The Canada Pavilion is a cultural area within Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can experience the character and atmosphere of Canada. Step into the peaceful Canadian landscape with magnificent gardens, majestic architecture and a canyon reminiscent of the Canadian Rockies. A 30-foot rushing waterfall offers a refreshing spray and carved totem poles add to the ambiance of this amazing place.
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.
The Canada Pavilion is designed to remind guests of the Canadian outdoors. It includes a canyon, a waterfall, gardens, a pool with fountains, and totem poles. The main attraction is O Canada!, a Circle-Vision 360 movie of Canada's cities, scenery and people. The pavilion also includes Le Cellier Steakhouse and the semi-permanent home of the Celtic rock band Off Kilter. Characters from the animated films Brother Bear and Pocahontas can sometimes be seen.
O Canada!
O Canada! is an 18-minute, 360-degree film that captures the country's grandeur at the Canada Pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot theme park. Discover the beauty of a great land with the sweeping sights and spectacular sounds of this Circle-Vision 360-filmed presentation. You are in the center of the action, surrounded by the stunning variety of America's neighbor to the north, from its wide open spaces abundant with wildlife to its sparkling cities and harbors to its magnificent mountains and shores. Canadian native Martin Short narrates this film homage to the country well known and celebrated for its hockey, an iconic horse-mounted police force and some of the best-loved comedians and actors in modern years.
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.
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.
- There is no seating in the O Canada! 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.
Dining
Le Cellier Steakhouse - Le Cellier Steakhouse provides sit down restaurant service. The interior is to give the impression of a wine cellar as its name suggests. Food offerings include seafood and steaks, along with popular Canadian wines and beer. It is located in the main building of the pavilion, Hotel du Canada modeled after the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa. The building is presented (with the aid of forced perspective) to look as if it is six stories in height, but is really three. The restaurant was originally a cafeteria-style dining hall. It actually is a cellar, located underneath the chateau; it was designed to appear as a wine cellar, with simulated stone arches and dark ambient lighting.
Popcorn Cart - Sells popcorn, soda, Moosehead Lager, Moosehead Light and Labatt's Blue On Draft
Shopping
Northwest Mercantile - Sells wilderness themed Christmas ornaments, NHL jerseys and accessories for Canada's seven teams, a variety of animal plush, maple syrup, and a selection of Canadian wines and ice wines. It is located in the trading post building, which is designed to look like a traditional West coast native longhouse.
The Wood Cart - Located on the promenade and sells a variety of wine-themed merchandise, animal plush, flags and other assorted goods. The Cart also features an engraving stand, where guests can have their names engraved onto genuine leather bracelets, cuffs, cell phone strap charms, and Disney character keychains.
Facts
- 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.
- One of Canada's most popular attractions is the "Off Kilter" band. These kilt clad, bagpipe playing performers put on a fantastic show. Billed as "Celtic rock", traditional favorites are given a lively twist. Off Kilter is a Celtic rock band which debuted at the Canada pavilion July 1, 1997. It plays in the pavilion throughout the week.
- Holidays 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.
- A 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 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The pavilion has three native totem poles, up to 30' in height. Two are made of fibreglass, and one is carved out of wood. The wooden totem pole depicts three stories of the "Raven" tricking the "Sky Chief" into the release of sun, moon and stars from a chest. It was carved by the Alaskan artist David A. Boxley, and was officially put on display in April 1998.
- The Victoria Gardens which are adjacent to the Hotel du Canada are inspired by the Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. The gardens are the largest (and most labour intensive) of all the national pavilions.
History
Prior to the construction of the pavilion, the Walt Disney Company sought financial support for the attraction from the Canadian government. The company wanted the federal government to fund the cost of building the attraction; in return the government would have input into the design and layout. The Canadian government was concerned about the stereotype of Canada that Disney wanted (i.e., lumberjacks). Funding was refused, and Disney threatened to pull the exhibit, but ultimately did not.
At one time during the planning, the pavilion was to have been divided by a main street of shops and restaurants, with one side representing French Canada and the other English Canada.
At the opening in 1982, the original musical talent for the Canadian pavilion was a trio called the "Caledonian Pipe Band", consisting of two pipers and one drummer. The performers were Robert (Bob) Proctor (lead, drummer), Kenneth Mauchin (piper) and Robert Mauchin (piper). They were recruited by Ron Rodriguez (talent co-ordinator for Walt Disney World) from the Rosie O'Grady's Pipe Band of Orlando. Because all three had ties to Scotland, they also performed in the British pavilion at various times.
In 2007, Disney updated the movie O Canada!, filmed in 1979. For several years, the Canadian Tourism Commission lobbied to have the movie updated, partly to remove outdated stereotypes of Canadian life. On August 31, 2007, the updated edition opened with a new host, Canadian actor Martin Short, and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila reprising the original film's theme song, "Canada (You're a Lifetime Journey)".
Hidden Mickey
- Just outside Northwest Mercantile, there is the largest totem pole in the Canada pavilion. The Mickey is just underneath the elbow of a set of arms near the top of the pole.
- Inside the Northwest Mercantile shop is a roughly foot-long fish hanging from a crate. The Mickey is painted on the fish itself.
- Just inside Le Cellier steakhouse there is the counter where you would check in for your meal. Behind that counter is a small wine storage room. In the very top center of the rack are three bottles of wine, a large one with two small ones on top of it forming a familiar shape.