Does anyone have stories to share about the Epcot passports? I’m considering adding this to my leisure day.
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We’ve done them 2 different trips. The first time was in 2016 when DH & I took our (then just 2) children on their first trip to WDW. The international CMs at each of the Kidcot tables were so wonderful, took time to write messages in their native languages and they were a treasure for the kids.
The second time was in 2023. My kids still way excited to do them but only some of the pavilions had enthusiastic CMs at the Kidcot tables. I remember particularly the China pavilion, it seemed like the 2 CMs (not native Chinese since there were still a lot of difficulties hiring post-pandemic) were absolutely miserable being there and having to do anything to interact with people or touch the passports. Some other tables were more indifferent and not really engaging. There were still pavilions though that my kids had great interactions with the CMs and when we completed them (in Canada), they made sure to give us the stickers to show we’d completed it all and were excited for them.
That being said, to get through them all, you do want to start earlier in the day or have a couple of different days to do them. In 2023, we did have hurry/rush through the last couple because we didn’t hit the showcase until after 3-4pm. So that made it slightly less enjoyable. But it was awesome overall still. And I don’t regret doing it.
And ever since then, my kids will ask if we can stop by the Kidcot tables (and we do when they are open and we aren’t on our way to anything in particular) but I haven’t since planned another day where we rush to finish them all.
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Our experience was much the same. We did it in 2017 when my youngest was 6 and oldest was 15, excellent CMs and very creative additions to the passports. Went again in 2021, youngest would have been 12 and the oldest 19, we could only pickup a little sack with a postcard and a sticker inside. We couldn’t really interact because the tables were still at a little distance from the CMs and they weren’t very engaging or seemed bored, like they would rather be somewhere else.
With all that being said, both my girls loved it. And this last trip we had in January for the marathon, I saw a lot of tables surrounded with kids and CMs smiling and interacting very excitedly.
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Thank you very much for your perspective (both in 2016 and 2023). I appreciate the details on how long it can take, as I didn’t realize it was as involved as it was. I guess I thought it was more of a situation where a person would be around to “stamp” the passport quickly. Sounds more like an interactive experience.
I am bummed to hear that the later trip had less enthusiastic cast members 
especially considering you had kiddos!!! Seems like they should try to make it extra special for them… I remember those ages and how fun it was for kiddos to learn, especially about differences in cultures.
I would be going with my 15 year old (I’m 40), so I hope that the CM play along for adults too.
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I appreciate you sharing! This is great to hear that the older kids still had fun doing this and the cast members were still open to it… as I’m 40 and my kiddo is 15 (she’d kill me if she knew I was calling her a kid still, but she’ll always be a kid to dear old Mom)…
I really wanted to embrace world showcase this trip, as every other Disney vacation was really ride focused. I thought now that my kiddo was older, she’d be willing to visit the worlds with me doing the passport adventure & possibly snack/mocktail around the world.
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It absolutely can be, but if they are not into it, it is more stamp and go. But, some of the pavilions had lines for the tables which take away time to be able to explore. And part of the wandering is exploring all the nooks and crannies, so that’s the time it takes.
And for what it’s worth, I always leave Epcot feeling like I need more time in the showcase. Always.
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Yes, this.
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This made me laugh because I remember decades ago when every day at WDW was a leisure day. Definitely not that way anymore.
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