United Kingdom Pavilion

World Showcase, Epcot

  • Land: World Showcase
  • Type: Pavilion

The United Kingdom Pavilion is a cultural area in Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can enjoy the atmosphere and charm of England. Stroll down cobble-stone streets among old-world British architecture and gardens. Venture into a short hedge maze that kids will love or grab a pint of ale at a quaint, classic British pub. There's a wide selection of shops, bountiful entertainment and a street-performing comedy improv troupe, and many picturesque settings to relax and enjoy.

The United Kingdom Pavilion, designed to look like a typical British village, looks like 1/100 villages that are in the UK, although it could be argued that it is more stereotypical, with buildings based on different periods of British architecture. It has British gardens (including a hedge maze). The shops sell British items, such as tea, toys, clothing and Beatles merchandise. There is also a band called " The British Revolution" that performs hits from acts such as the Police, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Blur and Led Zeppelin, daily in the Pavilion. The Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room serves traditional British food, as well as beer and ale. There is also a quick-service counter serving Fish and Chips. There is a sport shop selling British sport equipment, including Chelsea and Liverpool shirts.

The United Kingdom pavilion is a bustling destination. Through the seamless blend of architecture that takes you from the streets of London to an English cottage, the essence of this nation is yours to enjoy. Cobble-stoned streets, a quaint pub, the scent of fish and chips in the air combine to make this an authentic "trip across the pond."

The regal Hampton Court Palace is represented, as well as buildings reflecting the Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian influences that the United Kingdom is noted for. Prized among them is a thatched roof cottage, which is patterned after Anne Hathaway's. While the more contemporary among you may associate the name with the star of Disney's Princess Diaries films, Anne Hathaway is the wife of William Shakespeare. Her family home is considered the quintessential English cottage.

While there is no "attraction" at the United Kingdom, there is entertainment with a decidedly British flair. The World Showcase Players are an improvisation group who engage visitors in their hilarious skits. "The English Channel" performs songs from British groups such as The Dave Clark Five, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Who. When you visit the Pub, prepare to engage in a rousing sing-a-long led by the piano player.

Touring Tips

  • The United Kingdom is a great place to meet characters. You can sometimes find Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore as well as Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and Alice in Wonderland.
  • Tucked in the back of the United Kingdom pavilion is the perfect spot for taking a quiet break. There's a lovely English garden, topiaries and Tigger's Maze. Children delight in working their way through this puzzle.
  • Be sure to walk through the beautiful Butterfly and Knot Herb garden. The butterfly garden also has a Chyrsalis Box; approximately 35 butterfly chrysalis are pinned for display each week.
  • Explore both sides of the street. Take the path running down the side of the Rose & Crown Pub on the French side. There's a nice little sitting area there right by the lagoon. This area is sometimes reserved in the evenings for private parties.
  • Try the Milky Bar (white chocolate), at the Tea Caddy, or the chocolate assortment box called Quality Street for a taste of genuine English sweets.

Dining

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room - A full service restaurant that serves English cuisine in both an indoor and outdoor setting. The indoor section resembles a pub, while the outdoor seating is located on a patio overlooking the lagoon. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Dishes include Potato and Leek Soup, Bangers and mash and Fish and chips. The Rose and Crown menu was revamped in 2009 to more closely resemble traditional British food following observations by serving staff (all British) and customers that it was slightly un-authentic, containing American food such as burgers-resulting some would say from the fact that the management and kitchen staff were almost universally Americans who had never visited the UK. A key attraction to the Rose and Crown is the selection of ales and stouts including Bass, Harp and Guinness (from the Republic of Ireland) as well as Stella Artois (despite being Belgian, it is the UKs most popular lager or non-traditional ale).

Yorkshire County Fish Shop - A quick service fish and chip counter restaurant that serves only fish, chips, and shortbread. Drinks, including Bass Ale and Harp Lager, are available. Seating is outdoors only. Yorkshire is very rarely referred to as "Yorkshire County", despite being a county, because "shire" and "county" are synonymous in the UK.

Shopping

The Toy Soldier - Sells toys and memorabilia usually associated with the UK, such as; The Beatles, Paddington Bear and The Rolling Stones. There are also traditional wooden toys as well as Disney merchandise.

The Crown and Crest - This is the place to find your beer stein, glass or mug with the crest of your favorite UK country. They also offer Rose & Crown t-shirts and hats along with a great selection of Beatles merchandise. An array of swords, daggers, and knives are on display near the room of Family Crests. In this section of the shop have your Family crest placed on a ring or plaque; or, have it embroidered and framed. Sells Keep Calm and Carry On merchandise, including, books, shirts, cups and mugs.

HRC - The Historical Research Center sells coats of arms, shirts and lets you look at the history of your last name.

Sportsman's Shoppe - Sells football team apparel from Manchester United, Celtic and Liverpool Football Club, footballs and books. Strangely enough, this shop also sells Guinness merchandise, which strikes as being odd by the fact that Guinness isn't from the United Kingdom but from Republic of Ireland.

The Tea Caddy - Tea lovers will not want to miss the selection of bagged and loose teas, teapots, biscuits and candy found in this shop. Sells Twinings Tea, teacups, teapots, and British sweets.

UK Cart - Sells Walt Disney World Trading pins, lanyards, Minnie and Mickey Mouse Plushes, Shot glasses and UK shirts.

The Queen's Table - Sells Belleck Fine Parian China (made in Ireland). This shop also carries native music and books from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Scottish or Welsh tartans and ties are found here, as well as, bagpipes and the Welsh "Love Spoon.

Fancy Goods for Lords and Ladies - Sells perfume, cologne, jewelry, and body care to fit all budgets. The brands available include Kit Heath Celtic jewelry, Asprey of London frangrances, and Feel Good Formulas Body Care.

Facts

  • The bright red phone booths are identical to those found in the United Kingdom.
  • Holidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country. In the United Kingdom, Father Christmas makes appearances throughout the afternoon.
  • The crests of the United Kingdom's four major schools (Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, and Edinburgh) can be seen in the upstairs window of The Queen's Table.
  • Changes in garden style enhance the changes in architecture throughout the United Kingdom. Landscaping styles include rural England, an open square park reminiscent of Hyde Park, and a maze fashioned after the Somerleyton Hall Maze built in 1846 in England.
  • The Tea Caddy structure is representative of the 1500's architecture style - Anne Hathaway cottage near the perennial and herb garden.
  • The Cantalier Buildings, next to the Toy Soldier, represent the 1600s. If you look at the second story of the building, you will see how it comes out over the street level. In the 1600s, taxes were based on ground floor space. Creative folks built structures with larger second floors that would not be taxed.
  • The popular Beatles-inspired band, The British Invasion, held its final performance on April 30, 2011. The replacement band debuted on Tuesday, May 3rd at 3:00 p.m.