Epcot-World Showcase

Yesterday, we covered one half of Epcot, Future World. Today, we're going to break down the other side of Epcot's hour-glass layout, World Showcase.

World Showcase is a compilation of eleven permanent country pavilions plus a growing but not official pavilion area for Africa. Each of the country pavilions have shops and restaurants which are staffed with citizens from the respective pavilion countries. Some of the country pavilions also have rides or shows which depict the history, art and culture of the individual countries. Oftentimes families with small children have thought World Showcase wasn't an area for them. We disagree. In addition to fun activities for small kids like the kidcot craft stations in each pavilion and the "Epcot Passport" kids can get and have stamped in each country pavilion, the newest adventure for little ones who want to save the world is an adaption of the former KimPossible Adventure called Agent P's World Showcase Adventure. The interactive experience pairs kids (and their parents) with Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb via a high-tech secret agent device (read: cell phone) which will send clues for each "case." Solving the clues will send secret agents to different country pavilions in an attempt to defeat Dr Doofenschmirtz. Although we haven't done the Agent P Adventure (we surely will next month), we did the previous KimPossible Adventure and it was a blast for all of us. Some of the secret agent clues were amazing...in one country pavilion, our clues lead us to find a hidden water fall that we never would have known existed otherwise.

Below is a list of the eleven permanent country pavilions and a brief explanation of the shows or rides they each offer...

*tip: if visiting other cultures is your thing, consider a trip to Disney World during the Food and Wine Festival which takes place every fall and brings in world-renown chefs from all over and more than doubles the number of country pavilions in World Showcase...it's a great opportunity to eat and drink your way around the world.

Mexico

Attraction-

-Gran Fiesta Tour: A boat ride featuring a film with traditional

animation superimposed over live-action film clips starring The Three Caballeros including Donald Duck

Food-

Sit-down:

-La Hacienda De San Angel (overlooks the Lagoon)

-San Angel Inn

Counter service:

-Cantina De San Angel

Extras:

-Mariachi Cobre band performs seven 25-minute shows Tuesday-Saturday

Norway

Attraction-

-Maelstrom: A boat ride which takes you through the Viking history of Norway (spoiler: there are dark moments, a troll and even a slight

drop so if you have itty bitty babies, you may want to skip it or take

it in turns)

Food-

Sit-down:

-Akershus...a magical princess meal which is a great back-up option if you can't get into Cinderella's Royal Table

Counter service:

-Kringla Bakeri og Cafe...a pastry shop that will break any diet

China

Attractions-

-Reflections of China...a 360 CircleVision movie presentation

-Tomb Warriors...an amazing collection of ancient Chinese artifacts

Food-

Sit-down:

-Nine Dragons

Counter service:

-Lotus Blossom Cafe

Extras:

-The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats 20-minute performances daily (except Tuesday and Thursday)

-Mulan Meet and Greet

Germany

Food-

Sit-down:

-Biergarten...German restaurant complete with yodlers, dancers and lederhosen-clad musicians

Counter service:

-Sommerfest

Extras:

-Snow White Meet and Greet

Italy

Food-

Sit-down:

-Via Napoli...traditional table-service pizzaria

-Tutto Italia

Extras:

-Sergio: an interactive juggler who performs 20-minute shows Sunday-Thursday

-Ziti Sisters: 25-minute live comedy show daily

America

Attraction-

-The American Adventure...a 30-minute historical show on a 72-foot wide screen

Food-

Counter service:

-Liberty Inn...a huge indoor counter service restaurant

-Funnel Cake Kiosk...mouth-watering good

Extras:

-Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps...15 minute show

Tuesday-Saturday (must-see)

-Voices of Liberty...a cappella group which performs 15-minute shows daily

Japan

Attraction-

-Bijutsu-kan Gallery...an ever-changing with beautiful exhibits

reflecting the Japanese art culture

Food-

Sit-down:

-Teppan Edo...a favorite for our family...hibachi-style meals

-Tokyo Dining

Counter service:

-Katsura Grill

Extras:

-Matsuriza...traditional Japanese drummers perform 15-minute shows Mon, Tues, Thurs-Sat afternoons

-Miyuki...a Japanese candy artist creates beautiful and delicious

works of art Sun-Thurs afternoons

Morocco

Food-

Sit-down:

-Restaurant Marrakesh

Counter service:

-Tangierine Cafe

Extras:

-MoRockin...authentic Moroccan music performed daily

-Alladin and Jasmin Meet and Greet

-Fun fact: Morocco's Department of Tourism actually owns the Epcot Morocco Pavilion and the King of Morocco sent his own personal architect to Florida to help oversee it's construction (and the lamp at the sit-down restaurant is awesome)

France

Attraction-

-Impressions de France...an 18 minute show

Food:

Sit-down:

-Chefs de France

-Bistro de Paris...a gourmet restaurant/signature meal on the dining

plan WITH a dress code

Counter service:

-Boulangerie Patisserie...French pastries and desserts

Extras:

-Several character Meet and Greet options...Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle, Beast and Marie daily each afternoon

United Kingdom

Food-

Sit-down:

-Rose and Crown Pub & Dining Room

Counter service:

-Yorkshire Co Fish Shop...a great place to stop for a quick order of

fish and chips

Extras:

-World Showcase Player...an improv comedy troupe with daily afternoon performances

-Character Meet and Greets...Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins and Winnie the Pooh and Friends daily in the afternoon

-British Revolution...British rock-n-roll from the 60's-80's daily

starting mid-afternoon

Canada

Attraction-

-Oh Canada!...a 14-minute 360 CircleVision movie narrated by Martin Short

Food-

Sit down:

-Le Cellier...our favorite steak restuarant

Epcot With Kids General Tips

*Start walking before you even get to the parks. You'll average 10-15 miles a day at Disney World and Epcot tends to be on the long end of the scale.

*Keep kids interested in World Showcase by doing something special in each country...buy something or eat something (like a piece of candy) in each country or if you're wanting a free option or something for the tween crowd...take a funky picture in each country and you'll be able to make a funny photo album showing you going all around the world

*Pin trading is super popular in Epcot and kids love it!-just be sure to read our pin trading post so your little ones can trade without costing an arm and a leg

*Don't forget to catch the nightly laser/fireworks show IllumiNations

*Epcot is a particularly great park if it's raining...most of the attractions are indoors but check out our Disney In The Rain post for more rainy day ideas

Epcot-Future World

Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

EPCOT has changed repeatedly over the last 30 years but one thing has remained the same: Disney World's second theme park, connected to the Magic Kingdom via Monorail, both educates and entertains.

Epcot is laid out in an hour-glass form with two very different but equally enjoyable sections...Future World and World Showcase. Today, we're going to focus on Future World. Tomorrow, we'll cover World Showcase.

Future World is the section you'll walk into immediately after you enter the main gates. The iconic 18 story Geodesic Sphere (aka the giant golf ball) serves as both the main focal point of Epcot and houses one of the park's most popular attractions, Spaceship Earth which takes you on a journey through time from prehistoric man to the dawn of the 21st century and even allows you to create your own virtual future. It's a great attraction if you have small kids, if it's raining or if you just love history.

Other attractions within the Future World include:

Innoventions (sometimes called Innoventions East and West) consists of two separate buildings on either side of the main walkway just past Spaceship Earth. Essentially a science museum, Innoventions is full of virtual reality experiences, robots, interactive games (some that even teach life-saving lessons like how to get out of a burning building) and fun for all ages. If nothing else, it's a great place to avoid unfortunate weather.

Universe of Energy is a 45 minute show starring Ellen DeGeneres with our favorite Science Guy Bill Nye (sing it with us now...B-b-b-b-ill Nye the Science Guy). The show is all about energy and conservation but to be honest, it's not something we do usually. Although we love science, we find the show to be a bit long and more preachy about conservation than we would prefer on vacation (but that's just us).

Mission: SPACE simulates what an astronaut would feel blasting off and traveling to Mars. There are four people to a ship and each one has a job to do on the mission. If you're not good with spinning rides, you may want to skip it but if you're unsure, Disney has two options available...an orange mission for those of us who like to go all out and a green option for a slightly tamer experience. Even the tame experience can be too much for some so it's probably best not to do this one just after eating. If you're not confident you can do the ride at all (or you have little ones) still be sure to check out the post-show area (through the gift shop by the exit...ask a cast member if you need help locating it) where there are four different sections including an area where you can send an e-postcard from space to friends and family at home (or yourself as a keepsake).
*tip: Mission: Space has the highest height restriction of any attraction in Epcot at 44 inches so be sure to measure your kiddos before you go so you'll know ahead of time what they can and cannot do...also check out our Height Restrictions breakdown which has all the height restrictions for all four Disney World Parks

Test Track...currently undergoing a massive refurbishment...stay tuned...the new version of this popular attraction is set to reopen this fall...some speculate it will open on Epcot's official 30th anniversary October 1st. Before it was shut down, Test Track was one of, if not the most popular Epcot attraction. It turned guests into living crash-test-dummies to demonstrate the rigorous testing process for all new prototype vehicles.

The Seas With Nemo & Friends really changed the way many people view Epcot. The pavilion's new (2004) Nemo theme has made the park a favorite among small children that normally might have preferred Magic Kingdom. You enter the home to one of the world's largest saltwater aquariums in a "Clamobile" as you watch stars from Nemo magically appear alongside the live marine life in the 5.7 million gallon water tank. In addition to all the marine life, there's some great play/photo opportunities within the pavilion but easily the most popular attraction is Turtle Talk with Crush where through the magic of technology, children (and their parents) get to talk WITH Crush from Nemo. Crush is both informative and funny interacting with the children who sit in the front of the show while parents are sadly relegated to benches behind them. This is a must do if you have a child of any age who does or ever has enjoyed the movie Nemo...to be honest, it's a must-do for anyone. Even on kid-free trips, we stop to talk with Crush.

The Land Pavilion is a huge (covering six acres) pavilion which houses three attractions, a sit down character meal (Garden Grill-make your reservations EARLY for this one) and a large, food-court-style counter service restaurant (Sunshine Seasons). Whether or not you're on Disney's Dining Plan, it's a good place to take a break and have some food. Soarin' is the most popular Epcot attraction so be sure to go early and get your fast passes for later! It's a one-of-a-kind experience that simulates hang-gliding over California. You smell the oranges as you fly over a grove, you feel the mist of the ocean water as you glide over the coast. It's a breath-taking must-do. The second attraction we always do in the Land Pavilion is the Living With The Land attraction which takes passengers through unique Disney green houses and even an aquaculture facility on a 14-minute boat ride. The automated narration is informative and the lines are usually pretty short. The third attraction in The Land is The Circle of Life widescreen movie about conservation and hosted by characters from The Lion King. 

Imagination! Pavilion is the final pavilion in Epcot's Future World. It houses the classic Journey into Imagination with Figment which is a whimsical, if a bit outdated, journey to understand the human body senses. At the end of the Journey into Imagination ride, you come out at the What If Labs which allow guests to create and play with various sound and light effects. It can be a really fun place for preschoolers to learn about sight and sound but beyond that, it's generally not as popular as some of Epcot's other attractions. The last attraction inside the Imagination! Pavilion is a return of an old attraction that was gone for 16 year. Captain EO is a 17-minute 3D science fiction film starring a vintage Michael Jackson.

Epcot With Kids General Tips

*Check out Club Cool...it's a great place to stop for some easy a/c and free soda...there are 8 different soda options from around the world. If you want to have a little fun, have the kids try the Beverly from Israel.

*Start walking before you even get to the parks. You'll average 10-15 miles a day at Disney World and Epcot tends to be on the long end of the scale.

*Pin trading is super popular in Epcot and kids love it!-just be sure to read our pin trading post so your little ones can trade without costing an arm and a leg

*Don't forget to catch the nightly laser/fireworks show IllumiNations

*Epcot is a particularly great park if it's raining...most of the attractions are indoors but check out our Disney In The Rain post for more rainy day ideas

*Go to the Epcot Character Spot as soon as the park opens! The lines will be short and you'll be able to get all the classic characters' signatures and pictures checked off your to-do list quickly

Overwhelmed? Start your Disney World planning HERE!

You've decided to go to Disney World...now what?

Where do you start? How much will it cost? When should you go? Where do you buy tickets? There's more than just the Magic Kingdom??? 

The questions can be overwhelming and it's probably one reason so many people end up not going at all. They think it sounds like a good idea but then someone like me tells them to start planning and that restaurant and special extras can book up six months out, suddenly Disney-phobia sets in.

Relax. You can do this. It can be complicated but you just have to take it one decision at a time. 

Let's get started with a quick overview for those just starting out with planning their very first (or first in a long time) vacation...

There are four theme parks and two water parks...

Magic Kingdom is the original and has Cinderella's Castle. If this is your first time planning, Magic Kingdom is probably the theme park you're thinking about when you think Disney World.

Epcot connects to Magic Kingdom via monorail and was the second park built. For years it wasn't considered very kid-friendly and it still caters to adults (eat and drink your way around the world) but has certainly grown to be a favorite for many kids with attractions like Turtle Talk with Crush where kids actually do get to talk with Crush and he talks back.

Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios) is probably the park that is the most balanced between what kids and what adults want. There's stunt shows and thrill rides but also Disney Jr characters and a Woody and Buzz Lightyear meet and greet spot.

Animal Kingdom is a double-edged sword. It's awesome but it will ruin your ability to just go to your local zoo and have a good time. The Kilimanjaro Safari is worth the price of admission alone but there's also Expedition Everest-a roller coaster that will have you running to the single-rider line over and over (thereby skipping the regular line which can get pretty long even in the slowest of seasons).

Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are Disney's two water parks and each offers a lot for those that are so inclined. If you have very small children and want to do a water park, we recommend Typhoon Lagoon as Blizzard Beach has more of the high-adventure type water coasters. Typhoon Lagoon does, however, give you the opportunity to swim with sharks...yup, sharks. We've done it a few times and it's a blast. Just be sure to bring your underwater camera (the Kodak Sport C123 works great).

Now that you're excited about where you're going, let's talk about all those planning decisions you have to make..

First you should decide when you want to go. Most people ask us "what's the best time of year to go?" which generally translates into "when are the crowds the lowest, the temperatures the best and the prices the cheapest?"

Crowd levels-

Historically, the lowest crowd levels are...

January (just after New Years) to President's Day in February 

*tip-all US national holidays are times that will be much busier as both locals and families from around the nation who don't want to pull their kids from school will opt for these times

September (the week following Labor Day) to the week BEFORE Thanksgiving

*tip-if you opt to go in late September/October keep in mind that Magic Kingdom will close early at least twice a week for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Epcot will be MUCH busier-especially at night because of the annual Food and Wine Festival 

The week AFTER Thanksgiving to mid-December

*tip-this time can really be hit or miss, there's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom and the Candlelight Processional in Epcot BUT it's a great time to go with pretty low crowds if you're wanting to see the parks decorated for the holidays

Moderate crowd levels...

The week of Thanksgiving

*tip-the crowds may not be as packed at the peak season where you're just sardines in a can but moderate crowd levels can still be overwhelming and if you plan to have a nice Thanksgiving meal, you MUST call 407-WDW-DINE 180 days in advance at 0700 est. Disney restaurants-especially American themed restaurants like Liberty Tree Tavern and the popular Character meals like Cinderella's Castle will book up first and fast!

Late April through early June (with the exception of Memorial Day which falls into the peak season)

Highest crowd levels (aka insanity...at least 90 minute wait times for most attractions)...

President's week in February

Mid-March until late April

Memorial Day Weekend

About the second week of June through Labor Day

Thanksgiving Day Weekend

Christmas Eve through New Year's

*tip-New Year's Eve is the single busiest day of the year. The parks often reach capacity and shut down the front gates mid-day. Go during any of these peak times only if you must, you don't want to see our family or you're just a big fan of waiting two hours for a 60-second ride.

It may go without saying but resort stays are cheapest during the seasons with the lowest crowds and highest during the peak seasons. Check out our break down of the resorts by clicking on one of the resort links on the left. We've included a general idea of what to expect to spend. As for temperature, that's all up to you. We prefer early fall because we still get that summer feeling without melting into the pavement.

Second, figure out your budget. Someone asked us yesterday if they're family of four can go to Disney World for less than $10,000. I choked a little when I heard the question because as many times as we've been and even though we've gone for as long as 15 days and have always stayed on Disney property, we've never spent anywhere near that much. In fact, I'll level with you. The most we've spent from our front door to Disney and back is less than $5,000. Granted, we're on a budget and we are vigilant about seeking out the best deals. My husband is in the military and I'm a stay-at-home mom-it goes without saying that we have to be wise about what we spend and where it goes. Can you go and spend $10,000? Absolutely. Do you need to? No. However, if you'd like to, I have a few ideas of what you can do to make it an amazing time...and if you decided to take me along, I'd be ok with that too...just throwing that out there. Once you know your budget, you can start on the third decision you have to make...

Where will you stay? We always recommend staying at a Disney-owned resort on property but you can check out your options with our comparison of on-property/off-property and even Shades of Green (for all our military friends and family) for more details.

Next, where do you buy your tickets/package? I know people who ONLY use a travel agent because they're afraid they'll make a mistake on their own...understandable but stay informed because more than once, we've known about a discount someone qualified for but didn't receive because their travel agent either didn't know about it or didn't bother to do the work to get them the discount. If you want to plan it on your own...as I suspect since you're here...keep in mind some of the biggest discounts...free dining, room-only discounts, and Disney's Military discounts CANNOT be purchased or added to a reservation online. You MUST call into the reservation center at 407-WDW-7675. In fact, if you call that number and ask them, they'll help you start your planning and the great thing with Disney is that when you're ready to book your vacation, you only need a $200 deposit. The rest of your package is due 45 days before you check-in so you can make monthly payments or save up and pay it all off at once...just be sure to book as soon as you can so rooms fill up fast. If you're looking for just tickets...for example, you've decided staying on property just isn't for your family, and you don't qualify for the greatly discounted military tickets, check out websites like Undercover Tourist for discounted tickets. However, generally speaking, you'll only find discounted tickets when you purchase a minimum of three of four days worth of tickets. 

Lastly, if you have children...especially small children, be sure to take a little more time and do some extra planning-particularly check out the height restrictions. Also, click on our Bibbidy Boppidy Boutique and Pirate's League pages for the fun extras to add to your trip.

As always, if you have any questions, email me by clicking on the profile (where it has my name), I'm happy to help.