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World Showcase Review
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World Showcase
- Category: Amusement Parks
- Location: Epcot
Fodor's Review:
Nowhere but at Epcot can you explore a little corner of almost a dozen countries in one day. As you stroll the 1 1/3 mi around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon, you circumnavigate the globe according to Disney by experiencing the native food, entertainment, culture, and arts and crafts at pavilions representing 11 countries in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Americas. Pavilion employees are from the countries they represent -- Disney hires them to live and work for up to a year as part of its international college program.
Instead of rides, you have breathtaking films at the Canada, China, and France pavilions; several art exhibitions; and the chance to chat in the native language of the friendly foreign staff members. Each pavilion also has a designated Kidcot Fun Stop, open daily from 11 AM or noon until around 8 or 9 PM, where youngsters can try their hands at crafts projects -- they might make a Moroccan fez or a Norwegian troll, for instance. Live entertainment is an integral part of the pavilions' presentations, and some of your finest moments here will be watching incredibly talented Dragon Legend Chinese Acrobats, singing along with a terrific band of Fab Four impersonators in the U.K. pavilion and the rockin' Off Kilter band in Canada, or laughing along with some improv fun in the Italy courtyard. Dining is another favorite pastime at Epcot, and the World Showcase offers tempting tastes of the authentic cuisines of the countries that have pavilions.
The best times to visit are April through early June, during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, and October through mid-November, during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Keep in mind, however, that crowds do get heavier during these festivals, even though they're scheduled outside the peak season.
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