World Showcase with teen...

[Barzeski]

...wannabe...

My 11 year old daughter and I are planning a mother/daughter trip for August.

On her first trip (4 years ago), we walked through WS, hit up Norway, Mexico, US, and watched 2 "movies." She was extremely disgusted with the American Experience, walking, BORING movies, etc.

On our last trip (2 years ago), we walked through WS, hit up Norway, Mexico, browsed China's shops, and ate a Napoleon in France. She was disappointed that we didn't have more time.

So here's my question...what are your must dos in WS with teen wannabes? I'm completely content touring with only her happiness in mind. I just want to know what might be a way to spend our time in WS so she remembers it fondly AND wants to return again! Thanks!

 

[hedberg1661]

...wannabe...

My 11 year old daughter and I are planning a mother/daughter trip for August.

On her first trip (4 years ago), we walked through WS, hit up Norway, Mexico, US, and watched 2 "movies." She was extremely disgusted with the American Experience, walking, BORING movies, etc.

On our last trip (2 years ago), we walked through WS, hit up Norway, Mexico, browsed China's shops, and ate a Napoleon in France. She was disappointed that we didn't have more time.

So here's my question...what are your must dos in WS with teen wannabes? I'm completely content touring with only her happiness in mind. I just want to know what might be a way to spend our time in WS so she remembers it fondly AND wants to return again! Thanks!

Personally, I would make it a learning experience as much as anything. Allow her to try different things she may have never had before. Food is an especially easy one at WS. Do a "food around the world" trip getting a little bite at each country.

Also, check out the some pavilions for some cool down activities. Examples: Mexico (water ride) Shops, Italy (Shops), Norway(water ride), America (Voices of Liberty...check the time schedule), France (pastry's!), UK (Shops),
Canada (band and shops). I purposefully left off some countries that I didn't feel were super interesting.

I personally have always loved the world showcase but you must go into it with the idea that you aren't going to ride all day.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I just want to know what might be a way to spend our time in WS so she remembers it fondly AND wants to return again! Thanks!

I'd let her plan it and take you along for the ride.

 

[shyjade]

My teen LOVES WS, it's one of her favorite places in Disney (and has been since before she was a tween). She loves to explore the shops, nooks & crannies of the WS.

She especially enjoys the store in Japan and sampling food from many of the countries. Rainbow kaki gori with sweet milk in Japan, the troll horn in Norway, fresh caramel corn in Germany...(we go to Epcot almost every day during our trips so it's not like she's eating nonstop all day long).

 

[2Tiggies]

I'd let her plan it and take you along for the ride.

Great idea

A bit difficult for me to put myself in your position because my tween loved WS even as a child, but I can see where it changes once the Kidcot stops are no longer a draw.

My DD lists the must do's for each country. She still likes to have her passport stamped and likes to visit the shops in the various countries too.

Have you thought of an age appropriate challenge? You could decide together on certain things she has to document from each country. Make it fun so it doesn't feel too educational to her A camera works well. She could do a small journal and have to get information about each of the countries or photograph something specific to that country as you progress through WS.

You also need to remember that if your kids enjoy it, it is educational. So try not to make it feel like a school trip. We all learn more when we are genuinely interested and enjoying what we are taking in.

I agree with LSUFan. Let her be part of the planning. That way it won't feel like she's been set up and gives her a sense of control over the activities.

 

[JaimeA]

My teen daughter, now 17 has always loved WS. My daughter gets a henna tattoo every trip in Morocco. She has jewelry from every country (not expensive more like a bracelet or ankle bracelet, pearls, etc)
She loves to talk to the CMs and eat the different foods.

My boys love it also and they are now 12 and 13 (they love Japan and China's shops).

They also love the entertainers, and they love when I get picked and make a fool out of myself...

 

[rbrbnd]

My 11 nephew was bored too tears. The next year we scheduled our tour based on the street entertainment scheduled and he enjoyed it a lot more. He was particularly find of the UK players, Sergio in Italy and the acrobats in China

 

[WEDWDW]

Definitely give the Agent P World Showcase Adventure a shot.

One Mission is only about 20-30 minutes,so if she hates it,you won't have lost much time.

I have seen Guests of ALL ages enjoying APWSA.

Also,there are a lot of Character opportunities if that is her "cup of tea".

Keep an eye on the International gateway and the entrance to Wordl Showplace-"sometimes" there are some Characters' "friends" training there.

For example,I saw a picture of Tinker Bell training at the IG earlier this week.

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

My DD18's favorite is Japan. She likes the gift shop with Anime and the food/snacks. Also this is where they do the pick a pearl. She enjoys the China gift shop too bc she collects Pandas. We both enjoy the gift shops in all the countries and Karamel Kuche in Germany is our favorite for snacks. She gets her face painted and loves taking pictures at different spots. She had several photo pass photographers stop her and ask if they could take her picture bc of the face painting. WS is her favorite part of Disney.

 

[disnut8]

Buy a book - http://www.amazon.com/Imagineering-Field-Guide-Epcot-Disney/dp/0786848863. And then both of you will have new adventures.

 

[princess sunshine]

One idea is to turn it into a game =)

I think many of the countries have Hidden Mickey(s) listed in the Hidden Mickey booklet that you could find...keep in mind that some may have moved or been added since the book was published but it's a place to start. Maybe you each take 15 minutes or so in each country trying to find as many Hidden Mickeys as you can (separate from each other but in the same country). As you each find them, take pictures on your individual digital camera or phone. Keep score of how many you each find by reviewing the pictures before you leave each country. Also talk about anything cool that you saw while you were exploring the country. When the entire scavenger hunt is finished, then maybe whoever loses buys the winner a special snack from any country around the world. If it is fun and taking a long time, then maybe you do half of the countries on this visit and the other half another time so you have something special to look forward to next time

 

[vicb]

You are getting great advice. My kids (boy and girl) both have loved WS all along the years, they are 18 and 21 now. We have always made lunch or dinner ADRs, that helps with the "experience".

My DD when she was a teen really enjoyed Japan. Liked the food there and LOVED the gift shop. Just the right mix of Hello Kitty type stuff that teen girls still find cool and more grown up souvenirs.

Your DD might enjoy Pick a Pearl in the Japanese gift shop. My daughter really enjoyed the experience. She picked her pearl and had it set in a silver dolphin setting. Even though she is older now and has out grown her dolphin phase I still see her wear it occasionally.

What ever countries you focus on try to co-ordinate to watch some of the live shows. You can get those schedules from WDW or Steve Soares websites. If she is at all still into characters she can meet some good ones at certain countries (France, UK, Morocco).

 

[meliss8599]

Our teen DD LOVES to pick a pearl every year in Japan. She has made a ring, earrings and a necklace over the years. They have an amazing candy selection--the botan rice candy is so yummy and you can eat the inside rice paper wrapper. She also likes the shaved ice kaki gori as well.

She gets a henna tattoo in Morocco.

It's fun to take pictures in the red London phone booths in the UK.

The bakery in France has TDF Napoleons, crème brulee, and chocolate mousse.

If your DD has an Instagram account, it's always fun for them to post pictures at all the fun country locations.

Not World Showcase, but it's always fun to visit Club Cool with Coke varieties from all over the world.

DD used to hate EPCOT as well, but over the past few years it has become her favorite park.

 

[Barzeski]

Thanks for the great advice! Pick a pearl looks fun and memorable. I like the hidden Mickey idea, food, and shopping tips!!!! Can't wait!!!!

 

[Barzeski]

And live shows, yes! We'll try these!

 

[lizabu]

My girls were really into candy around the world. They bought candy or other wrapped snacks in pretty much every country around the WS. Germany or Norway had these chips shaped like ghosts, there were unique flavours in China and Japan. There is something special and unique in every country. Then in UK DD bought Dr Who posters.

 

[wordwitt]

My daughter, turning 13, loves WS, but I have never tried to structure anything while we are there. She absolutely loves the Japan gift shop, and has done the pearl thing there, but she really enjoys just browsing and buying little candies. She also loves snacking at Norway and France.

This trip, we are planning on trying to hit more of the live entertainment, and since she is bringing 2 friends, I'm guessing they will be wandering together while my husband and I drink and eat part way around the world. But we have more days at Epcot than any other park at her request.

 

[chipndales]

My dd was 12 when we went on our first mother/daughter trip. We are here now doing our second mother/daughter trip and she's 16! A little different now but when she was younger we did Maelstrom, hit the Japanese store with Hello Kitty merch and the oyster pearl, stopped in Norway for school bread, stopped in Canada for Off Kilter while relaxing our feet and getting a cool drink, and of course hit Mexico and went on the Three Caballeros ride and did some shopping. I also challenged her to learn one word in each country from the castmembers. She was pretty excited to talk to each one and learn something new. We bought an inexpensive item from each country and logged it. Talked a lot about "what if" we visited these countries, what we might do. It's such an awesome opportunity to bond. I love that you're doing it.

 

[Barzeski]

Learning a word from each sounds like a bunch of fun! And, I love the candy idea! Just enough to satisfy her desire to shop without going too crazy! Thanks!!!!

 

[kaybird]

Besides the shopping and food in Japan, there is a pretty cool Animae display to walk through. Maze in UK, photo ops in France. Market place in Mexico. Would she enjoy the Phineas and Pherb game? Great way to get through the countries. (Think I read it might be Muppets now, but same idea)