Epcot began as two separate theme parks — one dedicated to the technology of tomorrow and one focused on the interconnected world we live in. One day, some enterprising imagineers decided to push the two models for theme parks together into one, and thus, Epcot was born.
The back-half of Walt Disney World’s second park became known as the World Showcase — nearly a dozen pavilions designed to give guests a taste of life in a different country. They were staffed entirely by natives of the represented country, and they included experiences, shops, and restaurants plucked directly from the nations themselves.
Over time, a few more pavilions opened thereby giving the park 11 nations in total. Most come from Europe and Asia, although America and her neighbors have a place of their own.
But while all of the World Showcase’s pavilions are excellent, some are more excellent then others. Let’s rank every World Showcase pavilion — taking into account how well-designed they are, how well they capture the nation’s spirit, and how fun they are to explore (and dine within):
12. The Outpost
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Last on the list, The Outpost isn’t technically a full World Showcase pavilion. However, it is open year-round, it occupies a delineated expansion pad around World Showcase lagoon, and it’s ostensibly themed to a region of the world. For those reasons, we decided to include it here.
The fact that it needed that disclaimer, though, explains why it’s ranked 12th. The Outpost’s African influence isn’t specific to any one country on the continent, thereby making it more of a reductive stereotype than the other pavilions around the bay. That it takes up space that could be better utilized by an actual pavilion themed to, say, South Africa or Egypt, also takes some points off. Lastly, the lack of any interesting cuisine beyond simple hot dogs and such make it feel very much like a placeholder.
11. Germany
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The main attraction of Epcot’s Germany pavilion is, of course, its Biergarten Restaurant — themed to create the feeling of year-round Oktoberfest. Pretzels, beer, and German music fill the space which is nestled toward the back of the otherwise sparsely laid out pavilion.
A miniature railroad and town model next to the main pavilion add a small bit of flair, but on the whole, the Germany pavilion’s only real reason for existing is to ply guests with beer and pretzels — making it a somewhat cliche take on a country full of art, music, culture. Disney chose to focus the Germany pavilion on pre-WWII architecture and culture for obvious reasons, but modern Germany is so vibrant and unique, it’s a shame that’s been minimized behind the perennial celebration of Oktoberfest.
10. Italy
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While this hasn’t always been the case, the Italy pavilion offers up some of the best food in World Showcase — including the best pizza on Disney property at Via Napoli.
Tutto Gusto — the pavilion’s bar — is as cozy and quaint a space as you’ll find anywhere in the World Showcase, offering up an elite-yet-accessible wine list and incredible bites.
But, if you’re looking for something other than food, you’ve come to the wrong pavilion. The shopping is only so-so considering Italy is known as a worldwide fashion capital, and the lack of a real attraction beyond what’s on your dinner plate leaves much to be desired.
9. Canada
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Canada, on the other hand, has the opposite problem from Italy. Beyond one of Epcot’s best sit-down restaurants in Le Cellier Steakhouse, there’s not much to do in this pavilion.
O Canada, the CircleVision film starring Martin Short, is a classic piece of retro-Epcot flair, but there’s very little in the way of shopping or cultural exhibits for anyone desperate to learn more about America’s neighbor to the north. There is a live stage show featuring Canadian folk music, but if you’re looking for something more in-depth to explore, you’re out of luck.
Canada has great food and a wonderful film, but it lacks anything beyond that, thereby bringing the whole pavilion down.
8. Morocco
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The Morocco pavilion suffers from some of the same problems as the Germany pavilion — namely, that it exists primarily to serve hummus to wary World Showcase travelers. The lack of a headlining attraction makes it feel a bit like the introduction to a novel someone forgot to write.
However, the reason Morocco finds itself higher on this list is that what the pavilion does have is truly extraordinary. The intricately designed marketplace is a faithful recreation of northern African architecture and design. There are tons of mosaics and tucked away corners, making this pavilion one of the few to feel completely separate from Walt Disney World.
And, beyond incredible design work, the three culinary options on hand make Morocco one of the best places for somewhat adventurous eaters who don’t want to wait for a table. And, the food is quite good once you get it.
7. The American Adventure
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It’s the middle of the World Showcase, and roughly at the middle of this list. The American pavilion — called, specifically, The American Adventure — is unlike any other place in the World Showcase. It also has the hardest task: to represent the country that it resides in.
To that end, it succeeds only somewhat. It’s namesake headliner attraction is as impressive a show as you’ll find on Disney property, telling an abridged and Disneyfied version of American history. But, other than that attraction, there’s not much to be found here.
A mediocre quick-service restaurant and small shopping area drag this pavilion down dramatically — far enough that not even the Voices of Liberty (an astonishing a capella group specializing in patriotic songs) or the American Gardens Theater can help it. With a better restaurant or a more broadly-encompassing American shopping experience, perhaps the USA pavilion could improve its position on here.
6. Norway
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A few years ago, Norway would have been much higher on this list. It has everything you’d want in a pavilion — unique architecture, delicious food, and a fun attraction.
However, the renovation of the former Maelstrom attraction into Frozen Ever After has left Norway a bit confused in the aftermath. Disney’s hit film Frozen is not, in fact, set in Norway, but instead in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle. The attraction is excellent, and one of Disney’s best dark rides in years. However, it doesn’t bring to life the culture of the host country quite the same way as Maelstrom did.
The Kringla Bakeri og Kafe is certainly excellent, ain’t he Stave Church’s exhibits are excellent. But, the confusion over what is Norwegian and what is Arendellian muddies the waters a bit — and, the lack of a true high-end dining experience push Norway closer to the middle of the extremely-competitive pack.
5. China
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If you were to distill World Showcase pavilions down to their most essential ingredients, you’d arrive at a list that looks like this: an attraction that captures the natural beauty of the country, one restaurant for quick regional bites, one restaurant with a more high-end experience, tons of shopping and architecture to explore, and some entertainment options on top.
China has all of these elements, mixed together in exactly the right way. Reflections of China is a fantastic and moving film about the incredible beauty of one of the world’s oldest societies. The food in China is outstanding, including in Nine Dragons — the sit-down restaurant. And the shopping provides just enough to explore so as to never get bored.
But, to top it all off, a stellar acrobatic show and gorgeous gardens to explore make China a signature pavilion of World Showcase — and a must-see.
4. United Kingdom
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While China possesses all of the elements of a great World Showcase pavilion, the United Kingdom really only has one — but it’s so great and so special, it carries the entire pavilion to great heights.
I’m talking about, of course, the Rose and Crown Pub. It is in the conversation for the most quintessential experience on offer in World Showcase, giving guests the authentic vibe of an English Pub in Central Florida. The piano player livens up the pub, and its architecture — designed to reflect a different style of pub depending on how you look at it — makes it a show and attraction unto itself.
When you add the delicious Yorkshire County Fish Shop around the corner, and some fun shopping themed around music and soccer, you wind up with a charming pavilion that everyone wants to spend a fair amount of time in. But, the star will always be the Rose and Crown.
3. Japan
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It’s hard to put a pavilion without an attraction in the top-3. However, that’s easier to do when that pavilion asks you to reconsider your definition of “attraction” along the way.
The Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Japan pavilion is, essentially, just a store. But calling it a “store” sells short just how much of an experience it is, and just how much time you can spend exploring it. Featuring everything from anime memorabilia to sake and unique foods, the Mitsukoshi Department Store has more to see than some entire World Showcase pavilions.
Beyond that, Japan includes several dining locations, including the scenic Katsura Grill, as well as an art gallery dedicated to various exhibits about Japanese culture. And, if you want something a bit more interactive, the thrilling taiko drum performers add a pulsing energy to World Showcase whenever they perform.
Japan is beautiful, full of places to explore, and incredible food to try — making it a top-3 pavilion, even without a real attraction. If it had one — like, say, the long-rumored bullet train experience or Mt. Fuji roller coaster — it would be a real contender for No. 1 on this list.
2. France
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Impressions de France isn’t just the best attraction in the World Showcase. It’s also one of the best attractions at Walt Disney World. Featuring music, poetry, and images from one of the most beautiful and artistically prolific country’s the world has ever known, the not-quite-CircleVision film is a work of art itself (as well as an early influence of the modern Soarin’ Over the World attraction around the corner).
But even without Impressions de France, this pavilion would be among the best. Monsieur Paul and Chefs de France offer incredible sit-down cuisine, while Le Boulengerie Patisserie Des Halles gives guests an incredible assortment of pastries and breads to try. Smaller dining kiosks offering gelato and other sweets combine with charming shopping and gorgeous architecture to make France among the most photogenic pavilions in the entirety of Epcot.
And, it’s only getting better — with the forthcoming Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction opening soon, France will likely be the most popular stop in Word Showcase.
1. Mexico
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But, just because France is the most popular, that doesn’t mean it’s the best. That title goes to Mexico, one of the best themed areas in any Disney park, anywhere in the world.
Tucked inside a replica of an ancient Mayan temple, the Mexico pavilion places guests into an eternal nighttime party on the streets of a bustling village. There’s a restaurant right along side a river — the same river that takes guests on a Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros.
There are kiosks selling Mexican toys and souvenirs. There are shops offering high-end jewelry and other more adult goods. And, of course, there’s La Cava de Tequila — one of the best bars on Walt Disney World property.
Outside the pyramid, the pavilion continues its culinary offerings with a table-service restaurant alongside the World Showcase lagoon and a quick-service spot for those touring around the world at a brisker pace.
But if you’re looking for a pavilion that truly transports you to another place, and creates a sense of time and mood unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced, Mexico is that pavilion. It’s the perfect encapsulation of everything the World Showcase is about — giving you a taste of another country’s culture and feeling without ever leaving home.
