Difference between revisions of "China"

Revision as of 00:21, 14 April 2012

China is a pavilion located within World Showcase in Epcot. It is located between the Norway and Germany.

History

When planning World Showcase, two communist countries were interested in sponsoring their own pavilion, the Soviet Union and China. The Soviet Union however, demanded that communist ideals be presented in the pavilion, which Disney balked at. China on the other hand, was more then willing to present it's countries history and culture without involving politics. Plans for the China pavilion called for a CircleVision 360 named Wonders of China. In order to create the film, Disney entered into negotiations with the Chinese, over what they could and could not film. Although initially hampered by strict restrictions, they were eventually able to acquire more freedom. Filming began in the summer of 1981 with both American and Chinese crews working on the project. Chinese film crews were used to film the sensitive areas (such as Tibet or the Great Wall) which the Chinese government did not want Westerners to go. Filming concluded in 1982, and the attraction was ready for Epcot's opening day.

The China pavilion opened on October 1, 1982 with the rest of World Showcase. Besides the Wonders of China film, the pavilion also included two shops, various gardens, and museum housing Chinese artifacts. The center piece of the pavilion is a replica of the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvests, which is part of the Temple of Heaven complex located Southeast of central Beijing. The replica was built at 1/2 scale, and designed so that guests enter the Temple before seeing the Wonders of China film. The first change to the pavilion came when in 1985 when a new restaurant was constructed. One of the gardens located near where Norway is today, was originally going to be used as a transition from China to the planned Denmark pavilion. When plans for Denmark were scrapped, the garden was replaced by two restaurants, the Nine Dragons and the Lotus Blossom Cafe. Both restaurants official opened on October 24, 1985m and both serve traditional Chinese food. Since 1985, the only other major change to the pavilion came in 2003, when the CircleVision 360 film Wonders of China was updated. New scenes and narration were added to the movie and when the film reopened, it was renamed "Reflections of China". In 2007 both of China's restaurants, the Nine Dragons and the Lotus Blossom Cafe were renovated. During the refurbishment, both facades were re-themed to make the restaurants appear more modern.

Current Pavilion Layout

The entrance to China is decorated by three large rocks and several stone benches. This was done, to represent the ancient Chinese believe that unusal rock forms brought inner peace and serenity. Guests enter the pavilion by walking beneath the Zhao Yan Men (meaning "Gate of the Golden Sun), which is a replica of a gate found at the Summer Palace, located nine miles north of central Beijing. After entering, guests can see a lotus pool surronded by a typical Chinese Garden. The main walkway in China is known as the Street of Good Fortune. The street was inspired by the roadways found in Beijing. In fact, Disney Imagineers intentionally made the path more narrow then guest capacity would dictate, in order have guests experience the crowded conditions of China. As mentioned above, guests can enter the the Temple of Heaven to view the film, Reflections of China. Also located in the Hall is The House of the Whispering Willows gallery, which features various Chinese exhibits.

In total, their are currently three dining locations in China, The Nine Dragons (a table service restaurant), the Lotus Blossom Cafe (a counter service restaurant) and the Joy of Tea stand which sells slushies, ice cream, BBQ pork, curry chicken pockets and alcholic beverages. If you are looking for authentic Chinese merchandise, visit The House of Good Fortune, which sells everything from Chinese tea to valuable works of art. Another shopping location, Good Fortune Gifts, sells Chinese puppets among other authentic merchandise.

Current Attractions

Reflections of China- This CircleVision 360 film, gives guests a breathtaking tour of China. The entrance to the film is located inside the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvest.

Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure- On this interactive adventure, guests can grab a communicator and travel around World Showcase to help Kim and Ron save the world! The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure takes place in every one of the World Showcase countries.

Restaurants

Nine Dragons- This table service restaurant offers a traditional Chinese meal. Nine Dragons features cuisine from the four regions of China: Szechuan, Cantonese, Mandarin and Kiangche.

Lotus Blossom Cafe- The Lotus Blossom Cafe specializes in stir fry and other Chinese dishes. Located next to Nine Dragons, the restaurant is a counter service type.

Joy of Tea- This quaint stand is located on the shore of the World Showcase Lagoon. Besides just selling tea and refreshments, guests can also grab a Chinese snack or a slushie here.

Shopping

House of Good Fortune- The main shop in the China pavilion, the House of Good Fortune as a wide variety of authentic Chinese merchandise.

Good Fortune Gifts- Although this outdoor shop is much smaller then the House of Good Fortune, guests can buy authentic Chinese puppets, among other merchandise here.

Live Entertainment

Dragon Legend Acrobats Young performers from the Pu Yang Academy of Acrobatics in China entertain daily in the China pavilion.

Characters

Mulan- Mulan can often be found in the China pavilion, usually near the Lotus Blossom Cafe. (Common)

Fun Facts and Trivia

• If you stand in the center of the Hall of whatever, your voice will ehco off the ceiling and come back to you!

• A mulberry tree was selected for the pavilion's garden to represent China's silk industry.

• The garden itself was inspired found by those in Suzhou, a large city near Shanghai.

• Mushu, from the Disney movie Mulan used to appear in the China pavilion, although the character has since been retired.

• SI XIAN, a tradional Chinese Folk group used to perform in the The Temple of Heaven.

• Inside the Temple of Heaven, there are Inside the hall, there are twelve outer columns supporting the roof. They represent the twelve months of the year and the twelve year cycle of the Chinese calendar

References

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/02/china_pavilion_part_one_1.html

http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=414

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/china-pavilion/