Epcot WS Suggestions

[tjkraz]

OK, confession time: The only attraction I've ever experienced in the World Showcase is the Maelstrom.

There, I said it.

Since our kids are so young, I'm hesitant to try and hit too many of the movies / shows in that area. Epcot is already prone to being a little dry for a 5yo and a 2yo. But I'd like to hit at least one of them this time around.

If you had to recommend one must-see World Showcase attraction, what would it be?

[dvcconvert]

I bet they'd like El Rio de Tempo. It's very Small Worldish, but has some neat "fireworks" on the ceiling in the last set.

[Stimpy]

I second El Rio de Tempo, my kids both love that ride. Drives me nuts but they love it. (It really needs to be updated LOL) For the record, my son is 6 (and this has been one of his favorites since he was a baby) and my daughter is 20 months.

They also love watching the trains in Germany. They can follow those trains forever if we let them. We usually find a nice bench, get a cold... ahem...drink and they just go crazy watching the trains. (Another of my son's faves since he was a baby)

Also, the Kidcot stops seem to be a big hit with the younger kids. Again, nice break for the adults as the kids decorate their masks.

Surprisingly, both my kids also like the Impression De France movie. I really didn't think they would like to sit through it but they do and it's a nice relaxing break for them.

Although the American Adventure is my DH's fave and I enjoy it too, we tend to skip it b/c it doesn't really hold my kids interest for the whole show. We tried again in October but they got very fidgetty and wouldn't sit still. Some children love it though. It depends on your own kids.

[DarthGoofy]

I also think Rio del Tiempo would be good. My DS liked the country movies because of the 360 screen.

[Leftcoaster]

Ah, I've got the song in my head now...... You have to check out El Rio Del Tiempo in Mexico. Since France's movie is a sit down and not too long, I think your kids will be ok with it.

[bavaria]

I'm not a huge fan of street entertainment, but some of the World Showcase ones are simply amazing.

May I recommend the acrobats in China, and the chair act in France. Hopefully 2006 will see the return of some old favourites, and/or additions to the live entertainment as well.

Besides mourning the absence of the balloon guy from France this last year, I miss Gordoon the Clown (remember him? he used to squirt water at people and make them think that it was raining)

Street entertainment can be a good choice as you can leave if you wish, unlike a movie, which can be a little more difficult to leave if the kids get restless.

There are often overlooked character meets in WS - like Belle and the Beast in France, and Mulan in China. Sometimes they are a little hard to find and therefore not very busy.

[Leftcoaster]

Don't forget Miyuki, the candy lady in Japan. She does such amazing work... and oh my gosh, you can actually get something for free in WDW!!!

"The candy says hello!"

[jiggerj]

Epcot especially the WS is my ds's (6) favorite place to be when we are in the World. That is one of the reasons that I bought at BWV.

The kid stations are fun and nice "sit down and chill time" to color his mask. (If you do all the countries you get a surprise at the last one!)

bavaria is right about the characters. They are kinda tucked away . We met Princess Aurora and Esmerelda in France last visit. Ran into Gepetto in Germany.

We like to stroll and then snack here and there.

Not sure if your 5 yr old is a boy or girl but in japan they sell the dreaded...pokemon cards...My ds just flipped out! :rolleyes:

It would be hard for me to recommend just one attraction because the WS really has alot to offer and I havent even begun to experience it all yet! :)

On a side note-My ds LOVED the play area at the exit to MS. He didnt go on but we hung out there while his big sister rode. Just becareful in there its easy to lose site of them.

[TW1]

Your short changing yourself TJ!

WS has been a big hit for my kids for years. Now they are 11 and 8 and we always spend hours in WS.

We go at least two nights of every trip. We try to walk the entire loop. At night this is easier, not too hot and, while crowded, a different crowd since folks are strolling rather than running for rides.

I'll second all these great suggestions. Rio de Tempo is just their speed, the street performers are lots of fun, our kids love the Morrocan performers and the guy in France who stacks a bazillion chairs and sits on top. We spend time staring at the trains in Germany and looking for characters. We've met the 3 Caballeros in Mexico, Belle and the Beast in France and of course the entire Pooh gang in England. We love the movie in France as well. The movie in China is interesting, in the round, but standing that long is not their thing.

The mask making has become a bit of a joke with us. DD, 11, insists on making one and getting all the stamps while the rest of us roll our eyes. Last time I ran my butt off to make it to Canada, her last stop, the second they were closing to ask the poor CM to wait for DD. Of course she did and DD proved, once again, she can collect them all. And yes, she has years and years worth in her room amid the clutter. (Pack rat?)

Our kids also love the shops. On any vacation we give them a few dollars to spend on whatever they want. Invariably they spend their Disney trip money in China and Japan on little trinkets. Both even bought a Christmas presents for each other in August - lucky cats from the Japan pavillion.

Go for it. You're in for a nice surprise.

[AFMom]

Oh!!! We had so much fun there and were so pleasantly suprised!
First - either buy or make them WS passports with all the countries there. Then you can go to the Kidcot Stations and the exchange student workers will stamp the passports, write their names in Chinese, Japanese, etc, write them a note in Moroccan. Then they'll get to make a cute mask(FREE) and add little charms to it in each country. My kids thought this was the best part of the ENTIRE WDW trip. Some of the exchange students really engage the kids, they were great. The lady from England talked all about Harry Potter with them, the Morrocan guy introduced them to Aladdin and Jasmine who were coming in for autographs - it was so magical.
Morroco was such a hidden gem. The belly dancer at the restaurant was a blast, Aladdin and Jasmine and the Genie were there, and the architecture was beautiful!
The Chinese acrobats were quite cool - although seating was nil, and my kids got fidgety under the sun - but still certainly worth seeing! There is also a toy museum - I can't remeber where? Anyone? I believe it was in Japan? That was pretty neat - the kids would have spent a lot more time there if we had let them....
Even at 20 mo's I think the passport (which can double as an autograph book) and the mask can really entertain the kids! Have fun!

[bavaria]

Oh yes, the tin toy exhibit in Japan - it replaced the Japanese baseball exhibit. Good choice. Very cool and quiet inside too if you need a little break.

You can also buy handmade paper postcards in Japan and the CM will write your child's name in Japanese characters on the postcard.

Sometimes I see the French and/or Morrocan CMs playing boules with kids on the grassy area next to France. The UK CMs will play hopscotch if it's not too crowded. They can play the drums in the Outpost.

Also check out the Viking exhibit inside the Stave Church in Norway - perfect for grade school age.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Everyone has great suggestions, I have a couple of more to add:

If your kids like Pooh/Tigger/Piglet they are "hiding" in the UK all the way in the rear of the last store there. (As you approach the stores, it's the very last one on the right side). There is also a great show in the streets of the UK performed by the World Showcase players, lots of audience participation, very fun for all ages.

If your kids like the Beatles, or even if they don't know Beatles stuff but enjoy music they (and you) will enjoy the British Invasion in the UK. They are the best Beatles imitation I have ever seen. And if the kids don't care for it for any reason you can just leave, it's outdoors.

Also in the UK is a hedge maze right where the British Invasion plays, and a butterfly garden in an area far left f the stage.

I read through this a little quickly, but did anyone mention Illuminations? Kids are bound to enjoy the fireworks.

And although many characters are hidden away be sure to check the schedule, at times they have a bus that pulls up in various areas that is chock full of characters.

And (you all knew this was coming didnt you?) if they like music you all have to check out OFF KILTER. They are funny as well as very talented musicians, and many of the songs they play are familiar tunes with a twist. I have seen many a kid dancing happily in front of the OK stage, and the guys in the band pay particular attention to little ones.

I also recommend taking the boat or a short walk over to the Boardwalk, you are so close when you are in WS. There are face painters, midway games, and hair wrapping in the morning and afternoon, and at night there are all sorts of free shows on the boardwalk that the kids will enjoy--clowns, jugglers, magicians, etc.

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions.

I wish the WS were open earlier than 11am. Our son is doing the Albacore pirate cruise (out of the BC) on one morning of our trip. That would have been a great opportunity for DW and I to have pushed the 2yo around the WS while exploring some of the pavilions. But sadly that's not an option.

We'll have to make a better effort to get through the WS during one of our evenings. I'm certainly armed with a lot of great ideas now. :)

[jaysue]

For the 5 and 2 crowd, Norway and Mexico boat rides will do the trick - also the model trains in Germany are well loved by my 6 and 2 crowd

Funny enough, they like the movie in France as well

Cheers
jaysue