World Showcase (Epcot)
The temples, churches, town halls, and castles of these 11 pavilions or “countries” are sometimes replicas of genuine buildings, sometimes merely in vernacular style. But World Showcase is much more than just a series of architectural set pieces. Every pavilion is staffed by people from the country it represents, selling high-quality local products as well as surprisingly good ethnic cuisine.
At set times, which are given on the guide map, native performers stage live shows in the forecourts of each country: the best are the excellent acrobats at China and the bizarre and comic Living Statues at Italy. Only a couple of pavilions include rides, while a number have stunning giant-screen introductions to their country’s history, culture, and landscapes.
A few even have art galleries, though these often go unnoticed. The fastest way to get around the 1.3 mile (2 km) perimeter is to walk, but the easiest way to get from the entrance to the back end, where the American pavilion is located, is to take the ferries that crisscross the lagoon, linking the Canada pavilion to the Morocco pavilion and Mexico to Germany.
Mexico
A Mayan pyramid hides the most remarkable interior at World Showcase. Musicians and stalls selling sombreros, ponchos, and papier-mâché animals (piñatas) fill a plaza bathed in a purple twilight. The backdrop to this is a rumbling volcano.
Hidden among the splendor of the main area are little art galleries and an arts-and-crafts play space for children.
The tranquil El Río del Tiempo (“The River of Time”) boat ride passes through Audio-Animatronics and cinematic scenes of Mexico, while the restaurant outside the pavilion offers a great viewing spot for IllumiNations later in the day.
Norway
The architecture in this pavilion includes replicas of a stave church – a medieval wooden building – and the 14th-century fortress above Oslo harbor called Akershus Castle, arranged attractively around a cobblestone square.
You can buy trolls and sweaters and other native crafts, but the essential element here is Maelstrom, a short but exhilarating journey down fjords in a longboat into troll country, and across an oil-rig-flecked North Sea – before docking at a fishing port. The ride is followed by a short film about Norway. The film is not mandatory – you can pass through the theater and exit directly if you choose – but it is a well-done look at the past and present of the country.
China
In this pavilion the pièce de résistance is the half-size replica of Beijing’s wellknown landmark, the Temple of Heaven. The peaceful scene here contrasts with the more rowdy atmosphere in some of the nearby pavilions.
For entertainment, there is Reflections of China, a Circle-Vision film shown on nine screens all around the audience simultaneously, which makes the most of the country’s fabulous, little-seen ancient sites and scenery.
Note that you must stand throughout the film. China, the country, also sends a near-continuous stream of acrobatic and other performing troupes that put on mini-shows throughout the day all year long.
The pavilion’s extensive shopping emporium sells everything from Chinese lanterns and painted screens to tea bags. Unfortunately, the restaurants are nothing to write home about.
Germany
The happiest country in World Showcase is a mixture of gabled and spired buildings gathered around a central square, St. Georgsplatz. They are based on real buildings from all over Germany, including a merchants’ hall in Freiburg and a Rhine castle. If you have children, try to time your visit so that it coincides with the hourly chime of the glockenspiel in the square.
An accordionist sometimes plays, and the shops are full of quirky or clever gifts such as beautifully crafted wooden dolls. However, you really need to dine here to get the full flavor of Germany.
Italy
The bulk of Italy’s relatively small pavilion represents Venice: from gondolas moored alongside candycane poles in the lagoon to the tremendous versions of the towering redbrick campanile and the 14th-century Doge’s Palace of St. Mark’s Square; even the fake marble looks authentic. The courtyard buildings behind are Veronese and Florentine in style, and the Neptune statue is a copy of a Bernini work.
The architecture is the big attraction, but you should also stop off to eat at one of the restaurants or browse around the shops where you can pick up pasta, amaretti, wine, and so forth.
America
This is the centerpiece of World Showcase, but it lacks the charm found in most of the other countries. However, Americans usually find The American Adventure show, which takes place inside the vast Georgian-style building, very moving. For others, it will provide an interesting insight into the American psyche. The show is an openly patriotic yet thought-provoking romp through the history of the United States up to the present day. It incorporates tableaux on screen and some excellent Audio-Animatronics figures, particularly of the author Mark Twain and the great 18th-century statesman, Benjamin Franklin.
EATING & DRINKING
Dining well is fundamental to visiting Epcot and particularly World Showcase. Some of the latter’s pavilions have decent fast-food places, but the best restaurants (including those listed below unless otherwise stated) require reservations. Call Dining reservations as soon as you know when you’ll be at Epcot or book early in the day, using the TV monitors of the WorldKey Information Satellite, which provide up-to-date information on everything at Epcot. Most restaurants serve lunch and dinner; try unpopular hours such as 11am or 4pm if other times are unavailable. Lunch is usually about two-thirds of the price of dinner, and children’s menus are available at even the most upscale restaurants.
