Help me with the World Showcase

[Duckiedee]

We really loved Epcot our last trip - but we didn't really do all that great of a job visiting the World Showcase.

Wondering if you could fill me in with your best tips for the Lands you love...

I've tried to set up each Country - so you can cut and paste and delete the rest for posting.

Thanks for your info and tips!!!

Mexico

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Norway

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Canada

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

China

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Japan

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Italy

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

America

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

France

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Germany

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Morocco

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

United Kingdom

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

 

[Sevey13]

Morocco
Pretty much all of Morocco is a best-kept secret, haha! So many people walk by without wandering back into the winding alleyways or opening the doors that lead to intricate and beautifully tiled rooms. There's even a small art museum here! If you want a dinner and a show, you can pay for the TS restaurant, or just time your quick service meal at Tangerine with whenever the band here is performing. A nice show, a nice venue, great value food. I know Lou Mongello did a live review here in the past, worth a listen if you are interested.

Japan
Whatever you do, check this place out at night. There's a small Japanese garden with lanterns, a small waterfall, koi pond, etc. that is beautiful at night. You can grab a plum wine and head to the back of the pavilion and sit away from the crowds near the brook. Also, there's another museum here with a rotating exhibit showcasing Japanese culture. If you have an anime fan in your family, they will LOVE it. I don't personally care one way or the other about anime, but last time I was there the exhibit was on how ancient Japanese animal spirits are embodied in modern characters like Mario or Sailor Moon and it was pretty interesting. Currently the exhibit is on the Japanese culture of 'cute.'

Italy, France, Germany
Something Disney doesn't even advertise that I certainly didn't know existed until someone mentioned it on here was the Wine Walk. For $20 you get a printed card that you take to these three countries where you get two sample glasses of wine at each country along with information about the drink. Not only do you get the physical souvenir but six glasses of wine for $20. Granted they are smaller pours, but that's a steal ANYWHERE, let alone WDW.

Norway
Depending on when you go, Norway might be a little closed down still. Even the stave church is closed right now. Everything should be back up and running a few months, but it will likely be packed because of the Frozen attraction. Just have your expectations tempered.

On your last trip, did you do Agent P? That's a good way to force yourself into the nooks and crannies of some of the pavilions.

 

[pa. dad]

We really loved Epcot our last trip - but we didn't really do all that great of a job visiting the World Showcase.

Wondering if you could fill me in with your best tips for the Lands you love...

I've tried to set up each Country - so you can cut and paste and delete the rest for posting.

Thanks for your info and tips!!!

Mexico

Best Food= the beer

Best Thing to Do/See= the boat ride

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Norway

Best Food= salmon and pastries

Best Thing to Do/See= hope the new ride is as good as Malestrom

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Canada

Best Food- le cellier filet

Best Thing to Do/See- movie's good

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

China

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir- many to choose from

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips- you have to stand to watch the movie

Japan

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See- the drummers

Best Souvenir- CDs of the drummers

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Italy

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir-chocolate maybe

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

America

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips- there's room to spread out here

France

Best Food- upstairs

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir- the wines or the colognes

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch- movie is nice and you sit.

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Germany

Best Food- gummi bears

Best Thing to Do/See- same

Best Souvenir- same

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature- the train

Tips

Morocco

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See- the band and the belly dancer

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

United Kingdom

Best Food- rose and crown

Best Thing to Do/See- the band

Best Souvenir- beatles and bbc souveniers and teas.

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Part of the fun is discovering some of these things yourself at your pace. I filled out a few things that I like. Get a Times Guide when you enter Epcot so you know what time the bands and the jugglers and other entertainers perform. You can ride the Mexico boat ride anytime.

Best Food= the beer

Best Thing to Do/See= the boat ride

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Norway

Best Food= salmon and pastries

Best Thing to Do/See= hope the new ride is as good as Malestrom

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Canada

Best Food- le cellier filet

Best Thing to Do/See- movie's good

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

China

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir- many to choose from

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips- you have to stand to watch the movie

Japan

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See- the drummers

Best Souvenir- CDs of the drummers

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Italy

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir-chocolate maybe

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

America

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips- there's room to spread out here

France

Best Food- upstairs

Best Thing to Do/See

Best Souvenir- the wines or the colognes

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch- movie is nice and you sit.

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

Germany

Best Food- gummi bears

Best Thing to Do/See- same

Best Souvenir- same

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature- the train

Tips

Morocco

Best Food

Best Thing to Do/See- the band and the belly dancer

Best Souvenir

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips

United Kingdom

Best Food- rose and crown

Best Thing to Do/See- the band

Best Souvenir- beatles and bbc souveniers and teas.

Best Show/Time of day to see/Place to watch

Best Hidden/Less well-known feature

Tips[/QUOTE]

 

[Sevey13]

Are you going with kids?

 

[BeerMe]

I know which beers are at each kiosk

 

[dreiwhit]

Mexico - The Tree Amigos ride. I enjoyed it and find myself humming the music from the ride.

Germany - the bratwurst, sauerkraut and paprika chips from Sommerfest - Tasty and very filling! The mouse ears available in Germany are lederhosen themed, and I still regret not getting a pair.

UK - I enjoyed listening to the band and walking through the shops.

Italy - the dancers with the flags.

Japan - going to the large shop and watching people pick pearls and the CMs making jewelry out of them.

What I really enjoyed was stopping and listening to the music played in each country.

We spent one day in Epcot, and honestly that was not enough for us. We had to hurry through many of the countries, and only stopped when something caught our eyes. When we go back next year (hopefully), we're planning on spending two days in Epcot. We'll ride the rides we want in the morning each day, and spent the rest of the days in the Word Showcase.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The best pavilion there is the American. The voices of liberty are amazing. the show provides a condensed but balanced look at american history, with a excellent multi media presentation. Not to be missed.

As far a food goes, there are Chinese, Mexican and Italian restaurants all over the word, especially in the US, so we don't go there. We usually do Germany and France and England.

AKK

 

[Cynister]

Morocco
There's even a small art museum here!

Japan
Also, there's another museum here with a rotating exhibit showcasing Japanese culture.

Where are the entrances to the museums?

Canada
Best Thing to Do/See- movie's good

France
Best Food- upstairs

[/QUOTE]
Where's the entrance to the movie?
How do you get upstairs in France?

 

[ariane37]

We LOVE WS! I can't even tell you how many "days" we spend there; we're there more nights of our trips than any other park (our boys are currently 10 and 14).

MEXICO: do the boat ride inside. It's not the most exciting ride in WDW or Epcot but it's cute! Outside the pyramid pavilion on the side, Donald meets in his sombrero and sarape. There's a Mariachi band that plays, we've never actually stopped to listen but we've walked by when they're playing and they sound good. **all entertainment is on the times guide and of course depending on your tastes, may or may not be something you'll want to stop for**

NORWAY: used to be my favorite country. Hopefully the new Frozen ride will be open and you can try it - none of us can tell you if it's "worth" trying. As far as a snack, my FAVORITE snack in all of WDW is at Kringla Bakeri in Norway - School Bread Even if that's not up your alley the bakery has lots of other yummy pastries to try. If you have kids, they can pick up a Viking hat as a souvenir and you can get some Laila perfume which is also my favorite and something I pick up every trip.

CANADA: we don't spend a lot of time here but the gardens are pretty. And I do stop to grab a La Fin Du Monde at the beer cart Haven't watched the movie in a few years but it's there!

CHINA: The acrobats are fun to watch. Mulan meets there, also. And if you go inside the pavilion they have a really cool display of the Tomb Warriors.

JAPAN: The store is super cool to walk around in and my kids always pick out neat candy to try from there. Also if you haven't done ADR's yet, I'm going to suggest Tokyo Dining, a later reservation. You can watch Illuminations from their balcony and it's a beautiful view plus very good food!

ITALY: Being Italian I kind of wish there was more going on here......pretty stuff in the store. Nothing really hidden or that stands out, but of course you can get some delicious chocolate and both restaurants are very good.

AMERICA: Try REALLY hard to catch Voices of Liberty! When they're performing inside in the rotunda, not outside on the stage. They sing patriotic songs inside and a capella Disney songs outside. Not that the Disney songs aren't good (who here doesn't love some a capella Disney??) but hearing them since patriotic songs dressed in period clothing is touching and beautiful and in my opinion what they are meant to do. Even kids seem mesmerized I think watching the American Adventure is worth it, also.

GERMANY: Snow White meets here. The shops are cute; a cuckoo clock one, another one sells Steiff bears and lots of Haribo candy. beer steins. Someone mentioned getting bratwurst with the paprika chips, both of which are delicious and they have some great beers here. You should also definitely at least walk in Karamel Kuche just for the smell if nothing else!

FRANCE: Belle meets here. There is an ice cream shop back by Les Halles bakery-actually, the bakery AND the ice cream shop are two places you should eat lol! But more importantly, if you drink you HAVE to try a Grey Goose Slush which they sell at a cart in France. The most refreshing, sun-shiny drink ever!!
Our 2nd favorite WS performer is here, Serveur Amusant. Look at his schedule and stop to watch him!!

MOROCCO: As someone else mentioned, make sure you walk in the back through all the doorways and the shops. The tilework is gorgeous and the museum is very interesting. Aladdin and Jasmine meet back there, also. If you're into incense they sell lots of it! Their QS restaurant, Tangerine Café, is one of the best QS in WS. We happen to think their TS is very, very good too and we enjoy the belly dancer and musicians that accompany her. Back in Nov. they had an awesome band playing on the little stage they have just outside Tangerine Café but by Jan. they were gone. A CM manager said they were trying to get them back, so if you see a band there with a Jimi Hendrix look-alike singer, stop to listen to them, also.

UK: Our favorite WS performers are here, back in the gardens (which we enjoy walking through, too). British Revolution is a band that plays there, a number of sets a day, all British rock. We usually get a drink, have a seat and watch Mary Poppins and Alice meet here - sort of, they're more on the side/pathway once you come over the bridge from France leading in to the UK.

1. If you like characters, OCCASIONALLY they have some training on the side of the American pavilion. If this is happening you'll see the big white doors/gates open or opening and random characters will come out for a short period of time for pictures and possibly autographs. This does NOT happen the majority of the time; I'm simply mentioning it b/c if you're lucky you may be there on a day they're doing it and it's a nice bit of magic to keep an eye out for

2. At the Outpost which is....after Canada?? they sell these beaded bracelets and necklaces. The beads are made out of recycled park maps! They're cool and very pretty. I've gotten them for me, both DS's have a bracelet and we've bought many for gifts. They're not that expensive at all and make great souvenirs!

3. Do you have kids travelling with you? There are a couple other things in WS for kids to do.

 

[Sevey13]

Where are the entrances to the museums?

They are both on your left as you are facing into the pavilions. The Morocco museum is towards the front of the pavilion. One of the first things on the left is (I believe) a space where the Aladdin Meet & Greet happens. It's the next space. If you go through the arch, you've gone too far.

In Japan, if you go into the courtyard and head towards the 'fort' entrance, it's on your left right before you go into the building.

2. At the Outpost which is....after Canada?? they sell these beaded bracelets and necklaces. The beads are made out of recycled park maps! They're cool and very pretty. I've gotten them for me, both DS's have a bracelet and we've bought many for gifts. They're not that expensive at all and make great souvenirs!

You are also theoretically helping people in poverty when you buy those, too. They send the maps to Africa where they employ women to make the bracelets.

 

[Parker Clan]

Italy-
Via Napoli best restaurant- pasta and pizza dishes are great
The souvenir shops have good wine and cute coasters, we got two blue and red Mickey ear coasters imported from Italy

France-
The bakery and ice cream parlor are yummy!! We've tried a few things from that bakery and loved them all. The sorbet is also delicious.
Great spot to watch Illuminations and it's way less crowded!

Germany-
The pretzels at Sommerfest are sooo good!! Better than your average pretzel!
The sweets shop certainly has a lot of good choices for dessert if you have a sweet tooth

America-
We really like the show there! They have an acappella grp too performing before the show, very cool! It's a nice break from the heat too

Canada-
We saw the movie last year for the first time and enjoyed it! Martin Short was funny

Mexico-
Frozen margaritas from the pavilion! Good spot to watch Illuminations if you don't mind a bit of a crowd!

Pretty much all the gift shops have cute little chachki things, if you explore all the nooks and crannies you might find something neat!

The WS is the best! Enjoy!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The only things I like about World Showcase are the alcohol and meat.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We are doing an Epcot day in June and pretty much just hoping to hang out in WS as much as possible. It doesn't open until 11, right? Our 3 year old is desperate to meet Mulan and would love Aladdin and Jasmine together, too, so I hope we can see them! I know people say WS isn't really for little kids, but if ours is character-and-snack-obsessed, it should still be a fun time, right?

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

EPCOT is my favorite park, mostly because of WS, but I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. I love walking around and enjoying the ambiance so I've never even made it to the movies and all the hidden spots. Doing WS with kids is a little harder, but not impossible.
In Canada we've eaten at Le Cellier and enjoyed it. Otherwise no snacks stand out. The gardens are pretty and the shops on top are cute, ODS was fascinated by the red phone booth when he was younger. The movie has Martin Short, I believe< and I hope to do it someday. I bought Maple Syrup for my dad, but that's just something he loves.
UK, is pretty but we usually just pass through. I tried the fish and chips last time and they were good.
France is nice, we enjoy the Bakery. I've had the Grey Goose Slush and it's fine but nothing I'm rushing back to get. Lots of picture spots and fun to meet Belle in her blue dress. I ate at Chefs de France years ago and it was nice.
Morocco is possibly my favorite. I've eaten at the sit down restaurant many years ago and the belly dancer and live music were fun. Otherwise I grab a plate from the QS and enjoy the food. The whole area is so detailed and gorgeous. I just like wandering the paths. Met Aladdin here too.
Japan is so peaceful with the gardens. The drum show is good. The shopping is fun and we like the plum wine at the sake bar in the store.
America, we usually skip/pass through. Apparently we need to check it out this year.
Italy seems a little empty. We've enjoyed the gelato.
Germany is cute with the little trains, we have to watch them every time we go. I'm usually full of snacking around the world here so we grab a back of caramels and eat those later.
The Outpost is a fun little stop for us and ODS likes to play on the drums and check out the old timey truck. We've never eaten here.
We are usually running out of time and rush through China, Norway, and Mexico. The Chinese acrobats we fascinating to watch and the grounds are beautiful. Norway was mostly shut down but pretty from what we could see, the school bread in the bakery was a fun treat. Mexico was neat with the market inside, the boat ride was fun, DH like the QS out by the lagoon, and someday I will try the tequila bar.
We ate in every country during F&WF, but I didn't include that as those choices are not always available.

This is a great thread and I'm watching it to know what to do/look for next time. We need to start in Mexico and not skip America.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

We are doing an Epcot day in June and pretty much just hoping to hang out in WS as much as possible. It doesn't open until 11, right? Our 3 year old is desperate to meet Mulan and would love Aladdin and Jasmine together, too, so I hope we can see them! I know people say WS isn't really for little kids, but if ours is character-and-snack-obsessed, it should still be a fun time, right?

Correct, WS doesn't open until 11am. If you wanted to try for an Akershus breakfast you could get a head start on Norway. Also you can see at least parts of Canada before 11am. I think your daughter might enjoy WS if she loves characters and food. Don't forget the KidCot stations. In Japan, ODS colored a Duffy fan (this was a few years ago) and the girls wrote his name in Japanese on the back.

 

[Mikie]

The only things I like about World Showcase are the alcohol and meat.

I didnt know my husband joined the DIS!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I didnt know my husband joined the DIS!

Don't say that out loud! My other wife will find out I'm a bigamist!

 

[fabfivefigo]

I'll second the endorsements for Tangerine Cafe in Morocco - my favorite QS in Epcot

 

[jason10mm]

There is a very nice sit down lake side restaurant at Morocco now (Spice Road), kinda like the place across from Mexico. Was always pretty empty and quiet when I passed by last fall.

 

[Duckiedee]

Are you going with kids?

Yes a 5 & 11 year old