Talk to me about the World Showcase

[L&Lfan]

I love observing people say to their party while looking at the map of WS, "There's no ride here. Let's keep going!" Missing out completely on what each showcase has to offer. However, if rides alone are their thing, good for them!

 

[V2000]

Karamel Kuche in Germany......oh yeah... another awsome part of WS!!! ohhh the caramel goodies

Yes! I am getting excited for you. Lol. I am going in October. Counting the days until the Food and Wine Festival

 

[HydroGuy]

What is it exactly? I mean, I know it's supposed to be a replica of the country and showcases some typical architecture etc... and they all have a restaurant, but is that it? Is it just kind of a scenic replica to walk around?

Adding to the other good answers you have received, I would say that WC is an extension of Walt Disney's fascination with (and participation in) World Fairs. That, and Walt's understanding of the power of storytelling, and many of the international setting for those stories, makes WC like a combination of a permanent World Fair with storytelling sprinkled throughout.

 

[Ambear]

I love observing people say to their party while looking at the map of WS, "There's no ride here. Let's keep going!" Missing out completely on what each showcase has to offer. However, if rides alone are their thing, good for them!

Right!? I love how disney can accommodate many different vacation preferences and styles .

 

[mshanson3121]

Or eat sushi from Japan! Each country have chefs that specialize in their countries cooking.

what's your favorite country? Maybe we can give you some tips! What month are you going?

We're going end of June - HOT! Originally I was thinking of a 9-2 type thing, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to go say from 2-8, and we could do Futureworld (lol aka indoor/air conditioned stuff) during the afternoon, have supper at Coral Reef, then spend a few hours in the WS when it starts getting a bit cooler? I wish we had a full day, but for now, we can only plan on half a day (5/6 hours). Traveling with two children ages 5 & 8

As for favorite countries - I want to do Japan for Pick a Pearl, and Mexico for the ride. My son has a fascination with China so that has to be on the to-do list.

 

[momimouse27]

Mmm....Karamel Kuche! The smell in that place is unbelievable

My daughter is crazy about the Japanese department store. She can get things there she can't get anywhere else. She has studied the language for a couple of years too so she likes to listen to them talk.

We go to Norway to get my Laila perfume because its really hard to find anywhere else.

 

[V2000]

We're going end of June - HOT! Originally I was thinking of a 9-2 type thing, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to go say from 2-8, and we could do Futureworld (lol aka indoor/air conditioned stuff) during the afternoon, have supper at Coral Reef, then spend a few hours in the WS when it starts getting a bit cooler? I wish we had a full day, but for now, we can only plan on half a day (5/6 hours). Traveling with two children ages 5 & 8

As for favorite countries - I want to do Japan for Pick a Pearl, and Mexico for the ride. My son has a fascination with China so that has to be on the to-do list.

Hmmm...well either time frames will work for trying to stay out of the heat! If you arrive at 2pm then Future world would be great for cooling off and entering the world showcase in the evening. Keep in mind that the world showcase doesn't open until 11am.

 

[Trinity88]

We haven't spent much time in the WS because the kids don't like it. Those of you who love it, do your kids love it too (or do you go without kids)? I'm trying to figure out how to get them to enjoy it because I want to go! But I can't stand the whining from the kids, it ruins it for me.

 

[tsme]

We haven't spent much time in the WS because the kids don't like it. Those of you who love it, do your kids love it too (or do you go without kids)? I'm trying to figure out how to get them to enjoy it because I want to go! But I can't stand the whining from the kids, it ruins it for me.

My DD loves it. She likes to get an icy in Japan and loves the shop there too. She use to love Malestorm, but Disney killed it with Frozen.
You could bribe your kids, depending on the ages and how many you have. You could tell them if they are good (no whining, complaining), they are allowed one cheap candy, drink, knick knack, etc from the countries you go to. I usually buy our DS something like a snack from each to bring back as his souvenir because he doesn't come with us.

 

[Cee]

It's the awesomest place ever.

 

[pens4821]

Don't miss the kiosk across from China called The Joy of Tea. Their Mango Green Tea slushie is delicious and very refreshing on a hot day. You can get it with alcohol if you want, but in my opinion it ruins it. Be prepared for brain freeze.

We enjoyed the tipsy duck in love. Think it was tea, coffee, and bourbon. Could also get without the bourbon. It was great.

 

[lily2521]

We haven't spent much time in the WS because the kids don't like it. Those of you who love it, do your kids love it too (or do you go without kids)? I'm trying to figure out how to get them to enjoy it because I want to go! But I can't stand the whining from the kids, it ruins it for me.

We haven't been to WS, so I am not sure if DD will like it or not, but I found a printable passport online, that I've put together for DD in the hopes that it will help with WS, and help to make it more kid-friendly. She can get her passport stamped at each country, and it will give her a chance to talk to the CM's from each country as well. I think they sell passports at Epcot as well, I might be wrong here, maybe someone else can clarify?

 

[disnut8]

We haven't spent much time in the WS because the kids don't like it. Those of you who love it, do your kids love it too (or do you go without kids)? I'm trying to figure out how to get them to enjoy it because I want to go! But I can't stand the whining from the kids, it ruins it for me.

Agent P adventures which is free. You can buy a passport for them or just make your own or just have them stop at each country and complete a mask all around the world. Have them look online now for different treats to buy or to find. One of the fun things I had around the world was looking (but not buying) for anything that was under $5.

 

[grammimouse]

We haven't spent much time in the WS because the kids don't like it. Those of you who love it, do your kids love it too (or do you go without kids)? I'm trying to figure out how to get them to enjoy it because I want to go! But I can't stand the whining from the kids, it ruins it for me.

WS has a great thing called Kidcot . They go to a specific area in each country and it is set up with castmembers ( from that country ) to speak with and learn from. They can also get a wooden stick ( kind of like a ruler ) with a cardboard Duffy bear attached , and in each country they will stamp it or hang an ornament on it etc. there are crayons and markers available for the children to color and decorate their item. In China they usually write the child's name in Chinese on the stick for them. My GD thought that was so cool. She really enjoyed going to each country to find the Kidcot station and talk with the different people ( she was only 5 when we started doing this. Also if they are a little older , there is Agent P's WS Adventure. You are given a device that leads you through WS as you are solving mini-mysteries. She enjoyed that when she got a little older. Good luck with it all, there is so much fun (and knowledge) to be enjoyed in WS.

 

[disnut8]

We always end our evenings at World Showcase with a walk around. The buildings might remain the same but the atmosphere changes each and every day. I think my husband and I have walked around World Showcase at least 100 times and it's never been the same thing. We'll take a quick stop in a store or go back into United Kingdom's garden or explore Japan. We can sit at the African Outpost and watch the kids run up to the drums and bang away for just a few moments. Or - check out when the Cast Members in the United Kingdom draw a hopscotch pattern on the sidewalk outside the Rose and Crown. Then play the game!

There are so many little things in World Showcase to look at. But, you need to take your time and talk to the Cast Members. Oh - one thing to notice in America. Look at the clock on the top of the American Adventure. Check out the number "four". Yes, that is how the number was used back "in the day". IIII, not IV.

 

[Mickey&Mouse]

I know we're definitely going there as we want to do the Pick a Pearl. I want to get matching necklaces for my DD and I.

Pick-a-Pearl is one of our favorite's. We also love going into the shop in Germany to watch the cuckoo clocks. I like the idea of the passports to keep the kids interested, too. Agent P's Adventure sounds like the Kim Possible missions we did on our last trip, which were a lot of fun!

 

[mshanson3121]

I admit reading your posts, my mind is going a mile a minute. We homeschool, and just started a world geography unit. Oh my could we have fun with this! What better way to experience what they're learning! I love the passport idea!

If we were to walk around the WS and let's say explore maybe three or four countries, how long should we plan? Could we do it in 3 hours?

 

[misse320]

I admit reading your posts, my mind is going a mile a minute. We homeschool, and just started a world geography unit. Oh my could we have fun with this! What better way to experience what they're learning! I love the passport idea!

If we were to walk around the WS and let's say explore maybe three or four countries, how long should we plan? Could we do it in 3 hours?

Three hours sounds about right for 4 countries. It really just depends on how much investigating you want to do in each country. I'm always surprised by how much time we spend in WS.

 

[mshanson3121]

Three hours sounds about right for 4 countries. It really just depends on how much investigating you want to do in each country. I'm always surprised by how much time we spend in WS.

I've seen it said on here several times that Epcot is a multi-day park and after exploring it online, I agree. There is so much there that I think the kids will enjoy in Futureworld. I really wish we could have an entire, FULL day there, or else have two partial-days, but since we don't have park hoppers, the only way that would happen is if we skipped Hollywood Studios - which I am more than willing to do, but the kids are DYING to go to the Indiana Jones and Star Wars stuff, there's just no way we can skip it, lol. And I know DD will enjoy Frozen. So... we'll do what we can at Epcot. Part of me is tempted to skip most of Futureworld though and just focus on the World Showcase instead though. It would be a nice break from the constant rides/sensory overload of all the other parks I think.

 

[tinkerbesh]

Also check out the fabulous entertainment all over World Showcase! Some are musical acts, others comedy acts, and there are a few movies as well.

My absolute favorite is the Voices of Liberty - they perform a 15-minute set every 45 minutes from late morning through late afternoon (inside the America pavilion). A cappella singing at its finest. Really REALLY great singing. Sit down on the floor on the edge of the red circle. Most people sit back on a bench at first, but the best sound is down front on the floor.