World showcase....Fun for kids?

[ehsween]

I was wondering if you disers could help me out on this. We went to Disney in 2002 when our children were 6, 4, and 2. We went to all of the parks and thoroughly enjoyed everything. Epcot was also a lot of fun for us, however, we never made it to the World Showcase and DH and I both agree that next time we go, we'd like to make it there. I do wonder how much fun it'll be for our children who will be 9, 7, and 5 when we go again. I don't think they'll enjoy the Kidcot stations all that much because they're not very interested in crafty things and they're what you would call "on-the-go" kids. So Kidcot stations would not be an appealing attraction to them. So other than that, are there other things in the World Showcase that will be entertaining and/or amusing to them? Could you please give me ideas as to what there is over there?

 

[cmonroe]

I would consider The World Showcase as a place to learn and experience items from other countries. You can see films in 360 theatres, shop, or eat that county's food.

My daughter 2 1/2 then wasn't extremely excited by WS, but she loves being on the go and there are so many things to see, she had a good time. She particularly liked sampling different foods from the different countries and she hates to eat!!!

Sorry I can't offer more.

 

[Davene]

Goodness! There is TONS to do in WS for kids! Start with the boat ride in the Mexico pavillon, then they can play on the Viking ship playground in Norway, ride Maelstrom (Norway), watch Chinese acrobats, take part in the American patriot kids parade, check out the model train in Germany as well as the toy store, get their picture taken (and maybe more) with the living statue, try to find Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco, Pooh characters in the UK toy shop, explore the UK gardens and of course, stop and get any kind of food all along the way - beaver tails, apple strudel, Japanese sno-cones, funnel cakes, and the list goes on. My kids are 13, 10, 10 and have always enjoyed WS as much as us. We spend more time there than any other park. Have a great time!

 

[ehsween]

Well, thanks for all the info on the cool stuff to do at WS. Some more questions. Do the Chinese Acrobats only have shows certain times of the day? How about the American patriots parade? Is the living statue there all day long or only at certain times? That sounds really cool.

I think after telling me about all of that stuff, they will definitely enjoy WS.

 

[Davene]

Usually all those things are on set schedules. Go to Guest Services or pick up the showtime schedule when you enter the park to find out when everything is happening!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Here's another suggestion. They sell "Epcot Passports" at the girt shop just inside World Showcase. The kit comes with a pin to identify you as a passport holder and a CM from each of the countries stamps the pasport and write something in their native language inside the passport. Our girls loved this activity. The CMs were so nice. They taught each of our girl how to spell and pronounce their names. They also gave us a little background about their country and answered all of our questions. It really made our "trip around the world" very special. The passport kits cost around $10.00 and are worth every penny. I think your kiddos are at a bout the right age to enjoy the culture.

 

[ehsween]

Thanks Emmasgrammy. They may just enjoy that. When we went to Disney last time, they thoroughly enjoyed meeting the characters and getting all of their autographs. My daughter especially enjoys the social interaction with anyone who will talk with her enthusiastically and doing the passports would allow her to do just that!

 

[xAmarisx]

ws! Is like one of the best places to bring your children

 

[CEDmom]

Also, every country has a Kids Station where children can make a craft. That's also where they can get their passport stamped. Many of the countries also have pressed penny machines. Character are also around their respective countries (we met Pooh and Eeyore in the UK).

 

[laurabelle]

Epcot, and world showcase in particular, is my family's favorite part of WDW! My kids are 7 & 10, and have been going since they were babies. The thing with world showcase is, you need to take time and explore it, have fun wandering through the surroundings, there are some pretty cool things tucked in the nooks and crannies, and if you only walk past the front of the countries you really miss alot. Make sure you talk to the Cms, try the different foods, shop (my kids especially love the store ion Japan), watch the entertainment, and films (China and France's movies are our favorites). Last month we gave the kids a camera while we relaxed in the garden at Japan and they took some really cool pictures. No, it's not about thrill rides, but it's a fun way to explore other cultures.

 

[webmomom]

There is also the maze at the UK garden. My DH and myself have enjoyed watching people walk around in it.

Also, at the Chinesse Pavillion as you walk towards the back, there is a vendor that sells souvierns. If you purchase a fan, they will write what ever name on it for free in Chinesse. My granddaughters loved that.

almost forgot. How about at Japan, the woman who makes animal lollypops. She is wonderful. She is outside across from where they play the large drums. She will pick someone to name a animal and will proceed to make it out of candy and put it on stick and give it to the person. She is only out a couple of times a day, but you can ask inside and they will tell you when she will be out.

 

[ehsween]

Wow! Lots of cool stuff. The thing is, by then I will forget about some of this stuff and I doubt they have on their schedule things like the candy animal maker and the live statue to remind me.

And I totally understand it's not a thrill ride type of place, but I just wasn't sure what they had there that would intrigue kids. It sounds like there's lots of interesting stuff. Like I said, I just hope I remember about the little things that some of you have brought up because sometimes the little things are what makes it so neat.

 

[andi_b_2005]

Originally posted by webmomom


Also, at the Chinesse Pavillion as you walk towards the back, there is a vendor that sells souvierns. If you purchase a fan, they will write what ever name on it for free in Chinesse. My granddaughters loved that.


Is this only for the children? Because that sounds like a neat souviner I can buy for myself!

 

[WhispyPixie]

I have kids 5...12..12...& 17...and they love the WS..and have since the 12 year olds were 5!!

There are many things that they can do!! They will love it!

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by andi_b_2005

Originally posted by webmomom


Also, at the Chinesse Pavillion as you walk towards the back, there is a vendor that sells souvierns. If you purchase a fan, they will write what ever name on it for free in Chinesse. My granddaughters loved that.


Is this only for the children? Because that sounds like a neat souviner I can buy for myself!

Nope, I have one, and I am only a child on the inside!!!

Beca

 

[styloviolet]

Definitely pick up a Times Guide--the listing of ALL the performance times for the whole park (even the live statue in Italy and the candy artist in Japan). They are available at the main entrance, Guest Relations, or at any Merchandise counter (always good if you lose it somehow!)... usually right next to the Guidemaps.

The World Showcase can be just as much fun for kids as it is for adults. As was previously mentioned, I would recommend obtaining a Passport for your kids... you can have it stamped and signed in each country (an autograph book can work just as well). Definitely try to catch the "street" performers in each country. In my opinion, they are what makes the WS so amazing!