World Showcase compromises/must-do's?

[Hatbox]

I'd love to get some feedback on what can or shouldn't be skipped at World Showcase. This will be my fourth visit, but my family's never been big on it: they won't eat food that isn't simple American and they only like exciting-but-not-fast dark rides. (Lest you think I'm talking about children, I am actually speaking only of adults over 30). So Word Showcase has never been high on their list and I've been sad to skip it every time. But this year will be my husband's first visit (!) and World Showcase is what he's most looking forward to. Eep!

So, with one day allotted to all of Epcot, and trying to keep everyone happy without splitting up (prohibited by family vacation rules!), what's the best of both worlds?

Looks like half the attractions are 15-minute panoramic movies. I'd love to squeeze in one (hopefully two!), but don't expect the others to focus their attentions. Are these attractions you can walk in and out of when you want, or are they more formal show times? Which are the best (most entertaining or most beautiful)? I think they'd be most open to Canada, but 15 minutes of Martin Short moves it to the bottom of my own list.

American Adventure is off the table. I've lived in Boston, Philadelphia, and outside Williamsburg: I never want to see another actor dressed up like a colonial American as long as I live.

We're starting in Mexico (with the margarita I'm sure I'll need). I'm insisting on Maelstrom, but is Gran Fiesta Tour worthwhile?

We are splitting up only for dinner so I can eat at Marrakesh. I refuse to go to Epcot to eat a hot dog!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

It depends on what you like! Maybe you could sit down with your family and look through the showcase online and decide as a group what you think is worth seeing?

I personally like seeing the live shows and shopping in Morocco and Japan.

 

[zy144622]

We love WS. Both Maelstrom and Grab Fiesta are a must. We also enjoy France for the gray goose slushy and treats at the counter service. My kids enjoy asking how their name is said and spelled in each countries native langue. CM are great at answering questions and talking to you about where they are from.

 

[CharAkaDisney]

I'm from the uk so bias anyway, but my family love going to the traditional British pub for the taster pints. Great atmosphere, last time there was a Guy on the piano with all the guests singing songs from oliver the musical.

 

[staylor]

Anytime I take a newbie to WDW, I begin at EPCOT. When I met my husband he would only eat simple meat and potatoes. One his first vacation there I took him to Japan and asked to try sushi, which he now loves.
One year I asked my children to find something to try at each kiosk during F&W Festival and they agreed. No, beg me to make lamp chops, cheese soup, rice pudding, and many other wonderful dishes they first tried in WS.
Last week I informed our now teen boys we're going back to WDW and it will be during the Flower & Garden Festival. Oldest son (17) states, "yuck, they won't have the extra food places like Food & Wine Festival." Once I informed him about the new Outdoor Kitchens he was thrilled and is now looking forward to our upcoming vacation.
Does your family drink? Maybe entice them with drinking around the world. Think about your presentation and up sell things you think they'll enjoy.

 

[cel_disney]

We like the live shows more than the movies....check the times guide for listings...some of our favorites were the acrobats in china and the candy maker in Japan that are no longer there, but there are others that do live things! I think the London Beatles tribute is fun and the area and shops are pretty and we love to stop at the karamel shop in Germany...

We always go they Mexico, the pavilion is colorful and the boat ride is fine.

If we were doing everything in one day, we would get there at rope drop to knock out future world for items we didn't have FP for - test track, spaceship earth, sum of all thrills, and mission space race...then lunch in Mexico quick service (sorry! I know this doesn't work for you!), then visit Mexico, china, Germany and England, then zipping BWV, to FW for fast passes and living with the land, etc, then back to WS for dinner, strolling thru the rest of the countries before illuminations..

I'm not sure that its really adequate time for all of those things - maybe heading towards UK for lunch to see the Beatles show and then catching Mexico/norway in the evening...

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I personally like the Grand Fiesta Tour, but the song is almost as infectious as Small World-and if any of them are Donald fans it will be good.

The balancing act in France is very entertaining. Japan has a very interesting shop and an Anime exhibit that's worth looking at. I'm sad to hear that you will be missing out on the American Adventure, Voices of Liberty are dressed in colonial wear, but they sing so beautifully. And the actual show the American Adventure has some very cool animatronics and covers much more than the colonial history of America.

As for food have you tried pulling up some of the menus to see if there would be anything of interest to them? We have this same problem with my oldest DS, he just likes what he likes, but we've looked at menus and were able to find something he will eat at most places.

WS is kind of what you make of it. For years we just walked around the lagoon because it was there, not really stopping for anything. Now we take more time-have a drink, have a snack, watch the shows, and look in the shops. We love WS!!

 

[alkc71]

We love to pick a pearl Mitsukoshi at the Japan pavallion, last year my daughter got twins!

 

[Hatbox]

We love WS. Both Maelstrom and Grab Fiesta are a must. We also enjoy France for the gray goose slushy and treats at the counter service.

Grey Goose slushy? What is this wizardry?!

I personally like the Grand Fiesta Tour, but the song is almost as infectious as Small World-and if any of them are Donald fans it will be good.

As for food have you tried pulling up some of the menus to see if there would be anything of interest to them? We have this same problem with my oldest DS, he just likes what he likes, but we've looked at menus and were able to find something he will eat at most places.

Donald's actually a family favorite, so Gran Fiesta sounds like it'll be a crowd-pleaser for my bunch. I did go through all the menus (in all of Epcot) with them and Via Napoli was the only place (by a hair) that was agreeable for them. Thank god for cheese pizza, right? So I'm going to deposit them there while my husband and I enjoy Restaurant Marrakesh.

We love to pick a pearl Mitsukoshi at the Japan pavallion, last year my daughter got twins!

I hadn't heard of this before. Finally, something my sister might genuinely enjoy! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ariane37]

Grey Goose slushy? What is this wizardry?!



LOL one of our favorite things! It's a fantastic lemonade-like "slushie" drink, made with Grey Goose vodka and I believe 2 other ingredients which right now slip my mind DH and I get one just about every time we pass through France - which we do many times on purpose! Or on accident as we tell the kids..................they also make a Grand Marnier one which I've heard tastes like an orange creamsicle, but I love the Grey Goose slushie so much I have yet to forgo one for the Grand Marnier! Maybe this August..............

 

[PoohsFan1]

Epcot is one of our family's favorite park, right behind MK that is unless you ask my DH and he will say it is the best park out of all of them. Some of our must dos:
- Agent P Missions, a fun way to explore the different countries and it is definitely not just for kids my DH loves it just as much as my kids and I like it because they can go off and leave to shop at my own pace and peace of mind
- Tasting the different cokes from around the world at Club Cool
- Maelstrom
- Spaceship Earth
- Watching the Street performers
- O'Canada
- I know you said you don't want to watch the American Adventure but it is a must do for us, it is a combination of animatronics and movie. The song at the end gets me everytime. This is our favorite show in the whole park.
- Don't forget to check out both Innoventions East and West so many interesting things to see and do there. Our favorite is Sum of All Thrills where you can build your own coaster, rocket, or whatever. You can also make it as extreme or tame as you want.
- Pick your own pearl in Japan
- Watching the cover band in UK with a Bass Ale in hand
- Illuminations
- Having breakfast at Akershus in Norway, it is a character meal where you meet different princesses (Belle is dressed in her yellow ball gown at the door before you are seated). We always make a pre-park opening ADR, we love to walk through FW and WS with not a ton of people around.

Too many must dos for us to do there that we have to go to that park at least twice during a trip. As for shows, they are dedicated show times, and correct me if I am wrong, but the only show you can openly walk out of when you are done is the one right after Maelstrom. They used to shut the doors on you and you were forced to watch it, but now if you ride Maelstrom and want to bi-pass the movie, you can walk through the theater, the doors are always opened.

 

[minnie mum]

WS usually takes us the afternoon and evenings, minimum. Does your family enjoy the odd adult beverage? Do they like music? Then check the times guide for performances by Mo' Rock in, the Brit cover band, Off Kilter , the Jammitors, and Mariachi Cobre. Grab a drink and listen to some pretty good music.

I agree that American Experience is a must do if you haven't seen it before. We enjoy all of the movies in WS, but you can't just wander in and out- you have to wait for a showtime. Leaving mid show would be difficult in China or Canada- everyone is standing and its very dark- you'd probably be bumping into people and stepping on feet.

 

[michelle06]

Morocco has a belly dancer. That's sure to please the guys! However, it was a very talented act and my dd7 loved it!

 

[leebee]

Everyone has a different impression of the pavilions at WS; here are mine.

Mexico- Giant souvenir shop. However, it's interesting to be inside the pyramid and see how the stalls are set up, like a Mexican open-air market. Even when crowded, the atmosphere is peaceful. Definitely check out the tequila cava, and look for Donald and his caballeros. We find the Gran Fiesta Tour boring.

Norway- LOVE Maelstrom and the movie afterwards. Yes, the movie is dated, but the scenery is majestic. We stay for the movie more often than not, but if you don't want to see it, just walk through. The bakery at Norway has some interesting snacks; we are particularly taken with the sweet pretzel with slivered almonds.

China- We don't often watch the acrobats; the concept of children exploited for their physique and talent bothers me. We DO like the museum inside the pavilion, and the movie. Great history and scenery. The shops are good for souvenirs, especially if you are bringing things home for multiple people. Some very unique, very affordable things here. Very often, you'll find Mulan, Mushu, or some scary Huns hanging out around the China pavilion.

Africa? It's just a refreshment stand with some souvenirs.

Germany- There isn't a lot to "see" in Germany, but if they still have the outdoor "oompah" band, it's a lot of fun to grab a beer/wine and join in the festivities- including doing the chicken dance! Is the crystal shop still here? Very interesting, if it is. Werthers has a caramel shop here (that I haven't experienced) and there might be another candy shop, and a wine shop. We enjoy eating at Biergarten- it's not as "foreign" as some think (chicken cutlets, roast meat, etc.). There is also a cute train set up between Germany and Italy. Sometimes you'll find Snow White and the Dwarves here, or maybe Pinocchio.

Italy- There used to be lots of different entertainment groups in Italy, but I don't think they are here anymore. Explore "inside" the pavilion, wandering towards the back. I am not too familiar with this pavilion.

I grew up outside of Boston, so I hear what you are saying about CMs in colonial garb. HOWEVER, the American Experience is worth it! the Voices of Liberty show is an amazing a cappella group, definitely worth listening to. Also, the movie in the pavilion is very good- a combination of animatronics and movie, and it gives a great look at American history. We don't do this always, but you definitely should check it out.

Japan- Explore around the pavilion itself, wander in and out of the buildings. There's a pretty big department store here, with a lot of Hello Kitty stuff, japanese snacks/candies, trinkets and souvenirs, etc. You'll find "Pick a Pearl" here (DD loves to do this) and there's a kimono section in the back, where you can actually try on a kimono, be fitted to one if you want to purchase, etc.

Morocco- Belly dancer, native music, GREAT food, terrific souvenir shop. You'll find Jasmine and Aladdin here.

France- HOme of the Grey Goose slushy and the Grand Marnier slushy- NOT TO BE MISSED!! There's a terrific wine shop, amazing bakery, and the movie here is very good. We like France a lot. Belle/Beast and Sleeping Beauty make the France pavilion their home.

UK- There's a garden in the back of the UK where there is often a band playing. The shop has interesting stuff in it, and you might find the Pooh guys or Mary Poppins here- maybe even Alice and the White Rabbit!

Canada- We really like the film here. The pavilion is interesting to wander around outside, and you'll often find Off Kilter playing here.

Honestly, WS is what you make of it. You could just hike around the lake, ruling out different pavilions for a variety of reasons. WS is something that needs to be embraced and absorbed. You could walk around and be very bored, or you can take the time to really search things out. Is WS a substitute for foreign travel? Not really… but there are all kinds of interesting, different things to be found in each pavilion. If nothing more, chat a bit with the CMs, who are almost all natives of the country, and ask them why they came to the US, what they like best, what home is like. You can spend an entire afternoon and evening at WS and never do anything twice!