Epcot: World Showcase

United Kingdom Pavilion at EpcotLake Buena Vista, Florida: Have ever dreamed about traveling around the world? For most of us, this dream will never become a reality. High prices for travel arrangements, fear of flight, lack of time are all many factors that make a trip of this magnitude impossible for the majority of people. But Walt Disney World has the answer, World Showcase. Here guests can travel the world and experience authentic cultures from eleven different countries without ever leaving Epcot. And you can do it in just a few hours for just the price of admission.

The countries of World Showcase are situated around the World Showcase Lagoon. The 1.2 mile walk around the lagoon will take you through eleven countries that include:
  • Canada
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Morocco
  • Japan
  • American Adventure
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • China
  • Norway
  • Mexico

Each of the pavilions contain shops, restraraunts and rides/movies from the countries they represent. Even the Disney cast members are authentic as they come to the pavilion from their native countries as part of the Cultural Representive Program.

The original plan for the World Showcase included concepts for eighteen countries. But Africa, Australia, Israel, Russia, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela pavilions never left the drawing board. Even all of the current countries were not in existence on opening day in 1982, Morocco was added in 1984 and Norway in 1988.

The countries represented in World Showcase expands during the annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Food vendors from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa and South Korea join the showcase to provide additional international cuisine to the World Showcase. The event runs each year during October and November.

I will provide a detailed look at each of the World Showcase pavilions in the future. You can click on the photo above to visit the World Showcase photo gallery.

Updated November 5, 2010

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo of the Day: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Image
  For many years, a towering, iconic Sorcerer's Hat served as the unmistakable central landmark for Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios), drawing visitors deep into the park's vibrant heart. The hat, an enormous, three-dimensional representation of the magical cap worn by Mickey Mouse in his role as the Sorcerer's Apprentice from the classic film Fantasia , was initially erected as a centerpiece for the park's 100 Years of Magic celebration, honoring the centennial of Walt Disney's birth. Its prominent placement quickly cemented its status. Much like the instantly recognizable icons of the other Walt Disney World theme parks—Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, the geodesic sphere of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the intricately carved Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom—the Sorcerer's Hat became the park's most famous symbol and a favored backdrop for countless visitor photographs. Its design featured bold colors, stars, and the moon...
Read more

Photo of the Day: New York City

Image
Along the perimeter of Central Park, nestled within the vibrant core of New York City, stands a collection of the city's most architecturally significant and historic luxurious apartment buildings. These iconic addresses are more than just residences; they are meticulously preserved monuments that pay homage to a bygone era of Gilded Age splendor and pre-war elegance, maintaining their original magnificence and grandeur.  A premier example of these exceptional homes is The Beresford. Completed in 1929, this legendary co-op on Central Park West is instantly recognizable by its distinctive trio of massive copper towers and is celebrated for its imposing scale and sophisticated design. Conceived by the renowned architect Emery Roth, The Beresford stands as a testament to the period's commitment to lavish detail, expansive layouts, and unparalleled exclusivity. It offers residents breathtaking panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, cementing its status not just ...
Read more

Visiting the Florida Holocaust Museum: A Powerful and Reflective Experience

Image
St Petersburg, Florida: Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance. Founded in 1992 by Holocaust survivors Walter and Edith Lobenberg, the museum has grown into a deeply moving cultural and educational destination that encourages visitors to reflect on history while promoting a more compassionate future.  Overview of the Museum  The museum’s core exhibit, “History, Heritage, and Hope,” takes visitors on a chronological journey through the Holocaust, beginning with the roots of antisemitism and continuing through the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II, and eventual liberation. The experience is largely self-guided, allowing visitors to move at their own pace while engaging with photographs, personal artifacts, and survivor testimonies.  One o...
Read more