The Best Things About Epcot’s Norway Pavilion

The Norway pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase has long been one of my favorite pavilions, and not just because it used to be home to Maelstrom. I love the pavilion for several other reasons and even now that Maelstrom has been replaced by all things Frozen the pavilion still holds a special place in my Disney heart.

What do you love about Epcot's Norway pavilion?

First, and most importantly, let's talk about the food in the Norway pavilion. One of my favorite character meals in all of Disney World is lunch or dinner at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Not only is it a great spot to meet several Disney Princesses (without standing in line in the Florida heat), but the food is delicious too!

Lunch and dinner start with the "Taste of Norway" which features Scandanavian seafood, imported cheeses, cured and sliced meats, and a selection of salads and fruits. Don't fill up too much with this "taste" because you'll want to save room for the Flyt Pasta or the Traditional Kjottkake (Norwegian meatball)...or just about anything else on the menu!

Kjottkake at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Dessert is good at Akershus but I tend to "save room" for something from my second favorite bakery in Epcot, Kringla Bakeri og Cafe. The one item I always (and I mean always!) have to order at Kringla Bakeri is School Bread.

This not-to-sweet but oh-so-delicious bread pastry is filled with vanilla custard and topped with shredded coconut and it makes a great dessert. It's also really good for breakfast (and now that Norway is open at 9 a.m. you can enjoy School Bread before jumping in the queue for Frozen Ever After).

School Bread is a MUST in Norway!

Other treats from Kringla Bakeri that are worth the calories include the Troll Horn, rice cream (which is also a dessert at Akershus), the recently-added cinnamon rolls and these almost-too-cute-to-eat miniature Frozen-themed cupcakes!

Frozen-themed mini cupcakes!

OK, enough about the food. Let's talk about shopping in Norway, specifically shopping at The Puffin's Roost. Sure it's a good place to find some fun Norwegian souvenirs and maybe try on a Viking hat but when I'm shopping it's for one thing: Laila perfume.

You know the scent. It is usually the first thing you smell when you enter The Puffin's Roost from the front door. There are always a few bottles for sample sprays and if you're lucky enough you might just get to meet perfume designer Geir Ness! I had the chance to meet him in November and he is so friendly " and he signed my bottle of perfume! (I'll admit I had a total fan girl moment when I finally met him).

Meet perfume desinger Geir Ness in The Puffin's Roost!

And now to all things Frozen. I will admit that when they closed Maelstrom and announced Frozen Ever After I was less than thrilled. But now that I've seen the attraction (not in person yet but via many ride-through videos) I am going to admit that I think I'm going to love it.

Sure there is still that argument that fictional characters don't belong in World Showcase but the princesses have been hosting meet-and-greets for years in their "home" countries and we've all stood in those lines. And the reality is Frozen isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

So it's time to let it go and get ready to stand in line for Frozen Ever After.

Frozen Ever After in Epcot's Norway Pavilion

What is your favorite thing about the Norway pavilion? Let us know in the comments.

Many thanks to the Disney Food Blog for use of their photos.