Must do's at Epcot

[jenjustinsmom]

I love Epcot but always feel I am missing out on stuff especially in World Showcase. What are the must sees?

[TinaMouse]

Whoo--that's a loaded question! Stop and see the movies. They're all great. ALL of them. I like the shopping, of course, but I also love the little train in Germany, the masks in Italy, the showcase players in UK (along with the great music in Canada, UK, and Mexico). There's the guy in France that does the chair piling thing. And my FAVORITE: Voices of Liberty!

[3Princesses1Prince]

Mariachis in Mexico. I had to drag my MIL out of there so we could see the other countries.

[stan4d_steph]

Cava del Tequila in Mexico

Wander back through the Moroccan pavilion and check out the wonderful architecture. They also have a free cultural tour during the day.

Impressions de France - the film in France

[Drince88]

I'll second Voices of Liberty, the Cava del Tequila, Moroccan Pavillion and Impressions de France.
(I'm just not a fan of Mariachis, or I'd second that one too).

In Morocco, to the left of the fountain in the front is a very small art museum. I think we've been in there with one other party before, but other than that, it's always been by ourselves.
The gallery in Japan is sometimes fun (depending on if the exhibit is your cup of tea).

My sister and I felt that World Showcase was a half day at best activity, until we took a guided tour of World Showcase (that was mostly before opening of that area) - and it really helped open our eyes.

Another fun tour is Behind the Seeds. All of the students that I've been given a tour by are so enthusiastic about what they're working on.

I also like to recommend the Kim Possible (soon to change to another theme - Phineas and Ferb?) - as a way to allow you look at different areas in a pavillion. But don't rush through just to get the payoffs.

And if you go at Christmas, the Storytellers -especially Norway.

[petesimac]

Well, let's not forget the obvious rides and movies at the respective pavilions; they are all worth a visit. And while getting recommendations is nice, take some time to just relax and look around; explore some nooks and crannies that you always pass by; give yourself the opportunity to make some new discoveries. Perhaps you can come back and tell US what WE'VE been missing. (And please tell me that I'm not the only person who upon reading the title of your thread thought to themselves: "Time to do the must-dos!" in their best imagined Stacy voice.

[jenjustinsmom]

Thanks everyone. It will be so nice to be in the world with no kids but please don't tell my 3. Lol

[Lovethemouse]

Thanks everyone. It will be so nice to be in the world with no kids but please don't tell my 3. Lol

If I was going without my kids I'd make sure to catch the American Adventure. My kids don't particularly like it, but it's one of my favorites.

[Skippydoo]

Morocco is beautiful. The tile work is incredible. All handmade by the same artisans as for the actual palace in Morocco. There's a tour where you get all kinds of these little tidbits and I took it in the morning before World Showcase had opened so our little tour group were the only people around

I really enjoy Maelstrom in Norway too.

Of the films I like all of them, but I think China is my favorite.

[scoobydooby]

Sit on a bench in every country and breathe.......

[Eighty8Keys]

Sit on a bench in every country and breathe.......

That's exactly what we like to do too.

[mickeymom5]

Oh a "kidless" trip to Epcot! I am soooo jealous. I would look in every shop and watch every show...I might even get a "snack" in every country...sit on every bench...look at every flower...but I would NOT stand in any character line.

I agree with the above responses...just really slow down and take in all the details!

[jenjustinsmom]

One thing I do plan on having is a glass of Ross regale and grand mariner slushy. Too bad dh can't join me.

[Drince88]

One thing I do plan on having is a glass of Ross regale and grand mariner slushy. Too bad dh can't join me.

Oh, and they're NOT right next to each other, so you can space them out some!

[Goodnplenty]

Ohh, grand mariner slushy. Where do you get those?
I did a solo Epcot trip last year in May and had a grand time. (I read some articles from allears.net/World According to Jack and realized how much I had been missing.) I walked thru China and for the first time saw the museum with the terra cotta soldiers. And I also really enjoyed the KP game. I recommend the Germany and Mexico missions.
Have a magical trip!
GnP

[Drince88]

Grand Marnier slushies, as well as Grey Goose slushies (grapefruit, I think) are at the kiosk right next to the crepes in France.

[oregontraveler]

One more vote for Voices of Liberty & O Canada film. Another adult beverage station that is off the beaten path is the Sake bar in Japan. They usually have 4-5 samples to choose from, both hot & cold, for a price.

[cstephens]

There's a woman in the Japan section, who is hopefully still there, who we loved seeing.

This is what I posted in my trip report from February 2011:

After lunch, we went to the Japan section. A friend had told us about Miyuki, a fantasy candy art creator, and we'd wanted to see her for ourselves. She makes animals from a Japanese candy substance made from rice starch. She has a little podium/work station at the front part of the pavilion, right next to the front portion of the big Japanese store. She can make a wide variety of animals, and as she's making an animal, she sort of chants through the litany of animals she can make. She starts with making a particular animal, but then she'll take requests from the audience on what other animals she should make, and sometimes, she'll ask what color too. She's a lot of fun to watch, very funny, very personable. There are several times during the day when you can see her, and she's definitely worth making an effort to see.

You can't keep the animals, but after she's done, you can have your picture taken with the animal you requested or any of the other candy animals she's made.

We also loved just riding the friendship boats around the World Showcase lagoon. Nice views and a peaceful ride.

[MMlover]

My two cents - American Adventure movie gets me every time!!! I love it, and I don't go to EPCOT without getting a strawberry riced pudding at the Norway bakery!! Even if it's to go - my aunt brought some back to our hotel room once, and I think I ate all three

[Chewyswimmer]

I love to window shop and smell the aromas of the various pavillions. I like to look at all the goods for sale and imagine what I would do with even half of the products for sale. Last time I was there, I literally ran through the world showcase and made mental notes about what food I wanted to try. I should note that it was at the end of the Marathon and I had been craving the biggest, juiciest, cheesiest and most disgusting burger ever made for the past 12 miles. I then went back and did a kim Possible and did a progressive dinner around the world with an edible something from every pavillion. A few of those pavillions may have been adult beverages. Just saying.

[danyoung]

Watch IllumiNations at the end of the day, and then walk around the World Showcase Lagoon in the opposite direction of everyone leaving the park. In about 10 minutes the crowd will start to thin out and you'll have the World Showcase almost to yourself under the moon. A very nice way to end the day!

[Goodnplenty]

Thanks Drince! I'll be sure to stop in at France and try a slushie.
Dan, that's a great tip about "walking backwards" thru World Showcase. Next time I go to Epcot I'll give that a try.
GnP

[danyoung]

Well, I just want to point out that actually walking backwards would be silly . . . . .

[tinkaparis]

My two cents - American Adventure movie gets me every time!!! I love it, and I don't go to EPCOT without getting a strawberry riced pudding at the Norway bakery!! Even if it's to go - my aunt brought some back to our hotel room once, and I think I ate all three

This made me laugh because I feel the same way about that rice cream! Oh boy I just polished off 3

[TulaBelle]

Take a walk through all of the beautiful gardens. The effort Disney puts into their landscaping is impressive, it's not to be missed. My favorite is the Canadian garden, I love the drama of the waterfalls. The Japanese garden is calming, the English garden is precise and orderly. Each has something special to be enjoyed. It's a lovely way to have a little romantic escape.