All Around the World – A Virtual Visit to Epcot’s World Showcase!
Epcot is a park that tells the ever-evolving stories about the Earth, people, places, and progress over time. Still, more than that, it is a celebration of all cultures coming together to create a global community.
One of the most amazing things about Epcot is World Showcase, where visitors can feel as though they have travelled the globe in a matter of hours! World Showcase puts the spotlight on 11 countries from around the world, each with its own cultural activities, dining, and much more to share! Today, let’s take a virtual trip around World Showcase together!
Now, I know that some people will start their journey around World Showcase by heading left out of Future World; however, as a proud Canadian, I typically turn right and start with the Epcot version of my home and native land!
The Canada Pavilion is home to a mini-version of some of the country’s landmarks, such as the beautiful Victoria gardens, as well as fan-favorite restaurant Le Cellier Steakhouse. This cozy restaurant is one of Disney’s Signature Dining locations and is based on the chateau-style hotels found in Quebec. It also boasts one of Epcot’s most beloved food items – Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup! You’ll also find poutine, steak, maple leaf cheesecake, and more on the menu to help you sample regional culinary delights from around the country!
Our jolly holiday continues as we make our way to the United Kingdom! If you haven’t already fully filled your belly in Canada, you can stop in at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop for some quick service fish & chips, or perhaps the Rose & Crown Dining Room and Pub for a meal full of British fares such as bangers and mash. The United Kingdom also has some incredibly quaint and cute shops to browse in, and as an avid shopper, this is definitely my favorite activity to indulge in here! The Tea Caddy is my favorite shop and is filled to the brim with every flavor of Twinings Tea you could imagine, along with British treats, sweets, and memorabilia to collect.
Your European journey isn’t over yet! From the UK, we move on to visit France, where you’ll find Impressions de France, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, and shops full of fragrant perfumes, soaps, wines, and more. There’s Chefs de France, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, and the new Creperie de Paris, which serves up mouthwatering French cuisine, not to mention a brand-new attraction! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will take visitors on a 4D experience, and I know I can’t wait to check it out!
After a taste of Europe, our next stop is Morocco! This pavilion is a stunning representation of the art, architecture, and design styles of the country it’s inspired by. There’s a beautiful fountain that’s perfect for a family photo, magnificent mosaics to admire, shops such as Souk-Al-Magreb, and dining at restaurants such as Spice Road Table that features menu items like Grilled Lamb Kefta, Naan Spreads, Spiced Chicken, and more.
It’s time now to travel to Japan! As you’re making your way around World Showcase, it’s impossible to miss the impressive Japanese Pagoda that stands tall over the pavilion area. The torii gate decorates the edges of the lagoon, and the beautiful courtyard and gardens in the center of the pavilion are some of my favorite places to explore. Japan is also home to some amazing dining options, including Teppan Edo, where the talented chefs cook at the table right before your eyes. There’s some great shopping and entertainment here as well, including the Mitsukoshi Department Store, where I could easily spend hours browsing!
We’ve hit the halfway point in our tour, and now it’s time to visit The American Adventure pavilion! Fronted by a lovely fountain, the building is host to a show aptly called The American Adventure, which features 35 audio-animatronics including historical figures such as Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin. The show retells some of the nation’s major events and can be followed up with a delicious meal at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, a recent addition to the pavilion, which features a variety of barbecue-inspired entrees.
Our next stop is Italy, and while there is entertainment, shopping, and beautiful views to see, the standout at this pavilion for me is easily the food! Everywhere you turn, there is another decadent dish to tempt your tastebuds! Whether it’s the pizza perfection at Via Napoli, bowls brimming with pasta at Tutto Italia Ristorante, or snacking on antipasti and sipping on one of over 200 Italian wines at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, there are a lot of wonderful ways to satiate your hunger and thirst here!
Time to walk off some of those calories from our stop in Italy and head to Germany! Designed to look like the center square of a German village, visitors here will spot a large clocktower, Bavarian-inspired statue, and even a cute miniature train display with a working model that speeds through a tiny town. You can shop for steins and glassware at Glaskunst, and if you’re still hungry, Biergarten serves up German cuisine in a fun setting inspired by the country’s Oktoberfest celebrations. I definitely recommend saving some room for a stop at Karamell-Kuche, where buttery and sweet caramel treats are in plentiful supply!
Our trip around World Showcase now takes us on a visit to China! As you pass under the grand gate into the pavilion area, a stunning replica of the Temple of Heaven awaits, which is where visitors can enjoy the Reflections of China Circle-Vision 360 feature. You can stroll through shops such as House of Good Fortune, and dine at the Lotus Blossom Café, Nine Dragons Restaurant or stop by The Joy of Tea kiosk for specialty beverages such as Bubble Milk Tea and Chinese beers and cocktails.
With just two countries left to explore, we are now trekking on to Norway, home to the wildly popular Frozen Ever After attraction! Here visitors can enjoy an outing with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and more beloved characters from the films. There’s also shopping at The Fjording, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, where you’ll find fan-favorite treat School Bread, and I also recommend checking out the Stave Church Gallery!
Our last stop on our tour of World Showcase is the Mexico pavilion! As you venture inside the pyramid, you enter a beautiful Mexican village, complete with an indoor plaza marketplace! You can browse through souvenirs and jewelry, visit La Cava del Tequila for a cocktail, or dine in the twinkling twilight at the San Angel Inn. My very favorite feature of this final stop, however, is the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros! This boat ride highlighting some of Mexico’s landmarks is relaxing yet full of fun hijinks with Panchito, Jose Carioca, and of course, Donald Duck!
We’ve now come to the end of our tour for today, and it’s been a lot of fun virtually exploring the 11 countries! Thanks for visiting World Showcase with me!
~Stacy
