World Showcase vs. The Real Country

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Nov Fri 13, 2009 6:44 pm

keneka wrote:I think most of the pavillions are based on a concept of what people have of the countries rather than the real places.

Another way to say that is that each pavilion represents an "idealized" version of the nation in question. I certainly wish my nation more adequately reflected the ideals in the American Experience.

The real America is what you see on International Drive...

dwellsbct · Post by **dwellsbct** » Nov Thu 19, 2009 7:35 am

I don't think that ANY of the WS "countries" can truly represent the whole country that they are. WS countries just give you a teaser taste of the real thing... I have been to Canada and Mexico in the "real World" and Iam a native of the USA.

I can say that the US pavillion does not look anything like where I live ( Miami, FL) but I know it looks like a small part of my country ( Philladelphia,PA)

So I wonder around the WS Lagoon and enjoy my little sample of each country and I don't critisize the things that are missing

Joe90 · Post by **Joe90** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 12:06 pm

The American Adventure.

Colonial architecture with strong European influence, none of which is all that common in the real USA.
Biased self congratulatory story missing many key, and mainly unpleasant, facts dressed up as a pseudo history lesson.

Junk food, tasty but really bad for you.

What no strip mall?

Sorry folks, I think it is the worst pavilion in Epcot.

You are all going to be mad at me aren't you.

Quick on to Italy

Very Veniceian theme and feel, misses out (in my opinion) on many nicer parts of Italy.

The replica Campanile di San Marco is wonderful though.

Post by **Len90** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 12:57 pm

Joe90 wrote:The American Adventure.

Colonial architecture with strong European influence, none of which is all that common in the real USA.
Biased self congratulatory story missing many key, and mainly unpleasant, facts dressed up as a pseudo history lesson.

Junk food, tasty but really bad for you.

What no strip mall?

Sorry folks, I think it is the worst pavilion in Epcot.

You are all going to be mad at me aren't you.

I actually thought that the American Adventure was designed ot highlight colonial America which was common in the 1700's and 1800's.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 3:30 pm

Or another way to look at it, the American Experience is the Spirit of America more than a reflection of the United States itself at any one time. The idea of using the colonial style of America could represent the era of the founding father established democratic principals on which the United States was created. And it's those principles, albeit interpreted repeatedly and clarified throughout time since the initial publication of the constitution, have basically remained unchanged since the days of the founding fathers.

alsirrap · Post by **alsirrap** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 3:02 am

People are always asking about comparing the real country to EPCOT. I mean really, is Main Street really like any Main Street that you've seen? It's all about Disney-izzing for the entertainment value. Once, I ate with some people from Germany in the Germany restaurant and they appologetically said this isn't really the kind of music we listen to in Germany. I asked, "what about at Octoberfest?" They said, "well, yes!" I said, "well, it's Octoberfest everyday here!" They laughed. Nothing in Disney is that realistic. It's all about enjoyment. Really, we don't want to fall in an elevator in real life!

Joe90 · Post by **Joe90** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 7:14 am

Germany.

Sorry alsirrap I have been to places in Germany that were VERY like Epcots version. Music, sauerkraut , lederhosen, wine and beer, and it wasn't for the tourists, nor was it Oktober.
Of course it isn't all like the Epcot version, that would drive everyone nuts.
Epcot's is a very nice condensed version of such a large country.

Although it is possibly not as clean as the real Germany

is Main Street really like any Main Street that you've seen?

Only in the movies. Would you like to have more streets like Main Street USA?

China

Haven't been. Yet.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 9:37 am

Then again, Walt did design Main Street to be an idealied version of Main Street from his childhood. You're talking about a Main Street from a century ago, not today! So, of course it does not resemble any Main Street we see anywhere...

mradamlaurie · Post by **mradamlaurie** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 11:07 am

WS is much safer than the equivalent places around the world but anytime you compare a small park to an entire country that will happen. Well, assuming the park is secured.

I live near the Mexican border and I definately have to say that the San Angel was the only resaturant I have tried that was NO WHERE close to the real country's cuisine. It was as though they tamed the spice to make it more similar to Ohio-style versions of Mexican food.

As for the other countries I work for an airline and hence I can truly say that the WS is equal if not better. No offense intended but the European ones and Canadian ones are plenty for any traveler wishing to experience those countries. Sorry Europe and Canada. (Wow, I totally didn't mean to sound like a huge elitist there).

The Asian countries I find, are so unique that the WS version is like teaching someone a foreign alphabet and saying they pretty much completely know the language. Due to the countries' vast differences it's worth checking out if you're into any of those specific country's cultures.

Post by **Len90** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 10:37 pm

alsirrap wrote:People are always asking about comparing the real country to EPCOT. I mean really, is Main Street really like any Main Street that you've seen? It's all about Disney-izzing for the entertainment value. Once, I ate with some people from Germany in the Germany restaurant and they appologetically said this isn't really the kind of music we listen to in Germany. I asked, "what about at Octoberfest?" They said, "well, yes!" I said, "well, it's Octoberfest everyday here!" They laughed. Nothing in Disney is that realistic. It's all about enjoyment. Really, we don't want to fall in an elevator in real life!

It is not meant to be a mirror image of any particular place, but rather have the facets of what a typical main street would have had in anytown USA at the turn of the century (early 1900's).

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Jan Tue 05, 2010 10:45 pm

It is what walt remembers his childhood. It's just a generic main street, but in no way have I ever seen an exact replica now but a big part of Disney has always been about fantasy, and not reality.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Jan Fri 08, 2010 11:13 am

packwingfn wrote:a big part of Disney has always been about fantasy, and not reality.

So true! Who wants to go to the theme-parks to escape reality with...reality??? Escapism does require fantasy, not reality.

ronatie · Post by **ronatie** » Jan Fri 08, 2010 7:49 pm

mindflipper wrote:
packwingfn wrote:a big part of Disney has always been about fantasy, and not reality.
So true! Who wants to go to the theme-parks to escape reality with...reality??? Escapism does require fantasy, not reality.

That's EXACTLY the problem with California Adventure in my opinion.

BuDz211 · Post by **BuDz211** » Jan Sat 09, 2010 9:47 am

ronatie wrote:
mindflipper wrote:
packwingfn wrote:a big part of Disney has always been about fantasy, and not reality.
So true! Who wants to go to the theme-parks to escape reality with...reality??? Escapism does require fantasy, not reality.

That's EXACTLY the problem with California Adventure in my opinion.

I dunno about that. I never heard of a "South Central" area in DCA. That would be interesting though. Maybe they could have the "Crip walk" entertainers. lol

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Jan Sat 09, 2010 1:22 pm

I think DCA was just poorly conceived in the first place. In order to meet a very low budget, it got dumbed down and cheaply made. I still think the WESTCOT - a West Coast version of EPCOT - would have better but it was far more expensive to build.