Kidcot - crowded?? indoor??

[pjtjm]

Hi all -

I'm planning a trip in late Aug and was hoping to bring my children "around the world" at the Kidcot stations.

Can anyone let me know if these areas get very crowded??

Also, I was wondering if they are indoors, (just in case it rains... which of course it won't in late Aug, right???

 

[720L]

Sometimes they get a little crowded-maybe you'll wait 5 minutes or less. I think all of them are inside? Can't remember for sure. Our kids LOVED doing this. (ages 6 and 3 1/2)

 

[webprinter]

They were not crowded when we were there, but it was off season. I think most if not all stations were indoors. We were there in January and it was cold, so I think I would remember if they were outdoors. Debby

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

When we were there (June 17-24), Kidcot was somewhat busy. The next available time to make a robot was going to be 90 minutes away. The video screens were almost all available....but some of the other attractions had about a 20-30 minute wait.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

We went during peak Easter/Spring Break '05 and our twins, DD7 & DS7, never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes at any station. The countries want to make sure you get way into their gift shops and toy stores, so all of the stations are definitely well inside -- except the U.S., which was outside in the courtyard.

The whole Kidcot experience was a HUGE hit with our kids and a great way for DH and I to get to see each country, too. It's all free (recommend passing on the for-charge passports that they also have there).

 

[pjtjm]

It's all free (recommend passing on the for-charge passports that they also have there).

Thanks for all the quick replies!!

Just wondering, why don't you recommend the books? Are they very $$, or just poor quality??

I was thinking about purchasing the passport for stamping. I really have no idea how they look, but I thought they would have a page for each country, with space for the stamp...

I thought that would keep the kids excited by going to all the countries in the book.
"Hey Mom, when will get to go to China???" "We still "need" Germany!"

Any other opinions on the books??

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Just wondering, why don't you recommend the books? Are they very $$, or just poor quality??

I was thinking about purchasing the passport for stamping. I really have no idea how they look, but I thought they would have a page for each country, with space for the stamp...

Our kids loved coloring the masks, getting the attachments, and meeting and conversing with the CMs at each country. The CMs also stamp the mask's stick with a "native" stamp and many wrote our kids' names in their language on the back as well. Guess I'm guessing that the stamp in the passport was the same as the stamp on the mask -- forgive me if I'm mistaken.

Truthfully, we never even asked how much the passports were (nor did we see anyone have/buy one at any country and the CMs weren't even promoting them). Our kids thoroughly enjoyed what we did and it was priceless to have such a nice educational opportunity available without a price tag on it. Whatever you decide will be fine. Have a great trip.

 

[undertheseas]

I think we paid $10 for the passport and it does use the same stamp as the mask. The CMs would also write next to it (in the book). I had found on this website how to say hello in several languages so DD would try to say it to the CMs which really tickled them. They would try to teach her more words, it was really neat. I highly recommend it. Oh and we went in peak season and never had to wait more than a couple of minutes at most.

 

[Vavasmon]

DD loves all three of her passports and all 4 of her Kidcot masks (we didn't do the passport on our first trip).

To answer your questions: Most of the stations are inside - the USA is on the side of the building and Italy seems like it moves based on the weather. Yhe stations can be busy but we have never seen the mobbed (we been iover Easter - twice, Christmas, and the kast week of August). If a station is busy it will ften clear in 5 - 10 minutes. My DD loves talking with CMs and coloring her masks (she always has a theme). We did this with her cousin on a rainy day last August - we needed ponchos for between the countries but for the activity.

The CMs will stamp both the mask and the passport if you ask. If it is not too busy, many wrote small messages in her passport in their native language plus the translation. The CM in Moracco sensed she was very interested and explained how he was writing right to left instead of left to right etc. The passport includes the country stickers (pictures of some of the sites in the country) and a button so they cost more than an autograph book (I don't remember the exact cost). They are well put together and seem to hold up.

The Kids activities in the front part of Epoct (future world etc.) sometimes were mobbed - they can make paper, a robot, etc. We saw waits their of over 30 minutes in some cases. I don't think they call these Kidcot stops but I may be wrong.