| EPCOT is short for "Experimental Prototype | | | | Bijutsu-kan Gallery there always has interesting |
| Community of Tomorrow" and as Walt Disney | | | | displays in its changing exhibit. |
| had envisioned was supposed to be an actual city | | | | After Japan we are suddenly back in America at |
| where people lived and worked. It didn't turn out | | | | the American pavilion. Here you can watch an |
| that way. Walt died in 1966 and the vision | | | | animated show with Mark Twain and Ben Franklin. |
| changed a bit. No longer was a city planned, but a | | | | I almost forgot the most import part. Between |
| theme park was put on the drawing board. | | | | Japan and America is a little stand selling funnel |
| While the entrance to EPCOT called "Future Word" | | | | cakes. Oh the kids will love them. |
| has many wonderful rides such as Test Track, | | | | Now to Italy. The music, the shops and chocolate, |
| Mission Space, and Spaceship Earth, the truly | | | | all tease your senses. Italy is relaxing and |
| educational part of EPCOT is what is known as | | | | wonderful. |
| "World Showcase". Here you can find a lake | | | | Each of the World Showcase countries has a |
| rimmed with various pavilions each themed as a | | | | special "KIDCOT" area that provides an |
| different country. | | | | opportunity for your child to interact with a native |
| Your kids will want to stay in Future World and | | | | of the country you are visiting. Make sure you |
| enjoy the rides. Most kids think World Showcase | | | | take advantage of that. |
| is boring. It has very few rides but is full of | | | | Now we travel away from Italy and on to |
| culture. You're going to have to be inventive to | | | | Germany in just a few steps. In Germany you'll |
| keep the little ones interested. Bribe them with | | | | find Hummel and Goebel collectables as well as |
| candy, promise you'll go on Mission Space, or | | | | German steins and cuckoo clocks. If you like |
| make a game out of learning words from each | | | | German food, this is the place to stop and eat. |
| language. However you do it, make sure they | | | | The Biergarten is a German style buffet with |
| partake of the rich learning experience. | | | | entertainment and good times. You'll eat German |
| When you enter World Showcase from Future | | | | style which means you sit with other people at |
| World it just seems natural to turn right and walk | | | | the same table. |
| all the way around the lake in that direction. At | | | | China is next and not to be missed is "Reflections |
| least that's what I do 90% of the time. | | | | of China" another 360 degree movie. The shops |
| The first country you'll come to is Canada. In | | | | at China are fun too. |
| Canada you see a large building known as "Hotel | | | | Tired yet? Just a few more countries to go. |
| du Canada". Canada has a wonderful show called | | | | Norway is next on the tour. Here your kids will |
| "O' Canada" which is a 17-minute Circle Vision 360 | | | | love one of the best rides in EPCOT. "The |
| film showing the culture of Canada. | | | | Maelstrom" is a boat ride through the history of |
| Each country you visit has shops and these shops | | | | Norway. After you'll be treated to a film about |
| have authentic goods imported from that country. | | | | Norway. The shops of Norway are full of trolls. |
| It's over the top that these shops are staffed | | | | Big Trolls and small Trolls can be purchased. Your |
| with people from the country. These are usually | | | | kids will like this country. |
| students who have come to Disney World to | | | | The last country we come to is Mexico. Featured |
| work for a bit of time and see our culture. It's | | | | is an Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl and inside |
| amusing to me that we are watching them, but | | | | you'll find a wonderful Mexican restaurant, shops, |
| they are watching us as well and learning how | | | | and another boat ride. This time the ride takes |
| Americans behave. I hope that's a good thing. | | | | you through Mexico's culture. I doubt you can |
| Your next country is the United Kingdom with its | | | | stop from smiling as you ride trough. |
| shops and pub. You can get real fish n' chips here. | | | | EPCOT can be a rich experience for your children |
| On to France with its replica Eiffel Tower. In | | | | and as you leave World Showcase there is one |
| France you'll find French restaurants, shops and if | | | | more learning adventure to be had that is fun for |
| you are lucky, mimes teasing guests with their | | | | you and for the children. Soarin is a film/ride that |
| show. Make sure you see "Impressions de | | | | makes you fly over California's changing landscape. |
| France" another fantastic moving film. | | | | You feel, you hear, you see, and yes, you smell |
| Just right next door to France is Morocco and its | | | | California. This is not to be missed. |
| shops. You feel like you've transported back in | | | | Enjoy teaching your children about the world. It's |
| time. Now we go to the Orient, Japan and a large | | | | only a trip to EPCOT away. |
| shop with wonderful goodies from the orient. The | | | | |