Blame Canada

[tikistitch]

Since the signal for out Stolen Intarnets is strong on the balcony tonight, we'll try to make sense of our Epcot Experience. Basically, Mr. Tiki remembered this park fondly from baby-hood, so we decided to spend a pleasant afternoon.

The experience started off pleasant enough, with Mission Space! And the whole fact that it had made people literally drop dead just added frisson. Though we're still kinda pissed at Lt. Dan for leaving our asses up on Mars (after we'd completed the mission, we repeat, WITHOUT a navigator, and we're not sure about the feasibility of space travel lacking a partner to slur, "Captain, I need more powerrrrrr!!!"), we had drowned our sorrows at the Cokes of the World place.

Since our Fast Pass for Soarin' wasn't valid for several hours hence, it was then on to the countries.



Mr. Tiki read out the list of Dizznified Epcot countries, and, being the picky sort, we perseverated on the quirks: besides Thailand and China, it appears that, within Dizzney property, "Africa" also qualifies as a country. (Oddly, no AIDS-plagued develping nation had prioritized providing funds towards getting an exhibit in Orlando). Since Germany was represented, many happy hours were enjoyed making tasteless jokes about the demise of an imaginary adjoining Poland exhibit.

One realization, amongst just the tiki component of the group, was that we had actually (in real life and carrying real luggage that is) travelled to almost every one of the real countries represented by the cheesy Small World-ified exhibits. Our skepticism detector increased when Tommy revealed, upon our questioning the somewhat odd selection of coutries in the Epcot park, that the exhibits were in fact paid for by the respective tourism bureaus of the countries in questions.

One of the countries in question was Canada. Now, we love Canada as much as the next man, and what we love most is poking gentle fun at our beloved neighbors in North Montana, who reciprocate by taking our humor in great stride. And, we should mention, the very fact that a country should stand apart due to the fact that the people are so bloody nice is possibly something of which its citizens should take some pride. But, dude, you have a world showcase, and out of a half dozen candidates to represent the diversity of Planet Earth and it's denizens....Canada??

We asked our living guidebook for further information regarding the Canada exhibit. For once, the man who could tell you not only the name of the ride that stood in the park before the ride that came before current ride, but the date it was replaced, the reason, and the name of the Imagineer in question's third cousin on his mother's side, was pulled up short. He hemmed. He hawed. Come on, a Canada showcase? Do all the clerks say "Eh" a lot? Or what? "Um," Tommy began. "You can get English candy there!"

Somewhat later, we went on the jolly Viking ride sponsored by Norwegian cruise lines. It involves animatronic trolls, and you're not allowed to exit before viewing a short film regarding tourism in Norway. And then we tried to eat at the Dining Nemo restaurant with the squid, but it was booked 6 months in advance. Also, our feet hurt after walking from Canada to Mexico.

We found a glass Stitch with a guitar in Mexico.

We're still pissed at Lt. Dan.

Comments

[spazzygirl19.livejournal.com]

e asked our living guidebook for further information regarding the Canada exhibit. For once, the man ... was pulled up short. He hemmed. He hawed. Come on, a Canada showcase? Do all the clerks say "Eh" a lot? Or what? "Um," Tommy began. "You can get English candy there!"

*lol* English candy?!? Yes, Canada is more from the 'Mother' country that the good ol' US of A - but wouldn't *maple* candy be more Canadian? Could you buy hockey pucks at the Canada Pavillion? What sport is more Canadian, eh? ^_^

[dustbunnies.livejournal.com]

You can totally exit the viking ride without watching the film. You just have to run in and then run out the other side. Or at least I think so, its been a while but I remember hating that film.

[avalonjones.livejournal.com]

Canadian bacon is good...

[bandersnitch.livejournal.com]

I am a Canadian (and damn proud) and during a visit to Epcot we met some fellow Canadians (all staff at the Canada stop there are FROM Canada) and shared with them a brief frustration as every third american who goes in there say "aboot, eh?" to them.

We were also disappointed that the Canada Pav seemed to be littered with Eskimos and Mounties as the only thing that was Canadian unique. I hear its changed though.

It is fun however to inform most Americans that I live in a part of Canada that is actually further south than the entirity of Washington State, Minnesota, North Dakota and the majority of South Dakota and Montana.

The Americas Pavillion was beautiful and I was shocked into respect for your national pride when a group of a capella singers performed your national anthem and everyone stood at attention and even some people cried. It was a beautiful rendition.

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

It seemed to still be mounties and eskimos. But everybody was pretty darned nice!! I do like the touch that each pavilion is staffed by natives of that country. I think part of the issue is that the attraction of Canada (at least for tourists like me) is the natural wonders and wildlife, not something, like the Eiffel tower, that it's easy to Disney-fy.

[jeepersjournal.livejournal.com]

The Circle-360 film was just updated this year, and I heard Disney was thinking about putting a "Brother Bear" Logfume ride into the Pavillion at some point..... while most of the Pavillions are sponsored by foriegn companies and governments in a partnership, I think Canada's the only entirely Governement sponsored one. I dunno, I'm Canadian and I liked it.

I think they could use a little Anne of Green Gables part of the pavillion, or something extra, but there's only so much room I guess. I also wouldn't of minded seeing a walk-in psued-snowscape somewhere [Sea World had a ride that did this decently], lest people think it's all Victoria Gardens and such

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Epcot is awesome if you go during the Food and Wine Festival, or play "Drink Around the World."

you're not allowed to exit before viewing a short film regarding tourism in Norway.

The door's right there. "Wait! We have a film!" "We know!"

Why does "O Canada" have an apostrophe?

The Canadian pavillion once supplied me with salmon served with walnuts and maple syrup. I will not hear a word against them, you hear?

You can also get English candy right next door in L'il England. Unfortunately, what with Florida's subtropical climate, it rarely works out. Many Cadbury Flakes died to bring us that information.

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

Epcot is awesome if you go during the Food and Wine Festival, or play "Drink Around the World."

You have just hit upon the single most awesome difference vis a vis the Disneland I knew as a child and the Walt Disney World I've experienced as an adult: BEER!

[spazzygirl19.livejournal.com]

This is why Mr. Spazzygirl was so enamoured of California Adventure when we took nephew #2 -- there was B-E-E-R *in* the park!! At Disneyland, they *do* serve alkihol in New Orleans Square, but only if you have the 'special' pass to dine at the private restaurant. And if you're really dying for a drink - you can now run out to Downtown Disney instead of going all the way to Cali Adv.

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

I'm agreeing with Ann. Epcot during the Food and Wine festival is awesome. International drink yourself silly day. Epcot was my favourite part of the trip. I even made a special second trip back.

Also, salmon with maple syrup is the yum.

[igrrl.livejournal.com]

I went to Epcot in the early 80s and they had nonstop Circle-Vision at the Canada Showcase back then. Ah, that takes me back...

It'd be funny if the film they're showing now is what I saw. That is if 'new' means old stuff taken out of the dusty archives.