The World Showcase is arguably the most integral part of the EPCOT experience. In my opinion, it’s what makes EPCOT unique and like no other theme park in the world. Where else can you visit 11 different countries, try their food, drinks, and ride some attractions all in one day?

The World Showcase is incredibly large; it takes approximately 1.2 miles to just walk past all the pavilions. For first-time visitors or even seasoned EPCOTians, the World Showcase can be overwhelming. In fact, it’s close to impossible to do everything in one day.

Whether you plan to spend your day in EPCOT sightseeing, trying the best food from each pavilion, drinking around the world, or maybe sampling a bit of everything – I’ll give you my best World Showcase strategy to experience EPCOT like a pro.

Where Do We Start? 

The World Showcase technically opens with the rest of the park, typically at 9 AM. However, most of the shops, restaurants, and festival booths (if visiting during one of the many festivals) don’t open until 11 AM. But the World Showcase’s key attractions like Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure are available at park open. 

Regardless of when you decide to make your way over to this area of the park, the biggest choice you’ll face is where to start. The World Showcase surrounds a 40-acre lagoon. To your left (when arriving from the main EPCOT entrance) is the Mexico pavilion and to your right is the Canada pavilion. While there isn’t really a wrong answer of which way you should head first (some Disney fanatics might disagree), I’ll explain the differences. 

Mexico Start 

Mexico is probably the most popular starting point for most people because it’s got the clearest sightline…and some of the best food and drinks. Because most people start here, it’s usually the most crowded pavilion by far.

For those who plan to spend their day drinking around the world, you don’t want to miss the Choza de Margarita stand. Typically, it’ll have the longest line for a drink in all of EPCOT.

With a reverse World Showcase strategy, some like to save this margarita for a celebratory last stop!

Canada Start 

Canada’s pavilion provides a more laid back, easier start to the day. Typically, this pavilion does not see nearly as many travelers in the early hours. It’s still got great food and drink options (and a show, Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360) but with a fraction of the people.

International Gateway Start 

A third, less talked about option is starting from the International Gateway. Guests using the Disney Skyliner, which transports guests from Disney’s Hollywood Studios or surrounding hotels to EPCOT, will enter the park from this entrance. There’s also a walking path from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, so if you’re staying at these resorts, this is also the easiest entry.

This entry point into EPCOT lands you between the Canada and France pavilions.

So now that you have your starting options, which do you choose? Well, it all depends on how you plan to spend your day.

Starting Line for Riders 

If your sole purpose in the World Showcase is the rides, or you’re traveling with little ones who won’t appreciate the culture, consider just beelining to the two main attractions early in the morning.

If you have access from the International Gateway, this is the best entrance for both Remy and Frozen. Remy is located nearby in the France pavilion. Frozen, located in the Norway pavilion, is about 15 minutes from this entrance. It’s about the same distance from the front park entrance, but in my experience, it’s far less crowded.

Starting Line for Sightseers 

If you just want to take in the sights of the World Showcase and experience a bit of the culture, there’s not much difference between starting in Canada and Mexico aside from crowd density. Just pick a direction and start walking. However, if you think you might not spend the whole day here or might not get around to making the full lap, head in the direction of your highest priority countries.

Starting Line for Eaters 

If I’m sampling food from around the World Showcase, I like to start in Canada. The food options are a bit lighter on this side, giving me enough time and steps in between snacks. This is especially true during festivals, when there’s even MORE options to eat.

Starting Line for Drinkers 

This one comes down to personal preference. As I said previously, the Mexico pavilion is quite popular for drinkers, whereas Canada allows for a slower start. So, do you want to start or end with the best drinks? Do you care about the crowds? Answering these questions will guide you in the right direction for your day of drinking around the world.

What Are the Priorities in Each Country?

Canada Pavilion

• Sightseeing: The first sight you’ll see is the Hotel du Canada recreation with some beautiful gardens out front. If you walk up the stairs, towards the entrance of the Circle-Vision show, you’ll even find a hidden waterwall. Outside of this, Canada provides some rustic architecture with log cabins and totem poles. 
• Eating: Canada’s eating/drinking options are slim. More than likely, if you are sampling food around the world, Le Cellier Steakhouse may be a bit much. This means that your sole option outside of festival season is the Canada Beer and Popcorn cart, which carries some delicious maple flavored popcorn! 
• Drinking: Again, your sole option for drinks is the popcorn cart. But don’t fret, the Moosehead Lager is great!

United Kingdom Pavilion

• Sightseeing: Filled with a myriad of historical English architecture, the best sights here are the hedge maze and garden in the back corner of the pavilion, the Rose & Crown Pub which feels as authentic to an English pub as possible, and the classic red telephone boxes. 
• Eating: There’s a few dining options in the UK to pick from, but if I had to go with one, it would have to be the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. It’s quick, simple, and tasty. Offering one thing and one thing only. The Fish and Chips are a great sizable meal with Fish that’s perfectly fried but not too greasy. 
• Drinking: What’s a trip to the UK without a visit to the pub? Rose & Crown Pub is an amazing recreation of a traditional British pub. In my opinion, it’s one of the most immersive places in all of the World Showcase. They have a lengthy menu with many options of cocktails, pints, pub blends, and scotch whisky. But go with the pub blend with whisky, it’s incredible.

France Pavillion 

With the addition of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and surrounding area, the France pavilion has essentially doubled its size. That being said, this will be one of the most crowded pavilions. My best World Showcase strategy is to skip it during the day and return at night.

• Sightseeing: In the evening, everything has a warm glow and the details here pop so much more under the lights. Plus, the crowds will more than likely have thinned out a bit by this point, making it an optimal sightseeing opportunity. The narrow European streets and tall classical architecture are gorgeous. 
• Eating: You have a ton of both sweet and savory options in the French pavilion. If I had to go for one thing here, it would be the Croque Glace from L’Artisan des Glaces, where you get a scoop of ice cream/sorbet pressed inside of a fresh homemade brioche bread. There’s also delicious crepes, sandwiches, and pastries.
• Drinking: There are some great, elegant drinks in France, but my favorite are the slushies at Les Vins des Chefs de France. On a hot Florida day, the Orange Slushie can’t be beat.

Morocco Pavilion

• Sightseeing: Morocco is potentially the most beautiful spot for sightseeing in the World Showcase. It’s the only pavilion that was designed with help from its sponsoring government and it shows. The pavilion is an architectural marvel, with an incredible attention to detail. There’s multiple beautiful mosaics, tiled floors, a hidden market street, and gorgeous wooden doors.
• Eating: Morocco is another pavilion with limited options for quick bites. There’s just Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina and The Oasis Sweets and Sips. Tangierine Café covers falafel, shawarma, and veggie platters while Oasis Sweets and Sips covers drinks and pastries like the pistachio baklava or the almond crescent cookie.
• Drinking: The Oasis Sweets and Sips is where you’ll go for this drink stop, they specialize in Mediterranean cocktails and sangria. But the star is the Frozen Citrus Pomegranate Slushy.

Japan Pavilion 

• Sightseeing: The beautiful Japanese pavilion is another visually stunning area. There’s a replica of a 7th century Horyuji Temple and plenty of photo opportunities. You cannot miss the massive Mitsukoshi Department Store with Japanese candies, anime merchandise, unique clothing, incense, calligraphy sets, and more. You can also catch the Matsuriza traditional Japanese drum show in the courtyard of the pavilion.
• Eating: There are three sit down dining opportunities, as well as two quick service eateries. You can’t go wrong with the udon noodles at the Katsura Grill, but I typically stop by Kabuki Cafe, featuring Kakigori, an authentic Japanese style shaved ice with plenty of flavors. For the price, it may be one of the best value snack options in EPCOT. 
• Drinking: Staying at the Kabuki Cafe, they have an amazing Sake Slushie. I love the blood orange one myself, but you can’t go wrong with any of the other provided flavors. For a more unique drinking experience, visit the Garden House kiosk for a traditional sake. They have both hot and cold options as well as regional beers and plum wine.  

America Pavilion 

The America pavilion is the halfway point of the World Showcase (getting full yet?).

• Sightseeing: You’re bound to notice this pavilion by its ginormous Liberty Theater. Inside is the American Adventure show; even if you are not interested in the attraction, the inside is a beautiful recreation of colonial-era architecture. 
• Eating: Regal Eagle Smokehouse is the main dining option in the American pavilion. Here you will dine on barbeque styles from across the country. This is one of my favorite eateries in the World Showcase due to the quality food, large portion sizes, and various flavors to choose from. The sauces are all diverse and delicious.
• Drinking: At Regal Eagle, you have various beers and ciders from across the country, and at Fife and Drum there’s a solid Frozen Black Cherry Bourbon Lemonade. But I recommend going to Block & Hans Bar, where they have a beer flight which samples four of the beer options from the menu for 25 cents more than just a traditional pint.

Italy Pavilion 

• Sightseeing: Centered around a recreation of the St. Mark’s Campanile belltower, this pavilion is another marvel to behold. My favorite spot here is the miniature recreation of the Trevi Fountain, located in the back right area of the pavilion. 
• Eating: If you’re eating in Italy, you’ve got to try Pizza al Taglio. It’s a quick service window attached to the sit down Via Napoli restaurant. For those looking for a sweet option, check out Gelateria Toscana for gelato. Get it scooped, in milkshake form, or even in a cookie sandwich.
• Drinking: For drinkers, you have to visit Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, a wood-paneled Italian cellar recreation. You’ll have the selection of over 200 wines, beers, and mixed drinks. Along with a small-plate menu of meats, cheeses, panini, pasta, and desserts.

Germany Pavilion 

• Sightseeing: Resembling a small German village, the details here are insane. All the interiors are just as immersive to boot. That being said, the interiors of the restaurants tend to get pretty crowded. It does a ton for the “Biergarten party” ambiance, but for navigating it’s a bit tough! Also, don’t miss the Miniature Garden Railway, a highly-detailed model train display.
• Eating: Germany has a few quick bite options scattered throughout the pavilion. Sommerfest is known for its delicious bratwursts; Bier und Brezeln Beer & Pretzel Cart has giant pretzels and German beer; and Karamell-Küche is a caramel shop with caramel apples, butter bars, s’mores, and caramel corn.
• Drinking: For drinks, I’d recommend going to Sommerfest for the Schöfferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen beer, a light citrusy drink that perfectly accents a ginormous pretzel. But you also have several drink options in Karamell-Küche.

China Pavilion 

• Sightseeing: This pavilion is marked by its large traditional Chinese gate and Temple of Heaven recreation. Inside is the Reflections of China, a 14-minute Circle-Vision 360° film showcasing the sights of China. Throughout the pavilion, you’ll find some great shops like Good Fortune Gifts, which has parasols, puppets, toys and hats or the House of Good Fortune, which sells tea sets, wall prints, silk robes, and porcelain goods. 
• Eating: Typically in this portion of the World Showcase, I’m reaching my limit as to what I can eat. Since China’s quick options are limited, Joy of Tea has some amazing teas. Milk, bubble, hot, and iced are all available here. But the best one is hands down the peach bubble milk tea. 
• Drinking: Joy of Tea has you covered for alcoholic options as well. With a great regional draft (Dragon Blossom) and some amazing tea inspired cocktails, I recommend the Tipsy Ducks in Love. It’s a tea and coffee hybrid cocktail which will help you power through the rest of your visit.

Norway Pavilion

• Sightseeing: Designed to look like a Norwegian village, this pavilion has much to offer. Its size plus the fact that it has one of the most popular rides in all of Walt Disney World means that it can tend to get crowded around midday so saving this for later in the afternoon is key if you are just here to sightsee. Make sure to check out the tiny Norwegian Museum near the entrance for some unique artifacts and to learn more about Norwegian culture.
• Eating: For a quick snack, stop in the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. With various Norwegian pastries, the one they are most famous for is the traditional School Bread pastry. This is one of the most popular offerings in the World Showcase, and definitely not one to miss! 
• Drinking: There are several beer carts in the area, featuring Norwegian beers and aquavit cocktails. But the best is the Viking Coffee, a blend of Baileys Irish Cream and Kamora Coffee Liqueur with frozen or warm options. Again, after a long day of walking, eating, and drinking, this pick me up is a must.

Mexico Pavilion

• Sightseeing: Mexico’s pavilion is highlighted by a towering recreation of the Temple of Kukulcán. Inside, you’ll find a small Mexican village, with shops, the Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros ride, and dining options. The details inside are incredibly immersive, and the fact that it’s all indoors is another treat in itself for those escaping the weather.
• Eating: La Cantina de San Angel is the quick service option in Mexico, and they have all the classic tex-mex options (empanadas, tacos, nachos). I love the cheese empanadas.
• Drinking: La Cava del Tequila (inside the temple) has over 200 tequilas to choose from in various cocktail forms, including the popular avocado margarita. But the real winner for me in Mexico (and probably the entire World Pavilion) is Choza de Margarita, where you can get an amazing (albeit, quite strong) margarita, as well as chips and guacamole. They tend to be a bit pricey with options starting at $18, but for the size, flavor, and strength it’s always worth it. Some argue that the food here even rivals La Cantina.

What About Table Service Dining?

For those who are less interested in sampling different foods around the world and just want to have one or two nice sit-down meals while visiting EPCOT, the World Showcase has you covered too.

Breakfast Options

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway is the only full princess character breakfast outside of Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, and this castle interior gives the Royal Table some fierce competition as its aesthetics and attention to detail are amazing. Also since it’s a smaller restaurant, it feels much more personable.

For a more casual and lighter option, La Crêperie de Paris is the newest dining option in France. It features the cuisine of celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse (who is responsible for the other two table service menus in France as well), including crepes for fans of both sweet and savory. Salmon, chicken, goat cheese, banana, pear, and peach are some of the many flavors.

Best Lunch Choices

Via Napoli in Italy is recognized by the Orlando Sentinel as the “Best Theme Park Restaurant,” with authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in wood-fired ovens. They have a variety of pasta options as well. I recommend this for lunch as dinner reservations here are tougher to come by. 

Biergarten Restaurant in Germany offers an all-you-can-enjoy German buffet with bratwurst, schnitzel, and warm pretzel rolls. With a live polka band performing throughout, it’s one of the most unique lunch atmospheres in the park and incredibly immersive.

Best Casual Dinner 

Rose & Crown Dining Room in the UK pavilion is one of the best dinner options. Not only for the food, but for the fireworks viewing as well. The restaurant sits right on World Showcase Lagoon, giving optimal views with less crowds. The menu is surprisingly diverse, with British options like the classic Fish and Chips and Bangers and Mash, but it also has a hidden vegan menu for those with dietary restrictions.

Best Upscale Dinner 

Takumi-Tei in Japan is widely considered the best restaurant at EPCOT. A prix fixe, fine dining experience that is albeit pricy, but worth the splurge as you get a seven course meal (five if you’re plant based) with the option to add sake pairings. With A5 Wagyu beef, Ponzu Crab, and seasonal options, this is a dining experience you won’t forget. 

Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada is another highly rated dinner option. Its cozy candlelit wine cellar atmosphere has some of the best steaks in Disney World. The legendary Canadian cheddar cheese soup is also highly regarded.

Reservations book up extremely fast so planning well in advance is essential.

What About the EPCOT Festivals?

One thing I’ve yet to dive into is the festivals at EPCOT. This adds many more food, drink, shopping, and entertainment options to the World Showcase. With each festival adding 16 to 35+ options, it can become quite overwhelming!

An ideal strategy would be to review the food booth menus before your trip, highlighting what you want to try from these limited-time booths. Then, you can fill in the gaps with the normal offerings in each country (if you have any room left). Honestly, when there’s a festival taking place, most guests’ World Showcase strategy becomes solely focused on sampling items from each booth.

The EPCOT festivals you can enjoy are:  

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January & February) 
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden (March – June) 
• EPCOT International Food & Wine (August – November) 
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (November – December)

What About the Rest of the Park?

EPCOT is certainly much more than just the World Showcase. So, depending on your priorities, you’ll have to decide how to split your day in the park. The other lands, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery, are worth some of your time too. In fact, EPCOT arguably has some of the best rides in all of Disney World.

Many guests spend the first few hours of the day enjoying attractions like Spaceship Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, Mission Space, Living with the Land, Soarin’ Around the World, and Journey into Imagination with Figment, among others. Purchasing Lightning Lane passes, taking advantage of Early Entry (if you’re staying on Disney property), or rope dropping the park help ensure you experience many of these rides before the official opening of the World Showcase at 11 AM.

Alternatively, you might want to opt for a midday break from the World Showcase in the afternoon to enjoy some rides, take an indoor air-conditioned break, grab some Starbucks at Connections Cafe, or escape a rain storm.

The American Adventure pavilion is the perfect halfway point as boat launches are conveniently located nearby. FriendShip boats travel back and forth across the lagoon from Germany and Canada. They typically run from 11 AM to 7:30 PM daily.

How Much Time Do I Need to Experience the World Showcase?

The amount of time you spend in the World Showcase completely depends on you. Some things to consider:

• If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll likely spend less time here; though, there are still activities for them in World Showcase. Kidcot Fun Stops are located in each pavilion, where kids can pick up a free passport and get it stamped by a cast member from that country — a fun way to keep little ones engaged as you make your way around the lagoon.
• There’s a lot of walking and little shade in the World Showcase. So, you’ll want to consider your pace and how often you may need rest breaks, particularly if you have mobility issues. You may even want to consider taking a midday break back at your hotel and returning in time for dinner and the nighttime show.
• The pavilions tend to be the busiest in the late afternoon and early evening, so the lines for food and drinks will be longer. Plan accordingly.
• If you just plan to take a quick stroll through the countries, you may only need a couple hours. But if you want to deep dive into everything they have to offer, even one full day likely won’t be enough. That’s why it’s always important to come up with a plan ahead of time that meets your travel party’s needs and goals.

Luminous: The Symphony of Us

Undoubtedly, the World Showcase immerses you in several beautiful cultures from around the world. But regardless of how you choose to spend your daytime hours, our best World Showcase strategy always ends the same way — with Luminous: The Symphony of Us.

This nighttime show is typically at 9 PM, right at park close. But I would strongly recommend you secure your spot about 30 minutes early. During busy festival days, weekends, and holidays though, you may want to do so even earlier. 

Celebrating all the countries you’ve visited at EPCOT through fireworks and water projections, the show encapsulates the entire lagoon. If you can see the water, you will see the show. But some spots are definitely better than others.

Best Free Viewing Spots 

There are several amazing free options throughout the World Showcase that give you a great view of the fireworks, water projections, and countries lit up. For the best free spots, head to: 

• World Showcase Plaza (best overall view as it’s central and accommodates many people)
• Japan Pavilion waterfront
• Italy Pavilion waterfront
• The bridge between France and UK pavilions

Best Paid Viewing Spots 

If you want to secure a seat without the stress of the crowds or if you want to experience a meal with the fireworks, Disney provides several paid viewing spots for those who purchase select dining packages. These packages are: 

• Rose & Crown Dining Room
• Spice Road Table
• GEO-82 Fireworks Experience

But if you want a truly unique experience, there are ​​private Fireworks Cruises which launch from the nearby resorts. You’ll get snacks and drinks on a pontoon boat that sits right in the lagoon. The absolute best spot possible! 

Conclusion 

As you can see, there’s a ton to eat, drink, and explore. While my World Showcase strategy can help guide your day, the most important tip is not to stress too much about seeing and doing everything. Take it slow, be flexible, and prioritize what sounds the most appealing to you. The World Showcase is massive, but that’s what makes it unique. Whatever type of visitor you are, the World Showcase rewards those who plan ahead and prioritize.

 Comments

What’s your favorite pavilion in the EPCOT World Showcase? Are you Team Mexico or Team Canada? Let us know your best World Showcase tips and strategies in the comments down below!