Germany (Epcot)

Germany Pavilion
Entrance to the Pavilion
Epcot
Land	World Showcase
Attraction type	Themed Pavilion
Theme	German City
Opening date	October 1, 1982

The Germany Pavilion is part of the World Showcase within the Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

History

Concept drawing for part of the Rhine River Ride

The original design of the pavilion called for a boat ride along the Rhine river. It was to have focused on German folklore, in a similar manner to the Mexico and Norway rides. According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report the ride was to be " ... a cruise down Germany's most famous rivers -- the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral."^[1] Though the building was built, the ride wasn't and is now used as storage space. You can see the main entrance hall, as it's now the dining area for the Biergarten. The ride building is used for storage for floats, a workshop and cast member rehearsal space.

Layout

German Pavilion

The Germany Pavilion is designed to look like a German town, but with architecture from different eras and regions. The Platz (square) is decorated with a statue of St. George and the Dragon and a clock tower. The Biergarten, at the rear of the courtyard, sells traditional German food. The pavilion also has numerous small shops selling German goods, including dolls and cuckoo clocks. The area near the pavilion is decorated by an extensive model village with working model trains. Snow White, Grumpy, Sneezy, Dopey, and the Evil Queen make appearances.

Attractions and Services

Dining

• Biergarten Restaurant: The indoor restaurant is designed to look as though Oktoberfest is being celebrated there. Schnitzel, strudel and beer offer a taste of Bavaria at the Biergarten Restaurant^[2]. It features entertainment and 33-ounce steins. The dining hall is actually in the entrance area for the never built boat cruise down the Rhine.
• Sommerfest

Shopping

• Der Bucherwurm (closed): Shop which sold prints and books about Germany. It closed in 1999 to be replaced by Das Kaufhaus.
• Das Kaufhaus
• Der Teddybär

Miniature village and railway

Other

• Miniature Train and Village: A small outdoor model garden railway. It was originally created for the Flower and Garden Festival, but was kept due to its popularity.
• Glockenspiel: The clock that overlooks St. Georges Platz.
• St. George: A large statue of St. George slaying a dragon.

References