EPCOT WS -- What am I missing?

[jesse8931]

Epcot is great until you pass test track. Once you hit the world showcase its lame.

My gf loves it however it bores me to death.

If I had to pay for admission id skip Epcot.

 

[richmo]

To me, the World Showcase isn't about "doing something", riding a ride or watching a movie. Its the experience of being there, even just walking around or sitting down and people watching. It doesn't have the intensity of the other parks...you can almost always walk and not bump into people. Probably the most un-theme park feeling of all the parks.

If you were to ask me what is a "must do" in WS, I'd have a tough time answering. But would I miss it? No way.

And maybe my favorite thing to "do" there: about the last half hour to hour before Illuminations, just wander around. It's pretty dark except for the torches, take in the sights and not stop until about 5 minutes before Illuminations. All that without a single fast pass.

 

[hiroMYhero]

From Epcot, if you have park hoppers, your sons can easily hop to DHS or MK while you enjoy WS at your leisure. If they aren't asking to have WS fit into your park plans, then that's a good indicator that a different park experience would be better for them.

 

[holden]

Shopping around the world is DD12's favorite thing to do in Epcot. She is so great with her spending $! She will shop all week and then go back to get what she wants on the last day of our trip.

I can see how boys that age might not find the hunt quite as exciting.

 

[dwheaton]

I think it really depends on the person with WS. Unlike something like the Magic Kingdom (which has something for everyone), it depends on what you're seeking. I wasn't a huge fan of WS as a kid (my parents shopped for too long), but it's grown on me as an adult. I like the atmosphere, the wide pathways, and the performers. I also have a soft spot for some of the movies. Still, I don't expect we'll spend that much time there with my two young girls this time (nearly 6 and nearly 2).

 

[pooh4evr]

I can see boys that age being bored with it. My girls were 12, 10 and 6 on our last trip and they love walking through the stores, doing the Agent P missions and I thinbk they colored about 10 Duffy Bears. I enjoy a nice wine slush or margarita as they color....
The street performers were great too- although sadly many are different now or non existent. They are interactive pulling people from the crowd to participate and funny! We also like sampling small snacks from the countries. Some of our best times are just enjoying the atmosphere and laughing with each other at a table under an umbrella.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

so, you don't like it. No big, lots of people don't like it. It's my favorite place at WDW. Yes, more than MK.

We never miss the one in UK, it's hysterical and may be right up the alley of your pre-teen/teens.

If you are talking about the World Showcase Players, that show ended permanently on September 25. There is a Scottish folk trio there at the moment.

 

[granmanh603]

True story. But that being said. Try looking into some of the street shows if you haven't seen them already. We never miss the one in UK, it's hysterical and may be right up the alley of your pre-teen/teens.

For you information.....Disney got rid of those street performers in the different countries and the wonderful bands in Canada (Off Kilter)and Morocco Morroco and The Fife and Drum at the US pavilion last fall... and the lady in Japan that made candy figures. So sad... Oh and they are making Frozen in Norway they took out Maelstrom

 

[ariane37]

We've had five family trips, starting when my boys were 5 and 7. That first trip, we went around WS and the boys did the Kidcot stations, got their flag signed/stamped in all the countries, did the Kim Possible thing, had fun. Then we went three trips without really going into WS at all. Last trip, last year, I convinced them I really wanted to go through the countries and spend some time there. So we did.

We grabbed snacks in a few different areas.

We walked through all the stores. Have great pictures of them trying on silly hats in each country! Picked up a few trinkets.

We went and saw the American Experience.

Went on the Maelstrom and Mexico rides.

Walked through the English gardens.

And that was it. I know there's a couple more shows we could see, but at 12 and 14, they're not into too many movies that feel like being in history class at school!

So what am I missing? Everyone seems to LOVE WS and I'm trying to figure it out. Other than eating, drinking, and shopping, what do you all do there? Or is it just eating, drinking, shopping? Trying to decide whether to give it another shot on our next trip.

I have 2 boys also, 9 & 12, and they've loved WS since they were toddlers. KidCot stations were always big as well as many of the shows/performers, Kim Possible/Agent P, and for a couple years when they were into Pokémon they couldn't wait to shop in Japan! DS9 always loved Maelstrom and is very upset it's gone

DS12 REALLY loved it, from his first trip at age 4. However now he prefers FW (actually prefers HS). At this stage he's more into SE, TT and the interactive stuff after it as well as some things in innovations. He does still like some of the performers that were there last year but I think for tween/teen boys, the appeal of EPCOT goes down even if they previously loved it. Most aren't as into shopping as girls are, either. DS would color 5 Duffy's in one trip but, you know, not so much at 12

I told the boys on our next trip they can buy a piece of candy from each country for themselves and one from each country for each of their half brothers. Hoping that keeps it a tad interesting for them. OP, you could try something like that, or the passport since they've only done the KidCot coloring. I like what a PP's child did, asking the CM's in each country to write the same thing, like they're favorite food or how to say hello. I know some people do scavenger hunts at the different parks for the kids, too. I've never done that but somewhere on the Dis I think you can find some......other posters may have some they've used that they can share, also

 

[Susiequsie60]

For you information.....Disney got rid of those street performers in the different countries and the wonderful bands in Canada (Off Kilter)and Morocco Morroco and The Fife and Drum at the US pavilion last fall... and the lady in Japan that made candy figures. So sad... Oh and they are making Frozen in Norway they took out Maelstrom

So . . . it seems that got rid of quite a few things. Tell me about all of the wonderful things they've added!!! (in addition to the future Frozen ride in Norway I mean.)

 

[ArwenMarie]

You're not missing anything.

My kids don't like WS either. They loathe it.

Actually, they hate Epcot in general. They say that there is too much walking for the amount of rides.

 

[DisneyFive]

We've had five family trips, starting when my boys were 5 and 7. That first trip, we went around WS and the boys did the Kidcot stations, got their flag signed/stamped in all the countries, did the Kim Possible thing, had fun. Then we went three trips without really going into WS at all. Last trip, last year, I convinced them I really wanted to go through the countries and spend some time there. So we did.

We grabbed snacks in a few different areas.

We walked through all the stores. Have great pictures of them trying on silly hats in each country! Picked up a few trinkets.

We went and saw the American Experience.

Went on the Maelstrom and Mexico rides.

Walked through the English gardens.

And that was it. I know there's a couple more shows we could see, but at 12 and 14, they're not into too many movies that feel like being in history class at school!

So what am I missing? Everyone seems to LOVE WS and I'm trying to figure it out. Other than eating, drinking, and shopping, what do you all do there? Or is it just eating, drinking, shopping? Trying to decide whether to give it another shot on our next trip.

It's not so much for us either. It's probably the least favorite area in all the parks for us. We enjoy it, but less than MANY other spots in all the parks.

One trip, we only spent 1/2 day at Epcot, mainly for Future World, and that was a 8 night trip! Epcot is growing on us, but slowly.

Dan

 

[DisneyInDel]

I agree with those who say World Showcase really isn't that great for kids who are 12 and 14. I didn't really learn to appreciate Epcot until my college program. Now I find that I enjoy World Showcase the most if I am exploring it on my own or with my husband. I don't enjoy it with a larger group or even as much with my daughter. But, when it is just my husband and me, it can be very nice and romantic as well as a great change of pace from all of the excitement of rides and such at the other parks.

My sentiments exactly...love going there with my wife...kinda relaxing.

I feel like it's the only park we "stroll" through...

 

[Fratthouse]

I'm with you, OP. World Showcase left me underwhelmed the first few visits, also. I think I was expecting an extension of future world, and was surprised and disappointed at the lack of rides / attractions.

But the last couple of trips, it's kind of grown on me. I'm not a shopper, or a big drinker, or a foodie, but I enjoy spending an afternoon strolling around WS. I think I've learned to just enjoy a slower pace and taking in the beauty of the environment. But I had to adjust my expectations, because it's a totally different experience from the rest of WDW.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I'll admit some of the other posters, I wasn't too keen on the world showcase when I was a kid. I'm now an adult and I absolutely love the WS. I enjoy just walking around and enjoying the entertainment and food and drink. I like the more laid back and leisurely atmosphere. I did enjoy the old entertainment. I went for thanksgiving and not of all the new experiences were out, but I enjoy the storytellers. Again, it all comes down to preference. When I was a teen I was all about the thrill rides, but now as I've matured, I have come to enjoy the atmosphere of the world showcase. I enjoy having a drink in my hand and enjoying illuminations in my favorite viewing spot.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

We plan on a few back and forth days. One day we will eat at the princess meal, one in Germany and one night we want fish and chips. We won't burn out and go directly to the areas we want to see. The rides we want in Epcot may even just be hit before rope drop and call it done. I think the WS will be fun but I won't want to burn my son out. An hour a day maybe Two and then we will Hop to MK.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Epcot used to be DD's second favorite park (after MK), but now it's her least favorite. She's 14, so too big for Kidcot, passports, and Innoventions (except for Sun of All Thrills), and she's only interested in shopping for clothes these days, so even the shopping in WS doesn't appeal. TT isn't as much fun as it was before the refurb, Soarin and Mission Space are one-and-done for her, and the rest of the rides bore her. She does like Crush, but she's too big to get called on, so it's not as much fun as it used to be, either, and we've done just about all of Agent P/Kim Possible.

I figure it's a teen thing. For kids that age who want some "thrill" rides, Epcot loses out to the other parks. I'm going to try to do the candy/sweets in every country this trip to keep her happy while I'm enjoying WS, along with some nice meals. But, I figure she'll probably warm up to Epcot again when she's 21.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

!2 and 14 years olds would have a great time in the WS, without Mommy and Daddy tagging along. Over protective parents spoil the fun.

 

[Bullseye]

If you are an alcoholic it is THE place to be at WDW.

I knew there was a reason it's my favorite place in WDW.

 

[dljacob]

How do everyone's kids like Illuminations? My girls will be 6 and 9 when we go late August/early Sept. We have two half days planned at Epcot and I am trying to decide if we can skip the fireworks. We already have plans for Wishes (they loved last year) and Fantasmic!