Epcot...convince me!!!

[trennr]

My family is going to WDW in mid-June!!!

And we plan on doing all 4 parks...

My Question is about Epcot...

I've been there and like portions of "Future World"...but the "World Showcase" is pure unadulterated torture for me.

So what am I missing?

hint...remember a way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

How can I eat my way through this place I dub the "Seventh Circle of Hades"?

 

[laceemouse]

Well, every Land in WS has a restaurant, and most of them have quicky "walk up" places to grab a little bite to eat, so you could easily taste something from each country. We also enjoy the rides/movies that some countries have, and even the shops, but I am guessing that stuff will not convince you. What about the entertainment like Off Kilter and such??? WS has kind of a AK feel, it is more about waling around and taking it all in as opposed to running from ride to ride. We love EPCOT, last time we did two full days there, my kids love everything there!

 

[Greenlawnsue]

My kids, DSs 8 and 10, love the kidcot stations. They get a mask on a stick, and at every country they add a die cut shape to add to the mask and a stamp on the stick itself. The stations are "manned" by people from those countries, so the kids get to talk to them about their culture. We also use our autograph books to collect signatures from CMs from different countries. The CMs seemed to love the attention and would usually write something in their language then translate. We even had one man from Africa (during the Food and Wine Festival) write 3 pages worth of "words we might need if we went to Africa". The boys LOVED it and look through the autographs from different countries more than the characters. You can also buy books that give the details about the countries and how Disney set each one up with specific meaning to each detail. Needless to say, we love Epcot and it is now our favorite park!

 

[darlak]

My kids are older;DS22,DD20,and DD13. We love Epcot. Especially on our annual spring break trip. That trip is always just my daughters and I. We "graze our way around the world" by getting one dish from a CS in each country. We usually just eat as we walk and take in all the different cultures.

 

[Natterjack9]

When we go to Epcot on out upcoming visit there are a couple of "musts" at Epcot. First, no trip for my kids is complete without a ride in the "giant golf ball!" I know it is not the greatest ride, but they love it. Test Track and Soarin' of course, Innoventions to see if there are any cool video games, and a tour of the countries. My son is a picky eater, but he really likes walking through the WS and getting a little something in just about every country. The American Adventure is on their list, as well as the Maelstrom in Norway. The Christmas ornaments in Germany are a favorite as well. There are some great things to do in Epcot, we can't wait!!

 

[MrsPMC00]

We are taking our soon to be 5 year old back for her 5th birthday. Since it is her birthday, I am letting her help me with some of the plans. When I asked her the FIRST park she wanted to go to.....Epcot! She loves seeing all the different buildings in the World Showcase, she Loves the Kidcot stops, she gets treat from some of the countries, loves the boat rides. World Showcase is definitely a different Disney experience, but if you take it for what it is and take the time to enjoy it, it really is worth the time!! Hope you have a GREAT trip!!

 

[jakenjess]

My kids did the masks one year, and then another time we bought the WS passports. They have stickers for each country, and when you visit each Kidcot station they stamp the passport and write a message in their language. My kids loved it, and it gave DH and I a better opportunity to browse the countries and enjoy instead of rushing from attraction to attraction. If you're into photography or videography, it's a wonderful place to get some spectacular pictures.

 

[Darcy03231]

Well I guess I'm in the minority here because my kids absolutely hated Epcot, so much so that we just skipped it the second time we went. My mom and I really like it, but dragging two bored kids through it was torture.

 

[nessz79]

My DH loves to eat, also, and he loves Epcot for that reason. In fact, I think the best thing about World Showcase are all the different kinds of food! As long as you enjoy different foods, I don't see why you wouldn't enjoy yourself.

 

[jenrein]

I'm with you on the Epcot thing. We are going with my parents and my mom has never been to Epcot and is really excited about it. I took the opportunity to book my daughters Bippidy Boppity Boutique for the Epcot day so I can escape!

 

[feedindy]

The last time (and the first time I actually remember) we went to Epcot was on our last day of a packed 3-day vacation. The girls fell asleep and took a 2 hour nap in the stroller! DH and I had such a great time just wandering around the WS. The girls had fun when they were awake, but by ourselves we were able to stop and look at things they would have wanted to rush to get to the next big thing.

We enjoyed watching the performances in each country-music in Morroco, acrobats in China, Pierre Noel in France (the girls loved this since it was a month before Christmas), drummers in Japan. It was a very fun cultural experience. I can't wait until our next trip so we can spend a whole day there. This one was an itineraried group trip and it was half day.

The kids had a blast at Honey I Shrunk the Audience-the silliest thing, really, but they loved it. Mission Space was a pretty cool ride too. Turtle Talk wasn't there yet, but I have heard it is not to be missed.

 

[Ariel8676]

We actually LOVE Epcot..and so does my 5,4 yo dd's. They love the rides in Future world and actually love walking through the different countries. We make sure to get a Rice Cream in Norway (YUMMY!!!) Fried rice in China,Pastries in France. We like to listen to Off Kilter in Canada and The British Invasion (sometimes Alice (in Wonderland) comes by and dances with the kids.) It can be a lot of fun if you just give it a chance!!!

 

[budbeerlady]

The way to end Dh's tourture was to start by mexico with the frozen margarita stand, that lasted untill half way around. Then he would find the next cup o cheer stand (that might be why we go in December.....) And that would get him around to Germany. A drink in the hand and some food made it so much more tolerable.

We really do like Epcot, we almost spend more time there than MK. But most of it is spend in the future world, soarin, etc.

 

[Heluvsme]

Oh yeah.....start in Mexico....get a Margarita and a nachos and wander in and out through the various 'countries.' For us, it's more of a slower paced day, which feels nice when we're so used to being on the run and in the middle of huge crowds. Epcot is more relaxed for me and while I'm at MK, which I LOVE, I'm more into rides and attractions....at Epcot, it's the FOOD and the leisurely strolls!!

How's that?? Have any of us convinced you?

 

[trennr]

Thanks...but don't get me wrong...I like (not Love) Epcot...
Test Track...Soarin'...Living Sea are all great...

It's just that the World Showcase is...well as I said Tortuous.

Anybody got any Favorite Foods I should try...and sorry I don't drink...though I was tempted the last time I went thru WS (aka...7CoH).

The only thing that got my attention the last time was Jasmine!!!

 

[disneymom3]

Yeah, I can kind of relate to this. My kids actually like Epcot WS more than I do! To me, I don't get the whole point. If I want to see Morrocco, I will go to Morrocco, not some imitation thereof. I know, I sound like a snob. I really am not! The kids like all the various storytellers and whatnot. I like some of it, but by about the third country I am ready to be done!

Sorry, I am not much help. How about candy around the world. We did that one year--bought a different kind of candy from each area to try. Would that lessen the Hell factor for you?

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Doesn't sound like anyone can tell you anything else to improve your opinion of WS. It is what it is. 7th circle of hades??? It is still better than being at work!!! Sit down and relax for a few minutes, watch some of the great performers in WS. Then again, it just doesn't sound like it is your thing. What are you looking for?

 

[trennr]

Doesn't sound like anyone can tell you anything else to improve your opinion of WS. It is what it is. 7th circle of hades??? It is still better than being at work!!! Sit down and relax for a few minutes, watch some of the great performers in WS. Then again, it just doesn't sound like it is your thing. What are you looking for?

"7th Circle of Hades"...is saying that I'm not just in the "Hot Place"...but very deep in it.

Pretty much the feeling some people get if they were to be stuck in "it's a small world" for toooo long. The little dolls start to grow horns and they toss there little pointy pitchforks at you, all while singing that song over and over and over and over...

I guess I'm not looking for someone to change my opinion...just maybe a suggestion or 2 about maybe someones favorite food there...you know...you just gotta try the...something to try in country XYZ.

 

[monorailsilver]

I used to hate the WS in my teen years but now I love it & so does DH my non-loving Disney DH!

You said, food right? That would be us:

Mexico-Taco salad from the cantina is scrumdiddlyumptious. We (dh & I) eat at least 2 each trip & we were so happy when we went in 2005 since they handed them out in covered containers so those pesky birds don't make a b-line towards our food-they did that.

Mexico-dh loves to get a marquarita (sp) just north of the cantina. It is usually gone by the time we hit Germany!

Norway-dh loves to get pastry from inside there (do you get it, my dh hates Disney but so far we have hit 2 countries & he has sampled in both!).

China-we don't eat here but we watch the street performers which are pretty cool. Actually we can't eat here since we just stuffed a salad down & dh has had a drink & dessert so our bellies need a rest!

Germany-get me a pretzel from the kiosk & give dh a beer & we are both in heaven, although full but in heaven. And we like to look at the trains & clocks. Makes me want to break out in

There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall
And the bells in the steeple too
And up in the nursery an absurd little bird
Is popping out to say "cuckoo" cuckoo, cuckoo from The Sound of Music

Italy-dh (see that man that doesn't like Disney) gets Tiramasu from the street vendor.

American Adventure-after going to Epcot many times since it opened I finally saw the show with dh, well before he was dh & loved it. I have the music in my car & get so happy when I hear it. Oh & if we are hungry we will pick up a turkey leg here assuming we split a salad from the Land.

Japan-Paci & rice candy, boxes of it & it is usually mostly gone by the time we are ready to pack up & head home.

Morocco-I swear there is some kind of Icee that we get from there.

France-I like the street performers but I can pass on the pastry since I think I ate too much of it in my youth on our trips to the World then.

UK-OK I admit we just walk thru here.

Canada-not much for us here but I really want to eat at Le Cellar once in my life. I think one year while waiting for Illuminations we got chips with the cheese sauce, you know the kind you get from 7 eleven, etc.. the runny orangey cheese stuff that is so yummy, OK maybe that is me but I love it.

And where else are you going to watch Illuminations from?

I can feel the weight coming on my hips now.

 

[bekkiz]

I love getting a couple pieces of candy from each country (although, haven't found any in Morocco yet). I usually save them for when we get home from the trip, but it is a fun and kid friendly thing to look through all of the different kinds of candy each country has.