Kidcot Stations, worth the time?????

[NemoPrincess]

We were wondering what everyone thought of the kidcot stations in Epcot. We have a DD5 and a DS3. Are they worth the time? Where are they? What are your opinions? Thanks!!

 

[liznboys]

We like them because it gives our little ones a break of sorts... My boys LOVE to color and create things, so they really enjoy sitting down for a few minutes and doing that.

 

[Heather]

I hate to waffle, but it totally depends on your kids. Mine LOVED it (and still, at 11 and 7, beg to go to them) from ages 3 on up.

They are in different spots in each pavilion, but usually in the back. Sometimes they have been outdoors and highly visible, but just as often they are in the main "marketplace" type shop of the country at a couple of tables off to the side or in the back. They aren't always easy to find, but the Cast Members should easily be able to direct you.

In previous years, there have been masks made of a thick cardboard flat cut-out mounted on a flat wooden stick. At the first country the kids stop at (and it can be any country, all have the supplies) the kids get the mask. Each country will put a stamp of some sort on the stick/handle and each country has some sort of cut-out shape that they will attach (either by making a hole punch, or by putting it through the eye or mouth holes) to the mask. For example, Canada has a maple leaf cut out. There are markers and, sometimes, other craft supplies at each station that the kids can use to decorate the mask.

Hope that was helpful. As to whether it is a complete waste of your time or not, that is individual to each family. My DH and I take turns wandering around the World showcase while our kids play at the stations, and, as I said, they LOVE it and it is always on their list of most-favorite things to do, but it isn't like you can't do arts and crafts at home. . .

 

[mollyw]

We haven't been to Disney since Feb. 2003 and when I asked DS8 what were some of his "must do's". He said the Kidcot stations in all the countries. I think we hit 5 or 6 last time. It is such a basic non thrill activity that this surprised me. They also made a pressed penny at each stop.
Have Fun

 

[erinch]

my DD (now age 10) isn't the arts and crafts kind of gal. But she loves the kidcot stations because she loves to talk to the CMs, and "get" the stamp. This last time she said she didn't want to carry the "art thingy" around, and got the stamps in her autograph book.

 

[slp87]

My DD has 4 masks that she made starting when she was 5 and at 11 she still loves it. We set aside a day and start at Mexico, then work our way around to Canada. It's a blast! I like to take a picture of DD at each station with the CM to put in our scrapbook.

 

[snickerboo]

The day we went, it kind of stank. It was a passport thing to wear around her neck with paper 'charms' that she could colour and get attached at each kidstop. She only ended up doing one charm and she's a very artsy kid.

 

[kidd_freeper]

We were wondering what everyone thought of the kidcot stations in Epcot. We have a DD5 and a DS3. Are they worth the time? Where are they? What are your opinions? Thanks!!

I have a DS4, a DS5 and a DS6.
DS4 didn't like it. DS5 refused to participate. DS6 likes to color, but was more anxious to get to the attractions.

I say try it, but by no means should you push it.

 

[Sandi]

The day we went, it kind of stank. It was a passport thing to wear around her neck with paper 'charms' that she could colour and get attached at each kidstop. She only ended up doing one charm and she's a very artsy kid.

That's so funny because my DD11 loved the FW passport thing with charms and felt it was so much better than the masks in WS. We tried to get to all of the FW pavilions that participated, but missed out on the Land because they closed up during EMH that evening.

I guess it just goes to show you that it really is a family/kid specific thing. I say, give them a try and see what your kids think.

 

[goofy4dis]

I would say that it is worth it especially with younger kids who may not be as thrilled by the World Showcase as they are by other parks or even Future World. The "craft" is more or less just a mask that every country adds a paper charm that often end up appearing to be earings. At your first country, probably Canada or Mexico on either end of the showcase, the kids will recieve a mask (by the way you can get the masks at every country and their are several different styles depending on what country you get it from) and they can decorate it in anyway they like with the markers and occasionally crayons that the kid cots supply. Every countries charm is unique to the country; a viking ship from Norway, a headband for the mask at Japan. Also each country stamps the handle of the mask. The stamps all feature Mickey in hat from that country.
As far as the Passport thing, I'm pretty sure that is something completely different and you have to buy it. While it is fun too it may not be as appealing to the younger kids who most likely wont know wat a real passport is anyway.

have a great time!!1

 

[Karibeth19]

My DD loves the Kidcot stops, and always has to do a mask, even if it's our second or third time around the World Showcase. We always come home from a trip with two or three masks! IMO, the best part is the interaction the kids can have with the CM's from around the world. My daughter has loved meeting the kids from different countries. She tries to speak what little French I've taught her to the French CM's, which always gets a great response. She will also speak what little Spanish she's learned from watching Dora the Explorer to the Mexican CM's, with the same great response. And, for some reason I can't explain, she has positively charmed the Moroccan CM's every time. She must do something that is enchanting to them, because they always go on and on to us about how wonderful she is. Now that she's older, I think I will encourage her to do a passport on our next trip so she can talk to the CM's about their home countries and hopefully learn something interesting about each one.

 

[NemoPrincess]

It sounds like the kids could have some fun at the stops. We will give them a shot. Thanks for the advice.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Has anyone been at the Kidcot areas recently and do they change for the christmas season?

Thanks

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

My DD5 loves this activity. I always feel bad that I have to pull her away from coloring (she could sit for hours and color) so I decided that next time I am going to bring my own crayons or markers so she can color while sitting in the Disney stroller. That distraction is worth it!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Call me a spoilsport, but we steered DD5 away from the funstops in WS. She did a few in FW, which was fine, but just coloring a fish, ladybug and hanging it on a string. I figure this she can do from home and she really was excited to go to WS to see France and China ( she loves anything to do with these two countries. Go figure ) Anyway, we started the mask in Mexico, and after about 30 minutes DH and I were sick of being whacked with the stick as she carried it. We tried putting it in the totebag but that was worse and we came to hate that thing!!!! DD forgot about it and when we found it in the back seat the other day, I told my DH to toss it! (I can hear the boos and hisses now.. )