Seeing "the World" Tip 3.5: Epcot Really is for Kids, Part 2

Nighttime at the World Showcase

Welcome back to Seeing "the World."  In the last entry, we talked about kid friendly activities in the Future World half of Epcot.  This time, we're covering The World Showcase, including looks at the Agent P World Showcase Adventure, the Duffy the Disney Bear Kidcot activity, and the World Showcase Passport activity.

Seeing "the World" Tip #3: Epcot Really is for Kids! (Part 1 - Future World)

The 21st Century Begins.....

Epcot...Walt Disney World's second theme park opened on October 1, 1982, exactly 11 years after the Magic Kingdom first opened its gates.  Since then, the park has been beloved by many adults, but has never replaced the Magic Kingdom as the most popular Walt Disney World park.  Why?  Since its opening all those years ago, the park has had a reputation of being too educational and too boring for children.  In fact, when the park first opened, management was insistent that there be no meet and greets with Disney characters in the park. That didn't last long, but still, Walt Disney World employees had a hard time convincing parents that the park would be fun for children.  Which brings us to the Epcot of today.  Many changes have been made to the park to make it more "kid friendly."  I'm going to be your tour guide for these changes, with the hope that they will help you plan some activities for your children at Epcot.

Seeing "the World" Tip #2: Free and Inexpensive Souvenirs

Free....  That's not often a word you see in Walt Disney World.  And after you've spent all of that money on your vacation, sometimes shelling out more money for souvenirs can be tough to do.  Fear not, my trusty blog readers.  I'm here to help.  In this edition of Seeing "the World," we will be talking about some of the well-known, and lesser know, free and inexpensive Walt Disney World souvenirs.

Bringing Home the Magic: Kingdom Keepers

Hi everyone!  I apologize for the long break between posts, but I'm back, with an all new Bringing Home the Magic.  Today, I'm going to review Kingdom Keepers, a book series by Ridley Pearson.  The books are about a group of five teenagers as they go through the daily troubles of school, first crushes, and bullies.  Oh, and at night they get transported into the Walt Disney World theme parks as holograms who have to battle some of the fiercest Disney villians ever created.  Did that get your attention back?  Good.

Konnichi wa, Duffy-san!

Duffy, the Disney Bear, has existed at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks for just over a year now.  There has been an abundance of Duffy themed merchandise, a children's book written about the bear, and even a meet-and-greet with the real-life Duffy.  But, a lot of people don't understand the idea behind the little guy.  He isn't a classic Disney character, and a lot of times he gets a lot of flack for being "another one of Disney's marketing schemes."

I'm not gonna lie.  In a lot of ways, those people are completely right.  Yes, the 20+ outfits available for Duffy at $15-20 an outfit can seem like a bit much, especially since the bear himself costs $30.  However, when one looks at the background of Duffy the Disney Bear, one really begins to see why he isn't such a horrible idea.....

Disney Dining Review: Cape May Cafe Dinner



Cape May Cafe decor

 Location: Disney's Beach Club Resort (For access, take a bus from any theme park or Downtown Disney, or walk from Epcot by using the International Gateway exit between France and the United Kingdom)

Dining Style:  All-you-can-eat buffet

Fare:  American, mostly seafood

Reservations:  While reservations are always a good idea for any Walt Disney World restaurant, the Cape May Cafe rarely fills to capacity, even in the middle of summer.  It is a good choice for a last minute reservation.


Child-Friendly:  Children will enjoy drawing on the restaurant's paper tablecloths, and many of the desserts are familiar enough for children to enjoy.  However, the restaurant has a very limited children's buffet, and many of the adult food choices may be too adventurous for a young pallate.