Epcot World Showcase Question

[The Sorrentino's]

My DH wants to skip Italy at the World Showcase because we're Italians and we've been to Italy a few times and he believes that it will be very redundant and a waste time to stop over at that Pavilion since we'll be doing Epcot just on one day. I think we should take a look. Is it worth the stop?

We definitely want to stop at Norway, Germany, Japan and Morocco since we don't know anything about those countries. We're definitley doing America. How much time do you think this will take to do? I figured after we re-enter the park about 4pm it should take us an hour or two. I think we'll visit most of the shops and taste some of the foods while we're there as well.

Thanks,

Cadence

 

[edjbiologist]

Well you actually have to pass Italy to get between Japan and Germany. It can be as quick as a few minutes to pop in and look. I really like this shop, stop in. If it looks like a waste, walk on by, but enjoy!

 

[cowtownmom]

The way World Showcase is set up, you'll have to walk by just about every country to get to the ones you listed that you want to go to. You might as well pop in on all of them just to take a look. If you don't see anything of interest, you don't have to stay there long. Definately plan on at least two hours. You might find that you'll spend even more time than that. We spent at least five hours in WS and didn't even get all of the countries in. But, we did take our time enjoying the ones we went to. Plus, you need to account for some of the the things you might want to see and the times they are scheduled for, like the drummers in Japan - very cool. Have fun!

 

[saffymom]

Since you have kids you might also think about the Kidcot funstops. They have one in every country and the kids get to make a mask and get a stamp and something to put on the mask in each country. That can take some time depending on how in to it the kids are.

 

[debbiedoo]

We enjoy the Italian pavilion. I find a lot of my gifts here. I love the Italina glass beads. Keychain, necklaces, and keychains. It takes a few moments to walk through.

 

[IloveDMB]

That's funny about the Italy question. My sister returned from an Italy trip two weeks before we went to WDW. When we were walking through the Italy pavilion, she said "It's really not the same, once you've seen the real thing". But to her, the real Italy was still fresh in her mind.

It is a beautiful pavilion that they have set up there. It's not one of my personal favorites but we do always stop in there.

For the other countries listed, I agree with an above poster. I'd plan on at least two hours. The World Showcase is very spread out and there is plenty to do in the countries you listed. Lots of good food to eat and beverages to drink.

 

[ccgegg]

"It's really not the same, once you've seen the real thing". But to her, the real Italy was still fresh in her mind.

Sure, none of them are the real thing. That would be like saying Vegas is real too. But they do give a nice cultural experience... especially to kids who won't see the real thing for many years (if ever).

Our DD4 loved making the Kidcot mask. And it's a great free souvenir-- she has it proudly displayed in her room.

I think you may be underestimating the time it'll take you to get through World Showcase. We could EASILY spend an entire day there.... and plan to this Dec.

 

[OKW Lover]

Italy is just a shopping opportunity. Feel free to pass it by. The same could also be said of Germany, Japan, UK and Morroco. But, if you don't mind spending 5-10 minutes extra, at least stop in and look around. If you find yourself at Germany around the top of the hour, stop and watch the glockenspiel when it chimes the hour.

 

[SammieG]

Surely - if you plan to bypass Italy because youve already been there.. surely the same must apply to America!?


You have some great advice here.. ignore DH and go into Italy..
Yeah.. all the countries are FAKE!! none of them are anything like the real thing.. but all have elements of their countries. We like going to the different countries to see how wrong everything looks!! lol! the UK is WAY too clean!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Italy, Germany and France have the best wines. Italian pavilion has some great outdoor tables and chairs. We always grab a glass of wine and let the kids do most of their coloring in that kidcot.

You never know. You might get a feeling that will bring up the memories of your trip.

 

[DebbieB]

My DH wants to skip Italy at the World Showcase because we're Italians and we've been to Italy a few times and he believes that it will be very redundant and a waste time to stop over at that Pavilion since we'll be doing Epcot just on one day. I think we should take a look. Is it worth the stop?

We definitely want to stop at Norway, Germany, Japan and Morocco since we don't know anything about those countries. We're definitley doing America. How much time do you think this will take to do? I figured after we re-enter the park about 4pm it should take us an hour or two. I think we'll visit most of the shops and taste some of the foods while we're there as well.

Thanks,

Cadence

I don't think an hour or two will be enough time, the show in the American Pavillion is over 30 minutes alone. I would allow up to 9:00pm and then watch Illuminations.

 

[The Sorrentino's]

I was not aware that there were shows and attractions in the Showcase until someone mentioned it. I also read the Epcot section in my Passporter thoroughly today and I didn't realize what it was. I thought it was like a sample, taste, educational thing. I was misinformed. If it takes two days to conquer then we will be going back to Epcot on our trip in June.

Thank you for your replies.

Cadence

 

[nancyj]

One of our favorite things to do at Epcot is see Off Kilter in Canada. We often watch more than one of their shows in an evening. After their show we walk around the corner and catch the end of the British Invasion. My kids think it's funny that I know the lyrics to all of those songs. Not to mention that Le Cellier is one of my favorite restaurants in WDW.

 

[Lizzybee]

I don't really remember much about the Italy pavillion, but I lived in Mexico City and I practically squealed with joy going into Mexico at the World Showcase, it seemed very very real to me. I can't honestly say about the other countries because I haven't had the pleasure of traveling to any of them. I was kind of disappointed in the food at the counter service in Mexico, it tasted fine but not very authentic. The market place set up and the El Rio del Tiempo ride were very realistic. We thoroughly enjoyed the food in the France counter service, but I can't say much about the authenticity since I've never been to France

 

[The Sorrentino's]

Morocco, how are the restaurants and eateries there? We don't know anything about that country.

Cadence

 

[Simba's Mom]

I don't really remember much about the Italy pavillion, but I lived in Mexico City and I practically squealed with joy going into Mexico at the World Showcase, it seemed very very real to me. I can't honestly say about the other countries because I haven't had the pleasure of traveling to any of them. I was kind of disappointed in the food at the counter service in Mexico, it tasted fine but not very authentic. The market place set up and the El Rio del Tiempo ride were very realistic. We thoroughly enjoyed the food in the France counter service, but I can't say much about the authenticity since I've never been to France

Whew, was I glad to hear your comments! I'm taking Mom to WDW next week, and she's really looking forward to seeing Morocco because she's been there (also Mexico, but only Nuevo Progresso, which is like a shopping bazaar at Epcot). Anyways, because of all the comments here about countries at Epcot NOT being like the real thing, I was worried about her liking it. I've recently become worried about her disliking a lot of things about this trip and Epcot WS was the one thing I counted on her liking-sounds like it's still possible.

 

[off to neverland]

Morocco, how are the restaurants and eateries there? We don't know anything about that country.

Cadence

We just got back from our trip to WDW and ate at Morrocco twice.

Having lived in the part of the world, I have had better Morroccon food, BUT... if you aren't a Morroccon food snob like myself , I think you would enjoy this place.

I had the chicken schwarma plate and it was HUGE. I couldn't believe all the food I got for $7-$8... The atmosphere is great, very relaxing. I'd defnitely recommend this place.

Have fun!