The World Showcase at Epcot is one of our favorite areas in all of Walt Disney World. The country pavilions give you a taste (pun intended) of the culture of each country, especially when they are staffed by natives of those countries. Yes, we know that it isn’t the same as actually traveling to said country. However, it does give you some perspective on the variety of peoples, foods, customs that makes us each unique. More importantly, it allows us to celebrate our similarities, as human beings aren’t defined by arbitrary lines on a map.
Of course, Banshee and I have our opinions on which ones we enjoy spending time at the most. This isn’t the say that we don’t like the ones that are lowest on our list. Each pavilion is wonderful in its own way and we love them all…. we just love some more than others 🙂
As with all opinions, this isn’t to say that if you disagree with us that your opinion is wrong. We each have our own preferences and that’s wonderful. There is no right or wrong “answers” when it comes to lists like this.
So without further ado, here is our list
#11: CANADA
Oh Canada… Picking our least favorite is always tough, but Canada seems to be a pavilion that we spend the least time at. Personally, I love the gardens and the beautiful rustic waterfalls as you walk towards the theater. It is just so calming and quiet. However, the reason why this is last is that there really isn’t anything compelling there. I really don’t like Circlevision movies in general (and it is closed for part of the year due to Food and Wine). There isn’t any quick service dining and the only table service restaurant, Le Cellier, is not only expensive but too heavy of a meal for a day at a hot theme park. There is a small gift shop and occasional entertainment, but that’s it. Of all the pavilions, this is the one that could use the most re-imagining.
#10: MOROCCO
This is another one that can use some plussing up. While the pavilion itself is stunning – you can see the artistry that went into its design – there really isn’t much there. The reason why we put it ahead of Canada is that the Tangierine Cafe is one of our go to quick service dining spots.
#9: UNITED STATES
I wish we could have put our “home country” pavilion higher, but this is another one that doesn’t really strike our fancy. For whatever reason, we have never been huge fans of the signature show, the American Adventure, so that probably brought it down in our rankings. However, it still has a lot going for it. We do love the Regal Eagle Smokehouse. It is a definite step up from the quick service that preceded it. We also enjoy the talented Voices of Liberty ensemble who sing in the rotunda of the main building. The air conditioning is usually pretty strong there so it is good place to cool off even if there is not any singing! Plus, the colonial mansion itself is quite impressive with its use of forced perspective which makes the building only look two stories high even though it is actually taller.
#8: ITALY
This is another pavilion that is visually stunning but suffers from not much to do. The detail in the facade, the courtyard, and the landscaping is amazing to look at. And of course the food and drink is second to none, which you would expect at a representation of Italy. However, other than the shops, there really isn’t much else to keep you there. I also feel like there isn’t enough shade here as it seems to always be baking hot in the summer time. Perhaps they need some outdoor cafe seating with umbrellas to give you that authentic Italian cafe feel.
#7: UNITED KINGDOM
This was a tough one. I actually put it a little higher as I love the English “high street” feel of this area with the shops and of course the authentic pub. I also am a big fan of the band that plays here. They play covers of both classic and modern British rock bands which is pretty much my jam. And who doesn’t like the fish and chips!
However, Banshee pointed out that the next two on the list have attractions which elevate them over the UK pavilions. But just know that #7 through #4 were pretty close!
#6: NORWAY
While I know that Frozen Ever After is somewhat controversial due to its use of Disney IP, it is objectively a really great family ride. It has accessible thrills, familiar music, and some of the more advanced animatronics at the park. This is enough to give it the edge over the UK.
Of course, there is more to this area than just the ride. It has a great shop (I am pining over one of those Helly Hansen sweaters), and there are some unique dining options here that you don’t normally see here in the states. Plus, the stave church, which is the visual centerpiece of the pavilion, is amazing.
#5: FRANCE
In France, it is all about the dining. Between the bakery, the ice cream shop, and the creperie, you can fill up on all sorts of decadent snacks. And this doesn’t even include the other fine dining table service restaurants here. Banshee thinks that France has some of the best alcoholic drinks as well, which makes sense since it is France after all!
There is a travelogue movie here (Impressions de France) and thankfully you can sit down! The movie itself is very beautifully done and you leave it wanting to tour the French countryside for a month or two. And of course, there is the new ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. While we aren’t huge fans of this ride, it does give guests another reason to linger here.
#4: CHINA
Yes, there are no rides here, just another one of those annoying Circlevision 360 movies. However, this pavilion is just so absolutely beautiful. The artistry of the Temple of Heaven is just amazing, with the intricacy of the carvings. The footbridges around the waterfalls, ponds, and bamboo gardens are just so relaxing. The shopping here is also amazing and unique. You can find all sorts of beautiful clothing, jewelry, housewares, carvings, and other gorgeous pieces. It is a great cross section of Chinese culture.
When they are performing, the Chinese acrobats are, in my opinion, one of the best country entertainments at Epcot. It is simply amazing what they can do. Save your money on tickets of Cirque de Soleil and come here instead!
The dining might be my only minor quibble. While good, it isn’t really anything that you can’t find in a good Chinese restaurant in any major metro area. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t awful, but it isn’t signature dining either.
#3: GERMANY
The German pavilion holds a dear place in Banshee’s heart as she spent a year living there as an exchange student. When it is staffed by Germans, she always uses it as an opportunity to practice her language skills, ask cast members where they are from, etc. In every case, the cast members were super excited to engage with her. Beyond that, this is another beautiful pavilion that captures the feel of an old Bavarian village. And of course, the shops and dining are so unique. I mean, where else can you find Cuckoo clocks, beer steins, German soccer jerseys, and of course Karamelle-Kuche!
The dining here is also pretty special. The Biergarten is so much fun, not just for the food, but for the entertaining. It is themed to invoke sitting outside in a courtyard in some small German town in the Alps. The communal tables adds to the community vibe, although not all people like sharing their space with another party. And if you don’t want a big sit-down meal, you can get brats or pretzels or noodle kugel.
#2: MEXICO
Such a lovely pavilion. The outside is stunning. As you walk into the pavilion you feel like you are in the Yucatan jungle exploring an old temple. I’m sure the summer heat and humidity adds to the authenticity! Then once you enter, the indoor evokes the feeling of an outdoor night market with a Mayan pyramid in the background. The souvenir carts are always colorful and offer a wide array of artisan crafted gifts. You also have a Rio Del Tiempo ride which is so relaxing… a great way to cool off and take a break. Plus, there is rarely a long line here.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Mexico without the dining options. They range from authentic Mexican to more familiar “Tex-Mex” to tastings of authentic Mexican tequila
While my Spanish isn’t as good as Banshee’s German, I will occasionally break out a little of my limited language skills, which gets a smile from the cast members.
#1: JAPAN
By process of elimination, Japan is our family’s favorite pavilion. While there is no ride or attractions here, the main attraction is the simple beauty of your surroundings. This area exemplifies the attention to detail that the imagineers put into creating these pavilions. The centerpiece of this area is the beautiful pagoda temple that lets you know that you have arrived in Japan. If you are lucky, you can see the Japanese drummers performing from the balcony, which is an amazing display of artistry. Behind the temple is a set of paths that wind their way across footbridges, overlooking koi ponds, water lilies, and other native Japanese flora. This tucked away area of the park is a great place to take a little break from the hustle and bustle.
Both Little Buster and Banshee LOVE Japanese cuisine so they can always find something to enjoy at one of the stands or the hidden gem quick service location. The real attraction, however, is the Mitsukoshi department store, part of a chain which is one of the oldest department stores in the world. Here you can find both items related to modern Japanese culture (Pokemon, manga, Hello Kitty) as well as traditional items such as kimonos, Japanese tea sets, chopsticks, fans, and the like. I know Little Buster can probably spend lots of hours (and dollars) roaming around here. It truly is not to be missed.
Finally, it has the red gate which borders on the lagoon side of the pavilions which, in my opinion, is one of the best photo locations in all of the World Showcase. I never miss an opportunity to take a picture (or three) at this location.
So those are our rankings of the country pavilions. Again, just because something is lower on the list doesn’t mean that you should skip it. They all have something to offer park goers.
If you have your own rankings, feel free to leave them in the comments and let us know why you feel that way. Who knows? You might end up changing our minds!
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