Epcot w/fussy pre-teens About This Page:

[DopeyNJ1]

Hello everyone! We are headed to WDW in November with friends who are first timers. Epcot is one of my favorite parks and I love touring the World Showcase...unfortunately my 13 year DD2 isn't as thrilled about it as I am!! She will be travelling with her best friend and I was just wondering what kind of activities they had for "kids" throughout the WS that may hold their interest so I can enjoy some more time there. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Stephanie <33]

I was once a fussy pre-teen at Epcot. *dreams of the "oldin'" days*

I loved Test Track and Soarin' the most. A friend of mine loved Mission : Space. Spaceship Earth seemed kina boring though, but I love the end of it, and it's a nice place to cool off after a hot day at the parks. I loved all the stores (especially the UK ones), and I'm sure if your DD loves shopping she might love shopping from other countires. Or atleast I did. =]

[wvugrrrl]

I remember as a teenager, and I know DBF agrees with me that Epcot was our least favorite park to visit. However, this was before Test Track, Soarin', and Mission Space. Had those attractions been there, I'm sure I would've probably enjoyed Epcot a lot more. Now, it's one of my favorite parks, but mainly for the World Showcase. I'm sure they'll enjoy the Living Seas with Nemo. I don't know anyone who's not fascinated with it. Figment is fun. If they like Ellen, she's got a ride (but it's long, and about Energy, so who knows? I really enjoy it, but DBF falls asleep on it every time).
The Land boat ride (name escapes me) is really interesting when you get to go through the greenhouse.

[MelissaL]

World Showcase is full of live performers who may be able to occupy the kids' attention while you look around (as long as you trust them to stay in one place). We've seen jugglers in China, living statues in Italy and France, drummers in Morocco, a comedy troupe in the UK and France, British Invasion (a Beatles tribute band) in the UK, and Off Kilter in Canada. You can check the daily schedule and try to time your touring around performances that you think the kids will like.

You could also give them a "quest" in each pavilion -- find the silliest hat, or the most unusual food, or something.

Good luck!
Melissa

[Clotho]

Originally Posted by MelissaL

You could also give them a "quest" in each pavilion -- find the silliest hat, or the most unusual food, or something.

Melissa, this was JUST what I was going to suggest. I would give them a scavenger hunt to occupy their time.

If you have the money to do so, maybe give them an allowance and a task for something to purchase in every pavilion. Maybe something like, $5 allotted for each country, and you have to buy something that starts with the same letter as that country. So they could buy a cat-toy in China, and a flower (decorated coin purse) in France. Something like that, where they have to be creative, really look through all the stores and items, and will come out with some fun souvenirs.

If you can't afford to let them shop (though pre-teen girls would probably be interested longer if that were the case), give them a camera and tell them they have to photograph themselves posing with the item instead.

Just a thought. Sounds like fun to ME anyway.

[Jennifer2003]

Inform her of all the shopping she can do in the World Showcase...I'm sure she'll be fine! Also let her know about Soarin, Test Track and Mission:Space (if M:S is the sort of thing she likes to do...it's not for everyone)

I was 14 the first time I visited Epcot. I loved it and still do! My parents told us we'd learn things while we were having fun. It was great!!!

[jhoshowski]

DS9 was 7 the last time we went to WDW, and he told us that Epcot was his favorite park (to our amazement). There are some fun things to do in Innoventions, besides everything mentioned above. Since the girls are 13, I would probably trust them to wander a bit on their own, with reguar check-ins.
As for World Showcase, I agree that the big draw there will probably be the shopping!

[Suzie&Jay]

Make sure they email photos to their friends in innoventions

[Clotho]

I think most of the advice so far has been slightly off topic. I don't think the OP is concerned about Epcot in general, but World Showcase SPECIFICALLY.

From the OP:
"I was just wondering what kind of activities they had for "kids" throughout the WS that may hold their interest so I can enjoy some more time there."

I think we know the FutureWorld part is cinched up in many ways, but World Chowcase (<---heehee that is the second time I have made that Freudian slip: I love the food there! seems to be the toughest thing to get the kids thrilled about (with some exceptions of course)

[GGMom]

I think the Planning DVD does a good job of getting the older kids excited. There is a special section just for the pre-teen/teen kids. The format is flashy and fun - something that age group can absorb easily

Sometimes kids just have to see for themselves! She will love it for sure!!

[coasties]

The passport for Epcot was a hit with my older daughter b/c they wrote her name in the diff languages, plus she got to chat with them about their home country (got the exchange student wheels turning) The stickers are a bit young for them but you do not need to use them.
Also the "hidden" things in WSC like the maze in England, the toy exhibit in Japan and the drummers, the train display in Germany. etc...
Also having your pic taken in each country is a fun project for a scrapbook later.
Sampling a food from each country is always fun.
We have found world showcase is AWESOME after dark!!!!!!!!! The kids LOVE the torches and music.

[snoozin]

I second (third, etc) everyone's ideas about the scavenger type hunt.

Also, because they're 13 and together, I would feel safe sending them off for short times (hour or so) by themselves to investigate. If they have cell phones, you can make sure they keep in touch every 20 minutes or so. Be specific about where to meet after the time's up.

[disneyluvers]

As the parent of a 16 year old girl, we have quite a few trips under our belts from when she was a "pre-teen": World Showcase has been her favorite park, hands down since she was 13...and discovered the shopping. She quickly discovered the joys of "shopping around the world" and now really budgets her spending money prior to each visit, so that she can return with some really special souvenirs. Some trips she has purchased something small in each country, and this last one she just saved to get a few more expensive items (of which there are, of course, many!!). Some of her favorites have been getting a pearl in Japan, the silver jewelry in Mexico, and just about anything in China. She has even purchased Christmas gifts for friends as well. I think your girls will quickly realize there is a lot of potential in WS if they have a little money to spend.
I also second whoever said taking pictures: scrapbooking is a fabulous hobby for young girls, and WS is full of lots of potential scrapbook items to add to those photos!!
Have a great trip!

[DopeyNJ1]

Thanks for all of the great advice.....maybe we will bring our "walkie-talkies" and let the girls wander on their own for a little and get pictures from each country. They are true "hams" when it comes to photos, so that may give my friend and I more time to eat and drink around the world!! My in-laws are 100% Italian, so I could give her some incentive to make Grandma and Grandpa happy (we've been trying to get them to come with us for years, so maybe this will spark an interest!) All your advice is greatly appreciated!! Thanks again!

[dennyslovedisney]

There are a few "hidden" boat rides that are fun and full of beautiful things to see.
There is one in Mexico inside the shopping building, one in Norway, and one in the Land that talks about growing food. There may be another one, but if so I've forgotten where it is. After MK, Epcot is my 14 year old son's favorite park.

Hope this helps in the search for things to do!