KidCot - what a blast!

[GC&S]

This was our first year doing the mask thing (dd is 3). It was so much fun for all of us. Everyone in the countries was so nice (the guys in Norway and Germany were especially funny). I would recommend it to anyone - and dd had a great thing for show and tell when we got back.

 

[GoofyDad869]

What is the oldest a kid can be to do this? My daughter is right in line for it (6y.o.) but my son may be too old (11y.o.).

 

[hezreck]

i saw teenagers and adults doing it when we were ther in Dec. I don't think the CM's care what age you are.

 

[luv2nascar]

My DDs made necklaces in the living seas and the land. They were 2 & almost 10 at the time. I don't think they care about ages.

 

[GC&S]

Since they asked if me and DH wanted a mask, I don't think they care about age! I think older kids would like it to because the countries will write their name (or a message) in their language. At Japan, they were showing the kids how to make origami and older kids were loving it.

 

[GoofyDad869]

Cool!

 

[Nini]

What is this and where do we sign up, if there is a "sign up". Need Info as we are leaving in 3 days with 7 children ranging from 3.5yrs to 9yrs.

HELP!!!!!!!! Thirsting for knowledge...

 

[anewvance]

We just did masks for the first time this past trip and my kids had a blast. The guy in Italy was hilarious! They finished all the countries and finished at Canada and got a certificate for going to all of the countries.

No, you don't have to sign up... just pick a country and start there... they will give you what you need. There was a young couple going around with their masks that night too, they don't care about ages!

 

[riu girl]

So you simply start with one country, ask a cm about the world showcase mask and they will give you the items you need?

How is this different from the Epcot passport for children?
Would it make sense to do both?

Thank you
Suzy V

 

[Nank]

I thought this was cool, but my 4 year old DS didn't care at all! He only did 1 in Norway.

 

[Disneyof3]

My kids have done it now 2 years in a row. Last year my youngest was 2 1/2 and he did it and loved it. This past Feb.05 he did it again and went all yellow because that is his favourite colour. My oldest is 8 1/2 and he loves doing it and they all get excited near the end when they have been to all the countries.

 

[Eljay]

Here is some info from AllEars.net

by Debra Martin Koma
ALL EARS™ Senior Editor
This article appeared in the
August 14, 2001, Issue #99 of ALL EARS™ (ISSN: 1533-0753)

(Additional overlooked attractions, sent in by ALL EARS™ Readers, follow the article.)

BROADENING HORIZONS IN WORLD SHOWCASE

Kids may initially think World Showcase is going to be a big snooze for them, but you can encourage their active participation in learning about the various countries by getting them a World Showcase Passport. The passports are sold for $9.95 at most stores and carts throughout Epcot, and include a set of country stamps and a big "I'm a World Showcase Traveler" button. As you visit the WS pavilions, your child can have Cast Members at the KIDCOT stations (see description following) stamp the passport and write something in his/her native language.

Did you ever see those brightly colored KIDCOT signs and wonder what they were for? Well, each pavilion in World Showcase features a KIDCOT station specially for the youngsters in your group. At these stations, which usually operate only in the afternoons, there is a small table manned by Cast Members from the various countries. They will talk with children about their native land, engage them in a craft, stamp their World Showcase Passports if they have one, and sign a personal message in the language of the country.

 

[soccerchick]

You don't have to buy the passport. Just do the mask. My DD6 really enjoyed doing this. The Epcot park maps have the locations marked. The decor in Norway is really cute.

 

[riu girl]

Thank you for the info. on the passports.

Can anyone provide me on info. about making the mask? Is it similar to the passport (go to each kidcot station in the WS countries) ?
Do children do both the mask and the passport or usually just one?
Thank you
Suzy V

 

[Dorisk3]

I admit I was too cheap to buy the passport- they will sign and stamp and put a message in your autograph book though! My kids loved these stops- ages 2.5 and 5 - it got us through all the countries and now they have the little posters up on their walls!

 

[Dorisk3]

Riu Girl- You can take the mask with you from country to country- and they will happily do the passport as well. At the first country you can color it and they give you a little paper charm that is attached to the mask . Each country has its own charm and when you collect all 11 (I think there are 11!) you get a little poster. They also put a stamp on the wood handle of the mask of each country you have been to. Have fun!

 

[riu girl]

Thank you so much for all the information. It sounds like a great activity for children.
Suzy V.

 

[kileybeth]

My kids have been doing the mask thing in WS for several years now. They have gotten the certificate/poster/picture for completing all of the countries lots of times. Last year, my then 1.5 year old, was the youngest child I had ever done this with. He loved it, the CM's were great, and he really loved hiding behind that mask!
It used to be when there was a parade in WS (Tapestry) you could hold up your mask to the characters and they would give you special attention, coins, confetti, handshake, whatever. those where the best days of the mask IMHO.
They are also a great souvenier. My DD now 10 yrs. old just redid her room into a "big girl room" (no more pink and princesses:-( ) but she kept her WS kidcot masks! My now 13yrDS was to big (in his opinion!) this year for the first time.
One drawback, they are a huge time consumer. Be prepared to devote 15-20 minutes to each stop or drag grumpy childen away with half done mask.

At each stop, the CM (a native of that country) will stamp the stick the mask goes on, and tie a diecut construction paper cut out on the mask. (something to represent that country) Your child will then be given markers to color a portion of his/her mask at each stop. some CM's are obviously more into this than others! Ask them how to say something in their native tongue or to write your name in their language, etc.

Please be courteous and move along if several others are waiting for a chair and a CM's attention. One year we followed around the same family for most of our day and had to wait so long each time for them to make room for anyone else! ugh!