Over the past year, I’ve chronicled the 11 pavilions that comprise the World Showcase at Epcot. During the course of this series, I’ve lovingly detailed all of the reasons why you should spend time at each one. The reality is that with so much to do at Walt Disney World, many theme park tourists never take the time to explore each pavilion. And I want to be clear about something. ALL of them are worth your time.
Everybody loves lists, though. To make a list that highlights the best of the World Showcase, you automatically create the corollary, the “worst” of the pavilions. To avoid ending the series on a down note, I’m going to start with this one. I stress that a “bad” World Showcase pavilion is still an amazing themed land. It’s just that some stand out even amongst a group of worthy peers. Thus, here are the five “worst” pavilions at the World Showcase (in alphabetical order).
Editor’s Note: David’s opinions in no way reflect those of Theme Park Tourist or its staff.
Canada
The Canada Pavilion has amazing architecture and stunning totem poles. It also has some of my favorite themed merchandise, presumably because many of my dearest friends live in the Great White North. Curling and hockey apparel reminds me of them and the way that they’ve gently nudged me to try new things over the years.
I also love the Table Service restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, so much that my wife and celebrated our tenth anniversary here. Also, for whatever reason, the Canada Pavilion offers some of the most unique shows at Epcot. I presume it has something to do with the location of the pavilion, which is close to the entrance of the World Showcase. Disney wants to entice guests to walk around the entire themed land, and an attention-grabbing concert is a great way to do that.
Despite the positives, Canada falls a bit short of the better pavilions for a couple of reasons. One is that its movie is probably the worst Circle-Vision 360° offering at the park. Yes, it’s a huge upgrade from the first one that was so shockingly stereotyped, but it’s still blah. Also, I’m not much of a beer drinker, which negates the appeal of ordering a Molson’s brew from the tap. Beer lovers will have a MUCH higher opinion of the pavilion; I totally understand that.
Overall, the Canada Pavilion is extremely enjoyable, but it’s not a place where I ever spend hours on end. I view that as the hallmark of the best pavilions.
China
Image: Disney
By the same criteria, the China Pavilion falls short. Honestly, were I ranking the pavilions here, this one would finish last while the next one came the closest to make the good list, meaning it’s the “best” of the “worst” pavilions.
What fascinates me about the China Pavilion is that I loved it the first time I visited. The majestic architecture hearkens back to the early days of civilization. Seeing the gate is a mind-blowing experience, and the interior of the Temple of Heaven is truly humbling. Imagineers did an amazing job in recreating not just the monuments but also demonstrating an understanding of the underlying philosophies that drove Chinese architecture over the centuries.
Image: DisneyAlso, the shows are among the finest at the World Showcase. I guess that by having Canada and China on this list, I’m revealing how little I value the shows compared to the exploration of the pavilions. I say that because these two countries are probably both in the top four for World Showcase entertainment. I’m most likely to stop at the China Pavilion when the aerobatic performers are demonstrating their dazzling balance.
The problem I have with this pavilion is its repeat value. After I walked through it once, I never really felt compelled to return. And since I don’t like Chinese food as a rule, the only reason we ever stop here is to see a show. After a few minutes, we’re ready to move along. This explains why I think of the China Pavilion as a speed bump on the way to better pavilions. The three closest ones are Norway, Mexico, and Germany, all of which will appear on the Best Pavilions list. Their proximity causes China to look worse by comparison.
France
Image: DisneyYes, the France Pavilion nearly made the other list. I eventually narrowed that grouping down to the Morocco Pavilion vs. this one and ultimately favored the more personal touch of Morocco. I’m saying this because you can use the process of elimination to deduce the pavilions on the next list.
The France Pavilion nearly made the cut because of its authenticity. The purpose here is to craft a plausible version of a small French village, the type where Belle’s love of books would cause her to feel like an outcast while all the ladies swoon over Gaston. Remarkably, Beauty & the Beast was still more than a decade away when park planners brought the pavilion to life. It’s almost as if they prophesized the later existence of the twice-popular film.
Image: DisneyThe authenticity of the pavilion stems from the subtle manipulations that Disney uses. The Eiffel Tower is always in the background due to a clever design decision. Built to 1/10th scale, the tower provides a distinctly French vibe without overwhelming the foreground. You’ll always feel like you’re in France due to its presence, though.
My complaints about this pavilion are minor. Some of the cast members aren’t exactly Disney-esque as they maintain some of that unmistakable snooty French attitude. There also isn’t a lot to do after you’ve seen Impressions de France a time or two. Basically, you’re left to shop and eat. Well, I happen to love shopping and eating, and the Belle character meeting is also wonderful. My real problem with France is that seven of the 11 pavilions are truly amazing. To create a relatively balanced list, I had to go with five “worst” entries and six “best” entries. That’s tragic since seven of the pavilions are truly brilliant.
Italy
Image: DisneyThe Italian Renaissance is one of the seminal artistic movements in our history. While the Renaissance took place across Europe, many of the triumphant works originated in Italy. Here, artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Botticelli created works that we still celebrate today.
At the Italy Pavilion, Imagineers took inspiration from these creators as well as other key monuments in the country. They’ve constructed some breathtaking yet homey facilities that join together as a welcoming environment for guests. Still, the Italy Pavilion is fairly limited. It offers food, wine, and a juggling clown. I’m not even joking. Sure, the shopping is terrific, and the food is in the conversation for best at the World Showcase. We visit the Italy Pavilion regularly, but we do so when we’re hungry. With so many sublime pavilions, however, a great meal and some marvelous architecture isn’t enough to earn a spot on the good list.
The American Adventure
Image: DisneyI wrote a tongue-in-cheek piece about the American Adventure rather than a real evaluation. I did that for a reason. I’ve never found much about this pavilion that engaged me on an intellectual level, and I say that as a former History major. Sure, I love The American Adventure show, but it’s basically a different version of the Hall of Presidents.
Celebrating the founders absolutely holds a certain fascination. Beyond that, it’s an oddly lacking pavilion. I do love the a cappella group, and like any self-respecting theme park tourist, I’ve spent a lot of time at America Gardens Theater. Should that factor into the overall evaluation of the pavilion? I’m inclined to think that those candlelight processionals and Billy Ocean concerts are their own thing. At the pavilion, the most exciting thing for me other than the show is that I can sometimes eat a steak using a Quick Service dining credit. I think that’s telling. I still like this place better than China, however, due to the impeccable quality of The American Adventure.
So, there you have it. These are the five pavilions I like the least, although I cannot honestly say that I dislike any of them. It’s just that the World Showcase has six sterling pavilions that are superior.
