Shopping around the World Showcase at EPCOT

[denlo]

A request on the Fun and Games board made me think of something that has always puzzled me about the World Showcase. The WDW maps and the WDW website does not list the shops in each of the countries of the World Showcase. It's not like they change regularly. I wonder why they don't provide this information? Sometimes I remember the shop but not where it's located.

I did find a website that gives you an overview of many of the shops but it's doesn't include the kiosks. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guide...epws-shops.htm

Just wondering what you all think of this lack of information? And what are your favorite places to shop at the World Showcase? And do you have anything you always purchase or make a point to purchase it fairly often?

[bakerworld]

Do you think the origin countries have something to do/say about detailed descriptions?

Additionally, noticed interesting pricing around the showcase. Went back to purchase an item (and yes, it's been over a year ago from the initial purchase), the price tripled. I happen to still have the orginal receipt because DH was sure I was wrong and no, I wasn't. At least they knew for what I was asking. Other places often look puzzeled and then next visit there the product is and they look puzzeled when I mention the previous puzzelment. Interesting selling technique. So now, if I see it and like the price, I buy it - if the price has significantly dropped ....

[idratherbeinwdw]

I never thought much about the individual store names until I played Kim Possible in Germany this past trip. A lot of the solves entail standing outside a certain store, which is mentioned by name on the Kim P transmitter. It really brought home that I never paid attention to the names of the individual stores.

Denise to answer your Q: I don't know that I have a favorite place to shop in WS, but I do find the Jewelry in Morocco reasonable, and have bought my DDs earrings there a couple of times. I tend to buy more Disney related souvenirs at WDW, it's unusual for me to buy merch in WS.

Janet, I have found exactly what you mentioned repeatedly in the stores at WS--and fairly often in other WDW stores as well. You find something you like one trip, they don't know what you're talking about when you ask about it next trip, and then it's back again on a following trip--all within under a year. I guess the CM turnaround must be high, especially with all the college interns in WS.

[denlo]

I have to agree with Janet on the prices increasing too. Sometimes I hesitate because the price seems too high and then when I go back later they've really jumped. I can see it in the WS because the dollar has gotten so weak. But in the Disney stores. Maybe it's an indication that the products are manufactured in another country and then we're back to the weaker dollar. I read that the dollar has been strengthening but somehow I don't expect the prices to drop.

We bought an Umbrella Minnie and Mickey by Goebel in the Germany porcelain shop (which has changed now), in April 2009 to celebrate our anniversary mainly because we knew Goebel was sold to a Japanese company and the Hummel figurines were not going to be made in Germany (if made at all).

But we don't usually buy at the WS either other than candies. Our spending at the WS is for dining or snacks.

[bakerworld]

Joining the DVC is what propelled out WS expenditure. Use to be mainly food & drink but we started reading the perks which led us to see a few other deals and the rest is history ...

All you GPs out there, the Germany toy store has the cutest little steifs (sp? - stuffed toys). Guerlain will do your makeup for free (altho we did end up purchasing items - spend $75 they give you a nice gift - ask for Chris whose American, easy to undersand and is clean).

[denlo]

Steiffs are pretty nice toys and might be a collector's item one day. Wil has a teddy bear (a panda) from his childhood that a friend offered him $800 for it. I don't think she would have really paid that much as she was just so excited to see it since she's a collector.

I'm always impressed with the doll's dresses in that store, but the prices oh my! I just wish they carried the Haribo Gummi Bears that are sold in Germany, I think they are made in Spain whereas the ones in the U.S. are manufactured in Turkey. Anyway, the European ones taste more like fruit on the package whereas the ones sold in the U.S. are more artificially flavored.

[simbasmom]

And what are your favorite places to shop at the World Showcase? And do you have anything you always purchase or make a point to purchase it fairly often?

I love Twinings Tea, so a trip to the Twinings store is a must for me. And I especially love loose tea, and since it isn't available in the area I live ("Tea" is iced tea around here), I almost always buy a tin or two of loose tea there. My latest love is the Earl Grey in the black can-that's only available either in the UK or at WDW I've also bought a few pretty tea cups there. Guy love the shop right across the street there, also in UK. He's a big soccer fan, and they sell shirts, etc.from Manchester U and Liverpool (although the Liverpool fan CM gave him a hard time about buying a ManU jersey-they don't meet many Americans passionate about soccer).

[Presley]

Does anyone know how easy/difficult it is to buy stuff and have it shipped home? Do they even offer that option at the parks?

[bbarnett]

Does anyone know how easy/difficult it is to buy stuff and have it shipped home? Do they even offer that option at the parks?

We use that option all the time since we fly. It's a pain to carry delicate stuff on and not damage it yourself. We have been extremely lucky because nothing has ever been damaged (yet) that we shipped home. Probably the most delicate was a $150 set of flutes we bought for sons wedding (Prince Charming & Cinderella). We actually bought another set of those for our daughter’s wedding and we were told that they were discontinued so I would say they both have something that will be worth a lot later.

Our favorite shop around the WS is the little glass shop outside of Germany (I used it as a Disney Park Trivia question). I like how they will cutomize stuff for you while you wait.

[EvilQueen4Real]

[QUOTE=simbasmom;104667]I love Twinings Tea, so a trip to the Twinings store is a must for me. And I especially love loose tea, and since it isn't available in the area I live ("Tea" is iced tea around here),

San Antonio transplant from Chicago here and nothing but iced tea drinkers in SA. I drink hot tea daily. Tried to order a cup to go at Sonic for breakfast and was asked "what is hot tea" lol

I also buy tea from the WS