World Showcase
History, culture, food, and fun are all found in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Each country’s pavilion is an homage to its culture, architecture, landscapes, and traditions, meticulously designed to offer an authentic, enriching experience. As visitors walk around the expansive lagoon, they are treated to a picturesque view of structures that epitomize landmarks such as the Moroccan medina, the Canadian Rockies, or the Japanese pagoda. This part of the park is particularly famous for its detailed recreations, which include not only architectural achievements but also native landscaping, thus providing a comprehensive sensory experience of each nation.
World Showcase is home to a host of food options, attractions, and festival stops during the four annual EPCOT festivals. We’ll be taking a deeper dive into everything you can experience in this must-visit part of the park.
World Showcase Pavilions
There is a LOT to do in World Showcase, so let’s break it up by country. At World Showcase, there are eleven pavilions surrounding World Showcase Lagoon, with a perimeter of 1.2 miles. You’ll find Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States (the American Adventure), Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada in clockwise order.
Additionally, there’s a small area of The Outpost where you’ll find Refreshment Outpost, themed to a small African refreshment shop. At World Showcase, each country (for the most part) features dining and shopping options, with attractions available in select areas. Additionally, during the four EPCOT festivals, there are food booths and entertainment set up that are themed to each individual festival.
Mexico Pavilion
Walk into the Mayan Temple and find treasures at every turn, starting with a tour led by the Three Caballeros of the country of Mexico. In the plaza there is some great shopping and some authentic (for America) Mexican food and drink.
Attractions:
Dining:
- San Angel Inn
- La Cava del Tequila
- La Hacienda y La Cantina
Shopping:
- Plaza de Los Amigos
- Ring Carvers
- La Princesa de Cristal – Mexico
- La Tienda Encatada
Norway Pavilion
Norway is an old country with lots of history and tradition. But it’s the newest country in EPCOT (which doesn’t mean much since it opened in 1988). In recent years, the country has gotten a makeover with new additions themed to the Frozen franchise.
Attractions:
Dining:
Entertainment:
- Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Summerhus
Shopping:
- The Fjording
China Pavilion
The wonders and beauty of China are on display in every corner of this pavilion. There are even some hidden treasures, like the House of the Whispering Willows exhibit. The acoustics in the temple are astounding.
Attractions:
- Reflections of China
Dining:
Entertainment:
- House of the Whispering Willows
- Meet Mulan (available occasionally; check your My Disney Experience app for current info)
Shopping:
- Good Fortune Gifts
- House of Good Fortunes
Outpost
While not technically an EPCOT pavilion, the Outpost is themed to a small marketplace in an African village with a quick spot for food. The area was originally a placeholder for a full Africa pavilion that never came to fruition.
Dining:
- Refreshment Outpost
Shopping:
- The Outpost Shop
Germany Pavilion
The Germany Pavilion is the first pavilion (from the left) that doesn’t have an attraction, but there is a lot to see (and eat) in Germany. There is delicious food (giant pretzels!) and shopping. You can get chocolate, watches, and just about anything else that’s made in Germany.
Dining:
- Biergarten
- Sommerfest
- Karamell-Küche
Entertainment:
- Meet Snow White: Located near Wishing Well towards Karamell-Küche
- Miniature Train Station: Between Germany and Italy there is an area where Disney has set up a garden railway complete with several model trains. The details of the village, the countryside, and things around the track are amazing.
Shopping:
- Glaskunst
- Volkskunst
- Due Weugbacgts Ecke
- Stein Haus
- Kunstarbeit in Kristall
- Weinkeller
Italy Pavilion
Italy may be the best-looking (and the best-smelling) EPCOT Pavilion. The statues and restaurants make for a wonderful combination. The new pizza restaurant brings something that has been lacking in EPCOT since it opened.
Dining:
- Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
- Tutto Italia Ristorante
- Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
- Gelateria Toscana
Entertainment:
- Sergio
Shopping:
- La Bottega Italiana
- Il Bel Cristallo
- La Gemma Elegante
The American Adventure
The American Adventure highlights the history of America, with loads of entertainment, delicious bites to eat, and even the Muppets!
Attractions:
- The American Adventure
- American Heritage Gallery
Dining:
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and Barbecue
- Fife & Drum Tavern
- The Funnel
- Joffreys Coffee & Tea Company in the American Adventure
- Block & Hans
- Funnel Cake
Entertainment:
- Kidcot Fun Stops – The American Adventure
- American Gardens Theater (home of the Candlelight Processional)
- Voices of Liberty
Shopping:
- Art of Disney
Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion in EPCOT is the perfect balance of beauty, order, and good food.. The gardens (which are well hidden) are beautiful. The dining, entertainment, and shopping in Japan are incredible and not to be missed.
Dining:
- Teppan Edo
- Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
- Tokyo Dining
- Kabuki Cafe
- Takumi-Tei
Entertainment:
- Matsuriza
Shopping:
- Mitsukoshi Department Store
Morocco Pavilion
The Morocco Pavilion is a stunning area of the World Showcase that’s well worth a visit. Along with beautiful photo ops, you’ll find some incredibly delicious food located in this area.
Dining:
- Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina
- Spice Road Table
- Restaurant Marrakesh
Entertainment:
- Meet Jasmine
- Atlas Fusion
Shopping:
- Souk-al-Magreb
France Pavilion
The France Pavilion has it all: delicious food and thrilling attractions for the whole family. In recent years, the France Pavilion underwent an expansion to add a Ratatouille-themed area and ride that brings guests into the heart of Paris.
Attractions:
- Impressions de France
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Dining:
- Chefs de France
- Bistro de Paris
- Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie
- Monsieur Paul
- La Creperie de Paris
Entertainment:
- Meet Belle
- Meet Princess Aurora
Shopping:
- Plume et Palette
- La Signature
- Les Vins de France
- Souvenirs de France
International Gateway
Between the France and U.K. Pavilions, you’ll find another entrance to EPCOT that connects to the EPCOT area resorts. This is the area where you’ll find the Disney Skyliner, as well as the World Traveler gift shop.
United Kingdom Pavilion
The United Kingdom is another of the skippable pavilions that has some beautiful things to see, some good food to eat and even some good music. The United Kingdom is home to Dad’s favorite quick service restaurant in EPCOT. The UK is famous for fish and chips and if this is any indication of what to expect, maybe we need to take a trip.
Dining:
- Rose and Crown Dining Room
- Rose and Crown Pub
- UK Beer Cart
- Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Entertainment:
- Meet Winnie the Pooh
- Meet Alice in Wonderland
- Command Performance
- Rose & Crown Pub Musician
Shopping:
- The Toy Soldier
- Lords and Ladies
- The Queen’s Table
- The Tea Caddy
- The Crown & Crest
- Sportsman’s Shoppe
Canada Pavilion
The last (or first if you start on the right side of the lagoon) pavilion in the World Showcase is Canada. O Canada! Wow, this place is incredible.
Attractions:
Dining:
- Le Cellier Steakhouse
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company in Canada
Entertainment:
- Entertainment at Canada Mill Stage
Shopping:
- Trading Post
- Northwest Mercantile
World Showcase Events
During the year, all kinds of events happen in EPCOT, with four major festivals that take place throughout the year.
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: A celebration of culinary, visual, and performing arts, this festival typically takes place in January and February with Disney on Broadway performances and visually stunning food.
- EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival: In March, EPCOT is taken over by flowers. Beautiful Flowers. The Flower and Garden show lasts from March through May with flowers, lectures by celebrities from the Home and Garden Channel (HGTV) and some really good classic music.
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: Every year in August through November Disney cooks up a storm in EPCOT. At each of the countries, booths are set up with food representing each of the countries. Lectures happen in the afternoons and special concerts happen in the evenings.
- EPCOT Festival of the Holidays: Is the way EPCOT celebrates Christmas. In the World Showcase you’ll see the story of Santa Claus from each of the countries that celebrate the holidays. Then there is the Candlelight Processional, part of Christmas at Disney World.
World Showcase Entertainment
In every pavilion there is some form of entertainment to catch your eye. There’s the Voices of Liberty in the American Adventures, drummers in Japan, musicians in Canada. Along with this, there are other ways to keep you and the kids entertained, including a nightly nighttime spectacular. Here area. few of the year-round entertainment events to know.
Luminous: The Symphony of Us
This nighttime spectacular debuted in late 2023, bringing a new show to the waters of World Showcase Lagoon. The show combines fireworks, fountains, music, and light designed to “bring us all together.”
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure
Download the Play Disney Parks app for this fun World Showcase adventure. You’ll join Scrooge McDuck, his nephews and friends arund World Showcase to find the priceless 7 Lost Magic Treasures. Treasures are located in each country pavilion:
- Mexico
- Norway
- China
- Germany
- Japan
- France
- United Kingdom
Kidcot
Kidcot Fun Stop is an area in all of the pavilions where children can create a souvenir. Each Kidcot Fun Stop (which is sponsored by Sharpie) has a Cast Member who will help children create a personalized souvenir that represents that country. There are stamps and markers for the children to use on the provided paper.
