O' Canada

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O' Canada
OCanada.jpg
The entrance sign to O' Canada.
Epcot
Land World Showcase
Attraction type Travelogue Film
Opening date October 1, 1982
Hosted by Martin Short
Ride duration 14:00 minutes
FastPass + No

O' Canada is an attraction located within the Canada pavilion in World Showcase.

Attraction History

When working on a film for the Canada pavilion, Disney Imagineers decided that they wanted to use Circle Vision 360 to capture the various Canadian landscapes [1]. The Circle Vision 360 format was chosen, because the scope of the scenes (especially the Canadian wilderness) was so broad[1]. It took director Bill Bosce and his filming crew of seven an aggregate of over two years to research, photograph and edit O'Canada [2]. When Bosce was given the assignment to create a film for the Canada pavilion, he decided to take the perspective of one who had never been to Canada before [2]. In order to get an idea of what to film, Bosce contacted the Canadian Government's Ministry of Tourism who refereed him to various provincial agencies[2]. Shooting began in May of 1980, and continued on an off for the next two years[2]. When discussing the filming schedule Bosche said:

William Bosche said:
"There were lots of bits and pieces. We had to schedule our shooting when events were happening and, of course, we were dependent upon weather"[3]

William Bosche

After filming was complete, Disney had shot over 250,000 feet of film, which was then edited down to an 18 minute movie[1]. Finally, the film opened as O’ Canada with the rest of the Canada pavilion on October 1, 1982.

In 1987 the Canadian government wanted Disney to update O'Canada, and negotiations began that called for the country to pay $1 million dollars to create a new film. At this time, the Canadian government boasted about its active involvement in the pavilion. For unknown reasons however, the 1987 update never took place.

In the year 2000, the Canadian Tourism Commission began to lobby for an update of O’ Canada [4]. Although initially hesitant, Disney finally updated the film in 2007. On August 20, 2007, the original O’ Canada closed [5]. Although Disney did not announce the reason for its closure, when the attraction reopened on September 1, it had in fact received an update [6]. The new version of O' Canada features a combination of old and new footage, as well as a new narration by comedian Martin Short [5]. The attraction's popular theme song, "Canada - You're a Lifetime Journey" was also rerecorded by Canadian sing Eva Avila, who won the singing completion Canadian Idol [1]. The current version of O' Canada has been shortened to 14 minutes long [1].

Attraction Plot

The current version of O' Canada begins in a snowstorm, where the attractions voice over narrator tells guests that in Canada it snows 24/7, every day of the year. As he is giving his monologue, Martin Short emerges from the snow storm, and yells "Stop the movie!" He then tells the narrator that the audience needs to hear about Canada from a real Canadian (himself). After a brief back and forth, the attraction’s original narrator leaves, claiming that he is, "Going to the France pavilion film, where they appreciate an invisible narrator!".

The next scene in the film takes guests to Niagara Falls, where Short explains that although many people think of the falls as an American attraction, half of the landmark (Horseshoe Falls) is actually in Canada. Short then takes guests to see some of Canada’s other landmarks. The tour begins in the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. Guests then view the countries west coast, before visiting Vancouver Island's gardens. Here, flowers and other plants are shown blooming. Following the garden scene, Short tells guests that nearby they can see Cathedral Grove, where some of the trees are 800 years old.

At this point in the film, Short comments that Canadians have a love for the wilderness, and a montage of Canadian animals are shown. Following a scene involving a polar bear, Short has to admit that it does snow in Canada. However, he proceeds to put a positive spin on it by showing guests skiers and snowboarders performing tricks. Subsequently, curling is featured and Short confesses that he gets a little excited about the sport.

The next scene in the film shows kids (Including a “young Marty Short” playing hockey at the Rideau Canal). Back in the present time, Short is shown in his hockey gear. As the ice below him breaks, he claims "looks like things are starting to warm up". A montage of warm weather sports including, white water rafting, horse racing, baseball, skateboarding and lacrosse are then featured.

The scene then cuts to Nova Scotia, where Short informs guests that sailing is the passion here. The province is also the home of the legendary Bluenose, which is featured on the back of the Canadian dime. After leaving Nova Scotia, guests see the small towns of Moosejaw and Medicine Hat, before Short tells guests that it’s time to view the big cities. The big cities that guests then visit are:

  • Victoria, British Columbia
  • Vancouver, where Canada’s film industry is based.
  • Calgary, where Short tells guests that outdoor adventure meets city living. The Calgary Stampede is also featured.
  • Toronto, which Short describes as the height of Canadian sophistication. The Toronto International Film Festival is featured.
  • Quebec, which is described as the cradle of French civilization in North America (It is also the only walled city in Canada).
  • Finally, guests are taken to the largest city in Quebec, Montreal. Here, Cirque du Soleil is featured.

Following the tour of Canada’s big cities, a montage of famous Canadian’s is shown. Among the celebrities featured are:

  • Mike Myers
  • William Shatner
  • Joni Mitchell
  • Avril Lavigne
  • Matthew Perry
  • Catherine O'Hara
  • Keanu Reeves
  • k.d. lang
  • Martin Short

After the montage ends, various average Canadians are shown, followed by more images of the Canadian landscape. During this montage the attraction’s theme song “Canada You're a Lifetime Journey” plays. Martin Short then returns guests to Niagara Falls, where he invites them to visit Canada, by taking a left at the “big silver ball” and then heading north. Short ends his narration by saying that he has to go, because he has a FastPass for Soarin’.

Watch the Film

To see the current version of O' Canada click play below:

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • The original version of O' Canada was the only World Showcase attraction built without the input of a sponsor [5].
  • O' Canada drew its inspiration from the popular Circle Vision 360 film Canada '67 which was shown during the The 1967 International and Universal Exposition in Montreal [7].
  • 600 people can fit inside the O' Canada Theater [8].

References

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/city/story.html?id=8e65e8f9-1371-49f1-a069-c64c40d6731a&k=35547

http://www.wdwhistory.com/wiki/O_Canada!

http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=108
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/04/canada_pavilion_part_two_1.html
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Canada Pavilion New Hire Handbook.: Walt Disney Productions, 1982. Print.
  3. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19830508&id=AQowAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4492,3624351&hl=en
  4. http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=e3f06cda-1565-417e-8ab0-38d00965e68d&sponsor
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.martinsvids.net/?tag=canada-pavilion
  6. http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/o-canada-2007/news/02sep2007-o-canada-reopens.htm
  7. http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2011/6/2/expo-67.html
  8. http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/details/epcot/world-showcase/canada-pavilion/o-canada