10 Tips for Visiting the World Showcase at EPCOT in Walt Disney World

The World Showcase at EPCOT is deceptively large and endlessly fascinating. On all of my visits, I've found that I never have enough time to see and do it all. So I'll share some of the can't-miss attractions, food, and views. Follow these tips and you'll get the best that the world showcase has to offer. Combine these tips with my other general Disney World tips about how to save time on lines and how to avoid crowds, and you'll have an even better time!

1.) Catch the "Maelstrom" and "Gran Fiesta" dark rides. (A dark ride is just another term for an indoor ride. The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are both dark rides.) They're leisurely, cool, relaxing, and don't run the risk of being too thrilling for anyone. So feel free to take Grandma and the toddlers. (Sounds like a band, doesn't it?)

2.) Take the chance to try food from "Restaurant Marrakesh" in Morocco, "The Rose and Crown Pub" at the United Kingdom, or "Restaurant Akershus" in Norway. (Especially the coffee and desserts found in the latter.) All of these food establishments offer you cuisine that you can't easily find anywhere else. Think about it, you can get sushi anywhere, you can easily make sauerkraut, and Italian and French restaurants are fairly common all over America. So go for the most unique opportunity. I've tried them all, and they're all great.

3.) If you are staying in a Disney resort, call the front desk on the day that you intend to visit the EPCOT World Showcase. Ask what time during the day live entertainment will appear in the various countries at the showcase. The live entertainment is always fabulous, in many cases Disney has actually hired entertainers from the countries they are representing. The same can be true for many locations at Disney World, especially at the Animal Kingdom.

I highly recommend that you don't miss the belly dancer in Morocco or the Kodo drummers that perform in Japan. They're spectacular! If you aren't staying at a Disney resort, just ask a Disney cast member at the gate when you arrive and jot down the times of performances if they are available. It's well worth the small effort. These small additions to your EPCOT experience truly make it worth the cost of coming to the park. Think about how much money you would have to pay to see an international show of Kodo drummers in a theater. Now times that by however many different entertainers you see in any given day and you'll feel better about the price of your ticket. It can also almost be considered a cultural investment for your children, they'll remember this forever.

4.) To see the closing fireworks show at EPCOT entitled, "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth", get a spot facing the center of the lagoon that the showcase surrounds. Arrive an hour early. If this seems like too much time to just be sitting around, grab a dinner to go. Try the fish and chips from the "Rose and Crown Pub" at the United Kingdom section. They typically have a fish and chips stand operating, so you can saunter up, grab some, and head to a spot to sit and relax while waiting for the evening show. Here's the most important tip. When you get a spot, don't move! People will fill in like liquid before the show, so just stay put. (Go to the restroom before claiming a place.)

5.) For whatever reason, the bridge in between France and the United Kingdom is often desolate. It's a great place to take a break, and it's a great place to post for photos.

6.) If a particular country is being renovated during your visit, it might just be best to skip it. Disney is at its best when everything is up and running.

7.) You can often catch Belle and the Beast at the France pavilion. So if your little one is a big fan of "Beauty and the Beast", it' a sure fire place to meet the dazzling duo. Again, check for character meet and greet places in the map that you receive upon entering the park. Another tip for finding places where characters will appear is to look for a Mickey hand on walls that appears to be pointing down. This is a location where characters regularly appear during the day.

8.) When you get too hot, head for Mexico or Canada. They have some of the largest indoor locations in which you can cool down.

9.) Don't miss all the nooks and crannies in Morocco. There are a handful of small areas that offer some beautiful tile work.

10.) Fountains are all over the World Showcase. Again, they're perfect photo opportunities, and I notice that people don't usually congregate around them. So if you need some space, or a minute to breathe away from the crowds, find a fountain and relax.