Help us find Epcot's hidden gems...

[sassymom]

I apologize if this has been posted before...We will be going to WDW in August and I am trying to make the most of what will be the first trip for some of us myself included. Knowing that MK and other parks are more favorable to the little ones I am trying to make a "list" of all that Epcot has to offer. Our gang of 9 are 2, 5, 9, 18, 20, 25, 29, and well...my Mom and Dad. So I am calling on all of you veteran Disers to help me make the most of our day in Epcot. TIA!

 

[Ladybugsy]

Check the show times when you enter the park for the lady in Japan that makes candy animals. I haven't been able to see her on other trips, but I am going to make it a point to see her this time.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Here's some things that we do at Epcot:

Norway: in one of the gift shops, there is a large statue of an ugly troll. We ALWAYS take a pic of the kids standing next to it. We do this every trip and it's so fun for the kids (and us) to see how much the kids have grown from each trip.

Mexico: there is a email postcard machine in one of the buildings (it's the building where the kidscot table is set up). You can send an email out (or just send it to your own email) with the kids' faces on it.

Germany: in their Christmas Shop, there is the "pickle" you can buy that you hang on your xmas tree. You hide the pickle on the tree on xmas eve (after the kids go to bed) and the first child to find the pickle on the tree xmas morning gets a special present. It's fun to do and it reminds us of the Germany xmas shop where we bought it.

Japan: you can pick an oyster from a tank of water and it is a surprise as to how big the pearl inside is. They make a big to-do about it and they bang a gong. We've never bought one because it's too much money, but it's fun to watch others do it.

Canada: don't miss the incredible waterfall in the back. Absolutely amazing!

Great Britain: there is a small garden maze that my kids like to do. It's not anything too special. Just something fun.

That's about all I can come up with right now. I'll think about it some more and post later if I can think of more special things to do.

HTH

Mary

 

[webmomom]

In Inovations ( I am sorry I don't remember which one) there is a area set up a like forest. If go over the far wall (iwithin and forest) you actually a paper. Our kids have to do each time we go. You actually get to paper home with you.

 

[Sharon Esch]

Have any of your kids got the "passports" that you take to each country and have them sign it in their language and also get a stamp?

 

[MeggP]

what we did last time and will be doing when we go again is buy the different candies available at the world showcase pavilions...adults and kids enjoyed trying them
MeggP

 

[Sharon Esch]

MeggP-
Did you you buy the candies and have them shipped back to your resort or did you carry them? I don't have a problem carrying them, but it we get chocolate it will melt (going June 17-24).

Thanks!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

The passports are fun for the kids to do. They can be bought at any of the gift shops in the World Showcase.
Kidcot funstops! There are little tables set up all around EPCOT now, not just in the World Showcase and they are so much fun for the kids. I was happy to see tables set up in Future World on our recent trip, my DD will love this in December.
The CMs are very friendly and will answer questions about their home countries.
In China the CM saw my kids birthday buttons, so she turned over their masks and wrote in Chinese their zodiac signs and Happy Birthday.
The stops also give the kids a little break during the busy day.

Norway has a play area that is a huge viking ship the kids can climb all over and play pretend. Fun for mom and dad too.

And we always have to walk through the little train garden in Germany and look for the hidden Mickey. Last time with the kids, we looked for lizards too.

The improv shows are fun to watch and participate in, check out the times guide for your day.

We always enjoy trying a new snack and sharing as we walk around World Showcase.

If you are there mid afternoon, you might be able to watch them floating out the fireworks barges. We saw the drawbridge raise and they brought through the boats. Fun to watch, especially for the kids.

Have fun and just keep your eyes open and be willing to slow down and enjoy the scenery and unexpected things. EPCOT is a wonderful park for families!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Enjoyed reading the ideas. The kids a few years ago did the masks and had fun, but I think we missed out on a lot of other things. I wrote some of the ideas down to do for our August trip. Maybe my DH will enjoy the World a bit more.

 

[vacationwoman]

I apologize if this has been posted before...We will be going to WDW in August and I am trying to make the most of what will be the first trip for some of us myself included. Knowing that MK and other parks are more favorable to the little ones I am trying to make a "list" of all that Epcot has to offer. Our gang of 9 are 2, 5, 9, 18, 20, 25, 29, and well...my Mom and Dad. So I am calling on all of you veteran Disers to help me make the most of our day in Epcot. TIA!

The World Showcase is a great place to walk around. Mexico also has a cute "boat ride", Norway has a ride called "Maelstrom" good for all ages.

On the Epcot side, there are many attractions that all except maybe your 2 youngest would enjoy. Universe of Energy (might be to loud for young ones), Mission Space(not for small ones), Test Track(not for small ones), The Land, Not to be missed is Soaring over California in the Land Pavillion, Living Seas (even the young ones will like this), Imagination (for everyone) , Honey I shrunk the Kids (might be to intense for young ones).
Inoventions east and west have great stuff in them to explore.
Plus the amazing fountains (check out the one outside of Imagination the kids will love it)
There's a million things to see at Epcot both on the Future World side and the World Showcase.
pm me if you have any questions.

 

[sassymom]

Thank you all for your responses. As for Mission Space now that they have a tame version I think we all may enjoy it (maybe not my DS2 if there is a height requirement for the new version). My DD5 is a certified space nut right now she is very into the planets and all that is outer space at the moment. As for Soarin that is a must do for me since it was my DF's favorite ride. It's all these little extras that I'm jotting down that I think will make it so much more fun for us all. Thanks again, keep em coming!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Make sure that you watch at least one performance of the dancing fountain in Future world, the huge one right between Innoventions. Especially in August, it's a VERY cool way to rest your feet, to stand in the fountain spray and tell the kids that the fountan is going to do something special in a bit.

Nice quiet spot if you need a five minute time out to get your senses again is the garden in Japan.

 

[princess22]

I love the Acrobats in China. They are amazing. I have to see them everytime I go to Epcot. There shows are different throughout the day, so sometimes I will watch them more than once. My cousins, 3 and 5, love watching them too!

In Innovations, there is one of the Dance REvolution things, I'm not sure what they are called, but they are free (compared to paying for it at the arcade). It is in Tom Morrow's Playground.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I believe the true key to enjoying EPCOT is to take it slowly. I think too many people are in such a hurry that they decide if there's not a ride, it's not worth doing. World Showcase has some really cool stuff that may be sitting in a shop. Japan had some really cool swords in the gift shop. The other thing is that you can sometimes find very popular characters in World Showcase with little to no crowds around them. My brother and I were able to interact with Aurora and Belle with no other crowds around. Just take time to walk through and around the pavilions of World Showcase. There are a lot of little gardens and such that most people miss. And don't be afraid to admire the artistry and craftsmanship of some of the merchandise in the World Showcase gift shops. There's some very cool stuff in there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I love the World Showcase Players in United Kingdom. They're so hysterical. Grail, grail, grail! Then afterwards, I get a pretty teacup from the Twinings store to drink my tea in when I get home.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

When you're in line for Maelstrom, ask a Cast Member to point out all the Hidden Mickeys in the mural.

And stop for a drink at the "talking fountains" between World Showcase and FutureWorld.

 

[ricktib]

One must-see is the pre-show for the American Adventure, Voices of Liberty. Truly awesome vocalists!

Check here for all of the entertainment schedules. But, make sure to pick up a times guide at the park. Have a great time!

 

[MeggP]

I carried the candy with us back to the room...nothing melted but we were there after 5 pm (in May) so maybe it wasn't hot enough.

 

[PrincessJen09]

Along with the Kid stops and the passport, my sister and I collected one thing from each country. We had a lot of fun with this...it took us forever to decide what we wanted! One year, I collected pins and my sister collected flags. This past year my mom and I found a little object from each land so that we could make a mini Epcot tree! I hope that you have fun!!

 

[pooch]

Here's some things that we do at Epcot:

Norway: in one of the gift shops, there is a large statue of an ugly troll. We ALWAYS take a pic of the kids standing next to it. We do this every trip and it's so fun for the kids (and us) to see how much the kids have grown from each trip.


I can't believe it!! On our trip in 1999, DS's first, I took a picture of him leaning on the ugly troll!! Well, the kids hate Mom taking pictures now but I told him I HAD to have one with the troll!!