World Showcase Overview
Features the following countries. Where you can
have, a wonderfully authentic meal, from that country:
Experience Keeps Kids Scavenging through Epcot® NEW
Epcot recently debuted Goofy's Epcot Guide, a new scavenger hunt that offers kids a character poster for each completed activity guide. The guides are distributed at the Epcot main entrance, International Gateway, and at all Guest Relations locations, Tip Board and Kidcot Fun Stop locations. Guests may complete as much of the activity as they desire and turn in completed guides at all Epcot Guest Relations locations, the Mexico Kidcot Fun Stop, the Canada Kidcot Fun Stop or the World Traveler shop at International Gateway in exchange for a character poster. Approximately 3,500 young guests can take part in the scavenger hunt activity each day at Epcot.
As you enter the mercado, the Plaza de Los Amigos, your senses are assailed by the splash of color from the wares of the vendor's carts and the moonlit twilight scene of the village with the smoking volcano and the grand Mayan pyramid in the background. You'll hear the rhythms of the mariachi band and smell the scent of the spicy and savory traditional Mexican dishes that waft over from the San Angel Inn restaurant.
Resembles a Norwegian town square with its cobble stone courtyard and a replica of a 14th century fortress found in Oslo, in addition to the architectural styles of Norwegian towns like Bergen and Setesdal. A stave church pays tribute to the 13th Century medieval craftsmanship. A recent addition of a Viking ship playground allows children a place to explore and play.
In Maelstrom, visitors board a 16 passenger Viking-style boat and travel along a 10th century Viking village and through a mythical forest where you'll encounter mischievous trolls who cast a curse on the boats to go backwards downriver. Your vessel passes a grand fjord and continues on through a storm by a North Sea oil rig. Maelstrom uses Audio-animatronics and special effects to tell of Norway's history and ancient folklore during the 10 minute ride. FASTPASS Ride
The triple arched ceremonial gate, like that found in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, welcomes visitors to the World Showcase version of China. A smaller replica of the ornate temple, includes a replica of the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Be sure to take the time to appreciate the fine details here, especially the intricately tiled and gilded ceiling. Traditional Chinese music adds to the soothing ambiance of this peaceful place. The landscaping surrounding the temple adds to the serenity with a lotus pond, colorful gardens, bamboo groves, weeping mulberry trees and a small waterfall. Bamboo light poles light the paths in the evening.
The Pu Yang acrobats perform daily in the courtyard area. Check park guide maps for performance times. The "Wonders of China: Land of Beauty, Land of Time" is a 360º Circle-Vision film shown in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Spectacular scenery and stunning footage of China includes the Great Wall, the Forbidden City of Beijing, the Gobi Desert, Inner Mongolia, the Yangtze River and the tropical rain forests of Hainan Island. There is no seating in this theatre, only rails for guests to lean against so that they can fully experience the Circle-Vision effect.
A fountain with a statue of St. George slaying a dragon, is the centerpiece of the cobblestoned German platz (plaza) in the World Showcase's Germany. The architecture reflects a diverse cross section of German regions, from the replica of the medieval castle to the fairy tale Bavarian style buildings. The clock tower features a glockenspiel that chimes a special melody on the hour. A miniature German village houses three model trains much to the guests' delight.
Traditional German food served in an Oktoberfest-style atmosphere, is found in the Biergarten. Open for lunch and dinner, the all-you-can-eat buffet contains assorted sausages, rotisserie chicken, child's Frankfurters, assorted salads, breads, red cabbage, wine kraut, potatoes and spatzle. Desserts include apple strudel and German-style cheesecake. The dinner buffet also includes smoked pork loin and sauerbraten, in addition to those items previously mentioned.
The 83 foot belltower in the World Showcase's Italy is an authentic replica of the original campanile in St. Mark's Square. The great attention paid to detail is found on the angel atop the belltower that is covered with real gold leaf even though it is up so high that guests really cannot appreciate it. The romance of Venice is demonstrated in the Venetian bridges and the gondolas that are moored to a festive striped barber shop-style poles alongside the World Showcase lagoon. A spectacular replica of the 14th century pink and white Doge's Palace is authentic right down to the marble like façade similar to that used in the original. In the central plaza area of the pavilion, the Plaza del Teatro, you'll find the "Fontana de Nettuno" a fountain inspired by Bernini's Neptune fountain. Live street theatre and the singers of Naples, "I Cantanapoli" entertain guests in the plaza as well.
The American pavilion is a colonial-style mansion whose roots are found in the architecture of Independence Hall, Boston's Old State House, Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg. The 110,000 reddish colored bricks used on the building were all hand-made from Georgian clay and were actually tinted and aged to add to the authenticity. The floors inside are made from marble and copper. Inside the lobby and Halls of this grand structure, you'll find quotations from great Americans like Walt Disney, Althea Gibson, Charles A. Lindbergh, Ayn Rand, Thomas Wolfe, Wendell Wilkie and Jane Addams. Amidst the motivational sayings, you'll find artwork depicting the development of the United States.The rose gardens around the pavilion are unique in that they are all varieties named for U.S. Presidents. In this building you can hear the melodious sounds of the Voices of Liberty, an a capella singing group who give a 15 minute program of traditional American folk songs.
The large red torii gate, the traditional symbol of honor, is a perfect symbol to welcome guests to the pavilion of Japan. This majestic introduction is inspired by a similar torii gate found at the Itsukushima shrine at Hiroshima Bay. A blue-roofed pagoda, which is a replica of a 7th century Horyuji Temple, represents the ancient culture of Japan. The five stories of the stately pagoda symbolize earth, wind, fire, sky and water. Symbolism is also found in the tranquil gardens as well. Rocks, pools and streams represent the earth and water which is considered to be the life source. Brightly colored koi inhabit the ponds. Flowering shrubs, bamboo, evergreen trees, monkey puzzle trees and Japanese maples enhance the pavilion.
Guarding the entrance to the Moroccan pavilion is a reproduction of the Koutoubia Minaret of Marrakesh, a prayer tower of the 12th century mosque. The intricately carved tower reflects the pride in the craftsmanship that the native artisans took when assisting in the construction of the Moroccan pavilion. More native craftsmen were used in building this pavilion than in any other in all of the World Showcase. This is evident in the supreme quality of the geometric patterns and mosaic art found throughout Morocco. The warm terra cotta tiles and carved plaster buildings topped with green roofs amidst the winding alleys and stuccoed archways add to the charm of the "jewel of North Africa". More of the exquisite craftsmanship is found in the gate to the Medina (the old city) in a replica of the Bab Boujouloud gate. In the Medina, you will find the bustling marketplace or bazaar. The Ville Nouvelle (new city) has the Royal Gallery and the Moroccan National Tourist Office where you can see a three-screen slide show of the lifestyles and landscape of Morocco.
As visitors walk over the Pont des Arts inspired footbridge that crosses the World Showcase lagoon canal offshoot, they will feel as though they have crossed the Seine River into France. As on the banks of the Seine, artists here sketch along the waterfront. This charming pavilion includes detailed street scenes with a definite Gallic flavor. A romantic sidewalk café, warm delicious smells emanate from the bakery, quaint shops with mansard roofs of slate or copper, casement windows and chimney stacks reminiscent of the charm filled "city of lights" are sure to enchant and delight all who pass through here. The "piece de resistance" is a scaled down reproduction of Paris' most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, as it looms behind this engaging architecture. The architecture of the last decades of the 19th century inspired the main entrance to the pavilion.
The United Kingdom pavilion showcases the historical architecture of England. The streetscapes feature a variety of styles such as English Tudor, Georgian, Elizabethan, and English Victorian. You'll see a regal replica of the Hampton Court Palace beside a thatched roof cottage inspired by Anne Hathaway's. There are Belgrade-style row houses along cobblestoned streets to a city square with a copper roofed gazebo not unlike the Hyde Park bandstand. As per Disney standard, the details on the row houses included smoke "stained" chimneys.
The resplendent architecture is enhanced by the splendid landscaping. Around Anne Hathaway's cottage, you'll find a typical English herb and perennial garden. You'll see box hedges, interesting topiaries and around the back, the courtyard garden includes Tigger's Maze, where you can play amidst a maze of small hedges. Here in the courtyard garden, you may have a chance encounter with Pooh, Alice or the Queen of Hearts. The World Showcase players are an improv group that performs hilarious playlets, with audience participation throughout the day. Sign Language Interpreters are available on Early Entry days at designated times. Call the Sign Language Co-ordinator at (407)824-5217 to pre-arrange this.
The mansard-roofed Victorian-style "Hotel du Canada" was inspired by the Chateau Laurier, a historic hotel found in Canada's capital city, Ottawa. A blaze of color in the landscaping to the side is reminiscent of the splendid Butchart Gardens found in Victoria, on Canada's pacific coast. The majestic Canadian Rockies, a mountain range that begins on the West Coast are modeled here, with a stream that rushes to a 30' waterfall. A rough hewn log trading post, a 30' tall totem pole and displays of snowshoes and kayaks illustrate the diversity of the Canadian people. The landscaping of the Canadian pavilion includes willows, birch, sweet gum, plum and maple trees. Such details as the maple leaves cut out of the fence that surrounds the lagoon, add to the charm of the pavilion. In the Maple Leaf Mine, the 360º Circle-Vision theatre shows the film "O Canada". The diverse culture and landscape of the vast country is shown in this spectacular 18 minute presentation. The amazing scenery of the Rocky Mountains, the sweeping golden Prairies, Montreal's grand cathedral and the Maritime coastal fishing villages, are sure to delight all who see it. Seeing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on their graceful horses performing the Musical Ride and surrounding you in the theatre, is truly a magnificent sight.
