CANADA
Epcot


Canada

INTRODUCTION


Experience the diverse culture and unspoiled wilderness of our neighbors to the north.  Turning right as you exit Future World to begin your tour of World Showcase you will enter the Canada Pavilion which showcases the Rockies, Furriers and Trappers and Indians.  The landmark you will see is Hotel du Canada, patterned after the French Gothic design of the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.  Beautiful gardens, the Rocky Mountains, and a refreshing 30 foot waterfall are all part of the landscape of Canada!

The Canadian pavilion represents a variety of the cultures you would find when visiting,  including Native Indian villages, a French-flavored chateau and the Scottish influence of the Maritimes.

There is a lot to enjoy at the Canada Pavilion including the beautiful Victoria Gardens, the Rocky Mountain Waterfalls and the Totem poles. 

The landscaping also represents a variety of themes: evergreen and deciduous plants create a northern theme, elaborate floral displays are part of the Victoria Gardens and the plantings in the rock work form the backdrop for the area.

 

ATTRACTIONS


An updated "O Canada!" film in the Canada pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase debuted in September 2007. The 14-minute motion picture, presented in CircleVision 360, includes new scenes highlighting Canada's natural beauty, cities and diverse populace, and is hosted by Canadian actor Martin Short.

Walt Disney Imagineers collaborated with the Canadian Tourism Commission to update the film, which now includes new orchestration and images, and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila singing the music of "O Canada!" The film will include the nation's capital, Ottawa, with its Parliament buildings and Rideau Canal; Toronto, with its nightlife and film festivals; and Quebec City, the cradle of French civilization in Canada. Also mentioned: the not-so-famous but artfully named small towns of Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. The people of Canada are featured in outdoor activities including skiing, whitewater rafting and hockey.

The movie opens in 360 degrees of swirling snow, with a voice over announcer stating "fact" about Canada, such as it snows 24/7, most Canadians live in Igloos, and things of that nature. Then through the swirling snow appears Martin Short, who sets the announcer straight about Canada. The film then moves to a daytime scene of Niagara Falls (the Canadian side, obviously). From there it moves westward, with stops at various cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, the Canadian Rockies, the Enchanted Forest, back towards Quebec, Montreal, and interspersed with scenes from the old O Canada movie. The new movie then segues into the theme song Canada (You're a Lifetime Journey), which is sung by Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, and it features a montage of scenes from around Canada. After the theme song, the screen goes back to Short, who does a brief outro. The film seems much crisper than the previous edition, and was a pleasant way to learn about Canada. There are some very nice shots of the various locations, and the circlevision is very well done.

Epcot Attractions At A Glance


DINING


Le Cellier offers sit-down dining featuring steaks and seafood paired with the wines and beers of Canada.  The restaurant does not sell mixed drinks, only beer and wine.   Le Cellier is one of the best Epcot restaurants where both seafood and beef lovers will be happy.

Epcot Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets


ENTERTAINMENT


Off Kilter Celtic Rock Band in Canada

Off Kilter - a not to be missed live band playing New Age Celtic Music!  These guys rock the place whenever they play!  For smaller crowds, catch them earlier in the day.  Band members will be glad to sign autographs and pose for photos after the performance is over.

For more information on Epcot Live Entertainment, visit Steve Soares WDW Entertainment Website.


TOURING TIPS


Be sure to walk to through the Victoria gardens to the Rockies and watch the waterfalls.  It's near the back of the pavilion on the right side. It is cool and a quiet place to relax, especially in the heat of the summer.

CanadaDon't miss the fun photo op out front!

Want another quiet place to "Take 5"? Walk up the steps, go between the 2 shops to the back of the pavilion -- you'll find a couple benches and very few people.

There is no seating in the movie theatre. You stand against lean rails as you watch the 360 degree movie.  If 360 movies tend to make you dizzy; stand in the back.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival - The Victoria Gardens, dazzling bedding plants and cascading color on the mountain highlights the flowers at Canada!

Holidays Around the World - CanadaHolidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country.  In Canada,  Santa Claus makes appearances throughout the afternoon, sharing his story of Christmas in Canada.

Assistive Listening Devices from Guest Services Available

Reflective Captioning Available


KIDS AND CHARACTERS


Each of the World Showcase countries has a special "KIDCOT" area that provides an opportunity for your child to interact with a native of the country you are visiting.

Epcot PassPorts are great fun for kids as they have them stamped at each pavilion around World Showcase.

Epcot Characters At A Glance 
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!


SHOPPING


Trading Post and Northwest Mercantile - Gifts representing Canada's frontier days including maple syrup items and lumberjack shirts.

(Exerpt from Shopping Around the World) SouvenEARs were found in the Trading Post and Northwest Mercantile, where Maple Maple Maple was the theme. The team decided on very decorative Canadian Maple Syrup bottles for $16 (or $8 for 1.69 ounces), as well as Maple Moose Candy for $2.50. Upstairs, in La Boutique des Provinces, Lisa spotted Christmas ornaments that were 24K gold over a real maple leaf for $17.


INTERESTING FACTS


canadaA crew of eight people spent more than two years researching, photographing, and editing the film, O Canada! The filming encompassed all the Canadian provinces during all four seasons of the year.

The Victoria gardens were inspired by the famous Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. A stand of maple trees has been planted adjacent to the gardens in honor of the country's national symbol.

Many young people from Canada work in the pavilion and help to explain their country to the world. Those included are students participating in the World Fellowship Program who study management and the hospitality industry under the direction of Disney professionals. These and others brought to Walt Disney World Resort through a unique cultural program are replaced by a new group of "ambassadors" each year.

Totem Poll at Epcot's CanadaThe filming device used to create that "you are there" feeling in the O Canada movie includes a special five foot tall, 400 pound camera rig, comprising 9 different 35mm cameras, arranged around a tubular shaft containing the motor that drives the mechanisms for all the cameras.  It is also used in the Magic Kingdom's Time Keeper attraction.

The Rocky Mountains section was created using Forced Perspective.  The plants at the bottom are much bigger than the ones at the top, in fact, the higher you go, the smaller the plants.  This makes the Rockies look larger and taller than they really are.

How do you show a Canadian winter in Florida?  Disney horticulturists plant all white flowers during winter months to give the appearance of snow on the ground.  As spring approaches, white flowers remain in shaded areas (to look like lingering snow) and are replaced in the central areas with colors.

Originally a cafeteria style restaurant, Le Cellier became a Steakhouse in July of 1997.  

ARCHVIES:
"O Canada" was the 17-minute CircleVision 360 film that provides you with breathtaking views of the countryside. There are more than 50 scenes of people, places and events in the movie including: Gulf Island British Columbia, Calgary Stampede, a toboggan run in Quebec City, Changing of the Guard at Parliament, Fife and Drums in Ontario, the Vancouver harbor and much much more. While the film is outdated in places, it still makes for a wonderful show! Click here for a listing of all 56 scenes. Shows are approximately every 20 minutes. The movie was replaced in September 2007.