Where else can you travel around the world without a passport? Epcot’s World Showcase, of course. I thought I would go on a tour of the World Showcase and take you along with me. For the next 11 days, we will explore the countries of the World Showcase, their authentic cuisine and the international spirit in each country that transports us to another destination.
Let’s start by exploring the Canada pavilion, shall we. While most guests tend to leave the Future World and start on the left side of the World Showcase, I prefer to go to the right and kick off my tour around the world in Canada. I adore the towering carved
totem poles, love to stroll through the magnificent gardens and savor the 30-foot waterfall amongst the Canadian Rockies that capture the majesty of the land to our north.
The pavilion’s Victoria Gardens were modeled after the Butchart Gardens found in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia Vancouver Island. While the Canada pavilion was designed to bring to mind the beauty of the great outdoors possessed by our neighbors in the great north, the gardens bring tranquility and are the largest gardens found in the World Showcase. They are stunning with their bursts of color and perfectly manicured grounds that make me wish they would come to my own house to replicate the beauty. They are also the most labor intensive gardens in all of the pavilions and it is easy to see why.
At one point during the planning of this pavilion, Imagineers has planned on making the pavilion a main street of stores and restaurants that were divided between the French Canada and the English Canada. I, personally, am thrilled that they went in another direction otherwise the centerpiece may not have been the majestic and Victorian-styled Hotel du Canada, modeled after the historic Chateau Laurier found in Ottawa.
Across from the Hotel du Canada is the Canadian Indian Lodge and fur trading posts, which is also home to the only shop in the pavilion, the Northwest Merchantile. This area of the pavilion is flanked with the towering totem poles that draw so much attention and are also a favorite photo spot. Reaching heights of up to 30′, two are imagineered out of fiberglass and one is carved out of wood. The wooden totem pole, carved by David A. 
Boxley, represents three stories of the “Raven” tricking the “Sky Chief” into the releasing of sun, moon and stars from a chest. Although each totem pole displays authentic craftsmanship and accurate carvings influenced by the Northern Indians, only one possesses a Hidden Mickey. Do you know which one? The actual wooden totem pole carved by David Boxley has a Hidden Mickey located just under the arm at the top of the pole. Next time you are in the pavilion, look closely and you will find it.
Aside from the beauty of the pavilion itself being the main attraction, the attraction here is an 18-minute, 360º film O Canada hosted by resident Canadian, Martin Short. This film takes you on a scenic journey through Canada from coast to coast through Calvary, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Niagara Falls Showcasing sweeping vistas of Canada’s pristine forests, mountains and waterways, you can discover the splendor of Canada as Martin Short takes you tour of his beloved homeland and the Canadian people’s connection to the land they love.
Another one of Canada’s popular attractions is performances by the band Off Kilter. With a whole new twist on Celtic music, this rocking’ kilt clad band puts on a great show and one that is worth seeing during your visit but you better do it soon as they sadly are scheduled to retire from the Epcot park at the end of this month.
If fine dining is what you are seeking, Le Cellier is one of the best restaurant experiences in Epcot. Themed as a wine cellar and inspired by 2 of the grandest château-style hotels – Fairmont Le 
Château Frontenac and Fairmont Château Laurier, this elegant dining establishment is one of the most requested in all of Epcot. The sweeping archways, beamed ceilings, wooden tables surrounded by stone walls and flickering candle sconces create an ambiance that is second to none. The main attraction here is the food and they offer an amazing tender, aged steak, fresh seafood and the famed Canadian cheddar cheese soup.
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of trying the Canadian cheddar cheese soup, I highly recommend it. For those of you who have had the outstanding Canadian cheddar cheese soup, you know how deliciously creamy and cheesy it is and I am sure you crave it occasionally as I do.
Now that we are almost done exploring the Canada pavilion, there is one final destination – shopping at the Northwest Merchantile for authentic Canadian souvenirs. Designed to look like a traditional native longhouse, this mercantile boasts authentic Canadian merchandise such as Kitras Art Glass, wilderness themed Christmas ornaments, pewter, hockey jerseys, lumberjack apparel, Maple products, Canadian wine and Ice wine.
Next stop on our tour, is the United Kingdom! Join me tomorrow as we explore the exciting and lively pavilion that is the United Kingdom.
Epcot’s 19th annual Food & Wine Festival is in full swing serving up authentic dishes from six continents paired with wine, beer and cocktails from over 60 wineries and 40 breweries worldwide, including local craft beer operations.
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