One Thing We Love About Each of the Countries at Epcot’s World Showcase
No visit to Disney World would be complete without a visit to Epcot’s World Showcase! Though it may not boast the big rides of other theme parks what you’ll find are 11 unique pavilions offering a fun glimpse of countries around the World. This area of the park is best for those that really have time to explore and savor the rich details you’ll find throughout! That’s why we thought we’d compile a wee guide of some of our favorite things to do in each country!
Mexico
Walking inside the iconic pyramid at the Mexico Pavilion is like stepping into a different world. There’s a massive central courtyard made to look like a nighttime market with lots of stalls to explore. Whether it’s picking up a alebrijes being handpainted while you wait or some of the incredible Day of the Dead decorated merchandise you’ll definitely want to set aside some money in your Disney budget. If you’re travelling with small children, a great way to stop and savor all of the incredible details inside the pavilion is via Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure. This interactive game can even bring special areas of the pavilion to life adding and a huge dose of Disney magic.
Norway
The Frozen Ever After attraction is probably the biggest draw for families with smaller kids visiting the World Showcase and it’s easy to understand why. With the popularity of the film and the upcoming sequel, its fun to hop aboard your boat and be whisked away through some of the key scenes from the film including a visit to Elsa’s frozen ice palace. Couple this with a princess-filled meal at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall or the neighboring Anna and Elsa meet and greet and you’ve got all the fixins for a princess-themed mini-adventure.
China
Slightly under the radar, you can find incredible meet and greets throughout Epcot and the World Showcase. One of our favorites has to be at the China Pavilion. Mulan is on hand at the gardens surrounding the Temple of Heaven where she’s happy to meet with guests, sign autographs and pose for photos!
Germany
How do I love Biergarten? Let me count the ways! Step inside this beautiful restaurant set to look like a Bavarian market at night where it is Oktoberfest all year around. Here you’ll find an incredible menu brimming with German delights including favorites like pork schnitzel, sauerkraut, spaetzle and more! There’s also an incredible band lending to the festive vibe. Those looking to drink their way around the world will love the impressive array of German beers on offer. Those visiting this Fall are also encouraged to book your reservation under Disney’s Eat to the Beat Dining Package to enjoy preferred seating at one of the Food & Wine Festival’s nightly concerts.
Italy
USA Today recently voted Via Napoli at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion as the number one theme park restaurant in the country and it comes as no surprise. This restaurant elevates the beloved slice of pizza from the ordinary to the extraordinary with techniques and ingredients sourced directly from Italy. Each of the pizzas is fired up in one of three impressive pizza ovens named after Italy’s famous mountains. The end product is nothing short of exquisite and provides the perfect pit stop for those looking for lunch or dinner. Book reservations in advance though as dining here has always been popular.
America
Escape the hustle and bustle of the World Showcase and head over to the American Adventure Pavilion for a delightful afternoon concert thanks to the incredible a capella choir- Voices of Liberty. The choral singers are adorned in costumes from the 1800s and perform in the central rotunda throughout the day. They’ll take you through a delightful repertoire of classic patriotic tunes that will have you tapping your toes and singing along. Each performance lasts approximately 15 minutes making it the perfect time-out to rest those weary feet!
Japan
In our opinion, the Mitsukoshi Department Store is the coolest shop in all of Epcot. Take time to explore and you won’t believe the incredible treasures you’ll find here. On offer is everything from quirky snacks to anime merchandise to traditional Japanese housewares and more! There’s a Sake Bar toward the back of the store that offers tastings throughout the day. Another highlight is Pick a Pearl where you can hand-pick an oyster and have the pearl within applied to some incredible jewellery settings making for the ultimate souvenir!
Morocco
The Morocco Pavilion is beautiful and needs to be explored. As you find your way through the winding paths of this traditional Marakkesh-style marketplace, it’s no surprise that you’ll happen upon Disney royalty! Princess Jasmine has been known to hold court at the marketplace from 11:30 am – 5:30 pm where she’ll chat with guests, pose for photos and sign autographs. With the scenic surroundings trust me when I say it makes the perfect magical photo op.
France
When it comes to our favorite thing at the France Pavilion, it’s so difficult to choose. After all, this pavilion has it all: boozy orange slushies, an incredible boulangerie and some of the best ice cream in all of Walt Disney World! However, it’s also home to our favorite street performers Serveur Amusant. Because these Parisian-style entertainers are slightly under-the-radar we wanted to make them our focus. This quirk act gives lucky visitors a real treat with a balancing act that will leave your jaws hanging open in astonishment! The performances take place at various times each day from 12 pm – 4:30 pm. So, if you’re in the area linger around to see if you can catch them. you won’t be sorry!
United Kingdom
Though most people come to the UK pavilion for Fish & Chips, the unassuming storefront Crown and Crest actually does something really neat! If you’re of British Heritage then stop into this shop and see if there’s a British Family crest for your surname. There’s a large book on the counter that you can sort through. Once you’ve found your family name you can let one of the Cast Members at the shop know and they’ll walk you through the meaning of your family name! You can also get your family crest added to a variety of merchandise from t-shirts to framed prints and more!
Canada
Celebrate our neighbors to the north with an incredible meal at one of Epcot’s most esteemed restaurants! Le Cellier has it all from incredible steaks, Canada’s famous poutine and the best Cheddar Soup you will ever have in your life! The ambiance is also magnifique and is styled after Canada’s grand Chateau-style hotels. Considered Fine/Signature Dining, the cost to have a meal here is usually $59+ per adult or two table service dining credits but in our opinion, it is a meal well worth it!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this quick look at some of our favorite ways to spend the day at the World Showcase. With so much to see, do and explore we have admittedly just skimmed the surface of the awesomeness that awaits guests. Be sure to set aside at least an entire afternoon to enjoy all this area of Epcot has to offer.
Thinking about a visit to Disney? Getting started is easy! Simply fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook