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[AmandaSparks730]

Animales Fantasticos - The Spirits in Wood

" - In villages surrounding the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, artisans create fantastic wood carvings of animals, humans, and beasts. Their work is prized for the way they freely mix reality with magic. This modern folk art is also unique for the way it blends traditional with contemporary themes. In just a few short decades, Oaxacan woodcarving has become recognized as an important expression of how ancient cultures interact with a modern world."

"Oaxacan parents tell stories to their children about fantasy animals that live in the nearby forests. Most of these magical creatures are mis-chief makers and the children are warned to stay clear of them. Today, these fantasy animals have emerged from the woods. They have been set free by the artisans who captured them in the branches of the trees. These brightly colored animals have traveled far from their home in Southwest Mexico, but bring with them their legendary playfulness." (Quotes from the display, October 2001)

Casa Mexicana offers an opportunity to "Discover Modern Mexico". Located just before the entrance to the Gran Fiesta, you'll find the home of the Pakatilchi family. As you walk into the first level, there is a large area for Mexico's Kidcot station that was filled with children making masks! Off to the left is an alcove where you can select one of four "adventures" and send home a video postcard. I was torn between the cliff diving and the puppet show video, and ended up selecting the puppet show. You have a few seconds to act out (there is no audio with the video) your "adventure" and then email it to yourself and someone back home.





As you reach the second level of the Casa, you'll find a dining room table all set for the family meal. The design and colors of the home are what you would expect to find in Mexico today, according to the Cast Member I spoke with. There is even a musical section with a number of guitars on display. There are two "windows into Mexico" in the Casa which are located above a map of the country. You push one of the buttons on the map representing one of X regions in Mexico and your window shows a short video representative of that area. You can select the Yucatan Peninsula, South and Gulf of Mexico, Central Mexico, Baja, Northern Mexico or the Pacific Coast. Casa Mexicana opened in March 2004.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

There are 2 major areas represented in the Mexico showcase. A portrayal of the arid desert regions of Mexico can be seen at the Cantina de San Angel, while the Mexican tropics are represented as a Mayan temple rising out of the Yucatan jungle. The Mayan pyramid is reflective of the pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico.

To create the tropical jungle, Disney horticulturists use a variety of plants including: Moreton bay fig, silver trumpet tree, Mexican fan palm, and a number of orchid trees. The arid desert at the Cantina is highlighted by a 250-year-old Yucca tree.

El Rio del Tiempo - The River of Time, Closed on January 2, 2007 and reopened as "Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!" on April 6, 2007. The short but pleasant boat ride, was sometimes called the Mexican It's A Small World because of its upbeat, repetitive theme song and small Audio-Animatronic dolls.

The dances seen on the film in the pre-Columbian section of the El Rio del Tiempo boat ride illustrate a time when Mexican Indians prevailed in areas of the sciences and arts. The dances represent Nature and Science, Mathematics and Astronomy, Quetzalcoatl and Texcatlipoca, Aztec Warriors, an Aztec Marketplace, and Moctezuma's Palace.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

A visit to Norway (located between Mexico and China) will put you right into Scandinavia as you enter the picturesque town square designed to represent the Norwegian towns and cities of Bergen, Oslo, Alesund and Setesdahl.

This 58,000 square foot pavilion features a boat ride (the Maelstrom), Restaurant Akershus with all day Princess dining, a pastry shop, an outdoor deli counter, a replica Stave Church with a Viking Exhibit and shopping.

Norway was added to World Showcase in 1988.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ATTRACTIONS

The Maelstrom - Leave present day Norway to journey back in time to the Norway of old aboard dragon-headed 16 passenger boats. Travel to a 10th century Viking Village and enter the shadows of a mythical Norwegian forest populated by trolls. One of the creatures cast a spell on the boat and you suddenly are traveling backwards into the rapids of the Jutenheimen mountain country.

Just as you are about to topple backwards over the waterfall, the boat moves forward to a rocky passageway in the North Sea where you find yourself in an ocean storm. Soon, you enter the calm fishing village where your boat docks. A door will open into the theater. There is a wide-screen movie that takes you on a tour of Norway and introduces you to its people.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Stave Church - A replica of the Gol Stave church found in the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo, Norway. Many folks see the Stave Church, but not everyone realizes you can walk inside! When you go inside it has exhibit on Vikings, with authentic
weapons and other artifacts, as well as figures of important Norwegians: Olaf II, Erik the Red and Rognvald, a Viking raider who invaded and colonized France. The Stave Church is totally separated from the main building. It's also very cool inside, making it a good break from the Florida sun and heat.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

The Maelstrom's small ships are patterned after the dragon-headed craft of Eric the Red and his fellow explorers.

Four uniquely Norwegian architectural styles can be seen here. Setesdal style, with grassy roofs and thick logs, projects a rough woods look in The Puffin's Roost and Kringla Bakeri og Kafe. Bergen style, captured here in the Fjording Shop, is marked by gabled windows on close-set wooden buildings. Oslo style is marked by the surrounding walls of the Akershus Castle. Alesund style is typified by the white stucco and stone-trimmed information building where you find the entrance to the Maelstrom.

The Restaurant Akershus has the same name as the famous 14th century castle which stands in Oslo’s harbor and is of the same stone construction.

A simple picturesque landscape is the key to Norway's design which uses lacy, woodsy style, with architectural elements such as stone, wood and tile. The addition of natural elements, such as waterfalls, helps create an authentic feeling.

The Norwegians built the first Stave Churches, or Stavkirke, around the year 1050. When St. Olaf brought Christianity to Norway, the Norwegians turned to the craft they knew best, woodworking, to build their new churches. They blended Christian symbols with Viking images to create these impressive buildings. note the wooden dragon heads decorating the eaves. Other European countries built wooden churches, but only Norway's are still standing. Of the 1,000 Norwegian Stave Churches built in the Middle Ages, 28 survive today.

At one time, a great play area for kids was located at Norway - a huge Viking ship. Disney replaced the Viking Ship play area with a flower garden but some of the remains of the ship where kept in remembrance.


"Norway has its own kind of Santa Claus - Nissen has existed in Norwegian folklore throughout the ages. He was one of the "little people". The barn nisse toiled on the farm from morning till night. He was hard working and loyal when the farmer treated him well, but vengeful if anyone insulted him. The same goes for the wood nisse, the house nisse, the church nisse, yes, even the ship's nisse. Each had his own function. And so who is this Julenissen - the Norwegian term for Santa Claus? Today many believe he is the barn nisse." (Excerpt from VisitNorway.com)

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

Journey with the ancient Chinese Poet Li Bai into the ornate Chinese Hall of Prayer and into the history, culture and lands of China. Stand before the China Pavilion and you will be impressed with the majesty of the presentation.



ATTRACTIONS

Reflections of China - a CircleVision 360 movie presentation that was debuted May 2003.

Tomb Warriors - Guardian Spirts of Ancient China exhibit

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

The three-tiered, circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is a one-half scale reproduction of its counterpart inside the Temple of Heaven complex near Beijing. Many of its architectural details, both inside and out, have important significance to the Chinese people. Inside the hall, there are 12 outer columns supporting the roof. They represent the 12 months of the year and the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. Closer to the center of the room are 4 columns representing the four seasons. These columns support a beam, representing Earth, which is topped by a round beam, signifying Heaven.

Filming the Wonders of China proved to be quite challenging for the crew. For one sequence on Huangshan Mountain, the crew and 40 laborers had to carry the three-hundred pound camera and other equipment to the top, over a mile in height.

To reflect the gardening style of China, the pavilion features a very loosely structured landscape. There is no strong feeling of being either inside or outside of the garden. The lack of structure of the China garden is deceiving because, as in the Japan garden, the symbolism is strong. Chinese gardens are designed to be quiet, still and passive, as in the meditation pool. The zoysia grass is left alone to grow as it would look in China. Plants are used sparingly with the accent on those with unusual color. Several fruit trees, orange, plum and pomegranate are also part of the landscape.

The weeping mulberry, while resembling a tree you might find in China, is actually over 100 years old and was found in New Jersey.

In order to depict the intricate tile work patterns of the original Temple of Heaven, the Imagineers artisans screen printed hundreds of exact replications of its detailed patterns onto each and every tile at Epcot.

March 25, 2002 the original Wonders of China 360 movie closed until May 23, 2003! The new movie is called Reflections of China! Nine cameras were used to photograph the cultural and scenic images in the new movie. During a 2 month period in 2002, 7 Chinese cities were filmed. New shots of many of the landmarks in the current movie such as the Great Wall, Tian'anmen Square will be in the new version. Other images that have been updated include Beijing, Harbin, and Urumqi. Every bit of footage of Shanghai has been replaced!

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

Fantasy, folklore and festivity abound as you step into a German village where the sounds of Oktoberfest fill the air. In the center of the square is a statue of St. George and the dragon, which, according to legend, he slayed while on a pilgrimage to the Middle East. Monuments to St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, are common throughout Bavaria. The Biergarten reflects the 16th century town of Rothenberg.


ATTRACTIONS

The shops and food areas are the featured attractions in Germany.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

The architecture was inspired by the buildings of Bavaria and the Rhine region of Germany. Other details come from communities of the German north. Statue in the center of the plaza is of St. George, the patron saint of soldiers. A glockenspiel chimes to a melody specially composed for Epcot.

Rather than construct precise replicas of buildings found in Germany, the designers of the pavilion adapted German structures to fit the scale and needs of World Showcase. For example, the facade of Der Bucherwurm is modeled after the Kaufhaus, a medieval merchant's hall in Freiburg. However, there are 4 statues representing Hapsburg emperors in the hall in Freiburg, Der Bucherwurm, which is not large enough to support them all, has only three.

The facade of the art and book shop was inspired by the Kaufhaus, a 16th century merchants hall in Freiburg in the Black Forest.

Statues on the building recall the rule of the Hapsburg Emperors.

An exterior facade was copied from a 400-year old town hall in Romsburg Square in Frankfurt.

The high wall serving as the backdrop for the showcase was inspired by Eltz Castle on the Mosel River and Stahleck Castle on the Rhine.

The landscaping within the village itself is minimal. Red flowers, particularly geraniums and begonias, dominate the floral displays in the area. Window boxes coordinate with the baskets and fountain planting to carry the color throughout the scene. Here roses are used for their sweet-smelling scent rather than for their showy blooms.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

As you enter St. Mark's Square, you pass two massive free-standing columns. At the top of one is St. Theodore, a military leader who played an important role in early Venetian history. Atop the other column is a winged lion, the mythical guardian of Venice and the symbol of St. Mark.

The architecture is a reproduction of the Doges Palace in Venice. Since it would be virtually impossible to find an exact duplicate of the marble, the Disney Imagineers created their own. In this case, the marble is actually fiberglass (covering brick supports) that has been painted and specially treated to resemble the real thing.

ATTRACTIONS

The shops and architecture are the featured attractions in Italy.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

The statues on the Doges Palace are hollow and are held in place by steel rods which run through the base into the statues themselves.

The city of Venice was the inspiration for the Italian Pavilion.

A smaller version of Campanile includes an angel sculpted using a model of the original and covered in gold leaf. The sea god Neptune is featured at the pavilion’s fountain.

The garden is more like a garden patio: blue, white and pink hanging baskets add color to the large buildings and garden walls. Citrus trees, such as orange and lemon, along with other Mediterranean trees, dominate the landscape. Flowering plants in authentic containers decorate the plaza.

L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, rich in Florentine style, closed August 31, 2007 when the contract with Epcot ended. Alfredo's was based on a famous Roman restaurant of the same name. Fettucine Alfredo was the restaurant specialty.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

As you enter World Showcase from Future World, The American Adventure is directly across the Lagoon. It is the center-most pavilion in the World Showcase and is flanked by Italy on the east and Japan on the west. It is actually the southernmost point of Epcot.

The pavilion includes an Audio-Animatronic stage show (also called American Adventure), an outdoor stage and amphitheater (America Gardens Theater), a gallery exhibit called National Treasures featuring Americana from Jackie Robinson, Abe Lincoln, and many more (American Heritage Gallery) a fast-food eatery (Liberty Inn), and a small shop (Heritage Manor Gifts), all set among landscaped walkways and gardens.


The architecture of the building is done in classic English Georgian style. Elements in the Disney building were inspired by Independence Hall, Boston's Old State House, Monticello, and Colonial Williamsburg. The structure's 110,000 bricks are handmade from Georgian clay, which were then colored and aged to make them look authentic. The roof is made of slate, and the floor of marble and copper.

Paintings and quotations line the walls of the Main Hall, the West Hall, and the Upper Lobby of the attraction's building. The quotes are from Walt Disney, Samuel Walter Foss, Althea Gibson, Charles A. Lindbergh, Archibald MacLeish, George Magar Markikian, Herman Melville, Ayn Rand, Wendell Lewis Willkie, and Thomas Wolfe.

As you leave the main lobby and proceed into the theater, you must ride escalators or hike a set of stairs through the Hall of Flags . Above you is hung a collection of the flags that have flown over the United States in all of its forms. It includes Revolutionary War flags, Colonial flags, and foreign flags that once had claim to the land. There are 44 flags in all.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ATTRACTIONS

The American Adventure

Once it is time for you to move into the theater, you will be directed from the main hall to escalators and a stairway. Upstairs, just follow everyone into the theater. You sit for the entire show. All seats are good seats. The screen is 72 feet wide!

As you sit down before the show, you will notice 12 statues, 6 on each side of the theater. These are the "Spirits of America." On the left side of the theater, from front to back, are Individualism, Innovation, Tomorrow, Independence, Compassion, and Discovery . On the right side of the theater, from front to back, are Freedom, Heritage, Pioneering, Knowledge, Self-Reliance , and Adventure. They are all life-sized, and are highlighted during the final sequence of the show.

The presentation is a showcase for Disney attractions featuring Audio-Animatronic figures, filmed images, moving sets, and sound and lighting effects. The 30 minute show highlights notable events and great personalities in American History. It is in no way complete.

Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain are your hosts for the journey through The American Adventure. Scenes include: the Pilgrims and the Mayflower; the Boston Tea Party; the writing of the Declaration of Independence; Valley Forge and the Revolutionary War; slavery and the Civil War; the suffering of Native Americans; the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition; the founding of Yosemite National Park; World Wars I and II; and a series of images depicting the people and events of recent history.

The "Golden Dreams" film montage near the end of the presentation was last updated (about 45 seconds near the end) June 2007.

American Heritage Gallery - The National Treasures opened late September 2007 and features over 40 special artifacts on loan to Epcot. From Abe Lincoln's stovepipe hat to items representing the lives of Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Senator Daniel Inouye, Astronaut Gus Grissom and much more.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

When the decision was made to turn Walt Disney's city of Epcot into the theme park of Epcot Center, World Showcase was to have been the main park component. Plans for the showcase had all pavilions located within one semicircular building. When the plans changed to the present World Showcase Lagoon design, Imagineers did not even place the United States with the other pavilions. It was to be a two-story structure on stilts, between World Showcase and Future World. The attraction would be housed in the second story, and the first story would be used as a sort of tunneled gateway to World Showcase. Finally, it was decided to move the United States pavilion not only into the Showcase, but also into the center-most position across the lagoon, so that The American Adventure would play host to all the countries that surround it.

As the Host Nation and the centerpiece of World Showcase, The American Adventure is built at a slightly higher elevation than the surrounding pavilions. The landscaping here is the most structured of all the countries represented. The symmetrical planting and all-American plant material give it a feeling of Philadelphia formality.

Original plans for the attraction called for three hosts, one representing each century during which the United States has existed. Franklin was chosen as representative of the 18th century, and Twain for the 19th century. After suggesting possible figures, such as Will Rogers and Walter Cronkite, it was decided that guests were too familiar with the 20th century to easily be represented by one person. It was decided to execute the show with only two hosts.

Thirty-five figures are used during the show. They are (in order of appearance): Ben Franklin (3 figures); Mark Twain (3 figures); Thomas Jefferson; George Washington; Washington's horse; two soldiers in Valley Forge; Frederick Douglas; a Civil War-era family consisting of a father, mother, baby, daughter, and two brothers; Mr. Brady (a Civil War-era photographer); Chief Joseph; Alexander Graham Bell; Andrew Carnegie; Susan B. Anthony; Theodore Roosevelt; John Muir; four men and a dog in a 1929 gas station scene; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Will Rogers; Rosie the Riveter; and two battleship crew members (one male and one female).


People ask if Benjamin Franklin really walks up the stairs into Thomas Jefferson's study. The Audio-Animatronic figure is actually incrementally lifted into place one step at a time. Placed next to stairway railings, this gives the illusion of a man walking up a flight of stairs.

There are so many figures and changes in the show that Disney uses something called "the war wagon," a movable device under the theater, measuring 65-by-35-by-14 feet and weighing 175 tons. Ten different sets are stored on the device, and then moved forward or backward when needed. It is all computer-controlled.

Here are some of the songs heard during the presentation:

"New World Bound," which is played against the backdrop of a series of paintings depicting the Mayflower voyage and the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock.
"In The Days of '76," which is played during various scenes of the Revolutionary War.
"Two Brothers," telling the Civil War story of two brothers, fighting on opposite sides of the War.
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" sung by a banjo player in a 1929 gas station.
"I'll Be Home For Christmas," which is heard in the background of the Rosie the Riveter scene.
"Golden Dream," sung during the film montage and the show's finale.
To date, only "Golden Dream" has been released on album, tape or CD.

The American Adventure has been renovated twice. Once in 1993, several changes, including the use of new audio-animatronic figures of Franklin and Twain and an update to the film montage were installed.

This Golden Dream Montage included: Neil Armstrong, Leonard Bernstein, Johnny Carson, Walt Disney, Bob Dylan, Albert Einstein, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Judy Garland, Chief Dan George, Alex Haley, Jim Henson, Bob Hope, "Magic" Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Billie Jean King, Mary Martin, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Mary Lou Retton, Sally Ride, Jackie Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Steinem, Ryan White, and Frank Lloyd Wright, among others.

The attraction was updated once again in June 2007, when the last 45 seconds of the film montage was updated.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

The bright red torii gate, which welcomes visitors to Japan, can be seen from around the World Showcase Lagoon. As your eyes move away from the lagoon, you see the blue-roofed 5 story Goju-no-to pagoda inspired by a shrine built at Nara in 700 A.D.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ATTRACTION

Bijutsu-kan Gallery-- This gallery has continuously changing exhibits reflecting the Japanese culture.

The current exhibit is called "Tin Toys". These toys were just one of many things introduced in Japan as part of the turn of the century transformation the Emperor had for his people. The earliest tin toys came from Europe and were very popular. Soon Japanese toymakers were duplicating the toys and creating new ones based on Japanese folklore. Many of the tin toys are spring operated and can be wound to "come to life" to the delight of those playing with them.

During the 50's and 60's, tin toys enjoyed their golden years as their popularity spread around the globe. The toys included aliens, robots, spaceman, vehicles and more.

Japan's Tin Toy Master is Teruhisa Kitahara. His 7 toy museums in Japan have almost 50,000 tin toys, many rare. A small portion of his collection is on display in Epcot's Japan! Be sure to stop by and take a look. I was amazed at the variety and detail on the toys (and yes, there are some vintage Disney ones too)

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTERESTING FACTS

The five 5 levels of the Goju-no-to pagoda (85 feet tall) represent the elements from which Buddhists believe all things are created: earth, water, fire wind and sky.

Above the Goju-no-to pagoda is a bronze, nine-ringed sorin, or spire, with gold wind chimes and a water flame.

To the right of the courtyard, stands the Shishinden, inspired by the ceremonial and coronation hall found in the Imperial Palace grounds in Kyoto. The Shishinden was built in 794. It is said to be one of the first true styles of Japanese architecture.

On the east side of the courtyard the massive wood and stone Nijo entry castle with its huge sculptures of mounted samurai warriors beckons guests through the courtyard. Passing through it, visitors cross a wide bridge spanning a moat to the Shirasagigi or White Egret Castle with its curved stone walls, white plaster structures and blue tile roofs. Its style dates from the mid-1300s. In feudal times, great castles dominated the Japanese countryside. Inhabitants of the castle towns found great refuge in their walls. The Shirasagigi, overlooking the city of Himeji, is one of the best preserved castles of early Japan. The great beauty and strength of the stronghold are captured in the majestic fortress.





Gardening is a precise art in Japan. Every object and its placement in the garden has a special meaning. Here activity, symbolism, and a reverence for nature blend with intense maintenance to create a garden with a truly unique beauty.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

INTRODUCTION

While the real Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering Algeria to the east and the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara to the southeast, Epcot's Morocco pavilion is located between France and Japan. From across the World Showcase Lagoon, the Koutoubia Minaret (prayer tower) can be seen.

The showcase re-creates the architecture and atmosphere of this famed northern African kingdom. Three cities are represented: Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakesh. The landscape is dominated by plants of economic importance, a reflection of the integral role agriculture plays in this country.

Morocco was added to World Showcase in 1984.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

ATTRACTIONS

The Treasures of Morocco is a free tour available throughout the day for those interested in learning more about Morocco. This 45-minute tour is extremely educational and well worth the time spent. You will learn about the culture, history, and people of Morocco, as well as the basis for the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot, with visits to the food market and Fez House.

Gallery of Arts and History - Often overlooked, this is a wonderful display of the science, music and technology of Morocco. From the outside, the door looks like an ordinary heavy wood door. However once you enter the Gallery and look back through the door to the outside, you will see the beautiful stained glass.

Moroccan Style: The Art of Personal Adornment - (located in the first building on the left as you enter the country.) The exhibit features clothing and jewelry from this North African country. When you enter the museum, you are greeted by a large display of an ornately costumed gentleman and his steed.

Fez House - To the right of the Gallery is the Fez House which represents a typical Moroccan home. There are beautiful mosaic tiles, carvings, and artifacts from daily life. If you are quiet when you approach the fountain, you just might hear children playing in the distance.