The World Showcase in Epcot was created to promote cultural understanding...and tourism. Eleven countries make up the showcase, with America at its center. The other ten countries are Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada. Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco and the United Kingdom don't have attractions but do contain examples of the country's architecture, goods and food.
I have never seen "Reflections of China" and "O Canada!" because they are 360s. My mother gets motion sickness and now I fear I will get it too. The last time I saw "Impressions de France," comprised of various scenes of France set to famous French compositions, I was dizzy even though it's a 180! If these viewing styles do not bother you, I suggest you see all three films.
The Mexican Pavilion is designed to resemble a Mayan temple on the outside, but a plaza on the inside. Souvenirs are sold like in a market place while the San Angel Inn allows diners to always have an open-air, evening dining experience. My father and sister will be dining there this time while my mother and I are dining at the Rose and Crown over in the United Kingdom. The attraction was recently updated from the old "River of Time" to "Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros." Panchito and Jose take you on a search throughout Mexico to find the wayward Donald, the third Caballero. The ride ends in Mexico City, perhaps during a Cinco de Mayo celebration, and a concert by the Three Caballeros.
The Norway Pavilion evokes a Norwegian village, complete with the replica of a stave church. The main attraction here is Maelstrom, a boat ride through Norway's history and mythology. It does have some high speeds and a drop, but it is a fun ride. At the end of the ride, there is a short video about Norway. And trust me, this is the reason why my family wants to go to Norway. We watch it at least once a trip. The exit is through a series of souvenir shops filled with Norwegian goods. I have to hurry through this as there is one section dedicated to perfumes, which I am allergic to. My mother, though, often stopped to sample some of the perfumes. She liked one in particularly and finally treated herself to a bottle the last time we were there. She was using it sparingly, so when a family friend asked if we wanted any Christmas presents from Disney, my dad gave him money to buy another bottle for my mother. She was surprised and thrilled to open that present!
The American Adventure plays at the American Pavilion, a thirty-minute show zipping through American history. While it jumps over things and tends to gloss over, it does show slavery and our harsh treatment of the Indians. Hosted by audio-animatronic figures of Ben Franklin and Mark Twain, paintings, songs and other audio-animatronics tell America's story from the arrival of the Pilgrims to World War II. After that scene, a final musical montage takes over, entitled "Golden Dream." It covers the last half century of American history, important events and people. It was recently updated in 2007 to address recent events, such as 9/11 (portrayed using the shot of the firefighters raising the American flag over the rubble that once was the World Trade Center and a shot of Peter Jennings reporting that day). They also added important Americans such as Rosa Parks, Sandra Day O'Connor, Tiger Woods, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Lance Armstrong, Yo-Yo Ma, Oprah Winfrey and others. If you go see the American Adventure, try to get there early enough to hear the Voices of Liberty, Disney's a cappella group. They perform songs from America's musical history and explain certain events. I love listening ot them.
The American Adventure is where we also eat in the World Showcase, featuring good old American food. I have also eaten in the Chinese restaurant, but was sick so I can't give a good review.
The last thing you should do in Epcot is stay for Illuminations, a fireworks and lights display promoting global unity. It's a beautiful presentation and they light up the entire World Showcase. Good views can be scene from the United Kingdom as well as Future World.
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