Educational Experiences in WDW

[JenG]

I will be pulling my kids out of school for a few days to visit WDW over the weekend after MLK. We are very frequent visitors (3-4 times a year) and we've done all the rides tons of times.

I'd like to try to find some educational-type things to do this trip. My kids are 10,7 and 5 so they are too young for the MK tour. So far, I have:

• Wilderness Lodge Tour
• Behind the Seeds
• Wilderness Explorers
• Animation Academy

Any other ideas? My goal is to have them write a page a day about something new that they have learned.

Thanks!!!

 

[verleniahall]

What about research on each of the countries in World Showcase?
Maybe learn to say "Hello" in the different languages?

 

[hiroMYhero]

There's storytelling at AKL in the evenings. The kids can also do rubbings of the designs in Jambo House's lobby. If they've never used night-vision goggles, that's also available at the savannas at Jambo House and Kidani.

My DD had thought about majoring in art so she would basically "interview" the various portrait, watch, and sketch artists throughout the parks.

 

[lizard1]

My kids are almost all the same ages (for our upcoming trip) and I have been having a difficult time finding something we can all do. One thing I would do is the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot. We did that a couple of years ago and there was just enough to keep all of us interested, plus it is educational.

 

[World Showcaser]

There are tons of educational opportunities.

Off the top of my head:

- safari and trails and Rafiki's Planet Watch at AK,
- Universe of Energy, the Land, the Seas, Innoventions, and WS at Epcot
- Hall of Presidents and Carousel of Progress at MK

 

[ladyjubilee]

Talk to the cast members and staff.... and other guests. We talked to folks from Botswana, Nigeria, the UK, Ukraine, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Norway, India, etc.... all very willing to talk to us about their homes. One of my favorite questions is what is do you find odd in the US? What is different here? Seeing the things we do from an outside point of view can really make you think.

Also in AK in particular, talk to the keepers, or anyone you see watching the animals with a clipboard in hand. Some are doing behavior studies, others care share details about animal care.

Watch the vets at Planet Watch and hang around to ask questions.... the same with the dolphin studies in the Seas. As the crowds thin, the staff become more detailed and share more details about the individuals.

Really look at the details on AK.... and talk to the craftsmen and women.

 

[Pappa Bear]

Google (or use your search engine of choice) and type in "Walt Disney World Lesson Plans." I did this and got at least 10 pages of possibilities.

A teacher friend of mine (middle school level) would provide WDW lessons tailored to his subject (math) to any family who requested them. That is another possibility.

 

[larryz]

I will be pulling my kids out of school for a few days to visit WDW over the weekend after MLK. We are very frequent visitors (3-4 times a year) and we've done all the rides tons of times.

I'd like to try to find some educational-type things to do this trip. My kids are 10,7 and 5 so they are too young for the MK tour. So far, I have:

• Wilderness Lodge Tour
• Behind the Seeds
• Wilderness Explorers
• Animation Academy

Any other ideas? My goal is to have them write a page a day about something new that they have learned.

Thanks!!!

You can emphasize that WDW is a "system of systems" and help them realize the huge impact engineering (and imagineering) has on all aspects of their WDW visit.

 

[lovethattink]

Are you interested in Disney's YES programs?

 

[RustManFan]

We have taken more vacations with education in mind then otherwise. (UK history, US history, nature, etc.)

Both my DD and DS did behind the scenes tours that I don't believe are done anymore but all the suggestions above are wonderful. Epcot was always our favorite park but my new favorite is definitely Animal Kingdom.

I believe you can find a listing of the animals/birds there. You could make a copy for each child and they could mark off which ones they spotted.

Flights of Wonder show at AK is very educational and interesting.