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Where else can you experience 11 different countries in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Americas in a single day? Epcot's World Showcase offers an international experience like no other. Here, visitors can circumvent the entire globe sampling exotic cuisine, art, and entertainment from Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico, all in one grand experience that only Disney can provide.
These re-creations of various nations line the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon, the 40-acre Epcot centerpiece that separates World Showcase from Future World. Each "nation" features landmark architecture and historic scenes familiar to world travelers. The attention to detail is astounding, with unique village scenes marked by restaurants, streets, gardens, monuments, and related music, all designed to give visitors an authentic experience of that particular culture.
Perhaps the toughest part about visiting World Showcase is deciding were to eat from a wide array of international cuisine including authentic Italian cuisine at L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, Chefs de France, the San Angel Inn of Mexico City, the Mitsukoshi Restaurant of Tokyo; and the unique cooking styles of Germany, the UK, Morocco, China, and Norway.
One of the major attractions at World Showcase is The American Adventure, a 108,000-square-foot mansion-like structure that looks as if it were taken straight from a Georgia plantation. The American Adventure presents a dazzling 29-minute drama that depicts 350 years of American history. The show stars American luminaries Mark Twain and Be Franklin.
Both Canada and China present Circle-Vision 360-degree films. These amazing films capture the grandeur of the Forbidden City in China, seldom-seen Tibet and Inner Mongolia, and views of the ancient silk route once followed by Marco Polo. The full-circle "O Canada!" production takes audiences on a rip-roaring buckboard ride in the famous Calgary Stampede.
Over in France, visitors can see a 200-degree screening of "Impressions de France," a spectacular airborne travelogue set to classical music. What adds to the charm of this screening is that the show is presented in a replica of a Paris theater.
Naturally, there is plenty of live entertainment to be enjoyed. For instance, in the United Kingdom, Cockney buskers entertain with sidewalk comedy. Check out the mariachi band in Mexico, or a high-energy troupe of student acrobats in China. World Showcase is also designed to inform visitors and to provide a two-way cultural exchange for nationals working in the showcases. Each showcase is staffed with young men and women from that country.
Of course, visitors should not forget about the nightly fireworks spectacular, "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," and the "Tapestry of Nations" parade. Each night at park's closing, these performances afford the perfect ending to one of the most fulfilling experiences at Disney. |
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