“I think we will skip EPCOT until the kids are older” is something I hear clients say often. While a lot of adults do love EPCOT for the festivals and food/drink options, it is also a great park for children! With an abundance of character meet opportunities, rides like Frozen Ever After, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the Seas Pavilion’s amazing aquarium, to the new addition of Moana’s Journey of Water, EPCOT is a must visit park for families!
One EPCOT activity that is often overlooked is the Kidcot Fun Stops. Kidcot is a FREE discovery experience where you can collect activity cards at each of the 11 International pavilions throughout World Showcase! My daughter loves going from country to country meeting new people from different cultures and learning a bit about where they are from.


Taking part is a fun way to keep your children engaged as you experience the cultural immersion throughout the World Showcase.
Taking part in Kidcot couldn’t be easier:
Visit the Kidcot stop at any country (preferably the first on your route!) to get a Ziploc “suitcase”
Go to each country, meet the cast member at the Kidcot stop and collect Kidcot cards. Some cast members will do special things if they have time like tell a story, or write your child’s name in their native language!
You can visit all 11 countries or stop at just a few! This activity can be done at your leisure throughout the day so it is a great way to spend time while waiting on your next Lightning Lane or dining reservation!
Some of the stops are a bit “hidden” or in the back of the countries and can take some searching to locate. Bonus, this helps you see more of the area that you may have otherwise just walked past!

Where to find Kidcot Fun Stops:

• 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)

Planning your Walt Disney World vacation is so much fun! You've picked the perfect resort, planned your family's park outfits, secured those dining reservations, and now you're *almost* ready to go!

It is time to pack! Let's discuss some of the lesser known items to add to your suitcase that can save you some extra stress (and money if you need to purchase some of these items in the park!) I was once the queen of over-packing for trips. I have, over many vacations, narrowed down what I pack to a few essentials. Every item on this list has been a LIFE SAVER, okay that's a bit dramatic, but definitely comes in handy and we never leave home heading to Walt Disney World without this list:

1. All of the chargers: You will spend a lot of time using your phone on Disney property. From checking wait times, utilizing Genie +, and taking 1,000 photos, to searching for the closest character meet, your battery life won't last long. I suggest bringing at least one portable charger per device. If your forget your portable charger in your room, no worries! You can find fuel rod dispensers throughout the parks and can even turn used fuel rods in for charged rods!

On the subject, I always bring a USB plug charging block for my resort room. You will have outlets and USB plugs in your room but you will find they are used up quickly if you have mobile devices, Magic Band +, portable charges, your Apple (Or Samsung, I don't judge) watch, etc, and you will need the extra ports.

2. Foot and leg care: Even our best broken in shoes can make our feet and legs struggle with the miles you will walk at Walt Disney World. Blister protection during the day (Mole Skin, Anti-rub spray) and Epsom Salt Rub at night before bed are your best friends. I prefer Epsom salt rub to soak because of the convenience. Just rub it on like lotion and let it go to work

3. Medicine: It goes without saying to make sure you pack your prescription meds, but consider the medication you don't take daily at home that you could need. Anti-nausea meds, ibuprofen or Tylenol, benadryl, etc can all catch you off guard when you need it and it is much more cost effective to bring a bit of each with you than have to track it down and spend Disney prices on a small bottle!

4. Sanitizing Wipes: You may think you won't eat off the top of a trash can if that is the only spot open to set your food down while you are eating around the world. You find a just opened table at a quick service location that is a little sticky? Bring the sanitizing wipes. Even the most magical things can be a bit gross.

5. Personal Deodorant Wipes: I'm not going to elaborate, just trust me on this one

6. Ponchos: It rains in Florida. Often. Ponchos are available for purchase in the park but are more expensive than you can order online. If you want to save a little money, bring your own.

7. Sunscreen and after sun care: You do not want your trip brought down by a sunburn that could have been avoided.

8. Pop up hamper: A small pop-up hamper in your resort room will save a mess from dirty clothes while your luggage stays stored away under your bed or in the closet for extra space.

9. Tide Pen: Dole Whip and Mickey bars melt in the Florida Sun. Keep a tide pen handy so the stains don't set in on those coordinating outfits you spent so much time picking out!

10. Ziplock Bags: I can't tell you how many times Ziplock bags have come in handy on my family's Walt Disney World trips. They are great to store cookies from the cookie stroll in EPCOT or the rest of that Mickey shaped Rice Krispie treat that looked like you could totally finish it. You can use them to pack swimsuits if they don't dry all the way before it's time to head home, protect your phone on water rides, and many other uses I probably haven't even discovered yet!

I hope this list helps you narrow down some of the tough packing decisions and gives you some helpful packing ideas! If you would like assistance in planning your next Walt Disney World vacation, I am always just an email away!