The World Showcase at Epcot contains pavilions representing eleven countries. When Epcot opened there were nine countries with two more being built at the time. Each country has shops, restaurants and attractions which are staffed with citizens from these countries. They come to work at the World Showcase through the Cultural Representative Program which is a program where participants share their culture and customs with tourists at the Walt Disney World over a course of a year living and working at the Walt Disney World Resort. To qualify for this program applicants must meet "authentically represent" their country. If accepted they agree to work at Epcot or Animal Kingdom for a year where they will be paid and live in furnished housing and given transportation to and from their job and local stores. There are three different apartment complexes near the Walt Disney World utilized for this program. Just another way Disney keeps the 'magic' in the worlds. The eleven countries are:
Mexico - the Mexico pavilion resembles a Mesoamerican pyramid. When entering the pyramid you see a display of Mexican artwork. The main room is home to a twilight-lit Mexican marketplace, Plaza de las Amigos. At the edge of the plaza is the restaurant San Angel Inn. The attraction is a boat ride, Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros. The nightly fireworks show, IlluiNations, is controlled from a small office on top the pyramid.
Norway was one of the countries still being built at the opening of Epcot and was opened in May 1988. It is a 58,000 square foot pavilion designed like a Norwegian village. The village includes a detailed Stave Church. The exhibit showcases four styles of Norwegian architecture: Setesdal-style, Bergen-style, Oslo-style and Alesund-style. There are shops and a restaurant and the attraction Maelstrom which shares the history of Norway from past to present.
China - Visitors to China enter the pavilion through a large Chinese Gate. The courtyard is dominated by a replica of the Temple of Heaven which contains "Reflections of China" a circle-vision 360 degree movie exploring China's history and scenery. There are two restaurants, The Nine Dragons is one of our favorite, shops and Chinese acrobatics.
Germany - is designed to look like a German town but with architecture from different areas and regions. The Platz (square) is decorated with the statue of St. George and the Dragon and a Clock Tower. It has a Biergarten that serves German food and beer. The shops sell German products.
Italy - the pavilion features a plaza surrounded by a collection of buildings that reflect the Venetian, Florentine and Roman architecture. There are shops and a restaurant. Musicians, clowns and acting troupes appear in the piazza.
American Adventure is the host pavilion of the World Showcase. It is also the name of the main attraction an Audio-Animatronics stage show of American history. The pavilion is designed in the Colonial style with the Voices of Liberty and the Drum and Fife Corp performing through out the day. It also is home to the American Gardens Theater an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts, singers and bands. The Candlelit Processional is held at the theater during the holiday season running from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Dec. 30. This is a Christmas concert featuring high school chorus, the Voices of Liberty and a celebrity reader. This is a must see if you are in the area during the Christmas holiday.
Japan - is made up of buildings surrounding a courtyard. The entrance of the courtyard features a Japanese Pagoda and a Torii gate decorates the water in front of the pavilion. The area is filled with Japanese pools and gardens. At the end of the courtyard is the gate to a Japanese castle including a moat. There are a couple of good restaurants and a huge store that sells everything Japanese. It also feature Matsuriza that are traditional Taiko drummers.
Morocco - the second country that was still being built after Epcot opened. Morocco opened in 1984 and the Moroccan Pavilion is designed to look like a Moroccan city with a realistic Minaret. The Fes house shows guests what a typical Moroccan home is like. It has shops, a restaurant and features Belly dancing in the evenings.
France - is themed to look like a Paris neighborhood with a pool and fountains and a view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. The shops on the street sell French goods and is has two French restaurants and a bakery. The bakery serves fantastic french pastries.
United Kingdom - is designed to look like a typical British village. It has British gardens, shops that sell British items and The Rose and Crown Pub and dining room that serves British food,beer and ale. It features the band British Invasion that plays music from The Police, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. We always try to catch a performance.
Canada - is designed to remind guests of the Canadian outdoors. It includes a canyon, a waterfall, gardens, a pool with fountains and totem poles. The attraction is 'O Canada' a circle-vision 360 degrees movie of Canada's cities hosted by Marin Short. It also has shops and a restaurant.
We always enjoy the World Showcase and each country makes you feel like you are actually in that country. It is a great way to do a world tour without leaving "home". Today is a travel day and we will be returning home to Jacksonville!
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