EPCOT WS -- What am I missing?

[mom2AidanAndEli]

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.

 

[JimmyV]

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.

Not sure that you are missing anything. If walking through shops, eating snacks, having cocktails and watching the occasional movie doesn't float your boat, then spending a whole lot of time in WS may not be for you. Lots of people enjoy that stuff. Lots of people could care less. We enjoy spending time in an area that is not "ride-centric". For others, it is all about the rides.

 

[SeilerBird]

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

 

[ffugitive]

Some of the street shows are well worth seeing (Italy, France, UK). Also, the singers in US pavilion are fairly incredible. Sit with a drink and chill. All stuff we enjoy.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I suppose if it was just me and DH, sitting and chilling with a cocktail would be great. But not the thing that preteen/teen boys are looking to do!

 

[jade1]

They will be 21 one day. It's a whole new world after that, was for us anyway.

 

[anniemae]

I don't think you are missing anything. You either like it or you don't. It sounds like it just isn't your cup of tea.

We love the atmosphere and enjoy the restaurants. I love the views from the different countries and just strolling around or grabbing a pastry from the bakery in France. Not for everyone, but we like it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The tomb warrior display in China is neat as is the anime display in Japan. Did you look in the display area in Morocco? Or the Stave Church in Norway?

I am not a huge drinker but love the display areas in the different countries. And I like to pick up snacks from each country to enjoy later.

 

[Susiequsie60]

Have you really gone "deep into" all of the pavilions? I feel like there are some fun and different activities for kids there - you just have to venture in a little further. It's been quite a while since my kids were that young, but I never remember anyone not wanting to spend time at WS. Not as much time as we would in Fantasyland of course, but we definitely found it to be more than snacks and shopping! Actually, the Mexico ride and Maelstrom (I know it's totally gone right now) were 2 of our favorite family activities. And I seem to remember crafts and things at certain countries . . .

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

Hmmmmmm - are you talking to me?

They will be 21 one day. It's a whole new world after that, was for us anyway.

I couldn't agree with you more! I've not been back with my kids since they've both hit the big "2 - 1" but I sure am looking forward to it!

 

[ffugitive]

But the more I think about it, I can totally see how there would be little interest for 12 and 14 year olds.

 

[anniemae]

But the more I think about it, I can totally see how there would be little interest for 12 and 14 year olds.

Yeah, I get this too. At a place like Epcot, pre-teens want to be on rides, not strolling around gazing at the water, eating a fancy meal or browsing through an authentic Mexican shopping plaza.

 

[Zooshoveller]

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.

Eating, drinking, and shopping is enough for me to love it! LOL

 

[tobikaye]

I agree that at 12 and 14 it probably would not be as interesting, unless they are foodies or enjoy just sitting down and relaxing. At that age, I liked to keep moving around. Even during our trip when I was 16 it was not as interesting to me, although I enjoyed WS when I was 7. At 18, I started to realize that I could just sit down and relax and people watch and many places and enjoyed this at WDW. There are quite a few non-alcoholic drinks that are interesting to try.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

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.

 

[JimmyV]

But the more I think about it, I can totally see how there would be little interest for 12 and 14 year olds.

Don't want to start a gender war here, but.....Hello Kitty!! (Just using that as an example). 12-14 year old girl in a world's worth of department stores?? Hello McFly! Anybody home??!! Pre-booked ADRs are the only way we could get our daughter out of Mitsukoshi. And don't ask me how many of those dragon puppets from China we own! If your 14 year old daughter loves to go to the mall, odds are that she will love to go to WS. No brainer in our family. OP has boys, so maybe this is different.

 

[Schmeck]

How about talking to the cast memebers from each country? O Canada is a really funny movie too - too bad you missed it.

Did they do the Agent P thing? If you felt comfortable with it, they could have done a little bit of that on their own (even if you went to the country with them) while you did the window shopping.

 

[angierae]

DD was 15 on our first trip, and was bored to tears with Epcot other than doing Kim Possible. On our second trip, Kim Possible was gone, and she bailed quickly.

On our third trip, we didn't even bother going to Epcot.

It's just not her thing. We'll probably spend one day there our next trip, doing the rides and then seeing some of the countries, but not for long.

 

[chelseabun76]

When I took my oldest dd in '07, we didn't step foot in WS as it was not a good day for her (sunburn and sweating and suntan lotion do NOT mix well lol) and we opted to hang at the hotel in the afternoon instead.

This trip, my youngest dd is 9, and this is her first trip... it's just her and I and my aunt going, and we have a few hours slated for WS before Illuminations. If she gets bored along the way, then I will know for next time, but I think since we have the time already accounted for, we will give it a shot and see how it goes. I'll buy her a snack and she'll be happy. LOL

 

[Anri]

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

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.

 

[moozle]

My girls are 8 and 10 and they LOVE Epcot and WS. They beg for at least 2 days there per trip. This December was our 6th trip, and they have always loved it. I hear lots of people say they don't, though, so I really think it's just personal preference.

Mine are still at ages where they love the kidkot stations. Even though we have the same perry with the same stamps from every year, they do it again. And they love to get a new passport each year and get it signed. My 10 year old thinks of something different to ask them each year - one year she asked them to write the way they say "hello" in their language. Another I think she asked them to write their favorite food.

We love the rides in future world, and then we love the mexico ride, and we are so sad Maelstrom is gone. Love Oh Canada. We go in December, so the storytellers are fun. The shops are great. Honestly, we love everything about it. But we do love shopping and people watching, etc.