AMAZING RACE around EPCOT! What challenges would you include?

[jenndot]

I was inspired to add an Amazing Race challenge on the first day of my upcoming Birthday trip this November. We will also be Eating and Drinking around the World while completing our Race (check my PTR for details on that!)

What "hidden gems" or fun activities in each country would you add to the Race???

I have come up with a few ideas for the Roadblock (completed by only one person) and Detour (choose between two different activities) for each country but would LOVE input from you all if you can think of anything that you would include. Definitely looking to improve upon what I have.

So far, some of my favorites include eating the "Dried Crabs" found in Japan's Mitsukoshi store, starting a Chicken Dance "flash mob" of sorts in Germany, figuring out which of the Canadian totem poles are made of wood, having a cast member in France translate some phrases into French, finding the red buttons in Italy, doing the "Pick a Pearl" in Japan, getting a Henna tattoo in Morocco, and FORCING one person to stay and watch the Norwegian film after Maelstrom as a roadblock

I found a great template online for the Route Info, Detour and Roadblock cards and have been starting to fill them out. I found other peoples posts on their Amazing Races in Epcot so helpful as I started to plan this that I wanted to post what I had come up with so far as well in case anyone could benefit from mine as well:



























In addition to the World Showcase, I am actually going to start our "Amazing Race" early in the morning and include Route Info for Chef Mickey's, Epcot, etc. and then continue it after Epcot closes to include Beaches and Cream and the Boardwalk as well:

 

[davedmaine]

Seems like too much work and I doubt anyone would be as excited to do this as you seem to be. Just drink you way around and leave it at that.

 

[sunflare]

Personally, I think it would be a blast, as long as your friends are as enthusiastic about the show as you (and drinking/eating around the world is involved!) I would be careful of doing too many things that involve extra cost, though, in case your friends don't have the means you do.

 

[Missytara]

My mom and I did dessert around the world, since she is not a drinker.

I have done drink around the world, but we share drinks.

I did the passport thing with my nephews; they got one each with a pen and had to find a CM from each country, have them sign it, and learn to say one word in their language, like hello or goodbye. It became a competition. We are planning to do it again with 2 - 14 year olds this year. They seem to be really stoked about it.

 

[jenndot]

Thanks for the feedback! The group I am going with will definitely be excited about the Race as well. I'm hoping it will also get us to explore the pavilions a bit more than if we just ate and drank around the world (although we will still do that too!)

Thanks for the reminder about the extra costs associated with some of the activities. I am actually planning on providing Disney gift cards to use during the race, so that won't be an issue.

Anyone else have any ideas about country specific activities or challenges?

 

[dwheaton]

Wow. That's an amazing amount of work. There are some Detours (like in the actual Race), where the times to complete them are very different. I'd love to participate in any of these tasks and think it would be a blast. Of course, I'm definitely the target audience for this type of thing (I'd kill to participate in those big Disney scavenger hunts), so it's possible some won't get as excited. Still, it looks like great fun.

 

[gwmort]

You could make them complete an Agent P mission, or even a Kidcot activity (hand in your colored Duffy to receive the next clue).

If I were doing it I think i would invest in a hidden mickey book and make them find some harrd ones and send you phone pictures of them or something.

Maybe getting photos with characters along the way?

Do please make a rule against running to not create a hazard for other guests.

 

[delmar411]

It sounds exciting and tons of fun but who is going to be in charge of the checkpoints and handing out the next clues? Since this isn't sponsored by Disney, you won't be able to leave them with CMs to handout. So someone has to sit out of the race.

 

[pwmitch237]

You might want to double check that all of your options are available for each "Detour." E.g., there is no bus to Epcot from Disney's Contemporary Resort, only monorail. Therefore, if someone chose the "travel by road" option instead of "travel by air," they'd never get anywhere.

 

[jenndot]

pwmitch - Thank you SO much for pointing that out! I just assumed there would be a bus to each park, but you are absolutely right! Glad you caught that!

delmar411 - I am going to hand out the clues. I am the one creating them so I will be more of a host than a participant, although I will join them in whatever options they choose.

gwmort - Thanks for the GREAT ideas! Including an Agent P mission, more Hidden Mickeys or Character photos are definitely things I am going to look at adding in somewhere. Thanks again!!

 

[wiigirl]

Seems like too much work and I doubt anyone would be as excited to do this as you seem to be. Just drink you way around and leave it at that.

lol...one of my favorite challenges....

 

[floydfamily4]

This looks like one of the coolest things I have seen!! Have fun and be safe! No advice but I wanted to say "great job!!"

 

[jenndot]

Thanks! I am really looking forward to it! After surprising them with our destination at the airport, I don't think they will be expecting another surprise the next AM when I start the Race!

 

[ScrampShopper]

I read several posts recently on the boards that said the phone booths are not working. You might want to give the booths a call and check before someone gets an assignment they can't complete.

This challenge sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[NickyKnack]

Speak for yourself, some of us think this kind of thing sounds like way more fun then getting toasted.

Seems like too much work and I doubt anyone would be as excited to do this as you seem to be. Just drink you way around and leave it at that.

 

[mbakun]

This is incredible, and sounds like a blast! We'll be there in November, maybe you want some extra racers???

Good Luck!
Michelle

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

What a fun ideas! We are huge Amazing Race fans...we would love something like this!

 

[jenndot]

Thanks for the heads up about the phone booths! I read that recently as well, although it seemed that the Canada phone booth was still working so we may just have to play that by ear and use that one if necessary.

mbakun - The more the merrier!!

 

[Jennasis]

There IS an "Amazing Race" type event available at Epcot. It's for corporate events/retreats. My sister did it 2-3 years ago with her company. I even have the special pin they give the finishers of the race (it has Dash on it and says something like Amazing Race).

 

[cefcdana]

Love it! I am so jealous! Sounds like so much fun! I hope your friends appreciate all your work and efforts. Have a great time.