The Magic of Disney World

As you enter the China pavilion at Epcot, you truly feel as if you have been transported into another land. In front of you lies a half size replica of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. If you time your entrance right, you will hear live flute, zither, or dulcimer music. You may see Chinese acrobats, usually children, performing outside the Temple of Heaven. Take a minute and look at the vegetation around you. In respect to Chinese culture, where age is respected, Disney gardeners have planted trees with corkscrew trunks or weeping branches. The rosebushes are a variety native to China.

Much of the architecture of the China pavilion pays tribute to Chinese culture, although those of us not as familiar with the traditions of this great land won’t readily see it. (more…)

I guess that Disney decided that Norway had too interesting of a heritage, and they just couldn’t pick only one architectural style. So they picked four. Seriously - there are four different architectural styles in the Norway pavilion, and they’re all from different parts of Norway. Which I think is cool - why only learn about one part of the country when you can learn about four?

As you enter the pavilion, look down and notice the cobblestone streets. It’s as if you’re in an ancient villiage. The wood stave church is modeled after a stave church built in 1250 AD. Some people don’t realize this, but you can actually go inside the church. (more…)

The Mexican pavilion at the World Showcase in Epcot is dominated by the Pre-Columbian pyramid that seems to rise from a jungle of tropical vegetation. The pyramid was patterned after the Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacan. If you look up at the entrance to the pyramid, you’ll see serpents: a representation of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god of life.

The pavilion actually represents two regions of Mexico. The pyramid, surrounded by its exotic, lush flowers and shrubs, represents the Yucatan jungle, while the area around the Cantina de San Angel represents the dry, arid regions of Mexico. (more…)

Although World Showcase in Epcot isn’t exactly like a trip around the world, it’s probably as close as some of us will come to jetsetting across continents and seeing the sights! The folks at Disneyworld have created a place where we can experience the sights, sounds, cuisine and feel of Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada without actually traveling there.

Walt Disney World has done it’s best to create an authenic look and feel to the country’s pavilions. You’ll board a Viking boat in Norway…experience a pyramid from Mexico…see the Eiffel Tower in France…walk among sprawling street vendors in Morrocco…in every country there is authentic food (you have to try the French pastries), shops, and people. Yes…people. (more…)