Epcot's World Showcase will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world. Or something like that! Here, Imagineer Harper Goff's concept for a Thames River Ride in the United Kingdom pavilion reveals something more for this part of EPCOT Center. Look at the horizon (Horizons?) and you'll discover a lovely windmill was once proposed as an addition. Can you imagine a cruise along the canals of Amsterdam? Could be a very charming internationally flavored version of Storybookland Canal Boats. Oh, the incredible amount of unused concepts for this once unique Disney park!
It was our first trip to EPCOT Center in 1983. We were newly married, and my wife was about to discover my Disney theme park obsession at a whole new level. This second Disney park in Florida would be the first new park we discovered together. How exciting!
The evening we arrived at Walt Disney World, the still sleek monorail to the park from the Transportation and Ticket Center took us through the evening darkness into the park. It was very late, but as was the practice back then, the park stayed open much later than it does now. It was a beautifully warm Florida night.
As we rounded the bend into the park, Future World shone in its nighttime glory. I couldn't wait to explore it all! Then we glimpsed the World Showcase lagoon and all the pavilions sitting like sparkling jewels against it. It was just too much for this guy to take. I barely slept that night anticipating experiencing a whole new Disney park for the very first time. It's not too often we get to do that!
I still get a rush walking into this park. Yes, it is not what it once was- and it will never be again- yet, it's still quite the experience. With that in mind, I'd like to take you on a tour of my favorite places in World Showcase one country at a time. You might be surprised by my choices. Sometimes, I'll highlight an attraction. But it might be a shop, restaurant, or even an experience. My list has probably changed over time, but as this section of the park has experienced the least amount of expansion / re-imagineering, it's fairly consistent. This will be a fun diversion before we know all the plans for the park this weekend from D23. We normally begin our World Showcase tour in Mexico, but for this post, we'll start counter clockwise and head into Canada. C'mon everybody! Here we go...
Love this Imagineering concept art!
Canada: A pleasant stroll through Victoria Gardens is my top pick for our first stop. The original (and still the best) O Canada film is pretty good and the overpriced Le Cellier serves delicious meals, but the gifted Disney landscape architects hit a home run with this mini creation of the famous Butchart Gardens. Part of the Epcot experience is slowing down, similar to touring Disney's Animal Kingdom. Attractions are expected and important, but they not to be enjoyed at the expense of the rest of the thoughtful design of this park.
Photo from the Disney Parks Blog.
United Kingdom: Until the suits approve that long planned and needed Mary Poppins attraction (unfortunately presumed to be a carousel according to those in the know), The Tea Caddy and the cluster of small shops is the highlight here. We haven't eaten in the Rose and Crown in years, as we've enjoyed real fish and chips and other specialties while being in the U.K., but it is an enjoyable place to stop and watch the nighttime show.
Ah the gorgeous music!
When the film gets updated, the music had better remain.
France: Hands down, my pick here is Impressions de France. Yes, I know, the film needs updating badly, but they had better not touch that beautiful score! The music accompanying the movie is magic on its own. Remy's Ratatouille's Adventure should be great fun, and it's my favorite Pixar movie, but this journey through France will remain beloved and my first choice. Eating here is always fun, with a variety of choices to please every palate and thickness of wallet.
Photo from my most recent visit.
Morocco: This largely ignored pavilion is truly unique in that artisans from Morocco under the direction of King Hassan II did much of the striking tile work found throughout. The prayer tower, a replica of the one in Marrakesh, is a focal point, but it's only the beginning of what you'll find. (By the way, from the right angle you can see Hollywood Studios' Twilight Zone Tower of Terror- and you'll notice how it easily fits in with the style of this World Showcase pavilion. Gotta love the thoughtfulness of the earlier era Imagineers!) My choice here? The Fez House. You've got to explore around to find it, but step inside, and you're a million miles away from Florida... and you can see from walking the alleyways of Morocco where they got the inspiration for Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. May I add a second choice? Stop and talk to the cast members / nationals working here. It's a good reminder that even if Muslims worship a different God than Christians, (Muslims consider Jesus only a great prophet. Their god is Allah. Christians believe Jesus is God in the flesh), they can be just as kind and delightful as anyone else. Sure, there are "bad apples" in every group, so avoid generalizations and take the time to talk to the cast in each country.
Imagineers' art for an unbuilt Omnimover ride.
Japan: Confession mode- I could spend a few hours exploring this single showcase, and I'd encourage you to do the same. Listening to the drummers or watching the candy maker is always time well spent. As a young adult, Japan was my first destination choice for my solo trip out of the country, and I've never lost my love and fascination with the country, the people, and the culture. A very late evening stop at the Katsura Grill is the perfect way to end the day. While crowds are headed out of the park, we love to climb up the steps in the back of Japan to this small patio. The quick service location is usually closed by this point in time, making it a lovely way to reflect on the day. Then as a bonus if you time it right, you get to walk back to the park entrance with so few people, making it the prime time for some nighttime photos. If you want to read more about all the Imagineers once planned for the Japan showcase- and it's incredible- go here.
Imagineering concept art.
The American Adventure: This Audio-Animatronic theater show is king! At its best, Disney inspires- and Walt himself and the original Imagineers were a patriotic bunch. It's sadly in vogue to bash and trash the United States these days, but God knows, you have to think twice after watching this presentation. Listen to The Voices of Liberty musical group. Such talent! There's not much else here, which is odd given it is the host pavilion, but maybe one day there will be.
Beautiful surroundings await.
Italy: Here in Italy, dining is king. Each destination reveals both familiar and unexpected choices. From the humblest of drinks and ice creams to lavish meals and freshly fired pizza, the restaurants help even the fussiest eaters find something to love... and don't overlook the waterside Venician style gondolas. Unlike those at Tokyo DisneySea, you can't get a ride, but they still photograph well! Walk around and explore the nooks and crannies of this re-imagined St. Mark's Square in Venice. From being to the real one, (here's my trip report), I can tell you the Disney Imagineers crafted their recreation with a loving and detailed hand.
A memorable "Date night" with Grandma and Grandpa.
Germany: Perhaps it is because of some recent memories, but the Biergarten reigns as my top choice here, my Number One favorite experience in Germany. The live music and show entertain, and it gives family members a chance to dance together in the cool of the indoor restaurant. The food was better than I thought it would be, but that was secondary to the memories we made! When you shop, don't miss all the clocks. I just wish they also had a wider selection of nutcrackers since I have a few prized ones from my trips to Germany.
One day I will visit this country!
China: Top pick here? Reflections of China. It's a very lovely Circle Vision 360 film. When the park opened years ago, only a few privileged folks were able to travel overseas to this destination. Now, it's more common, but it is still a treat to experience a slice of the culture. Take in the acrobats, explore the shops, and even look at the models and concept art for Shanghai Disneyland. In today's Disney, synergy is a game everyone plays. Like it or not, it's all about the money.
It's difficult to hate Olaf.
Photo from Laughing Place.
Norway: I hate to admit it, but Anna and Elsa's attraction has grown on me. I absolutely detest several aspects of Frozen Ever After (the placement, the transformation of World Showcase into Magic Kingdom 2.0, the low end budget given the ride once it was decided upon), but there are parts that unexpectedly charmed me.
Always changing- for better or worse.
Mexico: I guess now that it's long gone, El Rio del Tiempo doesn't count anymore. It's been replaced by Gran Fiesta Tour, but that newer attraction still makes it my first choice and top pick. Not the entire boat ride mind you, but the first minute or so cruising the lagoon toward the ancient temple is true Disney magic. Back when this part of the park was about culture and not Disney animated properties and live action films, El Rio del Tiempo and its catchy song spoke EPCOT Center to me almost as much as Journey Into Imagination. Two totally different attractions and executions, but still full of Disney magic. On our last trip, our dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel was a surprise- one of our best meals of the entire vacation. Listen to the mariachis, drink a margarita, and enjoy the sights and flavors. Will Coco come to Mexico? Will Brazil finally be announced? What else is coming? We will find out more in a few days!
Sure, World Showcase holds a particularly charming version of the United Kingdom, but we also know the Disney Imagineers would work through multiple versions of attractions and ideas that never make it past the storyboards.
One such idea for Epcot exists now in the annals of the past: Imagine a towering Big Ben, the common name for the Great Clock of the Palace of Westminster, shining brightly above it all..
Sailing on a simulated Thames River, guests would have toured the sights, enjoying the sounds of the cityscape, such as the recreation of the Tower of London, as well as the country. The required sites would include a pub, tea garden, and many of the elements that would make it past the opening plans.
The beloved clock tower in scaled form could have appeared at the back of the pavilion a la the Eiffel Tower found just meters away in the France Showcase. But it was not to be. For now, the only place to see the sights such as these is the real London. Thank God it is not too expensive to get there!
With its very charming shops, the very good The Rose and Crown restaurant, its adjoining pub, and the British Invasion, an excellent Beatles tribute band that plays from time to time, the United Kingdom showcase is a must stop on any trip to Epcot. The concept art shown above was created to give the designers and future guests a feeling for the place. There are no black taxi cabs here and even the double decker buses that once cruised by have stopped. There is one single red telephone booth to be found, but the obvious landmarks like The Tower of London or even Big Ben from the Houses of Parliament were overlooked in favor of a quainter reproduction. (How I still wish there was a forced perspective building of the clock tower to be found!) This lends the area a more rural feel than I expected on my very first visit shortly after the park opened. Over the years, not much has been added to the pavilion (do you see a trend here?) but an excellent fish shoppe from Harry Ramsden and a station for the kid friendly Kim Possible adventure. The gardens in the back make for a nice place to stop and rest, but I cannot forget the same area, shown above towards the back of the piece, was once targeted for a large theater and other diversions in its first incarnation. Another unfortunate loss due to overextended budgets. The Tea Caddy remains a destination for those of us longing for some treats from across the pond, but I certainly wouldn't mind a smaller gift outpost from Harrod's. Or a real adventure. Even a Mary Poppins themed attraction or a smaller version of Madame Tussaud's wax museum. The possibilities are only as limited as the cash Disney is willing to put out- if they ever do decide to invest in this portion of the park.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
Back when EPCOT Center's World Showcase looked more like an industrial exhibition, the United Kingdom was represented by this storefront approach to design. This photograph first appeared in the company's 1975 annual report. As you can see, the design had its roots in the 70's- and it lacked the charm of the World Showcase we would know and love, the one that debuted to the public. Thankfully, wisdom prevailed, and a new design plan was initiated. The beautiful blue Florida skies soon became filled with representations of famous landmarks rather than silhouettes of something that resembled the Magic Kingdom's instantly dated Tomorrowland. And aren't we glad!
(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
