Favorite World Showcase Countries and Attractions

We really love Japan. We spent hours in the stores there. There is so much to do, so much to see, so many things to play with...so much Engrish. LOL, I'm not referring to any spoken language but poorly translated printed English. It cracks me up. The 'pearl girls' are so cute too. We watched them interacting with kids for some time. Also really enjoyed Teppan Edo for dinner.

The first time I went to Epcot, it was oppressively hot and extremely crowded (mid-August). We spent very little time in World Showcase. We basically did a walkthrough and left mid-day. At the time, I was not of the proper mindset to enjoy everything Epcot has to offer. This last trip, I saw everything through different eyes. Everything I liked before, I loved this time and WS was one of our favorite places the whole trip.

The first time I went to Epcot, I was really dissapointed with the English pavillion. The shops were full of the top football (soccer) teams shirts and anything with a Burberry label. At the time, these were almost a uniform for those from the lower end of society, we call them Chav's, I guess the US equivalent would be trailer trash. I found it quite depressing that that is how 'we' were being portrayed to the rest of the world.
Fortunately on my latest visit things seemed to have moved up a bit.

I love the Mexican pavillion (even the boat ride). The way the small arts area just inside the pyramid opens out into the market place really took me by surprise the first time. I will one day try the restaurant at the back, it's been fully booked whenever I've tried (maybe I should get an ADR ) Is it as good as the crowds suggest?

The maze of courtyards in Morocco always seem like a good place to escape the crowds for a little peace and quiet. It would be easy to imagine getting completely lost in there if the area was much bigger.

LIFL: World Showcase can be nightmarish if it's extremely hot or extremely crowded. That's why it's great to know about the little hid-away places like the Morocco and Japan art galleries and the Norway Stave Church. Always cool, usually pretty empty, and great places to relax. I'm so glad you guys enjoyed WS this time around; it's definitely one of our favorite places.

Tony: I've always been disappointed in the merchandise around the UK pavilion. They seem to be pandering to an "idea" of the UK, but maybe that's just because I know the actual UK better than I know any of the other countries represented. Perhaps they're all like that. Also, agreed that you could get lost in Morocco. That's such a beautiful pavilion. And I love your description of the Mexico pavilion "taking you by surprise." You really don't expect that huge marketplace inside! As for the food at San Angel, it's not spectacular, but people really like the atmosphere of the restaurant -- that's why it's full

Personally, one of my favorite spots in the WS is the bonzai garden in Japan. I really like walking through there. I wish they had more places to sit, though.

I think it's important to consider (when speaking of WS) that the shops are likely intended to appeal to those not from the represented countries. Consequently, it is a lot about what outsiders' idea of what is Japanese or English. If/when I go to Japan, I'm pretty sure I'll find a good bit of misrepresentation (and humor) in what is 'American' to them.

All that said, I can relate Tony. I grew up in Southern California and peoples' idea of what it's like there is pretty far off. I've seen all sorts of products, even homes, that are "California Style"; all I can do is laugh. Most often this label is nothing more than marketing.

Yeah that's the problem with everything once it has the Disney filter applied. It becomes more of a caricature of whatever it was. The old west seems really nice when I visit Fronteirland, but I suspect it wasn't so nice at the time.

I have been impressed by my ability to get prepackaged snacks there that are hard to find here.

The things they offer (in the Japan anyway) are authentic, it's just the scope of what they choose to offer. A lot of it is things you would only find in shops that cater to tourists. Not all of it is though, we were able to find some really neat things my wife remembered from her childhood there. I really liked some of the Japanese sneakers. They were honest to goodness Japanese brands, not available elsewhere (not widely anyway). I didn't buy them though, when I noticed they were made in China.

Hard to get through life without buying stuff from China!

That's too funny.

We did buy all kinds of goodies. I'll detail them in the TR, I promise I'll finish.

It's definitely hard to get authentic experiences in Disney World. That's kind of their whole operation is avoiding that. I enjoy seeing a stylized version of the countries. I love all the architecture. That's the odd thing about World Showcase: I love going there but I don't actually do much.

I have differing opinions based on the criteria. So I started a thread just about the architecture. I think Mexico may have the best combination of pavilion, restaurant and architecture. I feel like I'm overlooking one though.

I would say Mexico and Morroco they are really incredible places and had huge attractions assortments. There are lots of appetizing food restaurants and I also love the Mexico boat ride. I rode when we were in Epcot it was really fun.

Best Regards,