I began in France, popping right into a scrumptious-smelling bakery and admiring the scrumptious treats. Then, I headed in direction of Morocco, the place I dined on a sampler plate with rooster, hummus, and couscous salad.
My abdomen full, I made a decision to buy in a big Japanese division retailer. I did this all inside 90 minutes as a result of I used to be visiting the international locations in EPCOT – the World Showcase a part of the theme park at Walt Disney World.
Initially conceived because the Experimental Prototype Neighborhood of Tomorrow (EPCOT Heart), EPCOT is a lot greater than Future World. Considered one of my favourite locations within the Walt Disney World Resort is the eleven international locations in EPCOT – the World Showcase. It options nice eating places, genuine outlets, films, leisure, fireworks, and extra. Learn on to find out about what you’ll discover in every nation – together with meals, leisure, and outlets.
I’m a former member of the Disney Parks Mothers Panel and have skilled the EPCOT World Showcase on complimentary press journeys at Walt Disney World, however all opinions are my very own.
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Eleven International locations in EPCOT – The World Showcase
The World Showcase is roughly 1.2 miles round, however throughout that quick stroll, you’ll be capable of expertise the meals, merchandise, and tradition of quite a lot of eleven very completely different international locations. The World Showcase is often open just a few hours after the park opens (often at 11 am), and with so many various cuisines, it’s a terrific place for lunch or dinner.
What number of international locations are there in EPCOT? There are presently eleven – though there’s room for extra! Now and again, there are rumors a few new nation coming into the showcase. However to date, there are not any new plans.
Right here’s what to anticipate within the eleven EPCOT international locations.
Mexico
The Mexican pavilion options 4 completely different eating places serving scrumptious Mexican delicacies. Our favourite is the desk service San Angel Inn, which is adjoining to the Gran Fiesta Tour trip.
Though the trip is geared towards youthful youngsters, mine nonetheless like it. The San Angel Inn seems prefer it’s in the course of Mexico within the night. The meals is nice, however the ambiance is even higher! You’ll need to make advance eating reservations as a result of it does guide up.
For those who love margaritas, you’ll discover some scrumptious ones right here. La Cava del Tequila options a variety of tequilas and margaritas. Get one to go in the event you’d wish to drink whereas strolling across the World Showcase. You may also take pleasure in your margarita proper in La Cava.
The opposite eating places embrace La Cantina de San Angel, La Hacienda de San Angel, and Choza de Margarita. For those who love Mexican meals, you’ll need to eat at considered one of these spots!
There’s additionally a Mexican folks artwork gallery, a mariachi band, and a meet and greet with Donald Duck. It’s such a enjoyable, genuine expertise, particularly throughout the pavilion.
Norway
The Norway pavilion has gone by fairly the resurgence since Disney’s Frozen was launched. Within the film, the sisters lived within the fictional Arendelle, which was impressed by Norway.
On this pavilion, you’ll be capable of meet Elsa and Anna on the Royal Sommerhus, dine with some princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Corridor, and revisit your favourite film scenes throughout Frozen Ever After.
There are additionally just a few merchandise outlets, a gallery, and a quick-service bakery that includes scrumptious Norwegian treats.
Though there’s additionally a princess character meal within the Magic Kingdom, we all the time loved the one at Akershus higher. We want the meals, and because it’s a much bigger venue, there’s sometimes extra availability once you attempt to make reservations. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Though the World Showcase is often not open within the mornings, you’ll nonetheless be capable of entry Akershus for an early breakfast reservation. Nonetheless, the remainder of the World Showcase can be roped off so that you’ll solely be capable of go to your eating vacation spot.
China
Subsequent, you’ll discover the China pavilion, the place you possibly can meet Mulan. There are additionally two Chinese language eating places – a desk service restaurant (9 Dragons) and a quick-service restaurant (Lotus Blossom Cafe).
I like getting tea on the Pleasure of Tea kiosk close to the water. They’ve some with and with out alcohol, and every thing I’ve had there was scrumptious.
You may also discover Chinese language tradition by watching the Reflections of China 12-minute film, in addition to watching a present by the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats. There are additionally some outlets the place you’ll find genuine Chinese language merchandise.
Germany
Each month is October on the Germany pavilion. Seize a beer and/or pretzel at one of many kiosks and get into the Oktoberfest spirit.
Expertise an genuine Oktoberfest at Biergarten, the place you possibly can have a scrumptious German buffet meal and see German leisure. For those who aren’t certain whether or not or not you want German meals, the buffet is a good way to pattern some completely different specialties.
Searching for a faster expertise? Sommerfest is a quick-service restaurant providing conventional German delicacies. It’s positioned adjoining to Biergarten within the German pavilion.
There are additionally some merchandise outlets promoting German collectibles and different merchandise, in addition to Karamell-Küche, which affords scrumptious caramel treats which might be made proper there.
Need to see Snow White? She’s accessible for a meet and greet proper exterior the pavilion. Examine the day by day park schedule for instances.
We by no means appear to have the ability to stroll by the World Showcase with out stopping for a pretzel. My youngsters simply love them, and they’re a terrific snack for the stroll across the EPCOT international locations.
Italy
Italy is considered one of my favourite international locations, so I all the time must spend a while within the Italian pavilion at EPCOT. Along with scrumptious desk service eating places (By way of Napoli and Tutto Italia), you’ll additionally discover kiosks and outlets providing Italian wines and gelato. There are additionally a number of merchandise outlets and leisure.
These two eating places are two of my favorites on the Walt Disney World property. I like By way of Napoli’s pizza and all the time have to eat there on a trip.
Tutto Italia is barely extra upscale, however the meals is scrumptious. Though I wish to fluctuate the meals we eat on our journeys, I all the time need to eat at each eating places within the Italian pavilion.
The American Journey
On the American Journey, within the heart of the World Showcase, you’ll discover American meals specialties (funnel muffins, mac and cheese, hamburgers, clam chowder). As well as, there’s a 30-minute present and performances by the Voices of Liberty. This pavilion is a superb escape from the warmth or rain, so it’s completely positioned proper within the heart of the international locations in EPCOT.
Proper in entrance of the American Journey is the American Gardens Theatre stage. A number of occasions occur there, together with the Candlelight Processional and varied live shows.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, a fast-casual restaurant, affords BBQ fare.
Japan
My favourite characteristic of the Japanese pavilion in EPCOT is the Mitsukoshi Division Retailer, which affords Japanese merchandise, together with pens, jewellery, and decor. I may spend a lot time buying there.
However there are a lot of different nice issues throughout the nation, together with a teppanyaki restaurant, a quick-service restaurant, one other table-service restaurant (with sushi and different Japanese specialties), and genuine Japanese leisure.
Morocco
The Moroccan pavilion has two desk service eating places (Spice Street Desk is my favourite), outlets with Moroccan artwork and different merchandise, and a meet and greet Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin.
You may also get a henna tattoo right here. Go early, although, as a result of the road can get lengthy, and also you received’t need to spend an excessive amount of time in line.
France
I may spend a lot time simply exploring the French pavilion. From Les Vins de France, providing scrumptious wine and different drinks, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, providing delicious desserts, and L’Artisan des Glaces, providing frozen treats, it’s straightforward to seize a fast chew.
The pavilion additionally affords Monsieur Paul, a signature fine-dining restaurant, and Cooks De France, an off-the-cuff table-service restaurant. Each of those take reservations.
You’ll additionally discover merchandise outlets, a meet and greet with Belle, and Impressions De France, an 18-minute movie concerning the nation.
If you wish to seize an alcoholic drink in EPCOT, the Grand Marnier Slush is considered one of my favorites. It’s excellent when the climate exterior is scorching.
Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, a brand new attraction, opened in 2021. This trip is similar because the Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy attraction at Disneyland Paris.
The UK
Get a pint of beer and a few fish and chips, and sit alongside the waterfront at the UK pavilion. Right here, you possibly can dine in an genuine British pub, see a crimson cellphone sales space, and store for tea and different genuine merchandise.
There’s additionally a meet-and-greet with Alice in Wonderland and performances by Command Efficiency. Whereas a Mary Poppins attraction was initially introduced, these plans have been shelved.
Canada
Oh, Canada! Our neighbors to the north have their very own pavilion at EPCOT, together with one of the in style desk service eating places in EPCOT – Le Cellier. Le Cellier is open for lunch and dinner, and also you’ll need to guide reservations.
Within the pavilion, you can too see Canada Far and Huge (hosted by Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy), store for Canadian merchandise, and see a reside music present on the Canadian stage.
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Journey
On this alternative to Agent P’s World Showcase Journey, you’ll assist Scrooge McDuck and his nephews discover lacking artifacts. You’ll use the Play Disney app in your smartphone for this World Showcase Journey.
This journey runs by seven EPCOT international locations: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France, and the UK.
Festivals and Occasions at EPCOT
All year long, a number of occasions happen within the EPCOT World Showcase, together with the EPCOT Worldwide Meals and Wine Competition, the EPCOT Flower and Backyard Competition, and the EPCOT Worldwide Competition of the Arts. These occasions provide particular seminars, outlets, and kiosks all through the park.
In case you are focused on one of many subjects, you’ll need to verify the occasion schedule on-line. There are sometimes seminars and different particular occasions that you would be able to join and attend. Relying on the occasion, further charges might apply.
These occasions additionally provide common leisure on the large stage. Once more, you possibly can verify the schedule on-line to see who performs throughout your trip. These exhibits are free, however seating is proscribed.
Through the festivals, you can too buy scrumptious meals samples from varied kiosks all through the park. The largest choice is on the market in the course of the Meals and Wine Competition, however there are additionally meals kiosks in the course of the different festivals. If you wish to strive varied picks, planning a meal round them is a good suggestion. The samples are small, so you possibly can strive just a few.
Fireworks at EPCOT
The most recent fireworks present at EPCOT, Luminous The Symphony of Us, debuted in December 2023.
What’s your favourite EPCOT nation?
