Guide to Epcot’s World Showcase

Epcot’s World Showcase is one of the most fun things to do at Walt Disney World. Exploring each country, learning about the culture, eating the food, buying country specific merchandise, or even going on the ride or attraction that that country has to offer, the possibilities are endless. Let’s take a look at each country and what there is to do there.


Mexico

What to Eat

While all of the food is really good in the Mexico pavilion, San Angel Inn Restaurante, located inside of the grand pyramid, is the best place to eat. Not only is the food great, but the atmosphere is beautiful too. Sit under the twinkling stars in this delicious Mexican restaurant that is modeled after a 17th century hacienda and enjoy tacos, enchiladas, carne asada and much more! If you are looking for a place to eat with a great view of the fireworks, you should eat at Hacienda de San Angel. The food is great, and the views are even better!

What to Do

If you are looking for something to do after you finish your excellent meal at San Angel Inn, head over to The Grand Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. This fun ride featuring Donald Duck, Jose and Panchito is also located in the grand pyramid. The wait times for this ride are usually low and it’s a family friendly ride so everyone can enjoy it! There is also an art gallery inside of the grand pyramid featuring beautiful works of art. If you love music, keep your eye out for the Mariachi Cobre, who play traditional folk music from Mexico. 

Where to Buy

There are many unique souvenirs here in Mexico. Perhaps the best location to find everything you might be looking for is at the Plaza de los Amigos. It’s located inside of the grand pyramid and is modeled after an open-air marketplace. It is filled with lots of shops and carts that sell pretty much everything. You can find things like Mexican toys, treats, glassware, crystal, accessories, jewelry and more! They also sell Mexico themed Disney merchandise. 


Norway

What to Eat

The Norway Pavilion is home to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, which is a Disney princess dining location. The restaurant offers an “all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast” featuring traditional and Norwegian breakfast foods. For lunch and dinner, Norwegian food is offered on a prix fixe menu. Many people like to eat here because it is a less expensive dining location to meet the Princesses. Once you have eaten your main course, stop by Kringla Bakeri Og Café. Kringla, as it is known by its fans, serves all of the sweets and treats that Norway has to offer. You can find things like sweet pretzels to lefse flatbread and of course, the famous schoolbread! Everything here is really good. 

What to Do

Of course, you already know I’m going to recommend riding Frozen Ever After. Frozen Ever After replaced Norway’s original dark ride, Maelstrom. The Frozen ride is a very fun and cute ride and is ultra-popular- wait times usually get as long as two hours on any given day. Frozen Ever After is a family friendly ride and it has no height requirement. It is a dark ride and does have small drops. If you need more Frozen in your day, you can stop by the Royal Summerhus to meet Anna and Elsa. Since character meet and greets are modified right now, you can talk with them and take pictures at a short distance. It is still a great experience, especially for the Frozen fans in your party. There is also a replica Stave Church that is currently showcasing an exhibit on “Gods of Vikings”. 

What to Buy

You can find a lot of great Norwegian souvenirs at The Puffin’s Roost. You can find a ton of fun souvenirs here like Norwegian trolls, glass, porcelain, toys, hand-knit items and more. There is also a section of the store completely dedicated to Frozen. The Fjording Shop is another place to shop for Viking gear and there’s a fun photo opp with a giant carved troll.


China

What to Eat

The China Pavilion at Epcot has a lot of great things to eat. For a nice sit-down meal, go to Nine Dragons Restaurant. Nine Dragons Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers General Tso’s Chicken, dumplings, spring rolls and more. The quick service location here is Lotus Blossom Café. Here, you can find egg rolls, orange chicken, fried rice and more. There is also a quick service cart here called Joy of Tea that serves bubble tea and milk tea. These are all great choices and have a great selection on each of the menus. 

What to Do

There is a lot of beauty to behold in China. There is a gorgeous replica of the Temple of Heaven. The China pavilion’s only attraction is inside of the Temple of Heaven, it is called Reflections of China. Reflections of China is a 360-degree film that takes you on a journey through ancient and modern China. The film is 12 minutes long and is a great family activity. There are also a few performances throughout the day of the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats. It is hard not to stare in amazement at the incredible talent of these performers. Another fun thing to do here is to meet Mulan! Check your My Disney Experience app for times when she comes out to greet guests. 

What to Buy

The China Pavilion has a lot of unique and fun souvenirs. The House of Good Fortune sells Chinese tea sets, silk robes, jade stones, housewares, Chinese porcelain statues and more. There’s a store outside called Good Fortune Gifts that sells everything from toys to puppets. 


Germany

What to Eat

The Germany Pavilion is filled with lots of fan-favorite food! For starters, there is The Biergarten Restaurant, which is a full-service buffet restaurant. At the Biergarten Restaurant, it’s a year long Oktoberfest! The most popular items on the menu here are Schnitzel, strudel and German sausages. There is live entertainment here as well, which is always fun to watch. At Sommerfest, you can find some great quick bites such as a delicious (and gigantic) German pretzel. My favorite place is Karamell-Kuche. It is hard to walk in there without buying a delicious treat. Everything in this incredible smelling bakery has a touch of caramel. It is nearly impossible to walk out of this store without a treat in your hand. From caramel apples, caramel popcorn, cookies, brownies and more, you won’t regret stopping in!

What to Do

There aren’t many things to do in the Germany pavilion but there are a few things worth stopping by to see. Many people love to stop and look at the Romantic Road Miniature Train Village. There is so much detail hidden in this amazing little village. For instance, did you know that the “people” in the mini train village are always celebrating whichever Epcot festival is going on at the time? You can also meet Snow White in Germany!

What to Buy

Germany has a ton of shops for all of your souvenir needs. Der Teddybear is a kid-friendly store that sells toys. Das Kaufhaus sells German apparel and accessories. Die Weihnachts Ecke is modeled after and Old-World Christina market and sells nutcrackers, glass ornaments and lots of collectibles. Stein Haus has all of your Oktoberfest German beer stein needs. Glaskunst is a little kiosk that you can purchase tiaras, crystal, glassware or personalize and engrave a stein. Sometimes, you can even see a glass blower creating a unique work of art.


Italy

What to Eat

The Italy pavilion has some of the best food in all of Walt Disney World. Tutto Italia Ristorante is Italy’s table service option and offers many delicious items on their menu such as Chicken Parmesan, tasty pasta dishes, meatballs and more. Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria offers the best pizza in Walt Disney World. Be sure to stop in and get some delicious pizza! They also have a quick service window where you can just grab a slice of pizza rather than purchasing an entire pizza. Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar offers over 200 bottles of fine Italian wine and serves small bites like paninis and cheese. You can’t visit Italy and not have gelato so be sure to stop at Gelati as well.

What to Do

The Italy pavilion has a lot of incredible sights to see. Here, you can see Neptune Fountain- which a lot of people love to throw coins in and take pictures in front of, the Columns of San Marco and St. Marks Campanile- which is the lovely bell tower that greets you as you walk around Italy. 

What to Buy

La Bottega Italiana has a lot of beautiful souvenirs. You can find houseware items, gifts, Italian cooking supplies and even Venetian masks! El Bel Cristallo has souvenirs such as Murano glass, handbags, porcelain and apparel. La Gemme Elegante is filled with elegant souvenirs like luxury goods and handmade Venetian masks.


The American Adventure

What to Eat

Regal Eagle Smokehouse is a great barbecue place in the America pavilion at Epcot. You will feel as if you are at a backyard barbecue with the delicious food served here. There are dry-rub pork ribs, BBQ burgers, brisket sandwiches and more. It is impossible to leave here hungry! Fife and Drum offers giant turkey legs, Mickey pretzels and popcorn. There is also a funnel cakes stand which is a great place to stop for something sweet!

What to Do

The American Adventure is a 30-minute show hosted by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain that takes you through the history of American life. Another fun thing to do is to stop in and see the Voices of Liberty. They are a beautifully sounding acapella group that sings patriotic music. They can be found inside of the American Heritage Gallery. The American Gardens Theatre has many great bands and performers that put on shows here. The Epcot Candlelight Processional is also held here. 

What to Buy

There aren’t a lot of shops here but there is Art of Disney! Art of Disney is a huge collection of Disney paintings, limited edition prints, figurines and so much more. This is a great place to shop if you’re looking for something unique or if you are looking for a collectable. 


Japan

What to Eat

Takumi-Tei is the Japan pavilion’s signature restaurant. It is a creative and unique dining experience. Takumi-Tei is Japanese for “house of the artisan”. You can find delicious, authentic Japanese food here. Teppan Edo is a fun restaurant where you sit around a large grill and watch a chef prepare your food. The chefs are incredibly talented and are really fun to watch. Keep in mind, if you have less than eight people in your party, you will be sitting with other guests. Guests may choose from chicken, beef, seafood, grilled vegetables, sushi and more. Tokyo Dining offers traditional Japanese cuisine such as sushi, sashimi, steak, chicken, shrimp, etc. Katsura Grille is Japan’s quick service restaurant and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. You can find sushi, Japanese curry, teriyaki, Japanese pizza and more here. 

What to Do

One thing that you see everyone doing in the Japan pavilion is taking a picture in front of the bright red torii gate. It is an incredible photo opp. There is also the five-story pagoda which was inspired by a shrine built at Nara in 700 AD. The Bijutsu-kan Gallery houses exhibits that reflect certain aspects of Japanese culture. Right now, you can stop in and learn about Japan’s kawaii (cute) culture. For a fun show to watch, make sure you stop to see the Matsuriza. The Japanese drum show is amazing and can be heard almost all around the (Epcot) World!

What to Buy

The Japan pavilion is home to the huge Mitsukoshi Department Store. You can find almost anything here such as dolls, porcelain, kimonos, jewelry, Japanese snacks, cookbooks and more. There is so much to see in this store that it is easy to lose track of time and spend hours wandering around. Mitsukoshi Kiosk offers Japanese souvenirs and gifts. 


Morocco

What to Eat

Restaurant Marrakesh is a great lunch and dinner location that features authentic Moroccan cuisine and belly dancers! This restaurant has not yet reopened. The Tangierine Café is a small café that serves sandwiches, humus, veggie platters and desserts. There is also a pastry counter here full of tasty treats. Spice Road Table is a Mediterranean style table service restaurant. This restaurant has a beautiful view of World Showcase Lagoon and is a great place to eat at if you want a great view of Harmonious, Epcot’s nighttime spectacular. 

What to Do

The Gallery of Arts and History is an interesting display of the science, music and technology of Morocco. The exhibits in this museum rotate every so often and they are filled with interesting facts. The Fez House is supposed to represent a typical Moroccan home. There are gorgeous mosaic tiles and items from everyday life in Morocco. It is a beautiful place to take pictures. Also, there are musical groups that perform at times during the week on the outdoor stage. If you have a Disney Princess fan in your party, take them to meet Princess Jasmine over at the Lamps of Wonder. 

What to Buy

There are quite a few shopping locations in the Moroccan pavilion. Souk-al-Magreb has plenty of Moroccan souvenirs such as hand-crafted keepsakes, jewelry and toys. There is also a section of the shop that sells Aladdin merchandise. Casablanca Carpets sells authentic Moroccan carpets, lamps, jewelry, fez hats and more. Marketplace in the Medina offers woven baskets, straw hats, sheepskin wallets and more. The Brass Bazaar sells-you guessed it- brass products. Tangier Traders sells unique jewelry, ceramics and colorful housewares. **The shopping locations in Morocco are temporarily unavailable**


France

What to Eat

The France pavilion has some of the most popular dining locations in Epcot. Chefs de France is owned by three famous French chefs: Paul Bocuse, Gaston Lenotre and Roger Verge. This popular restaurant offers authentic French food such as escargot, French onion soup, coquilles Saint-Jacques and more. Monsieur Paul is a gourmet French restaurant that serves French cuisine and fine wines. Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is a quick service location that serves delicious treats and delicacies. You can find everything here from pastires to baguettes to soups and salads. L’Artisan Des Glaces is France’s ice cream and gelato shop that will leave you wanting more! La Creperie de Paris is the newest dining location at the France pavilion. You can find sweet and savory crepes here!

What to Do

Impressions de France is located in the Palais du Cinema and is an 18-minute-long movie that showcases the beauty and charm of France. Many people do not know this but there is a Beauty & The Beast Sing-Along show in France. The Sing-Along stars Le Fou (Gaston’s sidekick) and is perfect for any Beauty and the Beast fan. The most popular ride in the France pavilion is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This new and fun ride shrinks you down to the size of a mouse to see things from their point of view. It is a trackless ride and is modeled after the Disneyland Paris version. As of right now, you can ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure by securing a spot in the virtual queue or by purchasing a spot in line via Individual Attraction Selection. 

What to Buy

The France pavilion has some great spots to shop. For the wine enthusiasts, there’s Les Vins de France. Here you can buy exquisite French wines by the bottle or the glass. Plume et Palette is a high-end fashion paradise that sells designer French bags and designer fragrances. La Signature is for the makeup lover in your group- with over 70 different French cosmetics to choose from, you can’t go wrong! Souvenirs de France is the souvenir store that has something for everyone. You can find everything here like berets, little Eiffel Towers, travel posters, toys, guidebooks and more!

United Kingdom

What to Eat

The Rose & Crown Dining Room is the UK pavilion’s table service dining location. They serve traditional British pub food and offer some of the best views of World Showcase Lagoon. If you are looking for a great view of Harmonious, I would highly recommend booking a dinner reservation here. The Yorkshire County Fish Shop is the perfect place to go if you are craving a basket of Fish & Chips. The Rose & Crown Pub is a great place for those of legal drinking age to go and grab a pint of ale. 

What to Do

There aren’t any attractions in the UK pavilion right now but there are still great things to come. There is a Mary Poppins attraction that is coming to the UK pavilion but was put on hold for the moment. There are quite a few meet and greets offered here. You can meet characters like Alice from Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins and Winnie the Pooh! There is also a fun photo opp here in front of the three giant red phone booths. It’s a fan favorite picture spot! 

What to Buy

Crown & Crest offers some wonderful smelling souvenirs such as potpourri and perfume. Lords & Ladies offer a nice selection of health and beauty products. Sportman’s Shoppe have everything from sweaters, knitwear and kilts to tartan fabrics. The Queen’s Table offers beautiful tea sets, fine china, florals and figurines. The Tea Caddy offers specialty tea items. They also sell candies and chocolates here that you can only find in the United Kingdom. UK chocolate tastes incredible and I highly recommend that you pick some up- you won’t regret it! The Toy Soldier offers lots of British toys and games. There is also lots of Beatles and Doctor Who merchandise here. There are so many great things to buy at the UK pavilion. 

Canada

What to Eat

The Canada pavilion doesn’t have a lot of different places to eat but they do have some great food available. Le Ceilier is Canada’s table service dining location. It’s a sit-down restaurant where you can order delicious, juicy steaks or fresh seafood. You can also order wine and beer exclusively from Canada here. Just outside of the Canada pavilion, you can find the Refreshment Port. Here, you can get a very popular Canadian snack, poutine- which is French Fries with gravy and other toppings. 

What to Do

Canada: Far & Wide is a Circle Vision film that opened in January 2020. It is narrated by Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. This attraction showcases the natural beauty and diversity of Canada and its regions and natural resources. There are also a lot of beautiful things to see in Canada such as the gorgeous Victoria gardens, the Rocky Mountains and a beautiful 30-foot waterfall. There are also performers that come out occasionally on Canada’s stage.

What to Buy

Canada also doesn’t have a variety of places to shop like the other countries in World Showcase, but you will still be able to find something you like. At Trading Post and Northwest Mercantile, you can find gifts and souvenirs like maple syrup items, hand-carved wood gifts and even lumberjack shirts.

Overall

At World Showcase, there is never a shortage of things to do, see or eat. I hope that this guide can help you decide what to do the next time you are taking a stroll through the countries. There is a lot more to do but hopefully this guide will highlight some of the best things for you. Due to the global pandemic, some things on this list are still unavailable but will be returning soon! What is your favorite part of World Showcase?

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