Germany (Epcot)

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

Contents 1 Layout 2 Pavilion History 3 Current Attractions and Services 3.1 Dining 3.2 Shopping 3.3 Other 4 Former Attractions and Services 5 Facts and Figures

[edit] Layout

The Germany (Epcot) Pavilion is designed to look like a German town, but with architecture from different eras and regions. The Platz (square) is decorated with a statue of St. George and the Dragon and a clock tower. The Biergarten, at the rear of the courtyard, sells traditional German food. The pavilion also has numerous small shops selling German goods, including dolls and cuckoo clocks. The area near the pavilion is decorated by an extensive model village with working model trains.

[edit] Pavilion History

Opened in 1982, the pavilion has no actual attraction. But the original design did call for a boat ride along the Rhine river. It was to have focused on Germany folklore, in a similar manner to the Mexico, and Norway rides. According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report the ride was to be: " ... a cruise down Germany's most famous rivers -- the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral." (source: Jim Hill Blog). Though the building was built the ride wasn't and is now used as storage space. You can see the main entrance hall, as it's now the dining area for the Biergarten. The ride building is used for storage for floats, a workshop and cast member rehearsal space.

[edit] Current Attractions and Services

[edit] Dining

• Biergarten Restaurant - The indoor restaurant designed to look like your outside at an Oktoberfest in a German town. Schnitzel, strudel and good beer offer a taste of Bavaria at the Biergarten Restaurant. It features lively entertainment and 33-ounce steins. The dining hall is actually in the entrance area for a never built ride - a boat cruise down the Rhine river.

• Sommerfest

[edit] Shopping

• Das Kaufhaus

[edit] Other

• Miniature Train and Village is a small outdoor model garden railway. It was originally created for the Flower and Garden Festival, but was kept due to its popularity.

• Glockenspiel is the clock that overlooks St. Georges Platz.

• St. George monument, is a large statue of "St. George" slaying a dragon.

[edit] Former Attractions and Services

• Der Bucherwurm shop which sold prints and books about Germany. It closed in 1999 to be replaced by Das Kaufhaus.

[edit] Facts and Figures