The World Showcase in Epcot contains 11 different countries. Each country has experiences, architecture, food and entertainment from their native lands.
Character: Mexican Donald greets in the afternoon.
Attractions: Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros (located inside the pyramid). It’s a really cute boat ride. The line is rarely long.
Kidcot Station: Located directly inside the pyramid.
Movie: None.
Tasty treats: Be sure to get the nachos from the temporary counter service there. I believe it is the temporary replacement for Cantina de San Angel that reopens in September 2010.
Entertainment: Mariachi Cobre and Viva Mexico. Check the Times Guide for show times.
Character: none
Attraction: Maelstrom (offers Fastpass). Maelstrom is a very fun boat ride that offers you a history of Norway while giving you a thrilling ride. It is one of my favorites!
Kidcot Station: Inside the Puffin’s Roost Store.
Tasty treat: Kringles (candied pretzels)
Character Meal: You can meet the princesses at Akershus. They serve both breakfast, lunch and dinner! If I had to choose, I’d go for Breakfast since the World Showcase is not open. Norway is very small and can quickly get crowded!
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe – We ate here on the latest trip and it was really good! We choose the Norwegian Club.
Movie: Spirit of Norway. When you get off Maelstrom you will have to wait for this movie to finish playing before you will be able to exit the attraction. You can either choose to sit and watch this short film or continue on through the exit doors.
Entertainment: None.
Make sure you check out the Stave Church and see how many trolls you can count in the gardens! Also notice the REAL grass on the roofs! And get your picture made by the giant troll in Puffin’s Roost. Make sure you try on the Viking hats!
Character: Mulan and occasionally Mushu
Attraction: None
Kidcot Station: In the Yong Feng Shangdian Store
Tasty treat: egg rolls of course!
Movie: The Wonders of China
Entertainment: None.
Things to note:
- In the round building in China (near where you enter the theater) there is a mark in the center of the room. Stand on that mark and speak. You will you yourself echo back!
- While you are browsing the shops, be sure to look for a green bowl that contains water. Rub the handles just right and the water will dance!
- If you buy a fan, they will write your name in Chinese on the fan for free!
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
This is cool. It’s been about 15 years since I’ve gone to disney. I can’t wait to go back and see all the differences.
World Showcase has been a favorite of mine since day one and my kids enjoy it today.
I love Epcot :) this is a great list!
I love Epcot. Norway is my favorite so thanks for the tips
I’ve only had a chance to go to Epcot once (so far) but I loved the World Showcase. I can’t wait to check it out more in depth.
love the fan info
Makes me want to apply there!
World Showcase is one of my favorites. Thanks for the fan tip, I’ll have to get one when I go next time!
This is neat. I never knew about the kidcot Stations, however, I haven’t been to Epcot in about 20 years. lol I’m old :)
Can’t wait til our trip this Fall. Thanks for the info!
I am so glad to have disney world training back! I am sure you learned even more while you were on this last trip!
That sweet little Jacob does love to hug those characters doesn’t he!? Your little ones are SO sweet! I just love seeing all the pictures. :-)
I want to go to WDW next year. I have to show this to my husband as you pointed out things that are enjoyable for everyone, not just the kids.
I *love* World Showcase. We were there in May and had a funny experience. I was in England in March (for work but totally awesome, btw) and while we were in line for fish and chips in the England section of World Showcase, I discovered a five pound note that had somehow stayed in my walled unnoticed all that time! So when we came to pay for our lunch, I casually handed it to the cashier. She got all excited and called over various other cast members to see it! The cast members in each “country” in World Showcase are from that country, and these had been here for a while and were a bit homesick apparently, and they got all excited to see a “little bit of home.”
just a few crazy questions? does anyone know how much the fans cost? Is the Kidcot station like where you change babies and all?
I got my fan for $7. :)
Kidcot is an activity table for the kids.
awesome website
MAKE SURE you pick up a Times Guide (at cash registers throughout the park, or at the entrance) and schedule some time to see the amazing shows that each country pavilion has to offer. Mexico has a wonderful mariachi band; China has amazing acrobats (children from China who come on an exchange program); Italy has a clown/mime that performs with audience participation AND The World Showcase Players perform a comedy version of Romeo and Juliet with audience participation; America has the fife & drum band and acappella singers; Japan is my favorite with wonderful taiko drummers and the candy lady, who creates animals by kids’ request, out of Japanese rice candy and the kid gets to keep their animal at the end, and Japan has a traditional storyteller; Morocco has the Mo’Rockin band with a belly dancer and kids can join in; France has a comedic acrobatic show with two waiters; the UK has a great Beatles cover band and the World Showcase Players perform with audience participation; and Canada has the band Off Kilter. PHEW! All of these shows will really enrich your WSC experience!!! Many people miss these shows because they don’t know about the Times Guide.