World Showcase - time needed?

[Ann]

How much time should I allocate for WS? Could it be done in the evening say from 6-9 and then catch Illuminations. I'll have my 6 & 8 yr. old so I 'd like to catch the boat rides, and the American Adventure, & maybe one of the movies. Which movie would your recommend for kids this age? I'd like to enjoy the flowers and architecture but don't need to do a lot of shopping. Would I be better off getting there at 11am when it opens? Thanks for any advice!

 

[tar heel]

You probably can do the things you mentioned in that amount of time, but you will be skipping the best part of World Showcase! The most fun part is the entertainment in each country. You can pick up a schedule at the front of the park, but you won't be able to see even close to all of it in that amount of time. My 9-year-old's favorites are Miyuki in Japan, who sculpts candy animals; Imaginum living statues in Italy; le Mime Roland and A Chair Act in France. The acrobats in China are also incredible, Off Kilter in Canada is cool and the World Showcase Players in Britain are entertaining, too. The two vocal groups in America are wonderful and very different from each other. Really, it's all good!

BTW, my son doesn't like any of the movies and isn't overly fond of American Adventure (but take your kids to that anyway). I would probably recommend the France movie b/c you get to sit and the music is great.

 

[kcarp]

Make sure and go on the ride in Norway, it's a cool ride.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I could spend 4 days there and not get enough of it =)

I think you could catch the highlights in that time, perhaps you could go early in your trip, and return later if you want to go back for more? Its hard to meter how your children will react. My child (DH-age 26) loathed World Showcase and was ready to leave when we arrived. I would have thought he'd enjoy it! *shrugs*

Hard to tell =)

 

[slo]

With kids - about 3-4 hours
Without kids - all day

I say this because before we had our DD we could spend all day in the world showcase. But with DD not as long because she naturally gets bored easily. So we just walk around and take in the sights and not stop to do a lot of shopping or browsing. Boy...I do look forward to the day again when I can stop and do a lot of shopping and lollygagging around the World Showcase, but that will not be for awhile because 2nd DD will only be 13months when we return in Sept.

 

[Ann]

Thanks for the input! I think I'll plan about 4 hours. Probably skip the movies. I'd rather wander around and stop if we see entertainers we like. I hear the desserts in France are excellent. I'm sure the family will want to stop there!