One childless evening in Epcot...What would you do??

[jimik009]

Good morning! I am an obsessive planner and I'm working on our August trip. It's only our second trip ever and it'll be our first time at Epcot. We signed our 3 boys (ages 7, 7, and 4) up for a kids club evening so we can check out some of the World Showcase at our own pace. We'll only have an hour or two at most since we're also having dinner at Il Mulino. What would you do with that time? Shops? Shows? Which ones? All ideas are welcomed and appreciated

 

[nilla]

Not sure exactly, but it would probably involve alcohol.

Ok, that's not very helpful

I'd probably explore World Showcase and not necessarily see any shows. I'm sure I'd try to hit a few attractions, though, but it would be mostly walking, eating, drinking, and shopping. Just being in Epcot is almost good enough for me!

 

[CarolynFH]

We would explore the countries (look up at the architecture), shop, and see the movies our kids would complain about seeing. With only an hour or two you probably won't get far from the International Gateway, though. The movie in France is lovely and relaxing; to us, Morocco has the most interesting shopping and architecture; the movie in Canada is beautiful but you have to stand up throughout; and the shops in England have a variety of merchandise.

 

[ton80]

Amen to that !

Not sure exactly, but it probably involve alcohol.

Ok, that's not very helpful

I'd probably explore World Showcase and not necessarily see any shows. I'm sure I'd try to hit a few attractions, though, but it would be mostly walking, eating, drinking, and shopping. Just being in Epcot is almost good enough for me!

 

[loves to dive]

I would spend the time walking around the WS and just exploring and spending the time together. Possibly having an adult beverage, o.k. not possibly I would have an adult beverage. There are loads of little nooks and crannies there and it's a pretty place at night.

 

[rajak73]

I just shop the countries and browse, a grapefruit beer from Germany, a Margarita from Mexico and then a Canta Loopy from China to finish the evening!

 

[GWhitten98]

We did a kid free afternoon at Epcot last year and it was amazing. We walked the shops in each country(especially the ones I would not want to drag 3 kids through), watched a couple of the movies and split a snack and/or adult beverage from each country. We had an amazing time....so much so I booked a 3 night trip for DH and I alone in which 2 of the days will be dedicated to F&W at Epcot!!!

 

[nilla]

...a grapefruit beer from Germany...

I second that.

 

[Ratpack]

The wife and I did this on our last trip. We just wondered around and did wine tasting from each country. We also got a small sample of food from each country and split it. It was a really nice date night.

 

[jimik009]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I'm definitely looking forward to checking out a couple countries without the kiddies!!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would drink and snack around the word and skip an ADR. If an ADR is a must I would make the ADR for around 930 or so....after I'm done drinking around the world.

 

[jimik009]

Ooooh you raise a good point! Maybe I should reconsider our ADR time. It's a must because of the discount at the kids club but maybe we should end the evening at Il Mulino rather than begin it there...I didn't even think about that...

 

[ajwolfe]

I would push back the ADR time if it's a must do; if it's not a must do I would just cancel the ADR and have a nice evening wandering Epcot.

 

[Fastpassminus]

With 1 hour I would go to France get a grey goose drink and a pasterie and sit down and watch the world go by. Awesome.

 

[lostmypooh]

I would party like it's 1999, or at least until I had to pick the kids up

 

[lustergirl]

 

[amandals2007]

explore the countries. there are so many cool places to go....make sure you have a drink, i suggest a grey goose slushie!! yummy!!!

 

[jendahl12]

Wander, Relax and Sample. We go to WDW to vacation but we go to WS to relax (no non-furry kids yet so we can).

Some of our favorites (not meant to be comprehensive at all):
UK - Any of the shops, Steven Twining has been there the past few times we have been (Flower & Garden and Food & Wine) so we got an autographed tea chest.
France - The purfumery where they have some items you can't find anywhere else in the US without it being imported
Moracco - fantastic clothing and home decor.
Japan - awesome landscaping and their store Mitsukoshi (sake and plum wine bar at the back).
US - skipping
Italy - good shopping for kitchen items, an awesome masque store and Tutto Gusto for wine tasting. Awesome Moscato according to the wife at the stand in front and to the left). One of thee restaraunts also has a huge pizza and salad combo that may feed the entire family.
Germany - Good beer and great caramel...and pewter
China - "Does this store ever end?"
Norway - I'm Swedish so I'm biased but this is in need of a serious revamp and Frozen isn't it IMHO. The bakery is still good and the store is worth perusing.
Mexico - Luv the marketplace inside the pyramid. Tequila bar to the right as you enter is highly recommended.

Also...most of the cast members in each pavilion are here on a cultural-ambassador visa from their native country (which may or may not be extended) so you are talking to people who ARE from that country in the majority of cases.

I have a co-worker going there and they were considering skipping Epcot altogether initially but then I also mentioned FW in the front with Turtletalk with Crush (a must do for us everytime), the giant aquarium, Journey into imagination with Figment, Soarin', the new (and greatly improved) TestTrack, Mission:Space...The Coca-Cola store...

With the variety it isn't just for adults. And then we have the Illuminations fireworks show.

Yeah...I don't like Epcot at all; it wants too much of my money.

Cheers,
--john

 

[Kimly]

I have thought about this, but the kids clubs are so pricey and I have four kids under 7. BUT... If I did, I would ride soaring, then go have dinner at WS, have some drinks. Then once dinner is over buy some more drinks from an outdoor vendor, then just sit down on a bench and people watch and enjoy the peace of not being in mommy mode. I love people watching.

 

[azarine]

Great thread, we just made the decision to have a date night at Epcot as well, using an in-room babysitter, and are SO excited. I debated about making a dinner ADR but decided not to in favor of snacking and strolling and shopping