World Showcase?

[MagicalMom]

Am I the only one who just quickly walks through the Worlds Showcase. Sure we stop & ride the boat rides in Norway & Mexico. We've ate in America. We never bother with the shops, we just walk right by. Now I'm wondering what all we have missed. We are planning 2 days in Epcot for our next trip, b/c even with just walking past the countries we still can't get everything done in 1 day. I was shocked when I heard there was a place to meet Belle in France, never noticed it before. I know we have taken the countries for granted, so what should we be sure to notice next time?

 

[kandmwedding]

We did this on our family trip in 2000 and haven't made that mistake since. Here's my list of things not to miss:

*American Vybe performing inside the America building
*Off Kilter performing in Canada
*the acrobats in China
*the landscaping of all the countries, especially Mexico
*the architecture of Morocco (walk all the way back and you'll feel like you're in Morocco)
*the Canadian Rockies
*the FOOD!!!

 

[Disney Gator]

World Showcase Players in Italy and the UK. Very funny skits. They are usually out in the street at UK, and at Italy in the courtyard.

 

[mommykds]

And don't forget the drummers in Japan!

 

[swilphil]

There are lots of character opportunities in the countries, but they are off the beaten path a little bit. We saw Pooh in UK twice on our last trip--once with Tigger and once with Eeyore. I also read that the appropriate princesses are in France, Germany, Morroco and China. We don't do much shopping because of our kids, but the Kidcot stations are a blast for them. It's also a great change from the usual theme atmosphere. We like the train village in Germany, the garden area in China, the waterfalls in Canada, and the hedge maze in UK. It gives our kids a chance to run around and not have to wait in line for once.

 

[Bob P]

Plus British Invasion in the UK, one of our favorites.

You're also missing some hidden treasures if you don't walk through the country areas. Don't forget, pretty much everything in WDW is themed, including what just might look like a shopping stop.

Bob

 

[SueM in MN]

Plus British Invasion in the UK, one of our favorites.

You're also missing some hidden treasures if you don't walk through the country areas. Don't forget, pretty much everything in WDW is themed, including what just might look like a shopping stop.

Bob

besides all the good things other people mentioned, sometimes you can see the craftspeople making things.
- in the German toy shop, putting together dolls
- in the German porcelain shop, painting Hummels
- in the Italian shop, making masks
- in Japan, the candy lady

Most of the countries have some really beautiful gardens or statues that you won't see just by walking along the outside.

 

[madalex]

I love World Showcase and all the pavillions. Exploring them (and the related shops) is a must do on every trip (especially Morocco, Japan, England and Mexico - those are my favorites).

The shows/movies at America, France and China are fun to see (at least once).

Also, one more good character spot is between France and England on the way to the International Gateway entrance. There are often characters there with very little or no waits at all.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Am I the only one who just quickly walks through the Worlds Showcase... We never bother with the shops, we just walk right by.

 

[MinnieM3]

MagicalMOM.... we were JUST like you until a couple of trips ago! Then we stumbled upon characters in various countries and thought we were too cool!

Then I read more on the boards and realized how much MORE we were missing! So I went to the Steve Soares site, which was pretty accurate, and really planned a day at WS just to catch all the acts. If you don't plan it, there's no way you can just "happen" upon them all at the right time.

Anyway, our planned day was GREAT! We saw everything we planned on, except for the candy lady....asked and found out she was off the whole day


The planning required some work, but was well worth it! We started at around 11:30 and ended about 6pm!

 

[SueM in MN]

OH!
I forgot, if you have only ridden the boat rides, you have missed a really good (and less than 1 year old) circlevision movie in China, an older (but still good) one in Canada, a sit down almost circlevision movie in France (a little old, but with amazing scenery and wonderful music) and one of the best Audioanimatronic shows in all of WDW, the American Adventure.

 

[maxaroni]

I was pleasantly surprised how much my ds8 loved WS when we went in 2001. WS is so cool, we just love it all. My fave time to go is after we eat dinner and we stroll around the countries. Whatever we see we see, we go back the next nite and stroll some more.

 

[lclark0621]

I love the WS. We have the best time looking through the shops. And we absolutly love eating in the different resturants during our stay. We make a lot of PS in the different countries for dinner & will hop over to Epcot just for dinner or something.

If you have small children, they have craft areas in each of the countries. And they have passports your kids can get stamped in each country. Those are 2 great ways to get kids into the WS countries.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

I had posted this on another thread, but it is so appropriate for this one, as well, so pardon the duplication!

"Sorry...Long Post...but the World Showcase??!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm sorry, but I'm a World Showcase.....JUNKIE!!!

I love ALL of the pavilions in the WS...I think they truly ALL have something wonderful to explore....but keep all of this stuff a SECRET so that it doesn't get too crowded and ruin the MAGIC!!!

Oh, Canada...I LOVE the 30-foot hidden waterfall...the movie is pretty good... Off Kilter is NOT to be missed... ...and the cheese soup in the restaurant is to die for...!

England...the garden & maze back behind is pretty cool... British Invasion is certainly worth watching, if you're a Beatles fan...the World Showcase Players are funny...the Winnie-the-Pooh shop is fun...and the fish & chips? Yum! Grab a big mug of ale and sit back in the garden, watching the "Invasion"...that is heaven!

France...the film here is TRULY outstanding; the music alone is awesome! We love to sample the wine at the wine shop; sniff the French perfumes at the French shop... and the guy who 'stacks' the chairs is amazing! And the pastry shop??? OMG...I salivate just thinking of it!

Morocco...the tilework here is truly beautiful...take some time and walk around the architecture and appreciate the beauty...the King of Morroco sent his OWN artisans to decorate this pavilion...! Mo-Rockin' is worth seeing...and the belly dancer at the restaurant, even the kids enjoyed!

Japan...I love the Japanese drummers; you can hear the vibrations in the pavement! The "Candy Lady" is fun, especially if your child is chosen to receive one of the creations...and the gardens are beautiful....get some of the Japanese snow cones (kaki gori?) while there...the baseball exhibit is a must for a baseball fan...and the department store is SO fun to browse!

America...American Adventure is a "WOW!" moment; my kids were like, "How'd they do that?!" We also really liked listening to American Vybe and the other group, Voices of Liberty ...and DON'T miss the Fife & Drum Corp...they made us proud to be Americans!

Italy...it has beautiful artchitecture, which is a mirror of actually Italy; the shops are worth window-shopping (and spending, if you have the $$$), and the juggler is fun to watch!

China... the Hall of Prayers is very pretty...the film is okay (not as good as the other pavilions, but still fun to watch!); the shops there are fun to explore; the Acrobats are a not-to-be-missed attraction...they are also a WOW moment!

Germany...the miniature train is a must-see for train enthusiasts; don't miss the cuckoo clock (on even-numbered hours!); and have some German beer and celebrate with oompah music! (Of course, if you drink TOO much beer, you'll look like this: )

Norway - everyone comes here to ride "Maelstrom", but it also has a WONDERFUL bakery; inside the chapel, there's always an interesting exhibit; and the shops are fun (especially if you want to buy a troll!) And did I mention the bakery? I did? Oh well, it's worth mentioning twice!

Mexico - I love the El Rio del Tiempo ride, and I love it always being 'night time' inside the temple; it smells SO good inside!; the Mariachi band is fun to listen to; and it's fun to see what is for sale in the "mercado" inside!

That's just a small sample of what the WS has to offer...Kids can be doing masks & getting their passports stamped at the Kidcot Stations...adults can be sampling the food and beverages (vino, anyone?! ) at each of the countries....there's something for everyone!!!

And night time...??? SO, SO romantic! <sigh>

 

[notnothin]

I had posted this on another thread, but it is so appropriate for this one, as well, so pardon the duplication!

"Sorry...Long Post...but the World Showcase??!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm sorry, but I'm a World Showcase.....JUNKIE!!!

I love ALL of the pavilions in the WS...I think they truly ALL have something wonderful to explore....but keep all of this stuff a SECRET so that it doesn't get too crowded and ruin the MAGIC!!!

Oh, Canada...I LOVE the 30-foot hidden waterfall...the movie is pretty good... Off Kilter is NOT to be missed... ...and the cheese soup in the restaurant is to die for...!

England...the garden & maze back behind is pretty cool... British Invasion is certainly worth watching, if you're a Beatles fan...the World Showcase Players are funny...the Winnie-the-Pooh shop is fun...and the fish & chips? Yum! Grab a big mug of ale and sit back in the garden, watching the "Invasion"...that is heaven!

France...the film here is TRULY outstanding; the music alone is awesome! We love to sample the wine at the wine shop; sniff the French perfumes at the French shop... and the guy who 'stacks' the chairs is amazing! And the pastry shop??? OMG...I salivate just thinking of it!

Morocco...the tilework here is truly beautiful...take some time and walk around the architecture and appreciate the beauty...the King of Morroco sent his OWN artisans to decorate this pavilion...! Mo-Rockin' is worth seeing...and the belly dancer at the restaurant, even the kids enjoyed!

Japan...I love the Japanese drummers; you can hear the vibrations in the pavement! The "Candy Lady" is fun, especially if your child is chosen to receive one of the creations...and the gardens are beautiful....get some of the Japanese snow cones (kaki gori?) while there...the baseball exhibit is a must for a baseball fan...and the department store is SO fun to browse!

America...American Adventure is a "WOW!" moment; my kids were like, "How'd they do that?!" We also really liked listening to American Vybe and the other group, Voices of Liberty ...and DON'T miss the Fife & Drum Corp...they made us proud to be Americans!

Italy...it has beautiful artchitecture, which is a mirror of actually Italy; the shops are worth window-shopping (and spending, if you have the $$$), and the juggler is fun to watch!

China... the Hall of Prayers is very pretty...the film is okay (not as good as the other pavilions, but still fun to watch!); the shops there are fun to explore; the Acrobats are a not-to-be-missed attraction...they are also a WOW moment!

Germany...the miniature train is a must-see for train enthusiasts; don't miss the cuckoo clock (on even-numbered hours!); and have some German beer and celebrate with oompah music! (Of course, if you drink TOO much beer, you'll look like this: )

Norway - everyone comes here to ride "Maelstrom", but it also has a WONDERFUL bakery; inside the chapel, there's always an interesting exhibit; and the shops are fun (especially if you want to buy a troll!) And did I mention the bakery? I did? Oh well, it's worth mentioning twice!

Mexico - I love the El Rio del Tiempo ride, and I love it always being 'night time' inside the temple; it smells SO good inside!; the Mariachi band is fun to listen to; and it's fun to see what is for sale in the "mercado" inside!

That's just a small sample of what the WS has to offer...Kids can be doing masks & getting their passports stamped at the Kidcot Stations...adults can be sampling the food and beverages (vino, anyone?! ) at each of the countries....there's something for everyone!!!

And night time...??? SO, SO romantic! <sigh>

These are great tips! Thanks for sharing!

 

[MagicalMom]

Wow! I am really looking forward to spending some time in the countries now!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

abracadabrump

 

[gabbygrennell]

Epcot is one of our families absolute favorite parks!
I know so many people who are always saying why would you go to epcot? your going to florida for a fun vacation, not to get an education....
they have so completely missed it!
My kids are in love with epcot too!

Reading all these posts made me think, hmmmmm... maybe i better put two days in for epcot, so I dont feel rushed!
Last time, we spent one whole day in ep, then went back another day around 4 and spent the rest of the nite in ws!
Someone else mentioned the guy who stacks the chairs... he is amazing! We had a ball watching him!

We had a great opportunity in morocco, with jasmine.... there was no one there with her... she was in the kidcot part, and she helped the kids with their masks etc... i bet our kids got to spend 15 mins with her alone! They were thrilled! Especially my then 9 yr old, who thought she was a hottie! lol!

And the food..... oh that is one of the best parts! I think we have to buy soemthing to eat or drink in every single land!
This time, we probly wont even do maelstrom, or rio del tiempo..... too much other great stuff to be out doing!

We have yet to see the hidden water fall, anyone have any explicit directions for me?

 

[DisneyJen0504]

My family did that back the first trip my parents tooks us. We were little kids and we hates Epcot-thought it was too much learning for a vacation. The first trip DH (then my boyfriend) took to WDW together, he had no interest in WS. Well, after walking around WS, drinking and eating in different countries, chekcing out rides, shows, and shops...DH loves it!! It's one of his favorite things to do in WDW. Now we usually spend a half day getting to Epcot in the morning and leave after lunch and another half day getting there around 4ish and leaving after Illuminations. We like splitting the days up through the trip.

 

[Dutchmom23]

We did this on our family trip in 2000 and haven't made that mistake since. Here's my list of things not to miss:

*American Vybe performing inside the America building
*Off Kilter performing in Canada
*the acrobats in China
*the landscaping of all the countries, especially Mexico
*the architecture of Morocco (walk all the way back and you'll feel like you're in Morocco)
*the Canadian Rockies
*the FOOD!!!

Thank you for this compilation. I look forward to seeing these!! Thanks, again.