Personal "rant" about The American pavilion

[figmentvi]

I always thought it would be fun to have a buffet at the American Pavillion that featured foods from the different regions of the U.S. For example:
Seafood from the Northeast,Corn and Beef from the Midwest, Apples and Fruit from the West Coast, Tex-Mex food from the South West, etc., etc.

 

[Lord Fantasius]

Because most Americans won't pay an extra 50%-100% to support American-made products. Blame corporate as well as individual greed and indifference.

I would love to see the pavilion stocked with Vermont maple syrup, handmade Longaberger baskets, Birch bowels handcarved from the Northwest and Alaska, etc. There's probably a thousand items available that wouldn't have to compete with the usual tourist fare: t-shirts, stuffed animals, and on...unfortunately, the biggest profits come from cheap items that Disney can sell for an astronomical amount (for example, that $14 Made-In-China stuffed animal only cost Disney maybe $2 if you include distribution). I would be glad to spend three times that much to buy a USA-made stuffed animal, but they don't exist anymore on a large-scale.

That, however, is the American Way!

And, except for pot roast, southern fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, deep-dish pizza, corn, and ice cream, what culinary delight did America contribute to the food scene? Vast majority of the foods we eat are based on our ethnic backgrounds. We have very few "American" foods.

-R

 

[mwerner2]

I live in philadelphia and we have a 18th century restaurant that serves 18th century food and beer the way it was back then.

What a GREAT idea!!! We don't even consider eating in "America" while at Epcot, but I'd try that restaurant in a heartbeat.

Also, we have lots of products that are "Made in Nebraska" as I'm sure other states have. Why not sell that sort of thing. Or American hand-made crafts like quilts? (not the ones made in China)

 

[Celebgrrl]

That's just what I would have suggested!! Gut the Liberty Inn (it's really yucky anyhow) and put in a more "national" resturant, similar in construction to the Pepper Mill. There could be different food stations that represent the regions of the US (Northeast, Midwest, Southern, West and California -a class in its own!) and people would get a little credit card thing that they could charge their meals on when they enter. When it's time to check out, they bring their credit card up to the register and the total is figured out.

There's a place in Chicago that does the same thing (forgot the resturant's name though), and it's very nice in that it allows you to get exactly the meal you want at the right price.

That would be an excellent idea - since America has been blessed with so many different nationalities who all bring different foods to our country!

 

[Lord Fantasius]

nutsforgolf - I was just thinking about that restaurant; I was there a no. of years ago and loved it! It was an incredible experience...I did it in the winter when they had a gentlemen take your hat and coat and you were seated by candlelight; I wish I could get back there, hopefully it will still be around in a few years when my wife and I take a trip to Philly.

But isn't that what LTT is based on? Wouldn't mind it being brought over to the American Pavilion as well, however!

-R

 

[Sandyincanada]

And, except for pot roast, southern fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, deep-dish pizza, corn, and ice cream, what culinary delight did America contribute to the food scene? Vast majority of the foods we eat are based on our ethnic backgrounds. We have very few "American" foods.

-R

I hate to tell you but most of the above originated in Europe except the southern fried chicken, not sure about that one or hotdogs but the rest are European.

The things I see in the States that we don't see as often in Canada (nor have I seen often in Europe) or the items that make me think about the States are corn bread/muffins, chicken fried steak, key lime pie and fried green tomatos. Not sure if they all originated in the States but I see them most often there.

And I agree with the Canadian Pavillion....I won't even go in there anymore, lol.

 

[Mymatisse]

And, except for pot roast, southern fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, deep-dish pizza, corn, and ice cream, what culinary delight did America contribute to the food scene? Vast majority of the foods we eat are based on our ethnic backgrounds. We have very few "American" foods.

-R

There is actually a great deal of "American" food. Although many styles of cooking like "soul food" for example are based on an ethnic backgroud, generations of Americans have altered it and made it uniquely American. Not to mention all the food that comes from Native Americans!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

The other name for "hotdog" is "frankfurter" which might give you an inkling where it originated from. However there are still tons of uniquely American dishes that could be served.

Virtually any corn dish, corn bread, corn pudding, corn on the cob, popcorn. Shrimp dishes...all of those cajun/creole goodies. My family makes gumbos, shrimp and grits (there's that corn again), fish fried in corn meal. Fried chicken and biscuits, chicken and pancakes, barbecue chicken. In the northeast you have the clambakes and lobsters, all the dishes made with maple products,...I'm pretty sure there are other plenty of other uniquely yankee dishes...ynakee magazine made up a whole cookbook for them (or hire Martha Stewart to figure it out when she gets out). In the southwest you've got all those dishes that merged spanish and native american cooking together. And don't forget the hawaiian dishes even if pineapple was imported from elsewhere.

As far as products made in America go...Stone Mountain Park in Georgia seems to be able to find them...and in fact make them on site. Why can't Disney do the same? You can charge an arm an a leg for them so the profit margin is the same as a stupid t-shirt.

 

[Musky]

And while we're on the subject, I know this isn't PC, but shouldn't the CMs working in the America pavilion be American? (Donning my flame retardant suit now.) I mean, the CMs in the Japan pavilion are Japanese, the CMs in the Germany pavilion are German, but when we were at the Liberty Inn last summer I swear none of the CMs even spoke English. Can't they find any Americans to work there?

Becky

 

[Lord Fantasius]

Hey, I know full well what a hot dog is and where it came from, thank you...gees. The difference between a hot dog and a frankfurter is immense, the only similarity is that they're both cylindrical and encased in a skin of sorts. Hot dogs were a contrived disguise by Oscar-Mayer to hide all the leftover floor scrapings they couldn't put anywhere else and didn't want to throw away...never ask what is actually in a hot dog! A frankfurter at least has identifiable meat.

Admittedly, there is limited indigenous American food, save turkey and corn, but what we excel at is taking ethnic themes and creating new presentations on them - ala' the difference between Italian pizza and deep-dish pizza that was invented/first created in Chicago. But then again, the most recognizable American brands in the world are Coke and McDonalds, so guess what we have become good at?!

O.k., so we don't hijack this isn't an American food forum, I agree there are some "native" American foods that would be great to serve at the American Pavilion; but why is it everybody thinks of traditional southern cooking as being more American than what was brought over from the north?

Also, I think every state has a "Made in ______" store which usually does quite well...especially around the holidays...maybe we could get Disney to import directly from those where each state could contribute 2 or 3 products it feels best represents that state.

-R

 

[disnutt]

There are plenty of American foods they could celebrate. Just from my adopted New England area are: cranberries, maple syrup, blueberries, locally made cheese, seafood. (Lollipops were first made in CT. Pez candy (not dispensers)Mounds and Almond Joys are made here, too.)

My native state, West Virginia, is home to ramps (a wild extremely pungent onion). I'd LOVE to see a Spring tribute to ramps at the World. However, the air at Epcot would be really foul after everyone tried them.

I'm sure other regions have their special foods. They are missing a great opportunity to educate people about our US cuisine.

 

[Queenie]

An opinion from a non-US citizen! When I went to Philadelphia with school a few years back we were taken around the historical bits and there was a gift shop there that sold replicas of the US Consitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence etc and books about US History. I can't remember if stuff like that is made in America or already sold in the American Pavillion but if not I think it should be. EPCOT is all about education in a fun way so surely they should sell things that teach kids (and foreign adults) about US history and culture? Oh, and I bought a fake Constitution from the shop in Philly!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

How about a Thanksgiving type of dinner/lunch?
Hot turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes cranberry sauce and mix it up with some regional favorites like corn bread stuffing and such.
There's a restaurant called Boston Market in my area that does all this very nicely in a buffet style line with trays.
Add chocolate/vanilla shakes and softserve icecream and
*God Bless America!*

THIS WOULD BE JUST PERFECT!!! Now, who to send this suggestion to!!??!!

 

[Bayshore Bandit]

Blame Disney.....I don't think there is one (ok, maybe one) item
sold on property with the Disney logo that is made in America.
It would hurt the profit margin. They make the stuff in China for
pennies on the dollar, charge you and me an outragous price for
it, and soak in the difference. Makes the bean counters happy and
that's all that seems to matter to the boys in Burbank lately.

 

[princess aurora]

okay my 2 cents...
Perhaps the point is that America is right outside Disney's front door. America is in the airport on the bus in a car the road signs absolutely everywhere else. Perhaps this was just an idea or a chance for others to expericence other cultures/cuisine and put less empahsis on Amercia.

 

[ead79]

I would also love to see a sit down restaurant in the America Pavilion. There are many options that would work well.

I like the idea of a restaurant that serves Thanksgiving type foods similar to Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK.

I also like the idea of having a menu divided into sections of the country that could serve foods from that area. For example you could have the South (comfort food, meatloaf, veggies, cobbler), the Northeast (seafood, Philly cheesesteaks, Boston cream pie, NY fusion cuisine), the Midwest (Chicago style pizza, cheese items), the Southwest (Tex-Mex, cajun, creole, beignets), and the West (California style pizza, sushi, potato dishes).

 

[Madi100]

I think that America is the melting pot of the world. Very obviously. But, there are traditions in America. Thanksgiving is a huge one. While we may not have invented the turkey we sure know how to eat them. I know from shopping around the World Showcase that there is not really one restaurant that appeals to me, because I'm a pretty American person. I'm sure that the smart people at Disney could think of SOMETHING if they wanted to.

As far as the products, I agree. Everything is made in China. My seven year old realized that at age 4. We want it cheap, but we want to get paid a lot. The person in American who sells the "junk" makes more than the person who made the "junk." But, I think it would be nice for Disney to sacrifice the big buck to represent our country for what it has to offer. There are so many wonderful things that are made in this country, and made well, that I think people would eat them up if they were offered. I'm not sure if Isabel Bloom is big anywhere in the country, but in Iowa and Illinois her figurines are huge. They are highly collectible and highly expensive. But, people pay for it.

I think Disney World is one of those places that sees a lot of people from other countries. What do we show that we stand for? Made In China

 

[eeyore0062]

These are all legitimate concerns and ones that should be addresses in the right forums. Write to Guest Communications with your concerns and suggestions at www.wdwguestcommunications@disneyworld.com. Unless the appropriate people know, there can't be anything done about it.

BTW, I think a great Seafood restaurant would be an excellent choice in the American Pavillion!