What are the best attractions in the World Showcase?

[khawk]

My older daughter is into scrapbooking. she would love the tips. I cant wait to get there. I think Im more excited then the kids are at this point.
Kim

 

[sandygirl]

EPCOT is my favorite. I love the outdoor entertainment. The French moving statue is hilarious. We didn't want to move along. The Chinese performers are awesome. Off-Kilter was such a huge success with my husband we actually schedule the day we go to EPCOT on their scheduled days to perform. Very unusual for my DH to like something that much. Even bought their CD. The Mexican plaza inside is wonderful. Feels like you are really there. The best thing was talking with all the different CM's and getting to know about where they are from and what life there is like. My DD did have a wonderful time and I can't wait to take her back in Dec.

We met a woman on our last trip who was on a scavenger hunt. I don't remember where she said she got it. But she was having a grand time. I bet your sons would enjoy something like that. I know I would. I think I'll search for one. If I find one I'll let you know.

 

[kdibattista]

We LOVED the gondola ride in Mexico and Off Kilter in Canada!!

 

[bweagle]

Like you, when I went with my parents, we would simply casually stroll the the WS, stop for lunch ath the American Pavillion counter service.....hit the rides at Mexico and Norway and catch the show in the American Pavillion. It never took us over a couple of hours.

Back in 2001, on DH & I's first trip together I set aside a half day just for WS, we saw a little more, but I still felt I was missing something.

This past summer I set aside one entire day just for WS. We made sure to eat lunch and supper in the restaurants. I got ahold of an entertainment schedule in advance and made sure we saw some type of entertainment in every country. We sampled different "snack foods" in each country as well. We took the time to walk through the exhibits and appreciate each one. It more than filled up our day. We also caught the ToD & Illuminations in the evening.

If you are worried about your children enjoying it, why not have them get the WS passport. They may be too old for the masks, but the passport is really interesting and a souvenier I enjoyed as an adult. One of the CM's in each country will write a message to your children in their native language and then let them know what it means. Or what about a fairly inexpensive souvenier from each country. I know my DH enjoyed trying on hats from each country (and the pictures I have are hilarious).

If you take time to enjoy the WS, and not just set out for the "major attractions" I think your family will really enjoy your time in this part of the park.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

The Maelstrom ride in Norway is one of my top 5 rides out of all 4 parks.

 

[BonnieA]

My favorite attraction in the world showcase is the film in France. I love the music.

 

[goofyernmost]

I am at a loss to believe that American Adventure wasn't considered the major attraction in the World Showcase. One does not have to be "American" to appreciate the incredible animatronics show that is the center piece of the adventure. Yes, I am sure that non americans probably see the story as a little self promoting but that doesn't take away from the show itself. And that's my humble opinion.

 

[lsyorke]

My DS14 made his first solo trip to Epcot last year. (DH and I hit MK) and decided WS was his favorite. When asked why he responded" I ate my way through every country". Spoken like a true 14 year old.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by goofyernmost
I am at a loss to believe that American Adventure wasn't considered the major attraction in the World Showcase. One does not have to be "American" to appreciate the incredible animatronics show that is the center piece of the adventure. Yes, I am sure that non americans probably see the story as a little self promoting but that doesn't take away from the show itself. And that's my humble opinion.

I would agree that the American Adventure show is a major attraction but it is not a ride and not something that I would think would be on the must do list of the average teenage boy. The OP wanted to know what the must see things were in the World Showcase for her sons. If she was asking for herself I would 100% agree that this show is not to be missed, but I do not think a half hour history lesson is the way to convince two more or less teenage boys that doing the World Showcase is fun to do.

 

[jenjie]

They might like the train village? I think that's in Germany but not sure. When we went we stood watching the trains for about 10 minutes or so.

 

[Tracie]

maybe my boys (9,12) are nerds! they love WS and always pick Epcot as the first park to visit. They love to walk through each country and get their "passports" stamped and talk with the CM from each country, they like all the shops and the live entertainment. We have to eat at San Angel Inn in Mexico every trip since it is my 12 yo favorite place to eat.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

My boys (10 & 11/12) enjoy Epcot quite a bit. It's my 11 1/2 y.o. favorite park!

They like the American Adventure show but prefer the live entertainment in most other countries of the World Showcase. We did stay for the movie in Norway....it was short, and they enjoyed the scenery. Once was enough for a while though. They still get a kick out of playing on the Viking ship - although a 14 y.o. may be beyond that!

If your kids are eaters W.S is THE place to be! The pastries in the Norweign bake shop are VERY yummy.....although France wins my vote....we've sampled treats from EVERY nation represented ...might be just the kind of *challenge* a 14 y.o. boy would enjoy!

 

[wdwphanatic]

... I am impressed with all the wonderful suggestions -- and they're getting me excited for taking my 2 ds's there in May!

I know I'll probably get criticized for this, but I just wanted to give my input on the American Adventure show... Dh and I went to this during our last trip in Sept. (when the kids weren't with us) and we both found it quite mediocre. Personally, I enjoyed the movies in China, France and Canada much more, despite the fact that they were all pretty dated! The American Adventure is an odd collection of film and animatronics that I found disjointed and largely unrepresentative of our nation's history and strong points. I cannot believe that this is the best Disney could come up with to represent our country in World Showcase! This is JMHO, of course, but I really don't think it's educational, enlightening or inspirational (to me, it's actually kind of embarrassing), so I'd probably skip it altogether.

Hope you and your ds's have a GREAT visit to WDW!

Take care,
Sarah