Thoughts and questions about kids & World Showcase...

[mshanson3121]

So here is the situation:

Leaving in 13 days (yay!). Traveling with MIL, FIL, then DH and our two children (boy 8, girl 5 with ASD). We have only allowed for one evening at EP (though there are a couple other evenings we could go in). Gonna be /hot.

Now, MIL/FIL have no desire to go to Epcot. They're old the belief that there is nothing at EP for kids, and just really don't have any interest. FIL/DH really could care less about walking around the WS. I really wanted to do Pick a Pearl in Japan, and see the countries, and DS really wanted to do WS for Agent P and the Kidcot stations (he LOVES to color) and he has this fascination with China, so he wanted to go there, lol. So we decided we would go into EP for one evening for the WS and Test Track.

So last night just by chance we came across a YouTube video tour of World Showcase, and *sigh*... I know that DD really isn't going to be up for that. Too much walking, especially in the heat we'll be dealing with. And neither child does well in stores, so not even like we can pop into shops to browse for an a/c break.

So.... *sigh* I know I really need to let go of the World Showcase. I have three that could care less, and one that just won't last. So disappointing, but it is what it is.

So what I'm thinking now is we'll take our evening and just focus on FW. BUT... has anyone ever done just 1 or 2 countries? I am wondering about maybe just walking into the WS as far as China? I do know that DD and DS would enjoy the boat ride in Mexico, and then I thought we could just walk to China, let DS explore there, see the acrobats, do the Kidcot there and then leave. Thoughts?

As a side note, has anyone else had to give up WS due to children etc?

 

[Lisaloo]

Is there any way you could take DS and spend a couple of hours going through WS? I wouldn't do a Disney trip without at least one stroll through the countries. I love it that much!

 

[lovndisney12]

When our kids were younger we just didn't spend a lot of time there. You most certainly can just stop at one or two countries. Would there be the possibility of splitting up for a little bit to let you and DS spend a little more time in WS?

 

[mshanson3121]

When our kids were younger we just didn't spend a lot of time there. You most certainly can just stop at one or two countries. Would there be the possibility of splitting up for a little bit to let you and DS spend a little more time in WS?

We really don't want to split up. Largely due to trying to find each other in a place as large as EP if we needed to try and reconnect earlier, and only one of our two cell phones has a US plan, so we really don't want to be calling each other unless necessary. Also, DD with her ASD can get anxious in new surroundings and does better with me around.

 

[minnie mum]

NM. Saw your posting re not splitting up after I'd posted.

 

[Lisaloo]

Will DD be in a stroller at all? Maybe she could nap on the go while everyone does a walk through?

 

[tobikaye]

I would suggest a stroller for your DD for Epcot. This way, she has a way to relax. Since your son really is interested in China, I would suggest Mexico and China would be a good plan to definitely do. Then you could play the rest of WS by how things are going. You could just do a leisurely stroll through to Japan for the pick a pearl and then take one of the ferries back over towards FW.

 

[AdamsPrincess]

I have a 6 & 7 year old and Epcot World Showcase is one of their favorites places to be. The love doing the KidCot stuff at each country and we do let them in the stores and they like looking at all they different toys.

 

[LadyLuck24]

I may have missed you mentioning this but--any chance you could go back later with your husband (or alone) while your in laws watch the kids? That would be my ideal way to see the WS and not have to deal with my kids' complaining.

 

[MrsHull]

You could certainly just go through to China and then take the closest ferry back. Are you staying on property? If so, MIL and FIL could easily do their own thing and then just meet back at the room.

 

[CindySwims]

Do a Perry secret agent mission in China with your kids. It is a fun country for the game, it is one where you get to interact with a cast member from China as part of a clue.

 

[dja14]

My kids enjoyed world showcase and now that they are older are looking forward to it again. All three have some degree of autism. We went around 11am and left when it got crowded. We did not do it all in one day. First day was Mexico, Norway and China. We rode the Fiesta ride, saw Donald duck, ate nachos, ate some great desserts in Norway, and a little Chinese food in China, like a tasting kind of thing. We strolled around and looked at the gardens and street shops, they did a kidcot stop (Mexico I think?) and then we took the ferry. The ferry was great and they had had enough by then. I think it took us about 2 hours (they were young and a look didn't take that long.) Later in our trip we started on the other side and did a few more countries (eating then too) I think the snacking broke it up (one of their number one requests was to do that again) I would second the stroller idea

 

[mshanson3121]

Slightly off topic from my original question, but what time in the evening in June does it start to get a bit shady in the World Showcase?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Eh I would skip it with the kids in your situation. It's as hot as blazes there during the day and if you have an evening there (with your DH I assume?) then just enjoy that.

 

[CAS239]

Slightly off topic from my original question, but what time in the evening in June does it start to get a bit shady in the World Showcase?

Shady as in the sun going down? About 7:30pm

 

[mshanson3121]

Do a Perry secret agent mission in China with your kids. It is a fun country for the game, it is one where you get to interact with a cast member from China as part of a clue.

How does this work? I know you get your telephone thing before entering the WS, right? So, say we wan to do this for China. Can we sign up for China, take the boats, do a few other countries first and then do the adventure, or does it have to be done immediately? Is there anywhere you can sign up within the WS closer to China? How long does it take to actually sign up/receive your phone (as in how long are we going to be at that booth?). I see on Touring Plans it allots 30 minutes for the TSA.

 

[BrianL]

^You can get the phone at several locations within WS. They may try to point you to the least busy area for it at the time, however, usually you can request a specific country and they will set you up. You can start the adventure any time, however, the phone might incessantly badger you until you answer it, and proceed to the location it tells you (I learned that with the old Kim Possible phone, and you can't silence it!).

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Curious where the Kidcot stations are, hoping my 4yo gets into that this year.

 

[mshanson3121]

Also curious, realistically, say we were just going to stroll through, look around, do the Kidcot station, how long would we want to plan on being in a country?

 

[CindySwims]

How does this work? I know you get your telephone thing before entering the WS, right? So, say we wan to do this for China. Can we sign up for China, take the boats, do a few other countries first and then do the adventure, or does it have to be done immediately? Is there anywhere you can sign up within the WS closer to China? How long does it take to actually sign up/receive your phone (as in how long are we going to be at that booth?). I see on Touring Plans it allots 30 minutes for the TSA.

You can pick up the phone at any of the agent stations. They are spread out around the circle. You can pick any country to start in and then you have 15 min. to start the first clue or the phone de-activates. Sign up is really quick.