When it comes to visiting Disney World and Orlando, most of us recognize the great ball of Epcot, but how many of us recognize the wonderful place that Epcot is to visit with and without the kids? Too often I read descriptions of Epcot that would look more fitting in an academic catalog and don’t do the park itself justice. While the Magic Kingdom is my favorite of the Disney World parks, Epcot is a definite stop on every visit we make to Disney World.
The biggest question is what part of Epcot is the best? The Future World or the World Showcase? This is not an easy question to answer because both areas of the sprawling Epcot are phenomenal in their own right. I’ve gone back and forth between the two, almost a cleansing of the palate from one to the other. So today, I just talk about the World Showcase.
World Showcase
Let’s take a stroll through the World Showcase. There are 11 nations featured here and you can visit England, China and Mexico and Japan – you can enjoy coffee in France before wandering down to listen to the cultural music of Morocco and watch the dancers perform their ancient arts. Your children can wander through the shops and learn to make face masks in Japan and earn a stamp in their passport elsewhere.
There is something so laid back and relaxed about the World Showcase. There is no need to hurry your way through, in fact – the languid pace is the best pace for strolling through here. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes – my first trip through Epcot I was wearing the most rotten pair of sandals. They seemed pretty comfortable when we started out, but by the end of the day my poor feet looked like they’d been through a war zone of their own accord.
Remember when you get started out that the World Showcase is about 1.3 mile’s in length around the Lagoon. If you know where you plan to have lunch or dinner, plan to start on the opposite side from that area so that you can stroll your way towards that ultimate destination. You can book your reservation from your Walt Disney World Resort or at the front gates when you are coming into Epcot.
Be sure to pick up a Passport for your child at the gift shops before setting out to visit each country. You’ll be able to get your child’s passport stamped at each nation and have their name written down in the native language for that nation. What’s really fascinating is the mixture of street shows, shops and atmosphere of visiting a foreign nation without having to leave U.S. soil.
I’ve seen all variety of street shows there and every time I visit, there seems to be something new and different to enjoy. What I found that I really loved about the street shows the last time we were there (October 2005) – is that my four year old was equal parts amused and bored. When she was bored with it, we could wander on and discover something new. She still has the mask she made in Japan and the very small bottle of French perfume she insisted on buying.
From the perfect cup of tea (yes, I do mean perfect) in England to the wonderful Sushi they serve in Japan – I’ve never been disappointed in taking a stroll around the world. When we honeymooned at Disney World in 1999 – my husband and I donned ponchos in the rain and dashed through the puddles as we enjoyed the scenic stroll – at the time, we weren’t sure what was more fun – the dancing in the rain or dancing in the rain around the world — I’ll have to let you know the next time we get to experience it.
Have you ever visited Epcot’s World Showcase?
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