Canada (Epcot)

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Canada

Locations and openings
Epcot October 1, 1982

Canada exhibit in the World Showcase at Epcot.
Photo: Marc Averette

Gardens in the Canada exhibit at Epcot.
Photo: Marc Averette

The Canada Pavilion is part of the World Showcase within the Epcot theme park in Orlando Florida.

1 Layout
2 Attraction History
3 Current Attractions and Services
4 Former Attractions and Services
- 4.1 Dining
- 4.2 Films
5 Facts and Figures
6 External links

[edit] Layout

The Canada pavilion is designed to remind the guest of the Canadian outdoors. The pavilion is decorated with a canyon, a waterfall, gardens, a pool with fountains, and totem poles. The main attraction at the Canada Pavilion is O Canada!, a Circle-Vision 360° movie of Canada's cities and scenery. The film was made in 1979. This pavilion also includes Le Cellier Steakhouse and the semi-permanent home of the Celtic rock band Off Kilter.

[edit] Attraction History

Prior to the construction of the Canadian pavilion, the Walt Disney corporation 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 (ie Lumberjacks). Funding was refused, and Disney threatened to pull the exhibit (which it obviously didn't).

[edit] Current Attractions and Services

O Canada! is a Circle-Vision 360° movie of Canada's cities and scenery.

[edit] Gardens

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.

[edit] Dining

Le Cellier provides sit down restaurant service. Food offerings include seafood and steaks, along with popular Canadian wines and beer. It's located in the main building of the pavillion, Hotel du Canada modeled after the Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa. The building is presented (with the aid of forced perspective) to look as if it's six stories in height, but is really only three. The restaurant was originally a cafeteria style dinning hall. It actually is a cellar, located underneath the chateau, it has been designed to appear as a wine cellar, with simulated stone arches and dark ambient lighting.

[edit] Shopping

La Boutique des Provinces (located in Hotel du Canada) sells Anne of Green Gables gifts, Blue Mountain pottery, along with various handcrafted souvenirs.

Northwest Mercantile sells the popular Roots Canada brand of clothing along with stereotypical Canadian goods like maple syrup, native stone carvings, and lumberjack attire. It is located in the trading post building, which is designed to look like a traditional West coast native longhouse.

[edit] Totem Poles

The pavilion has 3 native totem poles, up to 30' in height. Two of the three are made out of fiberglass, 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 British Columbia artist David Boxley, and was officially put on display in April 1998.

[edit] Former Attractions and Services

[edit] Dining

Beaver Tails kiosk cart, which sold so called Beaver tail (pastry) goods.
Le Cellier Cafeteria (became Le Cellier Steakhouse in 1999)

[edit] Films

The Circle-Vision 360° film: "Portraits of Canada / Images du Canada" - played for a short period after it's debut at the Telecom Canada pavilion at Expo 86 in Vancouver.

[edit] Facts and Figures

Date Opened: October 1, 1982.

At the opening in 1982, the original musical talent for the Canadian pavilion was performed by a trio called the "Caledonian Pipe Band". They consisted of 2 pipers, 1 drummer. The performers were Robert (Bob) Proctor (lead, drummer), Kenneth Mauchin (piper) and Robert Mauchin (piper). These performers were recruited by Ron Rodriguez (talent co-ordinator for WDW) from the Rosie O' Grady's Pipe Band of Orlando. Because all three had ties to Scotland, they also performed in the UK pavilion at various times. Black Thistle Pipe Band.