EPCOT's World Showcase - Exploring the "World", One "Land" at a Time

As we head into the second half of EPCOT, the World Showcase, we pass through Showcase Plaza. Here you can meet Mickey Mouse's beloved bear pal, Duffy the Bear. 

The first country we encounter is Mexico. The giant pyramid houses a small office on top where Illuminations is controlled from. Inside you will find a marketplace and art collection. You can also take a boat ride through Mexico on the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros. Live entertainment can be found in this area by Mariachi Cobre and character meets with the Three Caballeros. And, as with all World Showcase countries, Mexican food and drink is abundant.

The Norway pavilion was the last country to be added to World Showcase. It features a Stave Church and the restaurant Akershus resembles its namesake in Oslo. Here you can enjoy dining with multiple Disney princesses. The shops selling Norwegian goods are decorated with large wooden trolls. Since the huge success of Disney's Frozen, the Norway pavilion is currently undergoing some major changes due to open next year. The fan-favorite Viking boat ride, Maelstrom (which is also one of only 2 rides in the World Showcase), was closed to receive a Frozen makeover. When reopened, this ride will have added music, characters and story from the fictional Arendelle. Norway will also be adding a dedicated meet and greet location for Frozen characters Anna and Elsa. 

The China pavilion in EPCOT welcomes you through a huge Chinese gate leading you to a replica of the Temple of Heaven. This building houses "Reflections of China", a Circle-vision movie exploring China's history, as well as a museum exhibiting ancient Chinese artifacts. You can also catch a lively performance by the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats or have a meet and greet with Mulan and Mushu! 

Next is the Germany pavilion. You can enjoy a real Oktoberfest celebration at Biergarten restaurant. The Platz (square) is decorated with a statue of St. George and the Dragon. You can also view an extensive model village with working model trains! The little ones will LOVE it. This is also the place to be for a meet and greet with Snow White who is sometimes joined by Dopey!

Next stop on our tour: Italy! Here you can enjoy authentic Italian food while surrounding yourself in the architecture of Italy. You will find replicas of St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower) and the Doge's palace. You will also find the Neptune fountain and Il Bel Cristallo, meant to resemble the Sistine Chapel. 

As we reach the center of the World Showcase, we come to the American Adventure. Here you can see the inspirational story of America and its people narrated by audio-animatronic figures of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain and also view the American Heritage Gallery. You can also hear the voices of Liberty, an 8 member a cappella group that hosts patriotic choral performances throughout the day. 

Next we enter Japan. With a large tori gate on the waterfront and a huge pagoda, this beautifully serene pavilion is decorated with many pools and gardens. You will find a collection of Japanese arts at Bijutsu-kan and a large selection of merchandise at Mitsukoshi Department Store. You can also see unique demonstrations by Miyuki, the candy artist and enjoy the traditional drum artistry of Matsuriza.

Next is Morocco. This is the only pavilion in which the government actually sponsors and helped design the pavilion in order to stay true to the lifestyle and culture of Morocco. The Fes House shows a typical Moroccan house. You will also find the gallery of arts and history along with many shops selling goods. 

The next pavilion is easy to recognize. With the Eiffel Tower looming in the distance, we have entered France. Here you can see the film "Impressions de France". You can also watch the comedy juggler "Serveur Amusant". You can also find meet and greets with a range of characters here including: Belle and Beast, Marie from Aristocats or Princess Aurora. 

As we symbolically cross the English Channel over the International Gateway, we enter the UK. Here you can enjoy some traditional fish and chips. Or stop by the pub and enjoy a pint and some lively pub music from the Hat Lady. You can also enjoy some British rock music performed by the British Revolution. Meet and greets are also usually available with favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland or Winnie the Pooh. 

The final country as we tour World Showcase is our neighbor to the North, Canada. Here you can see the circle-vision film "O Canada!". The Victoria Gardens which are adjacent to the Hotel du Canada are inspired by the Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. The gardens are the largest (and most labor intensive) of all the national pavilions. With scenery that includes a canyon, waterfall, grdens and totem poles, guests are reminded of the Canadian outdoors. 

Nighttime at EPCOT finishes with the spectacular Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. The show utilizes fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser lights, fountains and fire to create a visual production on the park's World Showcase Lagoon. The centerpiece of the show is the Earth Globe, a 350-000 pound globe housed on a barge. This show has received several awards throughout the year including the 2009 and 2012 Best Outdoor Night Production Show by Gold Ticket Awards. 


Now we conclude our tour of EPCOT with these Fun Facts:
*The Fountain of Nations received a gallon of water from rivers and bodies of water around the world on opening day as a gesture of peace and togetherness.
*The 3000-square-foot mosaic covering the entrace to the Land is made up of 150,000 individually cut pieces.
*The weight of Spaceship Earth is said to be 16 million pounds.
*The Land pavilion grows about 30 tons of fruits and vegetables used in WDW restaurants.
*More than 30 million blooms blanket the park during the Flower & Garden Festival
*There are 11,324 individual triangles on Spaceship Earth
*Imangineer Mark Sumner created the design for Soarin vehicles with an old erector set
*World Showcase promenade stretches 1.2 miles and World Showcase Lagoon spans 40 acres
*The Eiffel Tower replica in the France pavilion is 103 feet tall
*Some 2,800 firework shells are used during each "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" show.

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