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Disney World’s Epcot has conveniently placed 11 countries within walking distance of one another. Now, I know you guys who have really been to Japan and China and Mexico are thinking…what a loser. While I’ll admit that I would, of course, rather visit these countries for real (and, I will) that’s no reason to not enjoy a sliver of them. Besides, I’ve been to 6 of the 11 in real life anyway.
As I’m sitting here writing this, I’m really frustrated. I had my camera and my brother had my mom’s and we both were taking photos. When we were downloading and erasing the memory cards, somehow all of my photos from Epcot are missing. There were several shots I took that I was really happy with so I’m pretty bummed that I lost all of them. Thankfully, we were taking pictures with a second camera-I’m just angry because I lost the shots I purposely set out to take-shots he didn’t also take. So, moral of the story? Life’s a bitch.
I feel like Epcot is the park that gets the least love out of the four at Disney. I think it’s boring to kids comparatively speaking and doesn’t have as many rides; however, I’ve always loved Epcot. I’m sure the reason is obvious-my love of travel. For those of you that have never been to Epcot, the World Showcase is set up sort of like a horseshoe-you can either start with Canada on one end or Mexico on the other. Each country has themed landscapes, attractions, shops, restaurants, and architecture. Many contain a smaller replica of a famous landmark. Something I really love is that they employ citizens of each respective country-making the experience more authentic.
Canada
Canada is comprised of totem poles, a steak restaurant and….Canadians? We didn’t spend a whole lot of time here mostly because it was the first country and we were starving and trying to make our way to Japan for food.
United Kingdom
I really liked the United Kingdom pavilion. I really just like anything to do with the UK. They had pubs, a tea shop, a store with a whole lot of football jerseys. For a split second, I felt like I was in England.
France
France of course had a small replica of the Eiffel Tower, street artists and crepes among other things.
Morocco
Another country we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in. We were SOOO close to Japan and everyone was starving…give us a break.
Japan
I really liked the architecture and landscape in Japan. We ate at a restaurant here and I’ve regretted it ever since. I had been extremely sick the day before (puking my guts up) and this was the first thing I’d eaten since. I didn’t get sick from it, but everytime I’ve pictured it since, I get sick to my stomach. I think it will be a while before I’m eating Japanese.
America
We didn’t take a lot of time or pictures in America, because what’s the point really? You will recognize it when you’re there by the funnel cake stands and other fattening, fried foods.
Italy
The Italian pavilion is gorgeous with gondolas on the water and a Piazza San Marco replica type setting. Obviously, it doesn’t do the real Piazza San Marco justice and there wasn’t near the same amount of birds, but you still get the point. There was a wine bar I would have loved to visit if I had been feeling better.
Germany
No shortage of bratwursts and sauerkrat here. Germany is a country I have not been to in real life, but that I can’t wait for.
China
I also really enjoyed the landscape and architecture in China–I’m really becoming a fan of the Asian countries quickly I believe. I won’t lie-before I started planning my trip to Southeast Asia, the Asian countries weren’t on my immediate radar. I was more of a Europe and Africa type of girl. When I dreamed of visiting another country, I was thinking of Italy and Ireland, not Japan and China. That’s definitely changing and it became very evident when I enjoyed these pavilions more than others at Epcot.
Norway
Ahhh, Norway. One of my absolute favorite countries I’ve been to-both at Epcot and in real life. I met a troll here and also realized I really need to see the newest Disney movie-Frozen.
Mexico
The last (or first, depending on which way you started) country was Mexico. Mexico is mainly based inside with a really gorgeous interior hosting several shops and restaurants.
Have you ever been to Epcot? Which country would you be most excited about visiting?
Looking for more yummy Disney food? Head on over to my post about What to eat at the Magic Kingdom?
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That looks like lots of fun! Such a bummer about your photos. Lucky you had the others!!
Yea yea, lucky! I was irritated as I was gathering photos for this post because I kept thinking about all the ones I knew I took. Oh well haha.
I’m amazed how many adults there are in the photos! this doesn’t look at all like how I expected it to look!!
Oh yes there are so many adults that go there without kids-take me for example haha.
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Haha – you got me with the headline…good job. I hope your aversion to Japanese food subsides before you make your way to the REAL Japan.
Thanks Greg! I’m sure I’ll be over the Japanese food thing by the time I make it there…or I better be!
Unfortunately I know all too well about missing pictures – once my camera was stolen in Mexico and another time I made it to Montreal only to realize I’d left my battery charger at home and only had one bar left. Luckily I’ve learned from these situations but it still frustrates the hell out of me to think about them, even now.
Looks like you had a great time at Epcot, even if you were still a little under the weather. I think I’ve been there once, but I would have been really young and probably only interested in the rides – hence why I can’t really remember being there. Sorry the Canadian booth didn’t have more to offer (like a Tim Hortons or some hot Mounties) but I fully support your decision to head straight for the Japanese food! Take care and happy Sunday!
Missing and stolen cameras/pictures are one of the worst things I think haha. I’m lucky we took others, but I spent a lot of time picking out shots I wanted haha
You had me at the title indeed! Still a fun and exciting way to feel somewhat of a taste of each place. I went with my family to Busch Gardens a couple weeks ago and visited Germany, France, Ireland, England, etc. A good time for sure!
I’ve been to the Busch Gardens in Florida, but I hardly remember it haha
Ha. Title totally got me. This looks fun! I never really knew what Epcot was but now I’m more intrigued.
They have a lot of other things besides the World Showcase…some future type stuff and whatnot 🙂
Hahahaha… you made me laugh with that Japanese food episode. You really should have gone with sausages or something you wouldn’t care to stop eating for a while. Like sweets could be a good one for dieting. Never been to Disney, never been to Epcot. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great point! I wish I had eaten something really fattening that I can’t resist so I could lose some weight haha
This looks fun! I would have had a little taste in each country, never had Moroccan food before!
I’ve never had Moroccan food either. I really wish I had been up to eating that day 🙁
This does look like a really cool experience at Epcot! What a great way to just get a small sample of other countries before you head on over there for yourself to experience the real deal. I like this idea a lot and hopefully we will get down to Orlando at some point this year and take a look around.
Good to see that you are a UK fan – kudos from me for that one!!
It’s even better if you’re up to eating and trying a beer from each country–you’ll be falling over by the last country 😀
damn…. I thought you had invented some kind of spaceship. I’m gutted.
haha i’m so sorry to disappoint you 😉
Great way to get an idea about a country I am sure it inspired you to visit them all
It sure did! I really want to go to all 5 I haven’t been to-Germany, Mexico, Japan, China, and Morocco and back to the others! 🙂
Love the title – it certainly got my attention. I have been to Disney in Florida about 7 or 8 times but I have never been to the Epcot theme park. I feel most countries are perfectly represented, except Canada. There is more to Canada than that! But it looks like a fun theme park for those interested in traveling and experiencing other cultures!
haha I’m sure there was more to Canada, but we didn’t hang out there too long. You’ve been to Disney that man times and never Epcot..see I told you it doesn’t get much love 😉
I found your site thru Chasing the Donkey on G+. The Japanese Pagoda was featured and I thought “I know that place.” Epcoot is my favorite Disney park. I agree with you that it gets the least Disney love. I love being able to walk around the different pavilions, sample great food, and watch great entertainment. My favorits include Japan, Norway, and the UK. I liked up a recent review of great Oklahoma City sites. I couldn’t figure out how to add the badge, so I added a link.
That’s great and thank you Nicky! 🙂 Yea, I really don’t understand the lack of Epcot love. I wish I had been able to eat & drink more while I was there but I was extremely sick and couldn’t stomach much. Unfortunately, that’s a lot of the fun so it’s a good thing this wasn’t my first time. Japan, Norway, and UK are pretty much my favorites as well 🙂 Thanks for linking up this week.
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As soon as I read Disney I glanced over the photos, and was very surprised at how mature all those kids look like 🙂 In my silly European mind, I still equate Disney with children, and had no idea Epcot even existed. Oh, and your misgivings about Japanese food will disappear as soon as you set foot in Tokyo. Trust me on this…
Haha trust me, there are A LOT of adults traveling without kids there. I figured I’d be over my Japanese food issue once I can get my hands on the real thing 🙂
I swear I was at Epcot, but it was in the 80s- so a) I don’t remember much and b) I do not think it had all of this cool stuff. All I remember is the Space Mountain ride. Looks like a pretty cool place to me- and something I’ll enjoy taking the boys to once we’re back. Look! I can say= there’s Germany! And we will all laugh and I will miss the sauerkraut 🙂
haha my mom was born in Orlando in ’62 and lived there for 12 years…they had season passes and she was talking about “in the beginning…” this and “in the beginning…” that. Epcot is pretty cool for sure and needs more love 🙂
Or you could do 11 countries in one day by stepping over Belgium/France/Luxembourg borders, nobody said they had to be different countries! 😀 Even though Disney does sound more fun than my plan! 😉
haha good plan Marie-Carmen!
I’ve never been to Epcot, looks like it’s done up very well and worth the trip to visit, thanks for the tour. I hope that you can also join us and link up for Travel Photo Mondays, the link is live for the entire week.
Thanks Noel! They do a pretty good job of making it as authentic as possible-it’s hard to think you’re in Japan when you can see Norway in the distance, but still haha…I’ve linked up this post with your Travel Photo Mondays..thanks for the invite!
What a fantastic way to experience so many different cultures (however briefly) in one place! Looks great.
Thanks Rachel! It really is a lot of fun 🙂
This post really brings me back! I’m sure many future travelers visited Epcot as a child and displayed an early wanderlust – I still have the mini German flag I bought there almost 20 years ago. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures crossing the remaining 5 off your list.
That’s great that you enjoy it as well and pretty awesome you still have that from such a long time ago. Those five I have left are some pretty big ones that are high up on my list! 🙂
Your first paragraph gave me a good chuckle. I’m actually one of the folks that love Epcot, and while it’s been a long time since I’ve been there, I remember it fondly from childhood, especially “Norway”. And great post – Epcot deserves the love. =)
Haha thanks! I figured if I didn’t have my photos I spent so long taking and I was sick the whole time I was there, I’d at least try to make people laugh 🙂 Glad I found a fellow Epcot lover!
wow you REALLY drew me in with that title! I was like, WHOA at first lol. Sounds like a really fun day! Have been to Epcot when I was much younger, and got one of those fake passports and had each country stamp it. Now I want to go visit my parents so I can find it!
haha I’m not quite sure I’d really want to attempt 11 countries in one day…I’m fairly sure I’d die from exhaustion. And, I think I have one of those passports or did at one point. I also have my little autograph book that all the characters signed!
Haha you did get me with the title of your post.
I was thinking, “well you’d have to be in Europe and driving for 24hrs straight. Even then is it possible?”
I never knew Disneyland had anything like that. Looks really neat though. Maybe it has inspired people who have been there to actually go travel and explore these countries.
I don’t know that it would ever be possible. I’m curious now though…I may have to do some research haha…
Haha!!!! You did get me with the title of your post.
I was thinking, “well you’d have to be in Europe and driving for 24hrs straight. Even then is it possible?”
I never knew Disneyland had anything like that. Looks really neat though. Maybe it has inspired people who have been there to actually go travel and explore these countries.
I had a similar camera fail when I went to the Alaska State Fair last year. I have the quick cell-phone pictures I took, but all the pictures from my actual camera that I put actual effort into just disappeared. Argh!
I love this part of Epcot! Norway is my favorite – that’s the one with the viking ride, right? Every country needs more vikings.
I don’t think we ever get over lost pictures, do we? So frustrating! Norway is the viking ride. I agree on more vikings is always a good thing 🙂
Funny! 🙂
This looks like so much fun and a great title on your part!! As a Londoner, I’m so glad to see England in there complete with fabulous tea shops! 🙂
Thanks so much! The UK pavilion is one of my favorites 🙂
Haha, such a great title, you really got me! 🙂
Loved your post, seems like a fun day. Too bad about the camera, I think we’ve all been there and yes, it sucks!
Thanks Nina! It’s amazing how many people I got with the title. It’s made me curious if that would actually be possible.
We love EPCOT! I can spend days here compared to the other WDW parks. They really do a great job of representing the countries. My kids actually enjoyed our visit here when they were given a scavenger hunt type activity and got stamps from each country. Sorry to hear about your photos but these are wonderful too.
Thanks Mary! I did notice they do a scavenger hunt for the kids…I don’t remember that from when i was a kid, but i do remember them doing activities at each country.
Thank´s for sharing this article. Never heard of Epcot before.
In reality I would love to go to Norway. Hopefully it will happen soon (Roadtrip).
Have a great day. Christina
Thanks Christina! Norway is gorgeous (the real one) and I’d love to go back soem day.
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