I Asked 2 Disney Experts to Rank EPCOT Pavilions — It Got Heated

When it comes to places at Disney World, there are perhaps none more beloved than EPCOT’s World Showcase. The collection of international pavilions serves as a permanent world’s fair, featuring architecture, attractions, and dining from 11 nations. From Mexico to Canada and every pavilion in between, each has unique elements that make ranking them impossible.

But we did it anyway.

That’s right, our team of experts looked at each World Showcase pavilion — Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada — and ranked them based on several categories, ranked out of 5.

• Food & Beverage Offerings
• Things to Do (Shopping, Entertainment, and Attractions)
• Overall Pavilion Vibes (Architecture, buildings, layout, etc.)

Yeah, things might have gotten a little heated… So, let’s begin with the lowest-rated pavilion on our scale and work our way to the highest score.

China: 8

So first, let’s start with the best part of the China pavilion: The overall vibe. Our experts gave China a 5 in this category, as the pavilion has a beautiful layout, with traditional Chinese architecture — including a replica of the famous Temple of Heaven — as well as a series of tranquil gardens. (Also, if you’ve ever seen Christina Aguilera’s music video for “Reflection” from Mulan, you probably would rate this even higher.)

Unfortunately, where China falls a bit short in our rankings is what to do INSIDE that beautiful pavilion. From a food standpoint, offerings like Nine Dragons are solid, but not great — especially for those with access to Chinese food at home. Meanwhile, the pavilion offers no ride, and the Reflections of China CircleVision film is one of the weaker offerings of that ilk in EPCOT. The shopping offerings are fun, though.

Canada: 8.5

Just above China comes Canada. Canada’s food pulls a 3 here, thanks to the strength of poutine and, of course, Le Cellier, still home of some of Disney World’s best steaks. This helps the pavilion’s overall vibe, which scores 3.5 thanks to said dining as well as the mixes of architecture, natural landscaping, and, of course, FAKE ROCKS. 

Canada is lacking in the things to do department, unfortunately. No ride, and an aging CircleVision film in a theater that many don’t even notice, given its placement.

Germany: 9

Germany scores a 3.5 in both food and overall vibes thanks to some of our favorite snacks like gigantic pretzels, caramel corn, and beer, and its outstanding architecture. Seriously, if you’ve never sat and enjoyed a pretzel and a beer sitting on the fountain, you’re missing a core EPCOT memory.

What drags the pavilion a bit is a 1.5 in things to do. Just imagine if the planned — and nearly built — Rhine River Cruise ride hadn’t been cut at the last minute?

Italy: 9

Italy comes in at a 9 as well, mainly thanks to a massive 4.5 score in the food department. Which, between the pizza, the traditional Italian food offerings, and the gelato, it’s tough to argue.

Unfortunately for the pavilion, there’s not much to do beyond eat, as the shopping is a bit underwhelming, and there’s no ride or major show, giving that score a 2.5. That, in turn, brings down the overall vibe of the pavilion, which is also hurt by the abrupt way it ends.

Morocco: 9.5

Similar to Germany, Morocco is elevated by a score of 3 in the food category (Spice Road Table… ‘nuff said) and its overall vibes, a FULL 5 elevated by the remarkable layers of theming and its unique layout. Speaking of unique, Morocco is the only World Showcase pavilion to have been funded and designed specifically by representatives from the country’s government.

However, the pavilion only scores a 1.5 in things to do, as there’s really not much besides the pavilion itself.

The American Adventure: 10.5

The World Showcase’s host nation pavilion is the first to break double digits, thanks to a 3 in food (Muppet BBQ!), a 3.5 in things to do (the American Adventure Show is still a marvel of animatronic Imagineering design, and the America Gardens theater offers some of the park’s most in-demand live entertainment during the park’s various festivals).

The pavilion scored a 4 in overall vibe (the towering colonial exterior and its polished interior can be breathtaking).

The United Kingdom: 10.5

It only seems fair in a karmic sense that The American Adventure has the same score as the pavilion representing the country that America gained independence from. The United Kingdom pavilion gets a 4.5 for its food and beverage offerings, like the British classic fish and chips, and a 4 for its overall vibe, thanks to its classic village layout and gardens.

However, the pavilion is another without much to do, scoring a 2 mainly on the strength of its shops. Like Germany, the pavilion is haunted by unbuilt attractions; in the case of the U.K., it’s the Thames River Cruise from the park’s early days and the more recent announcement and then cancellation of a Mary Poppins attraction.

Norway: 11.5

And we’ve officially reached the first pavilion with a ride! It’s perhaps no surprise that Norway scores a 4 on the things to do scale thanks to Frozen Ever After, the mega-popular attraction (complete with its new animatronics). Of course, there are probably some people who’ll say it would have scored a 5 if the ride were still Maelstrom.

However, Norway isn’t a one-trick pony. It also scores highly in food and beverage (3.5), thanks to iconic treats like School Bread and the Akershus restaurant, and overall vibe (4).

Japan: 11.5

Japan’s highest score was in food and beverage (4.5), thanks to restaurant options like Teppan Edo and Takumi-Tei.

The pavilion scored 3.5s in both things to do and general vibes, each of which likely would have been higher had at least some of the attractions planned over the years — including the Meet The World Show, a Mt. Fuji roller coaster, and a CicleVision bullet train simulator —  had actually been built.

Mexico: 12

Mexico is one of the World Showcase’s most popular pavilions, and scores highly in all three categories (3.5, 4.5, and 4, respectively).

These scores come thanks to authentic Mexican cuisine and the La Cava Del Tequila bar, the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride, and the all indoors, eternal twilight vibes, respectively.

France: 14.5

France had the highest score, and it wasn’t particularly close. The pavilion scored a 5 in food and beverage (being home to Les Chefs de France, Monsieur Paul, and Les Halles will do that), and a 5 in things to do, as the pavilion is home to the most advanced ride in World Showcase (Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure) and the iconic Impressions de France CircleVision film.

The pavilion’s overall vibes score a 4.5, thanks to its recreation of the streets of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.

So there you have it: Our experts’ rankings of each and every one of EPCOT’s World Showcase pavilions. Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World hot takes.

I’ve Eaten Everywhere in EPCOT’s World Showcase, and These Are the 7 Restaurants I’d Pick Again and Again

What do you think of our rankings? Let us know in the comments below!

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