Span the world

A simple dip of our toes into the pavilions that never were reveal brilliantly designed corners of the world not yet broached by World Showcase. While these pavilions would be amazing additions, what about the countries already represented along the promenade? World Showcase covers a lot of ground, both in terms of the actual path guests walk and in the sweeping slice of global life covered by the pavilions. Culture, food, shopping, horticulture, architecture, the list of ideas covered by even the lowliest of pavilions is astounding! So, what could be done to spruce up the pavilions we already have? That is the question of the day!

Roundtable Topic: You cannot add or remove a pavilion. Given those parameters, what single change would you make to a pavilion in World Showcase?
Roundtable Contributors: George Taylor (Imaginerding), Fiona (DF’82), Melissa Loflin (Makin’ Memories), AJ Wolfe (The Disney Food Blog), D.J. Jones (The World of Deej), Andy Jackson (Eating (and Drinking) around the World), and yours truly.

George – Gawsh, Mickey, er, uh, Ryan, this is interesting.

When I think about World Showcase, I ruminate on the Pavilions that have a special appeal. I love the indoor market of Mexico. Morocco is outstanding because you can get lost and truly feel like you are not at EPCOT. The bathrooms in Japan might be the best on property. The UK Pavilion meanders so well. Beyond that, World Showcase is for people who like to eat and shop.

After visiting Walt Disney World for a guys-only weekend, I realized that we spent most of our time in Future World due to the thrill rides. We passed into World Showcase after dark only to sample the beers from different countries.

World Showcase is in need of a thrill ride; something better than Maelstrom. Maybe it is time for a Ratatouille-style coaster in France or a fast-paced ride in Japan or Germany. I would push it to the pavilions on the far side of the lagoon, simply for the foot traffic. If you are forcing me to choose, then I would go with the often-discussed Mt Fuji roller coaster in Japan. I know there have been issues with Kodak being an integral sponsor at Walt Disney World, but this is a much needed addition to World Showcase. Or better yet--what about a ride similar to Toy Story Mania, but instead of breaking plates and popping balloons, you get to shoot Duffy the Bear as he makes his way across the Pacific to America.

Just a thought...

Fiona – As an ex-Cast Member of the UK Pavilion, my major change would be to almost completely overall the Pavilion to truly represent the United Kingdom as a whole. Most guests, when they visit, think it is the England or English Pavilion, which is understandable as all the buildings and facades reflect English building styles much more than British styles. If I couldn’t overhaul the outside of the buildings (as they do have a story behind them), I would introduce an attraction to the sadly lacking Pavilion. I would make a dark ride, which took you through the history of the United Kingdom, looking at the different representative countries. The dark ride would look at the different years, highlighting the Union of the countries that make up the United Kingdom, and finish by taking guests through what is a more modern-day UK. The main purpose of the attraction would be to highlight that this isn’t the English pavilion, which is a major bug-bear to us (who are not part of England) and also to educate exactly what the UK comprises of. In a way, bringing back the Education part of World Showcase which is slowly disappearing.Melissa – This month I found myself thinking with my stomach. Now I know some people will think that the last thing the World Showcase needs is another restaurant. But my stomach and appetite disagree. I love having so many options for dining in the various countries, but it came to me that America is the one pavilion around the World Showcase that does not have a table service restaurant. I think a restaurant that served dishes representative of the varying regional cuisines of our country would be a nice addition to this pavilion. While many visitors are from the host country, they aren’t from the same regions within America, and visitors from other countries would be able to get a taste of all that our country has to offer. The interior of the restaurant could be broken into the regions included on the menu and decorated to match. Regions could include New England with its shellfish, the South with its variety of barbecue, the Midwest being the “breadbasket of America”, the West with its wild game and wine country, the Pacific with authentic Hawaiian cuisine; the options could be endless! Diners could take a tour across America with one meal in the pavilion. After all, that is what the World Showcase is all about; taking guests into all of the countries and giving them a full experience of the culture within.

AJ – My answer to this is simple; it's something I've been wanting to see happen for a long time: more canals in Italy! How great would it be to have a series of canals winding through the pavilion with little bridges spanning the mini-rivers the way they do in Venice? I get that there IS a canal in front of Italy, but very few people notice it's there since it's on the other side of the World Showcase Promenade from the rest of Italy's offerings. And this canal is representative only; it's not very long, and it doesn't actually GO anywhere.

So, create some gorgeous little canals throughout the Italy pavilion, let guests take a gondola ride or -- better yet -- create a boat ride attraction through the canals. Tuck a few little hideaways and shops -- perhaps an Italian bakery -- into the nooks and crannies around the pavilion. Italy can be more than just a big, useless square! Sigh...wouldn't it be marvelous?Daniel – If I could make one change to an Epcot pavilion, it would be in the United Kingdom. The Rose & Crown Pub is probably my favorite place in all of Walt Disney World, but I'm not exactly a trendsetter here. The place is always packed, which is partially why I love it, but I think Disney is missing a key money making opportunity. Everyone knows that there is a lot more profit in alcohol than there is in food. With that in mind, I think the entire Rose & Crown Restaurant should be gutted and converted strictly into a larger pub. Sure, throw a few tables here and there for those who want some Fish n Chips, but can you imagine how awesome Rose & Crown would be if it were say, three times the size? I can, but only in my dreams....

Andy – So what would I do to improve my Happy Place of World Showcase? What single change would I make to an existing pavilion? Okay, I’m warning you know I’m going to cheat and mention more than one...

If we’re talking a real Blue-Sky change, I’d take one of the originally proposed rides that was to be in the second phase of Epcot’s construction and put one of those in... the ride buildings are in place, so why not? Japan has a huge space that was to house the “Meet the World” attraction (or the bullet train ride... or behind the pavilion the Mt. Fuji roller coaster, or...). But the one I’d actually put in is in Germany: the Rhine River ride.

A boat ride through miniatures of famous locations along the German river would give us an attraction somewhat analogous to the Storybook Land Canal Boats in Disneyland (of which I have vivid memories from my long-past childhood), and with my model-building history I’m particularly fond of miniatures (one of the reasons I’m so fond of the model train layout in Germany).

Okay, that’s one (that probably won’t ever happen)...

For one that actually could happen... and, of course, it involves eating: Let’s fix the food in the American Adventure pavilion...

So what do the selections in the Liberty Inn say about American food? Nothing - and there is nothing there that really draws in any food-thinking person to eat there, other than the “safe” choices of a burger of chicken nuggets for the kids...

How about highlighting American regional fare? Cajun Gumbo or Red Beans and Rice, a New Mexico Green Chili Stew, Chicago-Style Pizza, a Salmon dish from the Pacific Northwest... the options are endless, and there are tons of dishes that would work well in a quick-service type eatery (and they have proven they can do good versions of many of these types of dishes before)... even better vary the offerings by season to highlight the items available throughout the country in different times of the year emphasizing fresh, regional ingredients... traditional holiday foods during the fall/winter months, outdoor grilling favorites highlighted during the summer - you get the idea... it could actually become quick-service-destination-dining... I can dream, can’t I?Ryan – There are so many unrealized attractions that I would love to see added to World Showcase. So many dining options I would love to tack on to the copious amounts of food and beverage already prevalent throughout the promenade. And yet, if given the choice to alter one thing about an existing pavilion, I would not hesitate to focus all of my energy on The American Adventure.

After each viewing of this show I tend to walk out of the theater just slightly taller than I did walking in, and with just a hint of redness around my eyes. Yet, inescapably, I am always just slightly perturbed by the fact that the more than two-hundred and thirty year history of our country cuts off in the 1940s and glosses over the next six decades with a video montage.

If given the chance, I would go back to the original concept which included three hosts. Who would I pick for the host of the 20th Century? Well, the compelling argument is Walt Disney, but I’d go with a slightly different Walt. With news changing as rapidly as any medium in the 1900s, transforming into a 24 hours news cycle, I would be proud for the last century to be recounted by Walter Cronkite.

While there is quite a bit of sadness to cover with the latter half of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century, plenty of war and horrifying attacks, there is also a lot admire. Civil rights movement, the space race, and technological advancement are all ideas and moments that deserve their own moment in the spotlight.

There is a lot to be proud of as we look back across our American adventure as a people, and I only wish that more of those moments could find their way onto the stage of The American Adventure.

With so many pavilions that are underutilized, it is amazing that the majority of the Gazette Roundtable chose to focus in on either the United Kingdom or the American Adventure pavilions. With so much ground left to cover, the question is now in your hands, dedicated readers, what single change would you like to see come to life in World Showcase?

Disney This Week - 30 October 2011

Amanda Tinney dishes on parade FASTPASSes being used in the Magic Kingdom on Disney Every Day.

Speaking of parades, Shawn Slater and DisneyShawn turns his insightful eye towards the Adventure Rovers of Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade.

Eating WDW is drinking with the Monorail, but Sarah Holodick has a twist on this classic pastime.

George Taylor finds EPCOT Magazine while flipping through the channels of Imaginerding TV.

Waffle sandwiches in the Magic Kingdom? Why, yes please! Everyone should thank Ashley Reeve and A Cup of Disney for alerting us to these new menu items.

Melissa Loflin issues her opinion of the Online Check-In option for Makin’ Memories.

With Food and Wine in full swing, Andy Jackson keeps a sharp eye on Epcot's food and food merchandise of the festival for Eating (and Drinking) around the World.

Mitch at Imagineering Disney explains why long time Disney fans should be thrilled about Buena Vista Street.

The Disney Food Blog examines one of my favorite meal-time snacks when AJ Wolfe samples the baked potato from Liberty Square.

Michael Crawford is back to work at Progress City, U.S.A. with his Rants and Raves from this year’s D23 Expo.

Studios Central knows how to eat, and Matt Hochberg proves it when he gets two meals for the price of one.

FoxxFur gives the much maligned pop up ghouls of the Haunted Mansion their due respect on Passport to Dreams Old & New.


Also this week, Suzannah DiMarzio graciously allowed me put together my Top 5 Spooky Disney Movies for Zannaland.

Silent Saturday - Sleepy Hollow Refreshments Jack O' Lanterns (October 2010)

Aboard the spaceship Nostromo

I apology ahead of time for the dark, grainy photo for this week’s entry, my camera doesn’t love dark rooms where it can be steadied by a tripod. I do hope, however, that once we divulge what we’re looking at, you will find it in your hearts to forgive me.This photograph was taken in the cargo hold area of the Nostromo, the first room of the Alien portion of the Great Movie Ride. It is off to the left of your moving theater seats, where there is a stack of crates. Placed atop the tallest column of crates are a Hawaiian shirt and a discarded beverage canister. These items belong to the Nostromo’s engineering assistant, Brett.

We pick up Alien in the middle of the film, the crew of the Nostromo has been attempting to track down and capture the newborn alien after their first encounter with it, the famous chest-bursting entrance of the creature. Brett is attempting to corral Jones, the crew’s feline companion. During his pursuit, he becomes the first crew member to come face-to-face with the fully grown alien, mere moments before his own demise. Returning to the items in the Nostromo’s cargo hold in the Great Movie Ride, though never seen taking off or without his trademark shirt, Brett is clearly the only character in Alien who would be caught dead (sorry, I couldn’t resist) in that shirt and he is known to leave drink cans lying around.

While guests aboard the Great Movie Ride will soon have their own run ins with the alien, the shirt homage is a great way to tie in to the creature’s first full-sized appearance on screen. It also stands as a silent notice to guests of the danger that lies ahead, long before that unforgettable siren and the voice of Mother (MU-TH-UR 6000) begin to shriek out their warnings.

In space

At the International Space Training Center (ISTC), also known as Mission: SPACE, there is plenty to entice and excite guests about the possibilities and history of life beyond our own atmosphere. Quotes from astronauts, roving vehicles, and a model featuring lunar landing sites are just a few of the exhibits guests walk by, often without even realizing what they have missed.

In the final corridor, as guests approach their briefing bay, there is a line of unique plaques upon the walls. The plaques represent many of the firsts in space flight. Each plate includes a replication of the flight patch, the mission name, what the flight was known for, the event’s date, and who was aboard the historic mission. Most of the thirteen markers are historical fact, the last two, however, are where we venture into historical, or future, fiction. These plaques include the first family in space and the first X-2 deep space mission.

Whether fact or fiction, these tiles deserve a little bit of observation time, that is, if you have any to spare before your launch to Mars!

Boil in cauldron

When it comes to thinking about the classic signs of Halloween, most of which seem outdated now, I often turn to bobbing for apples, trick or treating with a small bucket (not a pillowcase), and carving a scary (though often it turned out to be goofy) grin on a pumpkin. When I think of Halloween treats, and I’m not talking about the miniature pieces of candy that filled my McDonald’s Jack-o’-lantern bucket, I immediately think of popcorn balls and candy apples. In Walt Disney World, we often dream about the gargantuan caramel apples covered in all sorts of goodies sure to cause a delicious stomach ache, but what about candy apples?

I recently stopped by the Candy Cauldron in Downtown Disney’s West Side to give their traditional offering a sampling.

At first glance, these appear to be the real deal, an authentic candy apple, with a classic red candy coating. There is an even coat around the outside of the apple, which doesn’t wobble and roll away. But how does it stand up to the taste test? Delicious! The Candy Cauldron uses a red apple, not the green variety utilized in the caramel versions, and the candy shell is not to thin or thick. You can feel it shatter under your teeth and the tiny shards melting on your tongue before you even get to the majority of candy or meat of the apple.

As for the flavor of the candy itself, it was red! I honestly couldn’t tell you if it was a cherry, strawberry, or any other sort of red fruit flavor. The candy coating was simply sweet and tasted red, if that makes any sense to you, and it was precisely what I remembered from the candy apples of my childhood Halloweens.

Also, the melting candy, mixed with the juicy apples, equaled a sticky mess all over my face. I mean it, there was syrupy juices on my cheeks and in my beard before I was done! To counteract this, the Candy Cauldron did offer to cut up my apple when I purchased it, but I wanted an authentic experience, and boy did I get one!

I know that Downtown Disney is not hosting the free trick or treating event that has been so popular in the last several years. However, for those brave souls out there who will be venturing out to Downtown Disney in the next few days, this weekend, or even in the summertime, you could do a lot worse than taking a bite out of this candy apple! Oh, and they’ve promised me the Old Hag has not been seen cooking up apples here in months!

Grand opening agenda

Last week, we touched upon a single segment of the grand opening celebration of Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom. This week, how about a glimpse into the entire spectacle that was the Grand Opening Weekend of EPCOT Center? Okay, so this isn’t going to be a thorough rundown of everything associated with those three days, but it will give you an idea of the hustle and bustle that were October 22 – 24, 1982. How, you might ask? Well, we’ll keep up the same way the Cast Members did!

Prior to the dedications, ceremonies, and other festivities, Cast Members were given fact cards breaking down the whens, wheres, and whats of the weekend. Along with the weekend’s schedule the collapsible cards also listed important numbers for resorts, publicity offices, transportation, foreign language assistance, restaurant offices, base operations, temporary staffing, and VIP lounges. Additionally, the cards listed the operating hours for both EPCOT Center and the Magic Kingdom, the schedule for the 1982 Walt Disney World Golf Classic (to be held October 28 – 31, and won by Hal Sutton), and a listing of individual pavilion dedications.

So, how did the weekend go? I left out the phone numbers and other miscellaneous information, but you can check out the schedule and dedication calendar portions of the fact cards below.

As Halloween arises

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has one thing going for it over most other autumn festivities, it is filled with candy, costumes, villains, a parade, and a fantastic fireworks display, but by its very nature it is not out to scare you. What this means is that candy trails are filled with light-hearted displays, featuring favorite characters who may not be seen much throughout the rest of the year, and save for the Haunted Mansion, there are no haunted houses of any sort. I think it’s time to turn that thinking, and thinking about haunted houses in general, on its head.For starters, guest who attend this event year after year often complain about the regular price increases for these hard ticket events paired with the diminishing amount of entertainment and entitlements. Add in, let’s say, a pair of haunted houses and the Magic Kingdom makes great strides in creating more smiles. With added entertainment, which would no doubt be met with monstrous lines, you also increase the possibility that guest, particularly locals, would venture back to the event multiple times a year simply to be able to see it all. In this scenario, everybody wins!

Now, I can hear all of you out there bemoaning the possibility of turning a family-friendly event into something geared more towards the teen and young adult set. Let me tell you right now, I think Universal has that niche locked up down the street, and they put on a terrifically terrifying party that does not need competition. Nor is that the type of event you would seek to host at the Magic Kingdom. So, what type of haunted houses would I want to see in Walt Disney World?

Once upon a time there were plans for Disneyland to have a walkthrough attraction known as the Museum of the Weird. As you might have presumed, this was the prelude to what we know and love as the Haunted Mansion. Yet, this walkthrough of artifacts and spooky locales still has some merit to it. What if, instead of scares and gruesome images guests were able to walk through some villainous lairs or spooktacular sites in the Disney canon.

Sticking with the idea of only two haunted house type venues, each year one of the walkthroughs could involve a new villain’s hideout. Who wouldn’t want to stumble upon the secret passageways of Maleficient’s castle, or examine the creepy ingredients stored in Ursula’s potion cupboard? The possibilities are endless: Hook’s ship, the Old Hag’s dungeon, Hades’ underworld, Facilier’s shop… While the villains would have to make an appearance, if only for photographs with the unworthy peasants, the various chambers of the walkthough could highlight the history and actions of their scheming owners. Through in some goofy, non-threatening henchmen and a few interactive elements (orbs that glow brighter as guests sing louder in Ursula’s cavern, the ability to free lost souls from the Underworld, masks that hold spirits from the Other Side that shake about when touched,…) and you have some family-friendly frights that are sure to please.

On the flip side, the second haunted house area could be dedicated to the King of the Pumpkin Patch. No, I’m not talking about Linus or the Great Pumpkin, I’m speaking about the world of The Nightmare Before Christmas. While a walking tour of Halloween Town, complete with over the top ghoulish residents, would be wonderful, that would become monotonous after a few years. Better yet, how about a tour of individual residences? During the course of the film, we get glimpses into the abodes of Jack, Dr. Finkelstein, and Oogie Boogie. An upclose and personal tour of these houses, not to mention the vampires’ house, Mayor’s office, cemetery, and other inhabitants’ homes we didn’t even get glimpses of, is just what Finkelstein ordered!

Adding in an element from The Nightmare Before Christmas does two things. One, it allows for the world of The Nightmare Before Christmas to be fleshed out in even more detail than ever before. Secondly, it would squelch the grumblings of Walt Disney World fans and guests who have been wallowing in woe for years that they are not granted any type of Haunted Mansion Holiday which can be enjoyed for several months a year by our Disneyland brethren.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has, and continues to be, the marquee family event of the fall in Florida. Yet, it is high time put some boogie in those old bones! There is no need to compete with the blood curdling screams found further on down I-4, but there is a way to bring some more family sized scares to the Magic Kingdom. This may only be a figment of my imagination, but I can only hope that this is one nightmare that finds a way to come to life!

Disney This Week - 23 October 2011

Kevin Kidney offers up a birthday wish for Mary Blair with a look at some of her incredible artwork.

Stepping away from Walt Disney World for just a moment, as a native Floridian (and one who spent plenty of time at Cypress Garden) Zannaland scribe Suzannah DiMarzio answers the question of the week, "Is LEGOLAND Florida worth the price of admission?"

Fiona Doyle presents a great exploration of the barber shop in Disneyland Paris for DF’82.

Imaginerding and George Taylor presented a great 1991 map of Walt Disney World.

AJ Wolfe digs into the Cottontop Tamarin Cupcake for The Disney Food Blog.

Fall means football (or the World Series), and Sarah Holodick gives you a great idea on where get game-time grub at Eating WDW.

Disney on Wheels present the accessibility of Journey Into Imagination with Figment.

Steve Tanner and Magical Trash reminds us to stop and enjoy the ambiance of trash cans (seriously I have more photos of trash cans than I care to count), this week he looks at the bin of The American Adventure.

Makin’ Memories and Melissa Loflin explain how easy it is to spend a day outside of the parks.

Amanda Tinney has found some great pieces of edible Alice in Wonderland art, head on over to Disney Every Day to check them out.

Matt Hochberg and I must be channeling the same wavelengths this week! Over at Studios Central he explains why a drinking bird can be found in the Alien scene of the Great Movie Ride. (Be sure to stop back by for my Alien explanation of a different sort later in the week.)

Silent Saturday - Echo Lake (January 2009)

Stole the sun and moon

The ornate details of the Wilderness Lodge are not often overlooked, however, just due to their massive quantities the exploration of the individual items can be daunting. Today, we’re going to look at one of the two totem poles (well, three if you count Humphrey’s totem pole). Each of the fifty-five foot tall totem poles are hand carved and depict a handful of myths and legends of the Native Americans.

Featured up one pole are (from bottom to top) tales of the Whale Chief, Frog, Mountain Lion, Wren and his bow, Wren’s knot hole house, Supernatural Bear Cub Twins, Dolphin, Salmon People, Painted Box of Light and Raven (Who Stole the Sun and Moon). Below is the stories of the Raven Pole.

At the bottom of the Raven pole sits the Whale Chief. His ancient north Pacific myth is told in this way: Whale Chief was asked by Mountain Lion if he could marry Whale’s beautiful daughter, Dolphin. Whale Chief refused and Mountain Lion was so angry that he scratch Whale Chief’s throat, leaving scratches so deep they have remained there on many whales until this very day.

Frog, the communicator, listened to the deep words of Whale, then went up and told them to Mountain Lion and all the other animals and humans that the Whale Chief had decided to hold an archery contest. He would set up a mark, and the animal, bird or human that came closest with its arrow to the center would be allowed to marry his daughter, Dolphin. This caused great excitement in the mountains, in the forests, along the beaches, and especially in the sea.

The whole world remained dark at this time, so Whale Chief had large torches set up and lighted so each archer could clearly see the target. Wolf tried first and missed. Bear tried and missed. Eagle tried and hit the edge of the target. Beaver, Otter, Kingfisher and all the others tried. A few sent their arrows very close to the center of the mark, but none were perfect.

Whale Chief looked around when he heard a small voice calling to him.

“Will I be allowed to try?” asked Wren who was the smallest of them there.

“You are very small,” said Whale Chief.” Our bow is much too large. Have you a bow?”

“Oh, yes,” said Wren, and he held up a large spruce needle and another smaller one for his arrow.

“Very well,” said Whale Chief. “You may now take your turn.” Wren had to hop up into a nearby bush, for his bow was taller that he was. Wren took careful aim in the torchlight and sent his needlelike arrow flying straight to the center of the mark.

“You’ve won! You’ve won!” Whooped the Whale Chief, and he clapped his enormous flippers together until it sounded like thunder.

Mountain Lion roared, Wolf howled, Bear grunted, Eagle screamed, Otter snapped, and Kingfisher shrieked, and they all together started to chase small Wren.

Wren snatched up his spruce-needle bow and flew up into a knot hole of an old tree, a safe place where most wrens have nested ever since and where wild animals could not catch them.

Hooits, the Bear Chief, and his wife had two small cubs who were supernatural. That is to say, they were able to transform themselves so that they could choose to live in the animal or human world – as bears or as humans. Whenever these two lived as humans in a village, you could always see the face of a small bear in their hands.

Wren did marry Dolphin and they lived with the supernatural bear cubs on a small island where beautiful Dolphin would leap out of the water for joy while her small husband sang for her and did his wonderful hopping, skipping dance and practiced with his bow.

“I miss the Salmon people,” beautiful Dolphin told her husband, Wren. “They go out travelling to the farthest northern oceans for so long."

“I’ll go tell Frog,” said Wren. “He’ll know how to find them.”

“Yes,” Frog agreed.

“I’ll find them for you.” And he put his mouth beneath the water and he called, “Karrumph, kaarrumph! I’ll call them back into these shores, these islands, and these rivers.” And so he did with one more loud, “Kaarumph!”

And the Salmon people returned. They came leaping up into the rivers and over the waterfalls, so eager were they to be back home. The humans did not throw stones into the rivers near the Salmon people, and they sang to the young Salmon as they left the river to feed and grow large and shiny in the ocean. And the animals and the humans knew that they would return to the very river where they had been born.

Now Raven undertook his greatest trick, the task that changed the darkened world. He flew up through the heavy clouds and blackness until he reached the Sky Chief’s house, then he dove down through the smoke hole and landed near the fire where a small child helped him find the box. With his beak, he cleverly untied the double cords and knots that tightly bond the painted box. Raven flung aside the lid, and with his powerful black beak he lifted out the moon, breaking many chips of stars out of the cedar box. The he flung them all into the dark night sky, where they have spread their light. Then he reached into the box again and flung on the fiery ball of sun as a gift to all animals, birds, fish and humans. That’s how light came down from the Sky Chief’s house and has brightened the whole world ever since.

Otium cum dignitate

A while back, we catalogued the restaurant signs of the Magic Kingdom. When that safari was published, I was asked if I would continue the series with the other parks. The readers’ wishes are my commands, so we’re back to tour through the dining destinations of Epcot.

The same standards of making sure the signs blend in with their surroundings still stands and can be seen in the harvest and farming motif of The Land’s restaurants or the crashing waves of the Coral Reef. Yet, there is an added element of localized culture when you venture into World Showcase. The values and principles of a given country and people can be very distinctive and a matter of national pride, which means getting these components, whether it is lettering, usage of color, or illustrated details, correct is a must.

Rather than keep talking about it, how about we go ahead and start the tour!