EPCOT Kidcot Fun Stops: Around the World in 1 Day!
EPCOT has a reputation for being the lackluster sibling of Disney’s four parks. There’s not a castle like the Magic Kingdom, a herd of gentle giraffes like Animal Kingdom, or an otherworldly planet like Hollywood Studios. Nevertheless, this reputation is undeserved, and I would argue that EPCOT is actually one of the best parks!
Now, you might be saying, “Sure, EPCOT‘s great for grown-ups, but not the kiddos.” I’m pleased to report this is also a misconception, and EPCOT Kidcot Fun Stops are the proof!
A super fun way for the whole family to travel the globe, Kidcot Fun Stops are a bit like a scavenger hunt! While there’s no pressure to collect all eleven international mementos, it’s a really fun challenge and provides an added element of discovery as you make your loop around the park.
Enjoyable for all ages, we definitely recommended adding the Kidcot Fun Stops to your EPCOT itinerary!
Kidcot Fun Stops Overview – World Traveler
Kidcot Fun Stops help make the EPCOT World Showcase more accessible to and engaging for kiddos! The stops encourage kids and parents alike to explore each facet of the World Showcase, offering time to relax, color, and learn your name in several different languages!
Hosted by Ziploc, you will receive a cute Ziploc “suitcase” to hold the souvenirs of your travels – cards and stickers from each of the eleven Kidcot Fun Stops! There’s an opportunity to color and craft at most stations, as well as speak with cast members who are happy to share fun facts about their country and teach you how to say “hello” in the native language.
Like the Wilderness Explorer’s scavenger hunt in Animal Kingdom, we’re pleased to note this activity is included with EPCOT park admission so you can participate with no added cost to you! (Hooray for free Disney things!)
Your Passport to Fun
With Kidcot Fun Stops located at each World Showcase pavilion, you can start your journey anywhere you want! Whichever place you choose as your first stop will provide you with your “suitcase.”
Subsequent stops will provide you with a traveler’s card that has a brief blurb about the country’s history, myths, or traditions. The flag and capitol are also on the card, making it oh-so-sneakily educational! There’s also a small blank space where cast members will draw a picture (like Winnie the Pooh for England or a sombrero for Mexico) and/or write “hello” in another language. They might even write the translation of your child’s name if you ask!
The back of each traveler’s card has a super cute scene featuring Mickey or his pals exploring these different countries. You can pause inside the pavilions for a coloring break with the provided markers and crayons or save the coloring cards for something to do back in the hotel room.
You’ll also receive a cute sticker from each Kidcot Fun Stop that you can put on your suitcase (or save it for a scrapbook)!
Kidcot operating hours are meant to be the same as the park’s but have been known to vary for the individual Fun Stops, with some closing as early as 5:00 p.m. instead of 9:00 p.m. like the rest of the park. It’s recommended to wrap up your scavenger hunt by dinnertime just to make sure you have all of the cards and stickers before any location might close for the day.1
Once you’ve collected all eleven cards, show your completed to collection to the cast member at your final Fun Stop for a special surprise! (Spoiler: it’s a Mickey Mouse postcard! If you want, you can mail it back home from the working mailboxes on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom!)
If you want to enjoy the “adult” version of this World Showcase tour, you can purchase a passport at one of the many gift shops and collect stamps from the Kidcot stops.2 Frankly, we think getting to color is WAY more fun, LOL!
Where in the World is my Kidcot Fun Stop??
Finding your next stop inside (or occasionally outside) of the World Showcase pavilions is a big part of the fun! A sort of “I Spy” game, the search helps to keep kiddos entertained as you walk through the pavilion. Nevertheless, here’s a cheat sheet in case you’re crunched for time or get really stumped! (This list can also be found on Disney’s website.)
- Mexico Pavilion (near Mexico Folk Art Gallery)
- Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost)
- China Pavilion (near the exit of Reflections of China)
- Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst)
- Italy Pavilion (outside, near La Bottega Italiana)
- American Adventure Pavilion (outside, near Art of Disney)
- Japan Pavilion (in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery)
- Morocco Pavilion (at the Marketplace in the Medina)
- France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France)
- United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier)
- Canada Pavilion (at the exit of Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360)
As a general rule, just keep an eye out for the pavilion’s shop, and the Kidcot stop shouldn’t be too far away! And in case of rain, know that outside locations may potentially be moved inside.3
It’s also worth noting that there are other kid-friendly activities within most of the pavilions, like meeting Princess Belle in France or seeing Mulan in China!4 Several pavilions also have indoor theatre shows or live musicians, which are great entertainment for any age!
Of course, rides are quintessential theme park attractions, and you can find a few nestled amongst the World Showcase pavilions. Frozen Ever After (a Frozen-themed boat ride) can be found in Norway and is one of, if not the most, popular ride in EPCOT at the moment. We also recommend Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavillion! A newer addition to the World Showcase, there’s no Parisian tour guide as adorable as Remy. Both of these rides are suitable for toddlers and grown-ups alike!
EPCOT Kidcot – A Welcome Addition to Your Day
With shopping, delicious snacks (or entire meals) to try at each pavilion – as well as a smattering of rides – a day at the EPCOT World Showcase is nothing to sneeze at, but when you include Kidcot Fun Stops, it really goes to the next level!
Fascinating, fun, and free, there’s no reason not to embark on the Kidcot tour of the World Showcase! Engaging in the scavenger hunt is a great way for the kiddos to feel included at a park that can feel more grown-up, and the interaction also makes the day that much more memorable.
Next time someone says EPCOT isn’t as good at the other parks…well, you’ll know the truth.
Have you visited the EPCOT Kidcot Fun Stops with your family? What did you think, and which one was your favorite location? Tell us all about your adventure in the comments below!
Goodbye! Sayonara! Au revoir!
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