Many people from all over the world flock to Orlando during all times of the year. Unlike many tourist spots, there is no off-season or in-season in this location. Near to Disney World, dubbed the happiest place on earth, EPCOT certainly comes in a close second.

What is EPCOT and what does it mean?

There are many things to do at EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) but this article will focus on the World Showcase. In a nutshell, World Showcase is like a trip around the world without leaving the Disney property.

EPCOT first opened in the fall of 1982 and was the second of the Disney theme parks. It is double the size of the Magic Kingdom. The park opens at 9 a.m. and closes after the nightly fireworks show at 9 p.m. The show is called IlluminNations and if you can possible stay in the park for it, it's well worth the wait. The show is presented at the World Showcase Lagoon.

Which countries are represented in World Showcase?

You will be able to visit eleven representative countries in the World Showcase. Each section is set up to look like that country and the buildings are modeled after actual structures in the home country. Each country has staff members that have come to America to work and shops have items for sale that were manufactured in that country.

A counter service and full service restaurant is available in each country's area. Prices are generally moderate for the counter services and moderate to high in the full service restaurant options.

The countries represented are:

• Canada
• United Kingdom
• France
• Morocco
• Japan
• America
• Italy
• Germany
• China
• Norway
• Mexico

What will I be able to see and do?

Each represented country has numerous activities and some of the countries offer rides. There are a few CircleVision 360 films and all countries have shops and food. Disney characters sometimes walk the grounds, and performers offer shows throughout the day.

There are activities for children in each country, and you may enjoy buying a "passport" for the children. They will be able to get it stamped in each country, plus a native worker will sign a message for the child inside the passport.

CANADA

Food: Le Cellier Steakhouse is Canada's main restaurant. Expect to find delicacies such as Seared Canadian Scallops and Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup on the appetizer menu; a good selection of meat and seafood on the entree menu (Filet Mignon to Canadian King Salmon); and a dessert menu for anyone still hungry, with items such as Chocolate Whiskey Cake and Fireweed Honey and Mascarpone Cheesecake.

Shopping: You will find gift items of art, jewelry, and ceramics. One of the stores sells items from the country's frontier era including maple syrup, lumberjack memorabilia, and stuffed animal huskies.

Rides or Attractions: The main building is a French gothic type hotel that was modeled after the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Canada. The mountains that you see in the Canada section are the Rockies. Be sure also to see the Victoria Gardens and the carved totem pole. A CircleVision 360 film is shown here called O Canada.

UNITED KINGDOM

Food: The counter service is called Yorkshire County Fish & Chips if that traditional UK fare is your meal choice. If you prefer a sit-down meal, the United Kingdom's restaurant is called Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. Menu offerings will include some conventional United Kingdom dishes such as Guinness Stew (using real Guinness Stout), Bangers and Mash, and Shepherd's Pie (also known as Cottage Pie).

Shopping: You will find perfumes, candy, jewelry, music, and pottery. Also sold in the shops here are Scottish items including kilts, fabrics, and sweaters; china and figurines; teas and candies; and toys and games from the United Kingdom.

Rides or Attractions: The buildings in the United Kingdom section are built in many architecture styles from Tudor to Georgian and Victorian to Shakespearean. Look for live entertainment in this UK section of World Showcase. Try to find your way back out of the hedge maze. Look for the bright red phone booths like are found in the UK.

FRANCE

Food: If you want a snack of an incredible French pastry or dessert, try the counter service in the France section called Boulangerie Patisserie. There are two full serve restaurants here, Bistro de Paris and Chefs de France. They are both in the same building, with the Bistro being the more expensive. At Bistro de Paris, start with an appetizer of escargot or duck foie gras and move onto an entree of truffles, lobster tail, other seafood, or any other number of French cuisine specialties. Chefs de France offers many menu selections of seafood and fish, meats, and poultry. Both restaurants serve fabulous French desserts.

Shopping: Numerous shops in the France area offer Parisian souvenirs, French dinnerware, perfumes and cosmetics, and wine.

Rides or Attractions: The Impressions de France movie is excellent and makes the movie-goer feel as if he or she just flew over France. Watch for the live juggling act and be sure to snap a photograph of the 1/10th size reproduction of the Eiffel Tower. When it was built, Mr. Eiffel's original plans and blueprints were used.

MOROCCO

Food: Morocco's counter service open-air restaurant is called Tangierine Cafe. They offer Mediterranean Pizza, wraps, chicken, hummus, tabouleh, couscous, etc. There is a coffee bar in the cafe. Morocco's full service restaurant is called Restaurant Marrakesh and they serve kebabs, seafood bastilla, lamb meshoui, and many other North African dishes and unique desserts. You may catch the entertainment, a belly dancer, at the full serve restaurant.

Shopping: The half dozen shops in Morocco offer the buyer jewelry, leather, brass, baskets, dishware, carpets, furniture, wood items, musical instruments, and clothing in addition to many other items.

Rides or Attractions: You will not be able to miss the Koutoubia Minaret (the prayer tower). The places represented here are Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Fez. You can learn about Morocco with the 45 minute tour called The Treasures of Morocco. Be sure to also see the Gallery of Arts and History and the Fez House, which shows how a Moroccan family lives.

JAPAN

Food: Tempura Kiku is the counter service. Stop here if you want tempura of any kind. Sumashi soup and rice will be served with your tempura choice. There is another counter service with beef, chicken, noodles, etc. and is called Yakitori House. Japan's full service is called Teppanyaki Restaurant. They serve traditional Japanese fare including sushi. Other items on the menu are various seafood, meat, and poultry dishes. You will be able to watch the chefs perform their magic at the table.

Shopping: There is a huge department store in the Japan section of the World Showcase. It is called Mitsukoshi Department Store and they sell a large assortment of Japanese wares. A few samples of what shoppers can find here: porcelain, crafts, kimonos, jewelry, dolls, and cooking items.

Rides or Attractions: Standing out most here is the Goju-no-to pagoda. It is huge and modeled after a building that was constructed in the year 700. Be aware that the five sections of this 85 foot tall building represent the Buddhist beliefs that all things are created from these five elements: water, fire, earth, sky, and wind. Take some time to see the exhibits of Japanese culture at the Bijutsu-kan Gallery. For entertainment, look for the Japanese drum player and the candy artist from Tokyo.

AMERICAN ADVENTURE

Food: If cuisines of the world are not an interest of yours, you may want to search out the food choices in the American Adventure part of World Showcase. The counter service, Liberty Inn serves that well known "all American" fare such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken, French fries, and apple pie. There is also a funnel cake kiosk.

Shopping: American Adventure's gift shop carries Americana things, Coke memorabilia, music, and crafts. This part of World Showcase also offers a Kodak film processing kiosk with 2-hour processing.

Rides or Attractions: Lucky visitors are able to catch the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps. There is an animatronic stage presentation highlighting notable parts of America's history. It is definitely worth the time (half an hour show) to go inside to see. It is extra nice on very hot days because the theater is air conditioned. You may be able to catch a show at the amphitheater, too.

ITALY

Food: If you want an Italian dessert, try Italy's counter service called Pasticceria Italiana di Alfredo di Roma. You will be able to find mousse, tiramisu, and biscotti to name a few of the dessert delights. Italy's restaurant is called L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante. The Florentine-style restaurant serves many traditional Italian dishes including things like Gnocchi ala Bolognese and other entrees of pork, veal, pasta, etc.

Shopping: Some of the items found in the Italy shopping area include wines and food, kitchen items, crystal, glassware, candy and chocolates.

Rides or Attractions: You may be able to see Italy's juggler in the courtyard. The Italy area is modeled after Venice and the architecture is lovely. Be sure to take a moment to look at the beautiful garden area.

GERMANY

Food: The aromas of the German restaurants call out to EPCOT visitors and you won't be disappointed if Germany is your choice for a meal. The counter service is Sommerfest and you can get pretzels, bratwurst or a hot dog here, sauerkraut topped if you wish. You might also like to try the Black Forest Cake or Strudel. For a full sit-down meal, try Biergarten. This is a buffet, so no menu. You will find all kinds of sausages, schnitzel, meats and fish, soup, cheese, krauts, vegetables, etc. in this all-you-can-eat buffet. A live dinner show is presented.

Shopping: All kinds of German craftsmanship can be found in Germany's shopping section. You will find dolls, bears, and toys; beer steins and glassware; Christmas items; Hummel and Goebel figurines; foods and German chocolate; wines; and cuckoo clocks, to name a few.

Rides or Attractions: The buildings here were inspired by the Rhine and Bavaria regions of Germany. Be sure to listen for the glockenspiel and look for the miniature train layout. You may be fortunate enough to catch the live band playing Oktoberfest music. Look for the statue of St. George and the dragon.

CHINA

Food: Choose from the Lotus Blossom Cafe counter service or the Nine Dragons Restaurant for full service. The cafe serves egg rolls, fried rice, and numerous Chinese dishes. The full service serves traditional Chinese fares with things such as meat, poultry, and seafood specialties.

Shopping: The Chinese department store in China's section of World Showcase offers items for the kitchen, rugs, furniture, clothing, silk items, Chinese fans, jewelry, and much more.

Rides and Attractions: The huge Hall of Prayer is 50% as large as the original that is found near Beijing. Walk inside, it is amazing. You may be there at a time when the acrobats are performing. Also performing in the Temple of Heaven is a folk music group that plays Shanghai music. The center of the temple is acoustically perfect, so you will be able to hear your own voice at that spot. China also offers a 360 degree movie called Reflections of China and an introduction to the people of China in an exhibit called Land of Many Faces.

NORWAY

Food: For a sweet treat from a Norwegian bakery, try Norway's counter service called the Kringla og Bakeri. The full service restaurant is the Restaurant Akershus and the food is served buffet style. There is a cold and hot buffet and diners will find many samples of Norwegian cuisine here.

Shopping: The shop in Norway sells glass, pewter, and porcelain items. You will also be able to find toys and woolen items. Don't forget to buy one of the many trolls that can be found here as your souvenir from Norway.

Rides or Attractions: You may be able to hear some of the Norwegian folk music in this area. There is a Viking boat ride called the Maelstrom that takes riders through a very ancient Viking village and a forest inhabited by trolls. A film is shown after the ride. Be sure to step inside the old Stave Church in the Norway section of World Showcase.

MEXICO

Food: Mexico's counter service is Cantina de San Angel. You will be able to choose from things like quesadillas, churros, nachos, tacos, burritos, etc. The full service restaurant is the San Angel Inn. It offers a romantic dark setting and traditional Mexican food on the menu.

Shopping: Shoppers will find things for the home such as glassware and pottery, clothing, silver, crafts, leather, tequila, and an assortment of other items.

Rides or Attractions: A mariachi band often plays in the Mexico area and adds to the ambiance. The Pyramid building is modeled after Quetzalcoatl (an Aztec temple) and is quite impressive. Step instead to see the exhibits representing Mexican history. There is a gentle boat ride here called El Rio del Tiempo. Riders will see animatronic figures while sailing through scenes of Mexico's history.

External Links:

• The official Disney Web Site - Research all things Disney related
• Waltopia - See Mr. Disney's original plans for EPCOT
• Orlando Information - Find out all about the city in which EPCOT is located. This site will help you to plan other things to do while you are in the area