Oktoberfest isn’t just a German celebration. It’s a way of life, especially at the Germany Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. The food and spirits on sale here are the stuff of myth and legend, but the appeal is the hominess of the entire region. When you enter this place, you’re walking into a Bavarian village, where you’ll feel welcome and happy. Here are six great reasons to love the Germany Pavilion.
The style
Image: DisneyThe original plans for the Germany Pavilion would have created a kindred spirit to Fantasyland. Folklore is a huge aspect of German culture. Imagineers planned to emphasize this aspect by creating a humble Bavarian village accentuated with a few mythological touches. One of them was a ride akin to Maelstrom at the Norway Pavilion, but those plans were dropped.
Disney prioritized the folksy nature of German villages instead. They had existing inspiration for this style. Imagineers based the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on Neuschwanstein Castle in a village named Hohenschwangau near Bavaria, Germany. They took plenty of pictures of the entire region when planning the castle. Almost 30 years later, Disney’s Epcot construction team was able to call upon these resources in building Germany.
The theme of the pavilion is that you’re entering a plaza that hosts Oktoberfest. Always. Yes, you can visit any month of the year and still celebrate the most famous of German traditions. The music that you hear in this part of the World Showcase is even Oktoberfest-appropriate, which is to say upbeat and fun. Fans of German culture will feel right at home at this pavilion.
The unexpected architecture
Image: DisneyThe last thing you’d expect as you walk through the World Showcase is to see is a miniature train set…and you definitely wouldn’t expect it to be working! Should you head over to the Italy Pavilion side of Germany, you’ll see an adorable hillside train depot. It mimics an idyllic German village complete with train station.
This feature wasn’t an original part of the Germany Pavilion. In fact, it wasn’t even intended as a permanent feature. Disney added it specifically for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival; however, theme park tourists loved it so much that park planners wisely chose to keep and maintain it.
The train set, while delightful, isn’t the most recognizable architectural structure at the Germany Pavilion. That honor unmistakably goes to a central fountain that functions as the hub. Fittingly, a statue of Saint George overlooks the water, and a magnificent clock tower lords above it. According to legend, Saint George once bested a dragon, making him the ideal caretaker/overwatch. His triumph is immortalized by this statue. The design of town center mirrors the hubs of German villages, creating a perfect destination for Oktoberfest travelers.
The characters
Image: DisneyMany World Showcase pavilions offer special character meetings at designated spots. The Germany Pavilion is no exception. Disney’s first princess, Snow White, hangs out at a wishing well and happily welcomes all theme park tourists. She’s even known to burst into song on some occasions, and she’ll even let you make a wish! The wishing well is a perfect spot for pictures, too. You’re likely to snag a frame-worthy photograph here. In addition, the Seven Dwarfs also appear on occasion. And they are extremely true to character. You’ll have a lot of fun interacting with the whole crew.
The food
Image: DisneyDining at the Germany Pavilion comes down to two choices. Do you want to eat at Biergarten Restaurant or not? I’m exaggerating here…but only slightly. The Quick Service eatery at this pavilion is Sommerfest, which has one of the most limited menus of any Epcot counter service establishment. In truth, you’ll find a deeper menu at several of the food kiosks that pop up at the World Showcase throughout the year. The two entrees here are a hot dog and a brat. You can also get a pretzel, some potato salad, and a Nudel Gratin, the ambitious choice. If none of this appeals to you, look elsewhere.
Before you get disappointed about the food, let me state with conviction that Biergarten Restaurant is wonderful. Trip Adviser reviewers grade it as one of the best restaurants at the World Showcase and in the entire city of Orlando, for that matter. It’s an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant with classic Bavarian cuisine.
Image: DisneyYou’ll want to have an empty stomach when you eat here, as the brats, spätzles, schnitzels, sausages, and other German favorites are meat-intensive. They also serve a ridiculous selection of salads if you’re vegetarian. And while beer comes with a surcharge here, you’ll definitely want to wash down all the proteins with frosty ale. Biergarten Restaurant is THE place to eat at Epcot when you’re starving. It’s also not a hard place to get a reservation or a table when you forgot took said reservation. Plus, there’s dancing if you’re the mood to jump around!
The drinks
Image: DisneyImagine if Disney built a tribute to Oktoberfest but then messed up the beer selections. Exactly. While Sommerfest doesn’t have a deep menu, true Disney fanatics know that this place isn’t about the food. It’s really a delivery vehicle for the tastiest German suds.
Brews like König Ludwig Weissbier and Altenmünster Oktoberfest are beloved selections, while more daring folks can sample the unusual Schöfferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen. And if you’re in the mood for something stronger, Jägermeister Shots and Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon are both available. You can even order a Riesling if you want something classier instead. At the Germany Pavilion, the not-so-secret reality is that you’re there for the Oktoberfest drinking. The menu reflects that.
Plus, this place is even better during Epcot International exhibitions. Several exclusive beers are available during these periods on the calendar. When you’re looking for a good time, head to this pavilion and start drinking!
The shopping
Image: DisneyWhen you visit(ed) your grandparents, do/did they always have caramels for you? You can recreate that feeling of familial comfort when you visit Karamell-Küche, the ONLY Werthers working kitchen in the world. They have plenty of pre-packaged bags of candy for sell, and I speak from much experience when I say that these travel well. Still, while you’re at Epcot, you want something fresher. Head over to the counter and treat yourself to a delightful series of fresh caramels and other diet-destroying sweets. Also, maybe you’ve heard about the wonders of Bavarian chocolate… You’ll find plenty of that here, too.
Once you’re done with the chocolate and caramel candies, take a look at the popcorn available. Giant bags of caramel corn are on sale here. While they don’t travel as well due to staleness issues, they’re absolutely divine the first 36 hours. Eat them while they’re fresh and know the meaning of culinary bliss.
Image: DisneyAfter you’re done eating, head over to the various shops in the town center. They’re all in the same general vicinity, with distinctive products available in each location. My favorites are the teddy bear store, the drinking stein store, and the best of the bunch, the holiday store. At the Germany Pavilion’s Die Weihnachtsecke, it feels like December all year long, which gets confusing since it’s also October all year long. Anyway, the holiday decorations here are adorable. Other specialty stores sell wines, clocks and watches, and glassware. You’ll find plenty of individuality at the various Germany Pavilion merchant stores, just as if you were shopping in a Bavarian village.
The Germany Pavilion is a delightful place to visit. Fans of Snow White and her seven friends will have a wonderful time here. Anybody feeling hungry can pig out at Biergarten Restaurant or snack on chocolate, caramels, and popcorn. Shopaholics will find innumerable knickknacks worthy of a spot on the shelf. Most importantly, fans of Octoberfest will feel like they’re home as they chug down a few suds and celebrate the spirit of Germany’s most famous festival. Out of all the World Showcase pavilions, Germany is the one where friends are most likely to gather and share a wonderful night together.
