4. Conservation at Epcot and Animal Kingdom
Conservation is incredibly important at Walt Disney World, and there are several attractions that drive the point home. In Epcot, Ellen’s Energy Adventure offers an engaging lesson about fossil fuels and alternative energy sources. The building is even partially powered by solar cells on the roof. Check out innovative farming techniques on Living with the Land. The Circle of Life film, featuring Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa, is the perfect follow-up. This short movie touches on important environmental themes like deforestation and pollution. The Behind the Seeds Tour is an excellent inclusion with this lesson.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom continues the theme beautifully with several actionable messages and hands-on activities that demonstrate how everyone in the family can promote conservation at home. This is a great place for children to ask questions and really interact with the staff of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
5. Zoology at Animal Kingdom
Study the wildlife of Africa before your visit and you won’t even need the tour guide on Kilimanjaro Safari for your family to fully appreciate the wildlife. See how many animals your kids can spot and name both here and on the walking trails. Pick up an animal guide at the entrance to the park and you can make sure you stop by all the live animal habitats in the park – there are more than you may think!
If you prefer to launch your lesson plan at Disney World and follow up at home, this is an excellent choice. Let your children collect photos of various animals around the park, then go home and build a scrapbook of all the new species they spotted. Do further research on each animal and include fun facts and a basic profile of each on its own individual page.
6. The science of theme park attractions
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Older children can really delve deep into the science behind theme park attractions. Check out the DVDs in The Science of Disney Imagineering series. These movies cover the laws of motion, gravity, levers and pulleys, energy, electricity, magnetism, trajectory, friction, fluids, and more. Take the time to watch these DVDs before your visit and enjoy the opportunity to see and experience all these scientific principles live on your vacation.
When you get back, each child can put together a project with their own photos or videos from the vacation, explaining how these scientific principles came to life in the parks and what it was like experiencing them. Don’t be surprised if your children begin applying these principles to the creative design of their own imaginative future attractions. You may just have a budding Imagineer on your hands!
Comments
Great tips! I run www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com, which is dedicated to combining the magic of Walt Disney entertainment with creative homeschool applications. We love to learn while we play at the Disney Parks!