The Canadian Pavillion at Epcot

[CharlesTD]

I agree Over Canada would be a great replacement we got it as a gift when we purchased our Sony TV a few years back. The last Timmies is in Dayton Ohio but I was watching a new program a couple months ago where they were talking about KK and Timmies. They compared the 2 and KK is dying up here where Timmies is flourishing in the US they plan on being in all 50 states within the next 5 years.

 

[lgaston]

lol Nerdy_girl! Hmm... Americans are just simply ignorant about anything that is not american! But you know what, like I said to my baby's father (who's 100% american) I wouldn't change them. I just love them the way they are

As for our Canadian pavillion in Epcot

1. change the video
2. add a Tim Horton
3. add POUTINE
4. change the costumes and put some

 

[CharlesTD]

This is a quote from someone from NJ that I found interesting regarding our pavilion at Epcot. Pasted below is the quote from bobbiwoz

PS. I don't see each one every time, but I love the movies at China, Canada, France,

 

[Muziqal]

I worked 4 days a week in that mine for a year and the only complaints I ever heard about the movie were from Canadians. I think we are overly critical of how our own nation is represented when we don't have a say in it. But the foreigners who saw it always came out saying "I want to see Canada now".

Sure, the movie is dated and the lumberjack theme is a stereotype we'd rather distance ourself from on a daily basis...but then look at all of the other pavilions. Do you think the Norwegians who visit WDW love the fact that they're represented as a bunch of troll fearing fish eaters in traditional circa 1900 clothing?

When you work there, you're told that each pavilion was built to represent the country at the turn of the century (the golden eras, if you will). Is that not true of the Canadian pavilion? And if you were to update each pavilion to portray the countries modern day cultures, wouldn't they all kind of be very similar? The world is a lot smaller place now than it was in 1900.

Like I said, people came out of that movie raving about our country and how beautiful it looks...and when they look on the internet to do a bit of research when booking their vacations after being inspired by the cast members in the pavilion and the movie, they see that we don't wear bell bottoms anymore and we that we're not a bunch of lumberjacks.

I'm sure that no matter which of the countries you're from on the world showcase, when you visit your own pavilion, you would have criticisms of it and how it does not represent "you" adequately. Honestly though, not one conversation I had was about how ridiculous Canada looked and that the individual would never visit.

So would you like to see the pavilion changed to represent modern day Canada (which is very similar to every other modern day 1st world country), and then the rest of the pavilions stay the same? It just wouldn't fit, would it?
When you get past the uncomfortableness about the stereotypes portrayed and compare the pavilion with the others, you'll find that the Canadian pavilion is one of the nicer places to be on the world showcase.

 

[snuffy]

I agree with Igaston. Since they took out the Beaver Tails they should serve Poutine! Maybe at a deli type resturaunt...they could even have smoked meat. I think the video definately needs some updating!

Jessica

 

[CharlesTD]

Here is another quote from JimMIA about epcot and the CDN and American displays.

Quote:
I also like the restaurants there. My favorite is Le Cellier at Canada and Italy is second, but there are a number I haven't tried yet because we like those two so much.

I have seen the movies at China, France and Canada a number of times. I don't go back to them every visit, but I do go back and I never get tired of them.

It's hard to believe that, with a country as beautiful as the U.S., we ended up with that silly show at the American place. It was boring when it opened (and I LIKE American history!), and I haven't been back there in years. The American showcase is an embarrassment as far as I'm concerned.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I've gotta say that while I found the film a little cheesy (maybe it was the hairstyles and clothing!) I absolutely loved the song. i can still hear it, and it definitely makes me proud to be a Canadian.

My suggestion for improving the pavilion:
instead of standing for the film, let's put in some spinny chairs!

 

[StuartMI]

Poutine, Harvey Burgers, Pizza Pizza w/ Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce, Rickard's Red, and music from Great Big Sea.

 

[ducklite]

I don't understand why there was no Canadian wines? I was a Canada pavillon CM, worked in Le Cellier for 7 months and we always had Canadian wines. Perhaps there was a temporary supply issue.

Also Tim Horton's is owned by Wendy's and Disney has a long standing relationship with McDonald's so that probably won't be happening anytime soon.

Le Cellier has a decent selection of Niagara wines.

The problem is with the BC wines. It's NOT the US that prohibits the importation of Canadian wines. It's BC provincial laws that prohibit the exportation of them outside of Canada! One of my favorite wines is Quail's Gate, a wonderful smaller vineyard in BC. I buy a case at a time each time I visit Canada and pay the duty bringing it back to the States as I can't buy it here.

I agree about Tim's, regretfully, because nothing beats Tim Bits! But because they are owned by Wendy's, and McDonalds has an exclusive at WDW, it's not going to happen. Maybe some day they'll get to FL and build just outside the World though

Anne

 

[ducklite]

lol Nerdy_girl! Hmm... Americans are just simply ignorant about anything that is not american!

I find that comment offensive!

As an American, I think it's important that we know about our wonderful neighbors to the North. I've traveled fairly extensively throughout Canada. I know about your history, government, economy, and culture.

I know who your highest peak was named after, and that not so many years ago there was a movement on to rename it. I know what famous storybook character derived it's name from your fifth largest city. I know that Nunavut isn't a Province, but rather a territory. And so forth.

Please don't lump all Americans into a pile as ignorant.

Anne

 

[lilsonicfan]

Winnipeg is the fifth largest city in Canada? Wow! I honestly thought it was smaller.

 

[CharlesTD]

Good work Anne I bet there are a few of us that live in Canada that didn't know some of the info you just spoke of. I spoke to my wife last night and she feels the movie in Canada should be left as it is as she says it is a great portrayal of what Canada was like and that is after all what all the WS is supposed to represent as it was stated on here earlier look at how all the CM's in all the countries dress nothing modern about the outfits from Germany for sure.

 

[lgaston]

Anne Please don't take it personal

. Not everyone is litterate like you are That discussion stops there.

 

[mom_rules]

StuartMI-I second all your suggestions. Glad they sell Labatt's products there already!

 

[brerrabbit]

I lived in Calgary in the early 90's and to me the Canadian Pavillion at Epcot won't be right till the start selling Big Rock Beer!

 

[Eskie_Lover]

I've gotta say that while I found the film a little cheesy (maybe it was the hairstyles and clothing!) I absolutely loved the song. i can still hear it, and it definitely makes me proud to be a Canadian.

I agree totally. I haven't even seen the film in over 10 years, and I can still hear that song in my head. It was about the only thing at Disney that could get the "It's a Small World" song out of my head (for which my family was always grateful, since I've always got a song running through my head, and will usually just start singing it without really realizing what I'm doing...).

Please update the film, but keep the song - it would always make me so proud to be a Canadian.

 

[Craigdarroch]

I actually love the movie It brings tears to my eyes everytime.

I heard they were replacing the "Beaver Tail" stand with a "Tim Hortons" eventually last time we were down there.

I agree, a Poutine stand would be a great addition

And I was also disappointed to find out that the guys in "Off Kilter" are all from the US (and some didn't even start out playing celtic music) They were actually a "put-together" band. It was bizarre one day seeing "Off Kilter" in the morning and then in the afternoon seeing the guitar player from "Off Kilter" playing in "Tarzan Rocks" at AK

I think a scaled down version of the "Hudsons Bay Company" store would be a good addition

 

[ducklite]

I'm not sure if adding a scaled down version of The Bay would make sense--it's not something uniquely Canadian, it's a department store selling for the most part the same stuff (made in China) as every other department store in north America.

How about an exhibit from the Hockey Hall of Fame? They could rotate items in and out to keep it fresh, and now and then do a "special collection" of a certain team or player.

As much as they are enjoyable, I don't see Off Kilter as being Canadian. I'd like to see them bring in Canadian artists to give them exposure to International audiences--Driver, Oscar Lopez, Oliver Black, Marianna Trench, Tegan & Sarah, and maybe some First Nations artists. I'm sure there are a TON more! (Of course I'd love to see the three Canadian bands in my sig below play--but not seeing that one happening anytime soon LOL!)

Anne

 

[Craigdarroch]

Well...the "Hudsons Bay" where I live has a "heritage" section that sells the original blankets, coats, food and wares from the early days of the company. That's what I was thinking about.

I also think some Celtic bands from Canada that rotated during the season would be good as well...even though I've enjoyed "Off Kilter", they're just getting old now.

But I get enough of Tegan & Sara around here and certainly wouldn't want to be confronted with them on holiday

 

[ducklite]

Well...the "Hudsons Bay" where I live has a "heritage" section that sells the original blankets, coats, food and wares from the early days of the company. That's what I was thinking about.

Ah! That would make sense.

But I get enough of Tegan & Sara around here and certainly wouldn't want to be confronted with them on holiday

But the idea isn't to give Canadians a dose of "home", it's to expose the rest of the world to Canada...and how many people outside of Canada do you think has a clue who T&S are? Of all the bands I listed I think that T&S and Oscar Lopez are the only ones that have toured outside of Canada--but they still aren't well known anywhere but Canada.

Here's two other examples (both "too big" to play Epcot) the Tea Party and I Mother Earth. Pretty much no one outside of Canada has ever heard of these bands! As huge as they are "at home" they are completely unknown to 99.9999% of Americans!

Anne