Canada in EPCOT

[Steamboat Bill]

I am NOT Canadian, but I am interested in your opinion of how Canada is represented in EPCOT.

I think the movie is kinda lame...but the Inskillin icewine rocks!!

 

[tone.def]

I find the Pavillion quite humourous! Personally, I don't find it very "Canadian", I think it's a poor representation... I will say Le Cellier is a great restaurant and I like being able to see the Chateau (is it Laurier?) from all around the world showcase and I identify that as being Canadian.
But my problems are these:

1.) The "lumberjack" costumes. Last time I checked, many people around here don't wear them... but I think they get where they're going with that because the American experience wear colonial costumes. They could be interchangeable between the 2 pavillions...

2.) We have one of the most well known landmarks in Toronto - the CN Tower. There's no CN Tower at the Pavillion, I mean France has an Eiffel Tower (granted, it's older...). Instead there are totem poles and to be quite honest, I can't remember the last time I saw a totem pole around here. (If anyone knows of a totem pole in Southern Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI or NFLD I'd be interested in driving there for fun, anyone? I hear they might still be some in Northern Ontario). Didn't the natives in the U.S. have totem poles? Why do they get the Colonial House and we get the totem poles? Why didn't you just cover us with a blanket of snow complete with igloos and polar bears while you're at it?

3.) The "nickel mines". I had no idea what I was supposed to be standing in when I was there... Was it supposed to be Niagara Falls?

4.) Where's the real Canadian beer? (I have this same problem with the UK Pavillion, the beer there tastes nothing like their real beer. Gross!!!)

5.) I was there near Christmas and I grew up with Santa Claus, not Pere Noel. Santa wears a red suit, not a green lumberjack jacket.

6.) The maple syrup sold in the pavillion that I saw is "U.S. Grade", meanwhile I had brought the same brand for our mousekeeper, but "Canadian Grade".


I hope I don't sound too bitter

 

[damo]

Needs updating and seats!!!

 

[striker3636]

Definitely the movie is dated. The representation of Canada does reflect some of the diversity within our country, but perhaps doesn't really reflect the average, mostly urban, Canadian, IMHO. I've always found it stereotypical, but then I bet if you checked with people on their opinions of their countries pavillions, you might get a few of the same answers!

 

[wee-haggis]

This question has come up several times and quite frankly the whole exhibit is an embarassment.
Some of the previous posts are quite true (ie;lumberjacks,beer,360 movie etc).
Even Off Kilter are not Canadian.
The movie is ancient and is drastically in need of updating.
We were just at Epcot last week and on looking at the folks coming and going through the pavilion ...I didn't see very many impressed faces (quite the opposite in fact). The suggestion of opening a Tim Hortons out front (I think) is a great idea. I can't understanmd why our government can't see the tremendous potential for advertising Canada as a tourist destinantion by simply updating the movie and changing a couple of food stands etc.

 

[CharlesTD]

I love our entire pavillion fromteh costumes the CM's wear to the wine and the movie it is all great.

 

[highland3]

My biggest disappointment was finding out that Off Kilter was not Canadian. I was shocked, dismayed... they're a great band, but... they're not Canadian.

A Timmy's would be a good thing, but I'm sure the giant Coke/MacDonalds francise for the parks would block any attempt by Tims (ie Wendy's) to establish there.

 

[CharlesTD]

My biggest disappointment was finding out that Off Kilter was not Canadian. I was shocked, dismayed... they're a great band, but... they're not Canadian.

A Timmy's would be a good thing, but I'm sure the giant Coke/MacDonalds francise for the parks would block any attempt by Tims (ie Wendy's) to establish there.

It could be on teh horizon Wendy's is in the process of selling off ownership of Timmies. So once that is complete then I can see a timmies going in.

 

[highland3]

Hmmm.... that'll mean Epcot for mid-trip... for a Timmy's, Test Track, Mission Space.... etc, etc!!!!

 

[Steamboat Bill]

Ok then...what would you add/change/delete from the current Canada setup in EPCOT?

I would like to see some live Loons in the water fountains.

Looking for advice...eh?

 

[coffeeandfags]

Ok im Scottish and we love Canada in WS (its the only country we ever walk right through!). However, ive never been to Canada so cant comment on the representation.
What i do know however, is that Off Kilter (almost my favourite band on earth!) should be in the UK (and get rid of that terrible Beatles tribute!). Their music is mainly traditional Scottish and Irish, none of them come from Canada, so why stick them there??? Give Canada a Bryan Adams tribute instead (that would ROCK!!!)

BTW, i think the UK part is rubbish. Theres more to the UK than England, so why arent Scotland, Wales and Ireland represented??

 

[Webln]

ok let's start a survey here... what "canadian top 10 wonders" would you show?

1. Tim Hortons/Hockey (as Hockey was created in Canada)
2. Real Canadian maple products
3. Canadian Rockies
4. Calgary Stampede (to represent the Central Canada agriculture region)
5. Toronto CN Tower (innovation)
6. Indian Totems (there are some left in Quebec)
7. Winter/Northern Territories area (Inukshuk, winter sports, etc.)
8. Lobsters from the Maritimes (Shediac NB is the world's Lobster capital!)
9. Music tribute to Bryan Adams/Celine Dion (they sign in both languages)
10. Cirque du Soleil tribute

Maybe we should send those suggestions to the Federal Government?

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I would like to see some live Loons in the water fountains.

Let's keep the loons on lakes where they belong, please. Should we also put a bald eagle in a cage at the American pavilion? It's the same concept.

As for totem poles -- they are not found outside the Pacific coast aboriginal nations. Certainly, one would find totem poles in Ontario and other parts of eastern Canada (just spent some time admiring the totem poles at the Royal Ontario Museum today) -- but the Iroquois, Huron, Ojibway, and Cree (among other Indian nations found in eastern Canada) were not builders of totem poles.

As for Celine -- I'm only too glad to let the Americans keep her and let her think that she's American (as was evidenced when she was talking about "our nation" being hit by hurricanes following Katrina.)

 

[ducklite]

As some of you know, I've travelled pretty extensively through Canada, and have a lot of Canadian friends. (and no, I don't know Susie from Ontario LOL!)

From my perspective, the paviliion isn't at all representative.

First, there is no Tim's. HUGE MISTAKE! Of course if they add one they'll have to take a restraining order against me LOL!

Next--the lumberjack costumes are pathetic. Instead they should ask Roots to come up with Logowear specifically for the CM's in the pavillion.

The only time I've seen totem poles in Canada were at Stampede in the First Nations Village, and maybe in front of the visitors center in Jasper. Oh--and I think I saw one in Banff somepalce...

The whole Victoria Gardens thing is actually pretty well done. That I like.

As fun as Off Kilter is, I'd like to see some aboriginal music protrayed as well. (And BTW--I'm currently writing an article on the influence of Canadian music on the US music scene. I'll be mentioning some not well known in the US rock artists--Kim Mitchell, I Mother Earth, and Ian Thornley...but I digress...)

The thing that kicks me is due to Provincial laws, BC wines (IMHO some of the finest in the world) can't be exported to the US. That is such a shame, IMHO the BC wines are FAR better than the ON counterparts.

In the movie it seems that they spend half the time concentrating on the Maritimes. No offense, but you'd think they'd point out how Winnie the Pooh got his name...it is Disney afterall.

Personally, from what I've seen of Canada--which has been everything from the tourist traps at Niagara Falls to real towns like Sarnia--face it, not exactly a tourism mecca... It's not a good representation.

Anne

 

[SaraMc]

If you look at all the costumes of everyone in World Showcase they all I think represent what the country may have used to wear not what they wear now. Yes we are not lumberjacks or holly hobby in the resturant ( unless they have changed that)

The Movie needs a DESPERATE update since a lot has changed in the country since 1983, you know that whole new provience ect.

I think the CN tower isnt shown because CN owns it and wouldnt Disney have to pay them $$ to show it?

A Tim hortons would be a FABULOUS addition. Or a Lick's for the Southern Ontarians, or a Sal's for the Manitobians.

Adding Roots was a big step, perhaps we only get one big step every 10 years or so?

We go to the pavillion for Le Cellier the rest we just kind of pass on.

 

[tone.def]

ok let's start a survey here... what "canadian top 10 wonders" would you show?

1. Tim Hortons/Hockey (as Hockey was created in Canada)
2. Real Canadian maple products
3. Canadian Rockies
4. Calgary Stampede (to represent the Central Canada agriculture region)
5. Toronto CN Tower (innovation)
6. Indian Totems (there are some left in Quebec)
7. Winter/Northern Territories area (Inukshuk, winter sports, etc.)
8. Lobsters from the Maritimes (Shediac NB is the world's Lobster capital!)
9. Music tribute to Bryan Adams/Celine Dion (they sign in both languages)
10. Cirque du Soleil tribute

Maybe we should send those suggestions to the Federal Government?

Good start... but the U.S. can keep Celine!

A couple on your list are already there (Maple products and Indian totems), I also have a few other suggestions for the survey:

11.) The Bluenose
12.) A dinosaur dig/excavation site (Alberta has/had a huge concentration)
13.) A whitewater rafting ride!

 

[ducklite]

Good start... but the U.S. can keep Celine!

We don't want her either!!!! We'll take Michael J Fox and Mike Meyers though.

And Ryan Peake from Nickelback can come live in my house.

Anne

 

[mickeywho?]

Timmies! I second that. (Of course, knowing me I would probably make the family "stop by" every morning before heading on to other parks. But it would be worth it!)

 

[jocie]

Great thread!!

When we were there last Aug, I also felt that the pavillion did not represent Canada well! I have lived in Canada all my life...duh! and I have never eaten a beaver tail......I also thought the lumberjack costumes were less than appealing! I like the 'Timmies' idea and the water rafting, also something about the Canadian rockies. I'm from Winnipeg and I can't see them doing anything about how friggin cold it is here.....

Jocie

 

[coffeeandfags]

We don't want her either!!!!

LOL lets send her to France since shes "French Canadian"