Epcot
Epcot is a theme park located in Walt Disney World.
| Epcot | |
| |
| Spaceship Earth, the icon of Epcot. | |
| Theme | Technology, The Future, Internationality |
|---|---|
| Website | Epcot Homepage |
| Opened | October 1, 1982 |
| Icon | Spaceship Earth |
Contents
History
Walt Disney's Experimental Community of Tomorrow
The genesis for what would one day be known as Epcot began in the early 1960s with Walt Disney himself. After having many grandchildren, Walt began to worry about the world that they would grow up in. As he looked around the cities of America, he saw places that were full of crime, disorganization, dirt and chaos. Disneyland on the other hand was the opposite of these things, and Walt decided that he could take the Disneyland philosophy and apply it to the real world. To go along with this, Disneyland had also proved that Walt and his company were very efficient in the art of constructing and designing buildings. With this information in mind, he began to read about how to start a city.
Walt’s plan for a utopian city got its name in 1966, when Disney narrated a video in which he described his dream. The city would be housed near the planned Disney World in central Florida, and would be called the Experimental Community of Tomorrow or EPCOT. Walt called EPCOT, “the most exciting, by far the most important,” and the heart of what he planned to do in Disney World. The city would take its cues from the new ideas and technologies of American industry and would be a “community of tomorrow”. Walt wanted to plan and design every detail of the city, in order to meet the public's needs. Industry was also expected to partner with Disney to solve the problems of the society. Walt said that EPCOT would never be finished, it would always be improving. He hoped that when it was built, it would house about 20,000 people.
EPCOT was laid out to be the perfect city. It took its design from Disneyland, in that there would be a central hub that roads and monorails would connect to the other parts of the city. The center “hub” of EPCOT would have been a large business area. The area would have been under a dome that would control the temperature and weather. The business area would also have included office buildings, shopping, and the “crown jewel” of EPCOT-the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which would be located at the center of EPCOT and would be 30 stories tall. The hotel would also house (in the basement) the transportation lobby of the city. Underground, People Movers would transport passengers to the various parts of town, and cars and trucks would also have underground highways that they would be able to use (although no gas vehicles would travel above land). The hub would also feature offices, theaters, nightlife, restaurants, and a shopping center that would sell items from around the world.
Outside of the business area would be the high density apartment housing. Citizens who lived here would have the luxury of being close to the business area, but would have live in apartment complexes. Outside of the apartment housing was to be the recreation area, which would have consisted of things such as pools, parks, churches and schools. Beyond the recreation area would have been the residential neighborhood, where a large number of families would have lived. This area would have consisted of housing and small recreation areas such as playgrounds.
The final part of EPCOT would have been the industrial center. This is where companies from around the world would work on various projects. Walt wanted guests to be able to visit these companies, and hopefully take some inspiration for industry home with them. Citizens of EPCOT would take a monorail to the rest of Walt Disney World and the EPCOT industrial center. The monorail and the People Mover were expected to be the main methods of transportation in EPCOT thus eliminating traffic.
From City to Theme Park
1975 EPCOT Plan
When Walt Disney died in 1966, the future of EPCOT was forever changed. In 1967 the Reedy Creek Improvement District was signed into law giving Disney more liberties when it came to construction. Furthermore, the state of Florida created the cities of Bay Lake and Reedy Creek, which were essentially governed by the Walt Disney Company. Although this seemed like the first step towards the construction of EPCOT, Disney’s board of the directors decided that they did not want to build the city. Despite Roy O. Disney’s desire to see EPCOT built, when Walt Disney World opened in 1971 it consisted of only the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, and the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds.
By 1975, Disney had determined that EPCOT as a day to day community was not a feasible idea. Instead, Disney announced that they would be taking the ideals and goals of EPCOT and building it in the form of a theme park. In July of 1975 Disney announced that their plans for EPCOT would have three main components. The first component would be the EPCOT Institute, which would have helped facilitate the flow of research and information from EPCOT’s other components, to the parks sponsors and the general public. The second component of EPCOT would be various “satellites” where research and development of future products and new systems in fields such energy, communication, agriculture, and education would take place. The EPCOT satellites would be located both on Walt Disney World property and off. The third, and most perhaps most prominent component of the 1975 EPCOT plan, was the Future World Theme Center. Here, guests would be able to visit various pavilions that showed the research that was being done at EPCOT. Fields including communication, science and technology would all be showcased in the Future World Theme Center.
To go along with the scientific and futuristic components of EPCOT, Disney also announced related plans for World Showcase and International Village. World Showcase was to be an area that allowed guests to experience the different cultures of the world. Each country would have its own exhibits space, in a vein similar to a World’s Fair. Furthermore, the showcase would show how technology and communication could promote the betterment of all nations. The International Village on the other hand, would be a place where the international cast members that worked in World Showcase would live. The World Showcase area was to be built separately from the Future World Theme Center; however the two locations would be connected by monorail. This new version of Walt’s original EPCOT idea was described in the 1975 annual report:
EPCOT will be a forum where creative men and women of science, industry, government and the arts from around the world can present and demonstrate new concepts and systems. It will be dedicated to the advancement of new technologies and approaches to meeting the challenges we face throughout the world today
Development and Construction
Following Disney’s announcement of EPCOT, plans for their newest theme park remained in flux. By 1976, the scope of the project had been narrowed, with one section of the park being the Future World Theme Center, and the other section being World Showcase. Imagineers Marty Sklar and John Hench literally had pushed models of the two areas together, creating the unified EPCOT that would eventually be built. During the ongoing development, the name of the park was changed to EPCOT Center, and the parameters of what the park would include were more clearly defined. The Future World portion of EPCOT Center would contain various pavilions including: Spaceship Earth, CommuniCore, the Life and Health Pavilion, the Transportation pavilion, The Seas, The Land, the Space pavilion, and the Energy pavilion. Like Future World, World Showcase had also changed dramatically since its initial incarnation. By 1977, World Showcase was designed so that all of the countries’ exhibits were now surrounding a central lagoon. Another change in the area had to do with the exterior architecture. Initially, Disney (and CEO Card Walker) had wanted the exterior facades of each country’s pavilion to be identical, and interconnected. Imagineer Harper Goff on the other hand, felt that the pavilions should be highly themed and unique, with landmarks from each country drawing guests towards the pavilion. Although Goff’s idea was initially rejected, the Imagineer continued to press the issue. One day, when various international sponsors were touring the plans for World Showcase, Goff left paintings of the highly themed and aesthetically pleasing pavilions on display. Due to the enthusiastic response of the investors, Goff won out, and World Showcase was given unique exteriors. Initially planned as a six year project, construction on EPCOT Center began in October 1979, with a projected opening date of October 1, 1982. At the time of its construction, EPCOT Center was considered the largest construction project in the world.
Opening
Despite the massive amount of construction that was necessary, EPCOT Center was ready in time for its opening day- October 1, 1982. When the park opened it featured nine pavilions in World Showcase and seven pavilions in Future World. On October 1, the International Ceremony of the Waters took place, where containers of water from 25 bodies of water (representing) 29 countries were poured into The Fountain of Nations. A Grand Opening Week was then held from October 17-October 27, during which many of the parks individual pavilions were dedicated. On hand for the festivities were VIP Cast Members including Walt’s widow Lillian, key members of the press, celebrities (including Drew Barrymore and Marie Osmond) and top executives from sponsor companies. On October 24, Disney CEO Card Walker officially dedicated the new park:
To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship—welcome.EPCOT is inspired by Walt Disney's creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.
— E Cardon Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Productions
October 24, 1982
Walker's dedication was followed by speeches from Florida Governor Bob Graham and AT&T president William Ellinghouse. Also on hand for the opening were marching bands and dancers who performed, “We've Only Just Begun To Dream” and a new Sherman Brother’s song, “World Showcase March”. Various musical acts from different countries also performed in World Showcase, and the festivities concluded with 1,000 doves and 15,00 balloons being released in celebration. Also of note, CBS aired a television special, EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration, which was hosted by Danny Kaye and actually aired the day before the official dedication, October 23. The opening day EPCOT Center pavilions were:
| Future World (Sponsor) | World Showcase |
| CommuniCore East (Sponsor by attraction) | Canada |
| CommuniCore West (Sponsor by attraction) | China |
| Journey Into Imagination (Kodak) | France |
| The Land (Kraft) | Italy |
| Spaceship Earth/Earth Station (Bell System) | Japan |
| Universe of Energy(Exxon) | Germany |
| World of Motion (General Motors) | Mexico |
| The United Kingdom | |
| American Adventure |
History Since Opening Day
After the Grand Opening in October of 1982, EPCOT Center continued to expand rapidly. The expansion, known as Phase II, began on October 1, 1983 with the addition the Horizons pavilion. Horizons, which was sponsored by General Electric, was a dark ride attraction that took guests into the 21st century, to see what the future might be like. The attraction would be one of EPCOT Center's most popular rides in the 1980s. Exactly one year after the addition of Horizons, the Morocco pavilion opened in World Showcase. Although the pavilion didn't feature any new attraction, the popular Restaurant Marrakesh opened at this time. Future World saw even more expansion in 1986 when The Living Seas opened on January 15th. Although a Seas pavilion had always been planned for EPCOT Center, changes in design and budget constraints delayed the pavilion’s construction. Sponsored by United Technologies, The Living Seas focused on oceanic study, and housed the world’s largest aquarium (at the time of its construction). World Showcase was the next area to expand, when in 1988 the Norway pavilion was completed. Although not ready for the pavilion’s opening, the popular Maelstrom attraction opened later in 1988. In 1989 the final pavilion was added to Epcot, The Wonders of Life. The pavilion was sponsored by Met Life and featured the popular motion simulator Body Wars as well as Cranium Command and the Making of Me. The addition of the Wonders of Life signaled the end of EPCOT Center’s expansion.
Beginning in the 1990s, EPCOT Center (specifically Future World) went through a series of refurbishments and change. From 1993 through 1994 The Land pavilion went through a series of changes. Kraft assumed sponsorship of the pavilion, and Food Rocks, Living with the Land, and The Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable replaced the pavilion's original attractions. In 1994 the name of the park itself also changed- to EPCOT '94 as an illusion to the World’s Fair atmosphere that now defined EPCOT. Also in 1994, CommuniCore closed its doors for a length renovation. In order to revive the dated CommuniCore’s popularity, new interactive exhibits featuring hands-on activities were added. On July 1, 1994, the pavilion reopened as Innoventions. Besides changing exhibits, Innoventions also featured more darker and metallic looking aesthetics. Another change to hit Epcot in 1994 was General Electric ending its sponsorship of Horizons. Although the pavilion initially closed, it later reopened in 1995 due to the renovations taking place in The World of Motion and Universe of Energy pavilions. Also in 1995, the name EPCOT '94 was updated to EPCOT '95, before Disney finally settled on simply “Epcot” in 1996. Of note, is the fact that the new name was not capitalized as it had been in the past; which meant that the name was no longer an acronym. In January of 1996, The Universe of Energy closed for a major refurbishment. The pavilion reopened in September of that year, as Ellen's Energy Adventure. Although the main focus and some of the attraction’s scenes remained intact, with the addition of Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy, the pavilion took on a more comedic tone. More closures hit Epcot in 1996 when the World of Motion closed. After a series of delays, the pavilion reopened in 1999 as [[Test Track]. Still sponsored by General Motors, Test Track took guests through the rigors of automobile testing procedures, including a speed test, where guests reach a maximum speed of 65 mph.
Change continued to be a constant at Epcot, as the park got ready for its Millennium Celebration. In 1998, the popular Journey Into Imagination pavilion closed for refurbishment. During the renovation, the Journey Into Imagination attraction was replaced by the unpopular Journey Into Your Imagination, and the upstairs ImageWorks was closed off to guests (a smaller ImageWorks reopened in the pavilion's first floor). Following the renovation, the pavilion was renamed simply Imagination!. The following year, in January of 1999, Horizons closed for good. The pavilion had remained unsponsored since GE ended its sponsorship in 1994, and it was beginning to look dated. As opposed to repurposing the pavilion, Disney instead chose to demolish it, to create room for the announced Mission: Space attraction. In 2000, Disney also decided to add a large mickey arm holding a wand, to the top of Spaceship Earth. The large dedication “2000” was also added at the end of the wand, although this was subsequently changed to “Epcot” starting in 2001.
Following the addition of the wand, Epcot stayed relativity stagnant until 2003 when Mission: Space finally opened. The new attraction was a motion simulator thrill ride which was themed as an astronaut training program for the first flight to Mars. In 2005, Another simulator was added to the park, this time to the Land pavilion in the form of the new attraction Soarin'. Initially created for Disney’s California Adventure, this motion simulator gave guests the feeling they were hang gliding over California. In 2006, The Living Seas was rethemed to tie in with the Disney-Pixar movie Finding Nemo, subsequently renamed The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The pavilion now housed a dark ride attraction (also called the Seas with Nemo & Friends), as well as Turtle Talk with Crush, and the interactive exhibits in Sea Base. Overall, the pavilion took a much more of a fantasy tone, as opposed to the previously scientific tone of the pavilion. The most recent major change to Epcot came in 2007, when the Wonders of Life Pavilion closed. The pavilion had not been sponsored since 2001 when MetLife dropped its sponsorship, and had seen a decrease in popularity. The Wonders of Life pavilion remains closed to guests, except during special events like the Flower and Wine Festival.
Current Future World Pavilions Pavilions
Innoventions
Main Article: Innoventions
Innoventions opened in 1994 and houses exhibits that feature new technological advancements. Located in the center of Future World, Innoventions took over the buildings that formally hosted CommuniCore from 1982-1994. Innoventions is also home to one attraction, The Sum of All Thrills. Sponsored by Raytheon, the Sum of all Thrills allows guest to create their own virtual reality thrill ride, and then “ride” it. Innoventions is also home to Club Cool, which allows guests to cool off and try complementary Coca-Cola products from around the world.
Imagination!
Main Article: Imagination!
Formally known as Journey Into Imagination, the Imagination! pavilion opened in 1982 and is located in Future World West. Inside Imagination! guests can visit two attractions: the dark ride Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and the 3D film Captain EO. Also located within the pavilion is the interactive ImageWorks, which houses individual exhibits that allow guests to explore their imagination.
The Land
Main Article: The Land
Perhaps the most popular pavilion in Epcot, The Land opened with the park in 1982 and is located in Future World West. Inside the pavilion guests will find Soarin', a motion simulator attraction that takes guests hang gliding over California, as well as the Circle of Life: and Environmental Fable film and the boat ride Living with the Land. The Land pavilion houses a working greenhouse, which grows much of the food that is used in the pavilion's restaurants, the Garden Grille and the Sunshine Seasons.
Mission Space
Main Article: Mission: Space
Mission: Space opened in 2003 in Future World East, in the location originally occupied by the Horizons pavilion. Mission: Space is a motion simulator attraction that allows guests to experience astronaut training for the first manned trip to Mars. After riding Mission Space guests can explore the Advanced Training Lab which features a competition game and interactive exhibits.
The Seas With Nemo & Friends
Main Article: The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Formally known as the Living Seas, this pavilion opened in 1986 in Future World East. Initially known for its large Caribbean Coral Reef aquarium, The Seas With Nemo & Friends now features a dark ride (also named The Seas with Nemo and Friends) that takes guests through the story of The Disney's Finding Nemo. Also located in the Seas pavilion is Turtle Talk With Crush, an interactive “digital puppetry” show that allows guests to interact with Crush the turtle from Finding Nemo. Finally, the Seas with Nemo & Friends also houses Sea Base, an underwater research facility with Finding Nemo themed exhibits. The only restaurant in the pavilion is the Coral Reef Restaurant which specializes in seafood.
Spaceship Earth
Main Article: Spaceship Earth
The icon of the park, Spaceship Earth opened in 1982 in Future World East. The attraction is a dark ride that takes guests through the history human communication. Since 2005 Spaceship Earth has been sponsored by Siemens, who added a new emphasis on new technology, and how these could impact the future.
Test Track
Main Article: Test Track (Pavilion)
The fastest attraction in Disney World, Test Track opened December 19, 1998 in Future World East. Test Track replaced the World of Motion pavilion in 1998. The attraction allows guests to board a GM and drive through a “testing facility”. It takes guests through tests such as the suspension test, barrier test and the environmental chambers. After surviving all of these test guests reach a speed of 65 MPH before returning to the loading dock. Test Track is sponsored by General Motors, which also sponsored the World of Motion pavilion.
Universe of Energy
Main Article: Universe of Energy
The Universe of Energy opened with the park in 1982 and is located in Future World East. The attraction located inside the Pavilion, Ellen's Energy Adventure, features three films and a seven minute dark ride. The attraction looks at the history and future of energy and stars Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye. Ellen's Energy Adventure opened in 1996 and replaced the similar Universe of Energy ride that was housed in the pavilion.
Former Future World Pavilions
Horizons
Main Article: Horizons
Horizons was a dark ride attraction that opened in 1983 in Future World East. The attraction was considered to be a sequel to the Magic Kingdom attraction The Carousel of Progress. Unlike the Carrousel of Progress which showed progress that had already happened in the twentieth century, Horizons showed progress that could happen in the 21st. Horizons tied together all the other themes of Future World: communication, community, energy, transportation, anatomy, physiology, along with man's relationship to the sea, land, air, and space. On Horizons guests would look back at what people thought the future would be like, and then look forward to what it could be. On each individual ride vehicle guests could see a vision of the future by “traveling” through a space colony, desert farm, or underwater research facility. Horizons was permanently closed in 1999.
CommuniCore
Main Article: CommuniCore
CommuniCore opened with the park in 1982 and housed exhibits featuring the new technology. The pavilion was located in Future World East, and was divided into two parts: CommuniCore East and CommuniCore West. Exhibits featuring such things as the Sega game system and touch screens were once shown in pavilion. In 1994 CommuniCore was closed and redesigned. When it re-opened it still featured technology exhibits but the name of the pavilion was changed to Innoventions. Innoventions had a darker color scheme and flashier attractions then CommuniCore however the basic principal of the pavilions were the same.
Wonders of Life
Main Article: Wonders of Life
The Wonders of Life Pavilion opened in 1989 in Future World East. The pavilion focused on human health and was sponsored by MetLife. Inside the pavilion were three attractions: Body Wars, Cranium Command, and the Making of Me. Body Wars was a motion simulator attraction that “shrunk” riders so that they could enter a human body and carry out a mission. The attraction is considered to be Epcot's first thrill ride and was also often compared to Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Cranium Command was a humorous film that taught guests the importance of the human brain. The show featured Buzzy an Audio Animatronic who is a “brain pilot”. The attraction followed Buzzy as he used a host human's brain to go through an average day. The final attraction located in the Wonders of Life Pavilion was The Making of Me. Hosted by Martin Short, The Making of Me was an education film that taught guests how babies were born. The Wonders of Life closed in 2007 after MetLife dropped it's sponsorship.
World Showcase Pavilions
Mexico
Main Article: Mexico
The Mexico Pavilion opened with World Showcase in 1982. It is the first pavilion guests reach if they go left at the entrance to World Showcase. The pavilion is shaped like a large Mesoamerican pyramid. The pavilion is home to the boat ride attraction, The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. On the attraction guests board small boats and tour Mexico, while watching Jose and Panchito (from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) search for Donald Duck. Located right next to the attraction is the San Angel Inn, a Mexican restaurant. Also inside the pavilion is a large Mexican shop which sells Mexican themed merchandise as well as Disney Merchandise. Outside of the pavilion guests can eat at either the Cantina de San Ángel or the La Hacienda de San Angel. Located on the lagoon, both restaurants are counter service restaurant which offers Mexican cuisine.
Norway
Main Article: Norway
If guests continue to go around World Showcase clockwise, the next country they will find themselves in is Norway. Norway opened in 1988 and is themed to resemble a small Norwegian town. The Norway pavilion is home to one attraction, the Malestorm. This boat ride takes guests through scenes depicting Vikings and Norway mythology. The attraction concludes with a 28 foot drop and a six minute travel video. Besides the Malestorm, Norway is also home to a detailed Stave church and a large shop. The pavilion also has two dining options. The first, Kringla Bakeri og Kafe offers pastries and sandwiches. Also in Norway is the Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. The Princess Storybook Dining is a character restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
China
Main Article: China
The China pavilion is located next to Norway, and opened with the park in 1982. The pavilion is themed to look like an ancient Chinese town, and features the Circle Vision 360 film, Reflections of China. Also in China is the table service restaurant Nine Dragons which features gourmet, traditional Chinese food. A quick services restaurant, the Lotus Chinese Cafe also sells Chinese dishes. China is also home to the Dragon Legend Acrobats who entertain guests throughout the day.
Germany
Main Article: Germany
As guests pass through China the next pavilion they will come across is Germany. The Germany pavilion is themed to look like a small German town and has decorations such as a statue of St. George slaying a dragon and a clock tower. The German pavilion was supposed to have a boat attraction like Norway and Mexico which was going to be built with Phase II of Epcot. However, when Germany was not willing to pay for the attraction the plans were scrapped. The German pavilion is home to Beiergarten Restaurant a buffet style German restaurant, and Sommerfest a quick service restaurant. Also in Germany are four shops, and miniature train and village.
Italy
Main Article: Italy
The Italy pavilion is located next to Germany and is the farthest point from the World Showcase entrance. The pavilion opened in 1982 and is themed with architecture from Venice, Florence, and Rome. Italian landmarks such as St. Mark's Campanile and Dodge's Palace are recreated here. Like Germany, Italy was supposed to have an attraction. The attraction would have been a boat voyage through Roman ruins, but Italy did not provide funds for the attraction. Italy does however, have two sit down restaurants, Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli. Also in Italy are two shops, Il Bel Cristallo and La Bottega Italiana.
The American Adventure
Main Article: The American Adventure
The next pavilion guests will encounter after passing through Italy is The American Adventure. Opened in 1982, the American Adventure is themed after a colonial American town. The pavilion gets its name from it's only attraction. Inside the American Adventure attraction, guests will travel through American history with Ben Franklin and Mark Twain. Audio Animatronics, images and video are used to tell the story of America. Also inside the American Adventure building is the a cappella group, The Voices of Liberty. The group sings Americana songs for guests, before the beginning of each show. Also located in the American Adventure, is the Liberty Inn which offers chicken, burgers, hot dogs and salads. Another restaurant, the Fife and Drum sells turkey legs, frozen beverages and beer. The American Gardens theater, an outdoor amphitheater also hosts concerts and other events. Finally, there is one shop located in the pavilion, Heritage Manor Gifts which sells American merchandise.
Japan
Main Article: Japan
The Japan pavilion opened with the park in 1982, and is located next to the American Experience. Japan does not have an attraction, however it does have an exhibit, the Bijutsu-kan which displays various Japanese art. The pavilion is themed with various Japanese buildings including tori gates and a Japanese castle. There are three restaurants located within the Japan pavilion. The first is Teppan Edo a stir fry restaurant. The second is Tokyo Dining which serves sushi and finally the Katsura Grill which is a traditional counter service restaurant. An offering unique to the Japan pavilion, is candy art created by Mikyuki. Finally, Japan is also home to the Mitsukoshi Department store which sells Japanese items, especially items based on Japanese pop culture.
Morocco
Main Article: Morocco
After guests pass through Japan, the next country they will encounter is Morocco. Morocco is the only pavilion in World Showcase to be sponsored by a country, not a corporation. When it opened in 1984, Morocco was the first pavilion to be added to World Showcase. The pavilion is themed to look like a realistic Moroccan town and even features a real minaret. Another minor attraction, the Fes House, shows guests what a typical Moroccan house would look like. The courtyard of the pavilion often has entertainment acts, including belly dancers. The Morocco pavilion is also home to two restaurants, Restaurant Marrakesh and Tangierine Cafe. Both restaurants serve typical Moroccan cuisine and are table service. In the pavilion there are also six shops which sell a variety of Moroccan merchandise.
France
Main Article: France
The France pavilion is located next to Morocco and opened with the park in 1982. The pavilion is themed to look like a Paris neighborhood, and even features a model Eiffel Tower. A number of shops are located within the France pavilion, all of which sell French merchandise. In total, there are three restaurants in the pavilion. The first, Bistro de Paris is an elegant table service restaurant that serves French dishes. Another restaurant, The Boulangerie Patisserie is a quick service restaurant and finally there is Les Chefs de France, a French bakery. The France pavilion is also home to one attraction, Impressions de France. The attraction is a panoramic video which shows guests various aspects of France.
The United Kingdom
Main Article: The United Kingdom
Neighboring France on the right is the United Kingdom pavilion. The United Kingdom opened with the park in 1982 and is themed to look like a typical English village. Although there is no attraction in the pavilion, there is two restaurants and six stores. The Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room is a table service restaurant that specializes in English food. The Yorkshire Country Fish Shop on the other hand is a quick service restaurant that sells only fish, chips and shortbread. One shop of note is the Sportsman's Shoppe which sells various English sporting equipment including Chealse and Liverpool shirts. For entertainment, guests should be sure to check out The British Revolution. They cover British Invasion music from the 1960's and 70's.
Canada
Main Article: Canada
The final pavilion located in World Showcase is the Canada pavilion. Canada is located between the United Kingdom and the entrance to World Showcase and opened with the park in 1982. The pavilion is themed to show guests the Canadian outdoors. A canyon, waterfall, and fountains all represent various parts of the Canadian country. The Canada pavilion also features the Circle Vision 360 Film, O' Canada. The Le Cellier Steakhouse gives guests the opportunity to sit down for a steak and wine meal. There are two shops located within the Canada pavilion. The first, Northwest Mercantile sells all kinds of Canadian merchandise including Christmas ornaments. The second store is The Wood Cart where guests can buy wine, or even get leather engraved.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- Guests can see a model of Walt Disney's Experimental Community of Tomorrow when riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
- Epcot cost nearly 1.4 billion dollars to create.
- Every fifteen minutes throughout the day, the Innoventions Plaza Fountain, which is located between Innoventions East and West, presents a spectacular water ballet set to music.
- As part of the Millennium Celebration, Disney installed 35 granite and steel “Leave A Legacy” sculptures in front of Spaceship Earth. Digitally etched onto these works of art are photos of guests who had their pictures taken at one of Epcot’s “Capture Stations”.
- The Fountain of Nations in Epcot can shoot water more than 150 feet into the air. If all of the water cannons were fired at the same time, 2,000 gallons of water would fill the air!
- There is a marker in Epcot showing the exact center of the park. It is located just to the west of Innoventions West (on that path that leads straight to the Land).
References
http://www.wdwradio.com/category/epcot/
http://progresscityusa.com/2011/06/19/epcot-origins-a-model-future-1978/
http://themickeywiki.com/index.php?title=Epcot&action=edit
http://disneyworld.orlandovacation.com/articles/history-of-epcot.php
http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/EpcotGrandOpening.html
https://sites.google.com/site/theoriginalepcot/1982-epcot-center
