From California, we moved to Florida a year ago, where there’s a ton to offer when it comes to educational field trips. The likes of museums, aquariums, parks, amusements, playground and more! Well, Epcot World Showcase won my heart. There are many reasons why we love Epcot. First, when my daughter was just 32 months, she had witnessed the vast diversity at Epcot World Showcase. The multicultural display of each country around Epcot represented with these known attributes around the world are truly beneficial when you’re raising a highly curious young child. With these wide varieties of landmarks around the world, your child will learn insights on each country even though they haven’t been there in real life (maybe in the near future). They will experience a piece of each countries rich history and landmarks that are truly worth your trip. Because I love every moment of these special learning milestones for my little learner, I like to share some important things we learned at Epcot World Showcase! If you haven’t been to Epcot and planning for an educational trip, this is one of the best HANDS-ON, FUN AND EDUCATIONAL way for your kids to learn Cultural diversity and Geography of each countries showcased here. It’s not only your making special memories with your family but your also giving them an opportunity to experience and learn something really important about the world they live in.
Unlock the wealth of knowledge your kids will learn about Geography, History, Physical life and Sciences, Botany, Zoology and Modern Technology at Epcot World Showcase Florida!
What is EPCOT?
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. Inspired by Walt’s concept, Epcot is an experimental planned community that would serve as a model for American innovation and urban living. A dedication plaque posted near the entrance states:
“To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome.
Epcot is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.
May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.”
E. Cardon Walker October 24, 1982
Read below why as a parent we need to encourage “a lot of imagination” to our children. Consider how powerful a child’s brain to naturally imagine things. Maria Montessori further elaborate her study about how wide a child’s mental horizon and that their mind goes beyond the concrete.
“The picturing, or conjuring up, of things not physically present depends on a special mental ability of high order. If man’s mind were limited to what he actually saw, his outlook would be dreary indeed. We do not see only with our eyes, and culture is not made up of what we see alone. Take our knowledge of the world, for example, if, within sight, there are no lakes and no snow, we can nevertheless bring them into our “mind’s eye.” Only the possession of a certain kind of mental activity enables us to do this.” Dr. Maria Montessori The Absorbent Mind
Because this blog says “educational” that mostly parents are looking for in a field trip or travel with their little ones. I made a list of Important Skills a Child Will Learn From Epcot World Showcase. Feel free to visit this posts as often as you like as I will continue to add more updates whenever there’s changes or latest updates with Epcot World Showcase attractions and shows. This will be your ultimate guide when you are planning to visit Disney World Orlando, Florida with your kids.
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Important Skills Your Child Will Learn From Epcot World Showcase
Geography & History: World Showcase– Let your kids experience the taste of this eleven countries around the world that represents diverse culture and traditions, authentic food, native costume, delectable cuisine, memorabilia from each countries souvenir shops, music, shows, movies and a lot of educational activities you would not want to miss in your trip. Additionally, as they move forward to each country, their passport kit will get filled up and it’s a great learning experience for your kids. I consider this as a training for their future world travel!
Botany: Living With The Land– I personally call this as “The Future Greenhouse”. A beautiful lay out representing modern botanical garden showcasing an experimental plant growth and an innovative agricultural system that you haven’t seen before. Children will learn agricultural techniques of the future from aquatic farming to modern food production and advance ecology. I am so thrilled by this sustainable method of farming! I was totally immersed by all the ideas and modern concept they have here. Seriously, they make everything beautiful and in order. Your kids will definitely love this, very informative!
Zoology: Living Seas- Study of the marine life.
Language: Clear facts of each showcase displayed using easy to read fonts and surround audios to help non readers understand the show/attraction presented. Kids will learn basic foreign language from the countries presented.
Science & Technology: Innovations- Modern technology in everyday life.
Human Anatomy: Body Wars- Explore the science in Human Body Anatomy
Math/Budgeting/Finance Management– Involve your child in budgeting for your upcoming tour by letting them know how much money will be allotted for food, gas, souvenir and tickets.
Time Management– When your family travels, time matters most. This skill teaches your child that when time manage properly, they can accomplish more on their trip.
When I was still teaching in a primary class five years ago, we usually start the year with a Geography lesson. Every week, I will choose one country to present in my class. The presentation includes photos like landmarks, costumes, cuisine, traditions, a world map to show kids the seven continent and the countries, national flags, music and songs such as listening to their national anthem and kids music in their foreign language. It was purely a visual and some audio presentations.
NOTE: There are Two Main Park Sections at the Epcot World Showcase in Florida.
1. Future World
Is a Walt’s vision of futuristic utopia that came into reality in the year 1982 when EPCOT was first opened into public. This section are mostly the modern and futuristic rides that was a part of Walt’s unrealized concept.
2. World Showcase
This is the display of the eleven countries around the world. Such as Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.
I also include some tips and guides for first time goers at Epcot. Time is essential especially if you have small kids with you that will eventually throw tantrums or will get easily tired of walking so please plan your trip wisely!
Here you go! These are the countries your family will get to experience at EPCOT World Showcase. Prepare your cameras for those breathtaking structures displays you don’t wanna miss in your visit. Enjoy!
How was your last visit at Epcot World Showcase with your kids? I hope this guide will be of great help for your families upcoming vacation this Spring Break and Summer. Enjoy the sun!
NOTE: You can start at Mexico if you want to navigate in clockwise. It’s in your left from the main Epcot entrance. If you start from the right then, Canada will go into your first visit country.
Eleven Epcot World Showcase Countries
- MEXICO- Displays their historical Mesoamerican Pyramid, Popular with their “Plaza De Los Amigos”and the Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros.
- NORWAY- Famous for the traditional architecture of the village houses, giant troll and vikings and of course the children’s most awaited, meet and greet with Frozen Anna & Elsa.
- CHINA- The Pavilion starts at the Ornate Archway “The Gate of the Golden Sun”. They have a very intricate design of their structure “Temple of Heaven”.
China pavilion
- GERMANY- Features Biergarten restaurant, souvenir shops, and more.
- ITALY- The Italy Pavilion features a plaza surrounded by a collection of buildings evocative of Venetian, Florentine, and Roman architecture. Venetian architecture is represented by a re-creation of St. Mark’s Campanile with the La Gemma Elegante shop representing a replica of the Doge’s Palace
- UNITED STATES- Did you missed going to the Smithsonian Museum of New York or Washington DC? You will love this new showcase “Creating Tradition“. The American Pavilion “American Adventure” features a 30 minutes show of Audio-Animatronics of America’s past. Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain are the guides from this inspiring journey of US history.
- JAPAN- Famous building structure stands in front of their pavilion is the Torii of Itsukushima Shrine.
- MOROCO- Belly dancer with cultural songs, cuisine, national costume.
Moroccan belly dancer
- FRANCE– Eiffel Tower, Crepes, bakeshop, house structure, national costume.
- UNITED KINGDOM– UK Pavilion is a British style village with English garden and a Hedge Maze.
- CANADA- Canada Pavilion showing garden, water fountain and totem pole.
After doing your clockwise tour around the world (or counter clockwise whatever your tour plan is) of course your kids are excited to try the attractions. “Please note that some of these rides have a strict height restrictions due to safety reasons for small kids like mine.”
ATTRACTIONS AND IMPORTANT TIPS TO MAKE USE OF YOUR TIME WISELY INSIDE EPCOT WORLD SHOWCASE.
Frozen Ever After- Boat Ride. Better use Fastfast or get in early due to a regular long lines of this show.
Test Track– Presented by Chevrolet. Experience the SIM cars fly by directly above you. You design your future car then you test drive it! Min height 40″. Tip: Single rider line will get you in faster!
Mission:Space– min height 44″. Tip: Use SPACE GREEN if you want a non- spinning milder version.
Illuminations: Reflections Of Earth- A stunning night time show at the World Showcase Lagoon that will going to run until the end of summer only. I’m sad about this. This is one of the best night show they have had in the past years at Epcot. They plan to replace the show with a spectacular night time fireworks. Tip: Best view is on the bridge between the UK and France pavilion. 9PM every night except Friday closes at 8pm
Soarin’– Experience flying adventure with 3D screen and high quality sound system with scent!
Meet Disney Pals at Epcot Character Spot- Meet and greet with your kids favorite Disney friends.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends- The attraction is themed as an underwater exploration base, with several exhibits devoted to oceanic study.
Spaceship Earth- The symbolic structure of Epcot and the name of the dark ride attraction.
Disney and Pixar Short Film FestivalLiving With The Land– If you are a teacher, homeschooler mom or very passionate about our mother nature this is definitely for you! Great for your Botany Class! Showcase a wide variety of plants using a modern agricultural techniques. This gives me a better understanding how important it is to have my own garden even in a limited space that is free from chemicals!
Turtle Talk With Crush– A fun and engaging interaction with Crush in a wide ocean screen your kids will love!
Journey Into Imagination with Figment– A small purple dragon and the mascot of Epcot World.
These are the attributes you’ll see on each countries represented by the showcase. Im a big fan of each countries landmarks and of course cuisine!
- Historical Landmark
- Flag
- Cuisine
- National Costume
- Traditions
- Music
- National language
- Important Holidays and Festivities
- Souvenir Shops and memorabilia’s
How was your last visit at Epcot World Showcase with your kids? I hope this guide will be of great help for your families upcoming vacation this Spring Break and Summer. Enjoy the sun!
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