World Showcase with small children?

[mkla2015]

We haven't spent much time in the World Showcase with kids but on our spring 2016 trip (I know far in advance), we are wanting to really spend some time there.

What do you do with your kids? Do they enjoy it? I've been reading about getting passports to have stamped- does anyone know where to purchase these?

DD will be 6 and DS will be 4 during the trip.

 

[jrt1176]

We took my niece for her first trip when she was 6 and she really loved the World Showcase. In fact, she really loved every park at WDW.

We didn't do the passports, but I think they are free? Someone else may know for sure.

As far as what we did, we really just explored each country, ate and shared stories of when we went to the actual country, etc. She really wants to go to Europe now!

 

[itchin2go]

You can do the Kidcot coloring stops in every country for free. The last time we did it, they colored a Duffy bear on a stick - not sure what character it is now. They color them in each country, and some countries have extras ... writing their name in a different language, or stamps that they put on the stick.

The passports can be purchased in the gift shops and they're cute and fun too.

My daughter adored WS when she was 5 or 6 - still does.

 

[HatBoxSteve]

There's a ride in Mexico so that will definitely help. There's also an autograph book you can buy at just about any gift shop so when you see a character like Mickey you can collect their autograph so that may be fun. In Mexico and China there's quick snack places you can get familiar snacks for them like nachos and eggrolls. There's a coy pond and an awesome "department" store in Japan that you can kill some time in and they will love. In Canada you can walk around a replica of Niagara Falls. In Germany there's a miniature city with a working mini train station, and a caramel shop right next to it. If your kids like chocolate covered apples or marshmallows I highly suggest stopping there. Also in Norway there's a pastry shop so there's plenty of sweets options for them.

Hope that helped anymore questions feel free to ask.

 

[shana398]

I think it really depends on your children. I've heard from several friends that wouldn't recommend WS at Epcot for young kids, but our three-year-old, who will be four when we go again in September loves it. We've gone to Disney annually since he was born, so this will be his fifth trip. As a matter of fact, Epcot is his favorite park and the one he wants to visit first. I think there is so much visual stimulation alone that he's happy. We have two older kids, too, in their 20s, and they also loved WS when they were younger.

 

[ArwenMarie]

My kids loathe World Showcase other than the 2 rides (well now 1)
We did all of the Duffy sticks, the passports, nope.
In fact, after our last trip to Epcot, they told us that Epcot has way too much walking for the number of rides lol.

 

[tjmw2727]

My dd's as well as my niece and nephew all loved Epcot WS as preschoolers. Honestly like the adults I think they enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere there. You can find lots of characters and we liked that they were located in their country - Alice, Mary Poppins and the Pooh characters in Epcot, Mulan and co in China, Snow White in Germany - you get the idea

We did the passports (sold in any gift shop) and they also have masks and the duffy bear for free that can be colored and stamped in the "kidcot" spots in each country. The kids enjoy all kinds of live entertainment so if your kids like that there are bands, performers and such - just check the times guide to see what would be of interest to your family.

They still like the missions in each country - I think they were Kim Possible and now Perry from Phineus and Ferb (sp?)

We also sampled some of the foods, snacks, and candy in each country as well as drinks - (Including a few Adult Beverages for the Adults !)

 

[jrt1176]

Obviously, WS is not about rides... It's more about experiencing the countries, etc.

Every kid loves MK, but I think, if presented the right way, they will love WS as well.

 

[MissionMouse]

There are a level of challenges due to height requirements, but there are still an assortment of things to do and try; even a set of rides. As other have already mentioned about the coloring + country stamp activities there are some rides and interactive displays in FW and WS. Another item not mentioned is to try country specific foods and beverages. Snack or food items from the countries stores and shops. Keep in mind a little here and there. Small portions to keep them busy but also to have them try new things without getting their fill. Make an adventure game of it. Especially Cool Club in FW where you can try sodas from around the world in small cups. Our girls enjoyed every trip to Epcot

 

[joannamet]

Your kids are a little young but I highly recommend Agent Ps Showcase Adventure. It's really cool and very interactive. There are also acrobats, jugglers and music. My daughter loves WS. We spend a lot of time there when we get tired of the lines and crowds in the other parks. I don't know how anyone could skip it.

 

[beck00]

We flew through on our May of 2014 trip, but really want to explore WS in November this year! Thanks for this!

 

[itchin2go]

Another item not mentioned is to try country specific foods and beverages. Snack or food items from the countries stores and shops. Keep in mind a little here and there. Small portions to keep them busy but also to have them try new things without getting their fill.

I think my daughter loves the treats more than anything else (although she mourns Maelstrom). I think her favorite is a crepe from the kiosk in France, but she has also enjoyed treats from Kringla in Norway, the caramel place in Germany, the bakery in France. I intended for us to try the ice cream in France, but it didn't work out last trip. She likes Kaki Gori (shaved ice) in Japan, and she enjoys buying packaged candy in many of the shops - gummies, chocolate, etc. We got Ketchup potato chips in Canada one trip. This last trip, we tried home made potato chips and nudel gratin (a sinful mac and cheese) in Germany, but there are pretzels there too. Oh - she also loves the baklava in Morocco, and she loves getting a henna tattoo there. We usually get the cheapest design they have on her ankle.

I agree with the Agent P adventures too. Those are fun, and make you see WS in a different light.

Did anyone mention pick a pearl in Japan? My daughter loves this, and we have had the pearls made into necklaces for a lovely souvenir. My daughter loves the shop in Japan, in general. This last trip, she wanted some of those "lucky" cats, where each color is for a different thing.

 

[disnut8]

On our then five year old granddaughter's first trip (she didn't even know she was going until we went under the first purple sign), my now daughter-in-law and I and my son discussed many things about the trip. My daughter-in-law said she didn't think her daughter would be that interested in Epcot and World Showcase which is my husband's and my favorite part. So we comprised and decided that we'd do another park first thing in the morning and then my husband and I would switch to Epcot the second part of the day. We decided the first park to be Epcot and "get that out of the way". Then the kids could leave and we'd stay. No one left Epcot that day as the five year old loved it. At that time (m granddaughter turns 17 on Monday), there were the "classic" Epcot bands and she just loved going to each one and seeing what they had to offer. You can still do that since not one of the entertainment (no comments on current entertainment as the family needs to see for themselves) has a seating or standing area where you have to remain for the entire performance. You just stop and go as you like (or don't like).

Also, you can get a world map and discuss with your kids where each of the countries are and then use that as a signature card at the Kidspot places for a Cast Member to sign. Just print one out at your home and take it with you. Before you go, you can talk about how far away some of the countries are from your home town. You can write those in before you leave and that can be an opening to talking to the Cast Members.

Another thing to do is to have the kids look for something under $5 in the gift shops in each country. Not to buy but to look.

 

[tabistar]

My kids don't care for it, especially ds6. The past 2 times we've went, we did it after lunch and both kids fell asleep in the double stroller (they NEVER take naps at home)! So dh and I got to explore a bit in peace & quiet When the kids woke up (after about an hour), we got them some snacks and explored some more until they were done. We never get to see everything, but some is better than nothing! I think this time, we'll try toe Agent P stuff just in case they don't fall asleep.

 

[jrt1176]

I've always thought that travel is the best way of learning. You can learn about a country and culture from reading it in a book, but experiencing it in person is completely different.

WS lets you take the kids to several countries and learn some basic things about each!

Of course, it's not the same things as being in Italy, France or the UK, but it's a nice foundation to build on!

To me, Disney has always been more than just about individual rides; it's an experience. So, take it all in!

 

[RustManFan]

My kids have always loved WS and all of Epcot. Depends on the child. Mine like to learn new things and Epcot was terrific this way.

They also enjoyed looking through the merchandise in Japan, Mexico and UK in particular

 

[IrishNYC]

I really thought DD5 would be bored to death at WS, but she was surprisingly excited about it. DH and I would like to go there again without her in tow, but it was definitely a good experience. Our first stop there was Norway for lunch at Akershus, and when we walked through the Stave Church after lunch, DD was so surprised at how much "It looks like Frozen!" Then in the gift shop she got a Duffy on a stick, and I chatted with the CM at the Kidcot table while DD colored. After that DD was excited to go to each country and see what it was like and get her Duffy a little more colored and get it stamped. We talked a little about each country we visited there, and about which ones DH and I had visited for real, and which ones we'd like to go to again, or for the first time. There was definitely something in each country that DD was interested in exploring.

This is her Duffy after one day of exploration. She eventually got every country in WS.

 

[Kathryn777]

Your kids are a little young but I highly recommend Agent Ps Showcase Adventure. It's really cool and very interactive.

Agree 100% my 4&7 year olds were totally into it, and it took them all over WS

 

[ArwenMarie]

Mine like to learn new things too but they still don't enjoy Epcot.

 

[itchin2go]

Mine like to learn new things too but they still don't enjoy Epcot.

Awww - at least you tried!

You know, I think one of the reasons my daughter took to it is because it was the first park we went to and she didn't know any better.

But the other thing is - she's really into learning about other cultures. She even likes the movies in the countries, though we didn't spring those on her until later trips. She's kind of a picky eater, but she's more likely to try something if she knows it's from another culture. She loves Teppan Edo so much, but my husband and I are bored of going there, so it hasn't been on the list for recent trips. I told her if she makes 4 "A"s on her next report card, she can plan the whole trip and pick wherever she wants to go. If she makes 3 "A"s, she can plan one day. She is really trying hard because she wants to go to Teppan Edo so bad! We'll know the verdict in a week or so ...... Should make for an interesting trip!

All kids are different. I do think people should try it with their kids to see what happens. I was surprised by how much my daughter liked it.