mexico pavilion itself is really quite lovely. Also, the American Showcase is great. I don't enjoy the Canada film, but you should eat at Le Cellier! Maelstrom is okay, just don't stay for the film at the end.

Even with Kidcot, my older girls get bored in the World Showcase. DH and I had the opportunity to tour without kids a few times and we've spent several days just in the world showcase.

Get a guidebook and focus on the Epcot overlooked attractions. There are some great performers(Off Kilter, Chinese acrobats, etc.). There is also a lot of great food!

 

[Deedee]

Harry ramsdens fish and chips and if you like live music the beetles band in England are not to be missed

 

[Skroops]

We never miss the Chinese acrobats. They are jaw dropping amazing. They are such talented children.

There is so much to see and do in the countries! Enjoy!

 

[BethR]

I have never seen a WS movie except for Norway (which I thought was very nice, but I do not need to see it again. ) Which countries have 360 movies? (They can make me feel sick. ) And which countries have no seating for the movies?

Thanks!

 

[alicenwonder99]

I haven't seen the movies in the countries in about 15 years. And I don't think I saw all of them. Could someone post which movies have seats? I don't think my children would stand still for the movies in which you need to stand.

We always go on the Mexico ride. My kids like it. You never have to worry about long lines there...lol. It's fun to go exploring through the countries. I so amazed that I still haven't seen it all. I haven't explored the hedge maze in United Kingdom, I haven't seen the train in Germany, I've never seen the Chinese acrobats, and I've never seen the American Adventure.

To the OP: walk around the countries and go into the shops. Open doors, and follow paths. You'll come across things you didn't even know exist there!

Have fun.

Mary

 

[Camping Griswalds]

It's not a "movie". There are some filmed elements, but it's a huge, complex, audio-animatronic show with moving sets and such. It's amazing, and not to be missed.

N.E.D.

Is this good for kids? I'll have a 13 boy, a 9 boy and 18 months girl. She could always nurse I guess (if she's still doing that by then)

We walked throught the maze one night when we had left the kids with a sitter. We made several jokes about "The Shining" maze. It was very pretty. I don't know what country it's in though.

 

[VSL]

There's no 'England' WS - it's the entire UK! (all meshed together)
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not come under the name 'England'.

(Sorry English peeps - love you and all but it really gets frustrating for the rest of us non-English Brits who everyone mistakes for as English!)

 

[daisax]

Add me to the list of people who can't imagine any entertainment value in the Mexico ride. I hadn't ridden it in 10 years so we tried it 2 years ago and damn -- a quarter of the way into it we remembered it and just groaned. If you've ever been to a really old crappy restaurant where the menu in the window hasn't been replaced since the day the place opened, and it's brown and curling at the edges, covered in dust and cobwebs -- that's kind of what the Mexico ride is.

Or, it's something put together by Mrs. Maguire's 6th grade geography class -- in 1958.

With all the money they spend to have a spot on the pavilion, it's amazing to me that they don't do something about that ride. I truly think it's the biggest embarrassment on Disney property.

That said, World Showcase is not to be missed -- definitely a change of pace from the "theme parks." Like a vacation within a vacation.

 

[mjslvswdw1]

Put me on the growing list not being a fan of El Rio del Tiempo (ride in Mexico). I took my two nieces 5 and 11 and we rode it twice in a row...I felt like I was stuck in a scary version of IASW! Alas, I will be riding it again in Oct because my DH has never ridden it and has it as a must do!
I will say that the Mexican Pavillion is wonderful, and I love The Living Statues..They are in Italy now...so neat to watch them and the crowds reactions.
I could spend several days in the WS and never get bored.

Melissa

 

[daisax]

I'd also like to know which (if any) movies have seats. I haven't watched a movie at WS since 1986, because my memory was of my feet just burning and aching and hating standing there even one more minute, thinking I'd enjoy them if I could sit.

And my feet/legs are 20 years older now

 

[TDC Nala]

Britain! They have a silly street show, a Beatles cover band, and BEER!

 

[allaboutmm]

We only lotted a couple of hours for the countries thinking that our DS's (5 & 9 @ the time) really wouldn't like them....WRONG!!!!They had a blast!! They did the passports, had their names writen in other languages, love just exploring! Mexico was so lively....great vibes with all the music. When we go back this year, we will be spending more time in the countries!!

 

[foolishmortal]

Major confession - I have never actually been in any of the World Showcase attractions except for my last trip when I went to Norway and rode the Viking ship. Sad but true. On my way back this February and I would love some insight about what to see. What is the Mexico ride like? Is the US movie really worth seeing? Will be travelling with DD3, DS5, Mom 78, and DH. Any replies appreciated.

I am ready for the flaming......lol

We set aside a whole day for Epcot because everyone kept telling us there is no way to do it all in a day, so we got there at opening did all the rides first, then hit the world showcase....walked it all in less than 3 hours. Nothing really caught my eye, yes Mexico and Norway had the fun boat ride but they were nothing I would go back and ride, and the shops are nothing I can't find at any of the local malls selling that type of stuff. I heard about the choclates, but my local grocery store sells them, I seen the clothes, I can go to the mall for that stuff (cheaper as well), and the cs food was no better than a mall food court...see Japan CS and think panda express. I had a couple of beer I can't get anywhere here, but at the same time I can get other beers from that same country here so no big deal.

We had made a late adr for Coral reef thinking we would be there allll day, but by the time we got back around I went to coral reef to see if we can get in for dinner earlier, and we did.

Again I know others will say I didn't see it all, but believe me I seen more than enough to know I will only spend time in Epcot in the front of the park from now on.

I had to edit this to say I think the same of Animal Kingdom as well. My local zoo is 100 times better and the rides could have been added to the other parks and not made so traveling carnival feely!

 

[jann1033]

imo the best film is france. beautiful scenery and music ( know Debussey is one of the composers, don't remember who else) plus comfy seats to rest your feet in.

Maestrom is the best ride.

Morroco is the most exotic and love to wander the maze of shops

Japan garden is nice ( by Yakitori house cs.) so is Englands little street behind the shop

China shop is good for souvie bargains ( u just have to look)

llike Mexico for theme and ride is hokie but cute

Germany has yummy candy shop

 

[jann1033]

I am ready for the flaming......lol
nothing I can't find at any of the local malls selling that type of stuff. I heard about the choclates, but my local grocery store sells them, I seen the clothes,... I can go to the mall and the cs food was no better than a mall food court....

\ My local zoo is 100 times better !

Wow! you must have some mall and i think i went to the Denver zoo, that must have REALLY changed a lot

 

[blueangel]

I'll say that I love EPCOT. It's always been my favorite park, from the time it opened. But that's why there are four different parks - for different people to enjoy. I've just always loved travel and geography. Guess the teacher in me came out early.

Anyway, I'll finally answer the seating question. China and Canada are Circle360 movies with no seating, just rails to lean on. While these movies are lovely, especially China, do not let your children sit on the floor. Do you know how many people have walked on that carpet - let alone what was on their shoes? And let's not go into the Canada cast member's horror story about, well, you don't want to know. Just stand and keep the kiddies in the stroller.

Impressions de France is beautiful and has comfy seats. Seats in the middle are better and it is rarely crowded. Lovely music, wish I could get a soundtrack. Norway also has a short film, at the end of the ride. It's not a big production, but we like it even though the benches are kind of strange and a little uncomfortable. The American Adventure Show does have seating as well.

Oh, and the pearls in Japan are like 12.95 for the pearl, and the rest of the cost is based on the setting you choose. I once got a pendant for around $15, but that was a couple of years ago. You can also do this at Downtown Disney, and it's about a dollar cheaper but much less exciting. It's something to do with the atmosphere in the Mitsukoshi Dept. store and the crowd oohing and aahing at each new pearl.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Epcot is my family's favorite park and we LOVE World Showcase! You really need to take the time explore each and every country...go into every nook and cranny. Some of my favorites are Norway and riding Maelstrom, Germany(the candy and eating at the Biergarten), Morocco(walking the streets is really neat!), shopping in the UK and having a Guinness and some fish and chips from the little stand outside the Rose and Crown, exploring Canada, and finally....watching the American Adventure in the American Pavilion...I challenge you to not shed any tears. I love all the countries for one reason or another...the ride in Mexico reminds me of a Mexican "It's a Small World"...
I like to shop in the department store in Japan....I just gave you my favorites above. World Showcase is, IMO, one of the coolest things on Disney property.

 

[WDW LOVR]

One of our favorite things to do in WS is to stop by the Stave Church in Norway. Yes, you can go in. It is air-conditioned, almost sound proof (you'd never know you're only a few feet from the main walk way of WS) and is fantastic. We go in almost every trip and have never seen more than a couple of other people in there. It only takes about 10 minutes to see the whole thing, but it is a wonderfully done exhibit telling the history of the Stave Churches in Norway.

 

[foolishmortal]

Wow! you must have some mall and i think i went to the Denver zoo, that must have REALLY changed a lot

some mall??? or how about 10+malls....lol, and if you haven't visited the denver zoo in the last 5 years it has changed tremendously. It has changed so much that I am actually a yearly pass holder now.

and I'm sorry but I didn't get the whole AK feeling, yes it all was themed very well and looked good, but I can see every animal on the safari closer here, I don't have to walk a whole trail to see bats and a couple of big deer looking things, and birds..lol, the tree of life was awesome, but you can only look at it so long. Also like I said the whole dinoland area just had a real bad carnival feel to it, and that to me doesn't seem worth the money when you compare it to the other parks you can get for the same value.

As for Epcot unless you live in a small city you can get almost everything in WS at home. Like I said the counter service in WS is no diff than a mall food court, Yes it is neat to walk and see the structures, but to spend a whole day there shopping and eating..not for me, better shops and food in DTD.

Again the show rides, would you rather ride the boats in WS or jungle cruise splash mountain, etc...now compare the rides in Epcot and then yes have a great park, but the OP was talking about WS and that just didn't do it for anyone in my family. The rides at epcot are right on par with Disney studios, and when we go back that is what we will do and leave after that.....think of it this way, more room for those of you whole like WS....LOL

 

[bubba73]

Epcot is m favorite park of all in Central Florida and part of the reason is because of the countries. I agree with the statement about Mexico and the ride. To me, it is a lot like IASW. You have already experienced Maelstrom but now, go back and while you are in the que, try to find all the hidden Mickey's. I have been told that in the room where you get on the boat, there are 5 hidden Mickey's in the mural. I have found three so far. Canada and France both have a great film. So does the American Pavillion. But I have to be honest, I love the Voices of Liberty at the American Pavillion. I have a new respect for Germany as I have a co-worker from Germany. Really, the only country I could do without and would like to see changed to something different is Morrocco. Nothing there for DW or me . Would love to see something updated in China and Japan. After 20 years of pretty much the same stuff, they need to get something new in there (maybe a film like in Canada.) Go and enjoy.