Which of the World Showcase pavillions is the most like the country it represents?

This thought occurred to me whilst watching the Olympics. They had some footage of places in Beijing and I thought that one place looked just like the one in Epcot. Turns out that the Epcot version is a scaled down version of that very palace, so no wonder it looked familliar.

So I was thinking about the other pavillions and how well they represent the countries. I have always been a bit disappointed with the UK - I find it very disjointed, and the main focus is the shops and the pub! And, sadly, many people in the UK couldn't tell you who Anne Hathaway was, let alone what her cottage looked like, so it is hardly a famous building over here. I guess it's because the UK has so much history and different cultures and they are trying to cram too much in.

Of the other countries, I have visited a few, and I feel that the French pavillion does a brilliant job of representing Paris, with the film showcasing other parts of France. The film is one of my favourite bits of World Showcase, as it shows the France that I recognise. Maybe the UK pavillion needs a film or something, or a tighter focus?

Thoughts?

Each of the countries was designed with the help of Ambassadors from each country to ensure they looked as authentic as possible. Most contain a "remake" of a building you can find in the actual country like this. With that said however, I voted for Morocco because it's the one country where a dignitary from that country actually came to Epcot to oversee it's design and construction and be sure it was dead on.

Great poll, very interesting! I've really only been to 3 of the countries represented (besides the US), so it's hard to say. It does seem like most of the pavilions tend to represent more historical aspects of each region, rather than present day culture. I suppose I'd go with Japan, since you have the traditional architecture and landscaping on the outside, with Western-influenced modern day trends represented in the gallery and the Mitsukoshi's merchandise.

I've traveled a bit of Europe (France, the UK, and Germany to be specific), and most of those cities are very modernized. Germany however keeps it's old style of buildings much like the Germany pavilion in Epcot.

I agree. I feel Germany is most authentically represented. The Christmas influence is very well depicted.

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Originally Posted by tasha36

I have always been a bit disappointed with the UK - I find it very disjointed, and the main focus is the shops and the pub! And, sadly, many people in the UK couldn't tell you who Anne Hathaway was, let alone what her cottage looked like, so it is hardly a famous building over here. I guess it's because the UK has so much history and different cultures and they are trying to cram too much in.

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I feel the same way about the Canadian pavillion, they try to cram a lot in a small area, the chateau and the falls I like, the mercantile and totems? Not sure where you would find that sort of thing anymore, maybe in northern remote parts of the country. I was disappointed to see that the little cobblestone street had no cute shops, there is so much potential there! In Canada, other than Le Cellier, the mercantile and the movie (which thankfully, was a big improvement) there is not much at all to see. I would add a little open air café, a few shops selling items made by Canadian artists and just like we have in Old Montreal, displays of photos for sale. That would fill up that boring area nicely I think. That being said, I am not exactly sure which country is the most accurately represented. Mexico (indoors) is pretty accurate, so is Italy, I haven't been to the other countries so I can't really say. I guess I would also agree with Germany from pictures that I have seen. I am not sure which to vote for!

I was gonna vote for Norway since in many restaurants in Oslo and Bergen there are woman dressed up as Mulan and Jasmine

I love World Showcase probably above all other places in the World. What a great question!

Italy represents St. Mark's Square pretty well. France is nice too, but Morocco really looks like it could have been plucked from Marrakesh and dropped into EPCOT.

I have been to China twice and I can tell you that the China Pavillion represents very well the way that the Emperor would have lived, but not the people. I think it is that way for all the Pavillions. There is no nation on earth that looks exactly the same everywhere you go. So, Disney went with what they thought people would want to see, I assume. Regardless, I still love it!

Great thread!!!

Aside, from living in the U.S., I've only been to Canada and Mexico. The places I went in those countries are exactly like Epcot pavilions, so I'd have to say the U.S. There are many buildings in this country that are very, very similar to the American pavilion.