What is it like walking around World Showcast @ Epcot?

[jbrinkm]

I just can't seem to get a sense of what it will be like... Will my grade school aged kids like it? Is it fun? Do you just walk and look, or do you interact?

 

[Dentam]

A lot of the areas have interactive "shows" like this one we saw in France last month.



I think your kids will like it. But then again I'm a bit biased since WS is one of my favorite areas in WDW!

 

[PAcpl]

Ironically we just spent the better part of the last two days doing this. There is a lot to do at The World Showcase for kids and I think it's one of the few areas left in Disney that can be very educational for children. I saw a mother/teacher talking to a little boy today about the Terracotta Army in the China Pavilion.

There are a total of 11 countries in The World Showcase, what I would do if I were you is read a little bit about each country. That will give you a good idea of what you will see and what you can teach your students.

Not sure when you're coming but there is a new Frozen attraction opening up in Norway next year which will be a big draw. There is a water boat ride in Mexico featuring the Three Caballeros. I think those are the only "rides" but there are shows in almost all the countries. I would say the American Adventure is a big one to see, but it's a longer theater show and kids may lose interest. Almost like The Hall Of Presidents, It's one of my favorite attractions now that I am older but I remember it being torturous when I was a kid in Disney.

Every country will also have a "Kidcot Fun Stop" where the kids can get a passport stamped or create these coloring book page type souvenirs on sticks. You can get more info on that here:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/kidcot-fun-stops/

But again, my best advice would be just reading a little bit about each country so you have an idea of what you will see. Oh, and it's pretty big and there is a nice amount of walking. The first time we tackled it we did both Future World and The World Showcase in the same day. That was one of our longest days in Disney and by the end of the night just wasn't enjoyable. So if you really plan on going to each country and looking around I would try to dedicate a nice chunk of your day to it.

 

[hakepb]

Also, Agent P!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/agent-p-world-showcase-adventure/

(It may start annoying you how much time your kids want to spend in world showcase playing along)

Also snacks! There are a lot of snacks to enjoy!

 

[karrit2000]

There are also Disney characters in many of the countries for photo ops & autographs. What time of year are you planning to visit? In the Spring there is the Flower & Garden Show with lots of Character topiaries & lots of Flowers & some special food booths. Fall has the Food & Wine festival with over thirty special food booths selling tastes of different foods from many countries as well as Beers, Wines & Specialty drinks. From Thanksgiving through the end of the year there are Storytellers in most of the countries telling about the different holiday traditions around the world. Year round there is special entertainment in many of the countries including flag twirling in Italy, Acrobats in China, Drummers in Japan. There are also special musical performances in some of the countries such as Morocco, America, Great Britian. Last year they ended some long standing shows and musical acts and replaced them with some new experiences. There are rumors that some will be changing again over the next several months. There is really tons to see & do. Special shop in each country. Canada, France & China all have movies showcasing features of each of those countries.

 

[popriv]

Was there 10/26. Adults ej
Njoyed the food&drink. 4 yr old DGD wanted to ride rides and was bored. Back to MK for her.

 

[kwdw]

Participate in Kidcot. Even though they are old for coloring, most like collecting the country stamps and the chance to talk to a cast member.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

If you have young boys who like Pokemon, hit the shop in Japan (ground floor under the restaurants). It is enormous and I can hardly drag my kids out of there.

 

[TSR6]

Here are some of the sights and sounds of EPCOT from my trip last week:

Canada's lumberjack show:

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Germany's train set:

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Pick A Pearl in Japan:

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The Mariachi Band in Mexico:

 

[DMOMof3]

Here are some of the sights and sounds of EPCOT from my trip last week:

Great videos, Thanks

 

[disneyjunkie]

Also, Agent P!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/agent-p-world-showcase-adventure/

(It may start annoying you how much time your kids want to spend in world showcase playing along)

Also snacks! There are a lot of snacks to enjoy!

We tried the Agent P thing last April. We picked up the gadget at the entrance of World ShowCase , headed to the left and my niece(9)and nephew(8) were sick of it by Mexico. They enjoyed wondering around each country much better than messing around with the Agent P thing.

 

[hakepb]

We tried the Agent P thing last April. We picked up the gadget at the entrance of World ShowCase , headed to the left and my niece(9)and nephew(8) were sick of it by Mexico. They enjoyed wondering around each country much better than messing around with the Agent P thing.

I don't recall anything compelling about the Mexico adventure. UK, Germany and Japan were pretty cool.

 

[cjparker0110]

I would say the American Adventure is a big one to see, but it's a longer theater show and kids may lose interest. Almost like The Hall Of Presidents, It's one of my favorite attractions now that I am older but I remember it being torturous when I was a kid in Disney.

Haha...my sentiment exactly. I found MOST of Epcot (E.P.C.O.T. back then) torturous when I was a kid. I am hoping to make it fun for my kids when we go as they will be a little younger than I was when Epcot was first opened. Our plan is to do two days of Epcot...one for FW and one for WS. Not sure yet though because the kids will be so young...they may not need the two days because they won't be big enough for a couple of rides. I guess we'll see.

I just can't seem to get a sense of what it will be like... Will my grade school aged kids like it? Is it fun? Do you just walk and look, or do you interact?

There are tons of books and guides you can look at that will help you, but honestly I would say that experience is the only thing that truly gives a sense of it. A few things I would suggest:

1. Get the schedule for the performers. Some of the best times to be had in Epcot are from watching the street performances. They are amazing and most kids enjoy them.

2. Don't rush. Sometimes there are cool things to be seen in WS in areas that almost look like they don't go anywhere. Literally just go down the walkway and around the bend and you will see some cool things.

3. If the kids are tired, take a break. Seriously. If they have already been to the MK, Epcot will not be as exciting. However, that doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable. WS is big and a LOT of walking. Find a good spot and sit down, relax and enjoy some food or snacks.

4. If they like characters, look into doing some of the meet and greets. Some of the ones you'll find in WS include: Mulan, Snow White, Aurora and Mary Poppins. I think Pooh is there as well.

5. Illuminations is awesome. While I don't enjoy it as much as Wishes, most people I talk to think it's better. (I just love straight up fireworks...haha). I can pretty much guarantee the kids will love it...and you will too.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

Make sure you prepare the kids so they know there aren't rides. Let them know they will have a chance to talk to people from many countries and plan to try food from each country. That worked for us. We went the first time looking at WS as an adventure and my "kids" are 18 and 22 now and they had a ball in Epcot as grade schoolers and it's been the favorite park of ds and 2nd for dd ever since. My very picky college freshman dd will still try food in WS that she wouldn't touch anywhere else.

 

[Indio]

My kids have always loved Epcot. There's so much to see and do and eat! I think they will enjoy it. Search Youtube videos and you can get a sense of what's there. Don't underestimate it - you'll never know how they like it until you try it!

 

[loves to dive]

We've been going since it opened and DS was a wee one. It was and is his favorite park. He has always been a history buff and I've tried to take him to different places where he can see and touch and feel history. He would spend hours just exploring each country, he actually liked the little museums and movies and hidden areas even when small. He would talk to CM and watch every single show, he loved trying the different food and just soaking in a different culture. He is now in college after a stint in the Navy as a Corpsman and is studying to be an underwater archaeologist and still loves wondering around the countries in WS.

 

[redkel]

The World Showcase Passport is a great way to immerse your children in the 11 countries. They are around $10 I believe. There is a badge and stickers to apply for each of the countries and an area you get your passport "stamped" in every pavilion. The CM's will write a personal message in their language...sometimes the child's name if you ask. My DD loved her name in Japanese.

There usually isn't a line and you can interact a bit with them -- ask questions. It really is a great opportunity for social skills and learning for young kids. My DD was pre-school/kindergarten age when she first did it (I was 24 when I first did it way back in 1990, er something).

The architecture, music and atmosphere of each pavilion is a lot to see and experience (and eat). The train garden in Germany (is it still there?) will hold a child's interest for a good while as well as the Taiko drumming in Japan. Belle does M&G's near France, Snow White near Germany, Caballero Donald meets outside of Mexico and you can find other characters near the U.S. pavilion sometimes.

The shops in each pavilion are great to browse as well. We're doing something a bit different this year and picking something small from each country as part of our souvenir "world tour." I still have the blanket from the Mexico pavilion I purchased from DH and I's first visit in 1992 and the pastry cookbook from Norway.

World Showcase never disappoints. I find something new to appreciate each time I go and am glad that our DD is excited to visit, with her passport in hand.