What do you all think of Canada @ Epcot?

[flyingenie]

last time I went (10 years ago, maybe things have changed?), I laughed at how hokey the whole thing was. Totally not representative of daily life where I am, and everything was so cheesy. I was in "for the experience" and to laugh at it, and then quickly left...

I wonder if the French/Mexicans/Italians/Chinese/Japanese/Norwegians etc. laugh at how poorly done their pavillion is when in fact the rest of us are in awe...?

What do the rest of you think (of the pavillion, le cellier, etc.)?

 

[TiggerCat]

Wow! My sentiments exactly. I was always afraid to say anything since I felt that I was probably being overly critical. It really needs a total workover. And while Tim Hortons will be a nice addition it won't make the pavillion any more "Canadian" than it already is. And let's loose the lumberjack shirts - how stereotypical!

TC.

 

[wenabre]

I totally agree with you. The pavillion needs a total overall and lets ditch the movie, those 360 degree things are hard on the necks . Maybe do a smaller movie with seats. I suggest instead they make it a proper pavillion and show exhibits from different areas of Canada. After all being the second largest country in the world we cover a lot of space and in each area we have different traditions,customs and crafts. Our clothing is different also. There is so much we can showcase that is truly Canadian and not phony.
Off Kilter anyone?
Oh and by the way, please return the beavertails to what they were orginally in Canada and not a US concept ( sorry, no insult intended but I wouldn't dare try and teach you guys how to fry chicken or make a texas chilli, so please put the beavertails back to what they were ) Re Le Cellier, I have always had a great meal there, so I can't complain about that.
I really think there is so much more that could be done with the Canadian pavillion and I wonder who one could write to about it??
Hey TC and flyinggenie, what do you think, should we form a committee to change Canada at Epcot to being Really Canada at Epcot?
Wenabre

 

[lilsonicfan]

I kinda think Disney isn't too into updating the Canada Pavilion, just as the other pavilions probably aren't all that updated. For example, if I went to Mexico, going by the Disney experience, I'd expect to see everyone wearing sombreros or mariachi bands everywhere.... I think that World Showcase can be valuable to show kids, etc, that there's a whole world outside of the US/North America to be experienced.

Frankly I think some spinny chairs would be great in the film. Love the music of the film - laughed at some of the cheesy images though. The one thing I hold onto - we do live in the most beautiful country in the world. Though the shots are hokey, at least they are also gorgeous.

 

[lookingforfun@disney]

I think the Canada Pavillion should use the movie Over Canada it was filmed by the CBC I think and it is a very good representation of our country from an ariel perspective. If you have not seen it look for it it is really worth the watch.

 

[Flower4]

Wow Eh? I'm surprised that nobody has commented on the amount of "eh's" they use in the movie, eh?

Yes, it definitely needs to be re-filmed (eh!)

 

[minnie56]

Hokey..

No wonder they think we are all lumberjacks and climb totem poles.An embarrassment..

Last time I was there I was asked if I love Beaver tails and I have no idea what they even are!!

 

[flyingenie]

Originally posted by wenabre
Hey TC and flyinggenie, what do you think, should we form a committee to change Canada at Epcot to being Really Canada at Epcot?

haha for sure! I can't wait to go back this time and pick up on some more outrageously funny things! I didn't remember half the things you guys mentioned- all these stereotypes remind me of the Molson I am Canadian commercial. I'll report back!

 

[Parkerpooh]

I agree it's pretty dorky! I have never seen a moose,a mountie, a mine or the rockies!!! I always wonder too if other countries feel the same way about their pavillions? Oh well at least they don't show us living in igloos and driving dog sleds to work!

 

[flyingenie]

Originally posted by Parkerpooh
Oh well at least they don't show us living in igloos and driving dog sleds to work!

What! you don't live in an igloo!

For real though, I have actually been on a dogsledding trip once before. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!

wenabre- what kind of food do they serve at le cellier? What is Canadian food really anyway?

 

[BLBCB]

How about the huge picture in the phamphlet of Epcot. Canada is represented by a cross-eyed mountie. Sure makes me proud every time I see it! I thought they were advertising some kind of comedy routine at the pavilion, but that's just how they chose to advertise us I guess. Anyone know if there is a real reason that picture was used?

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Jumping onto the 'let's update Canada' bandwagon!!

We did have a good chuckle about the lumberjack shirts and the movie (eh!) and Beavertails?? I'm Canadian and have never ever had one... didn't know it was a 'Canadian food'!! They really do need to add the Timmy's and change that movie... the one the CBC did would be fine!!

 

[ChisJo]

Here's another thread on the same topic. It adds some interesting points as well.

Sadly disappointed with the Canadian pavillion

 

[KLondon]

I have a friend that worked for a year at the Canadian pavillion in EPCOT. Everyone there knows it's all hokey and stereotypical, but that's kind of the point. The goal seems to be to educate people about your country without diverging too much from what "foreigners" expect Canada to be like. A delicate balance, eh?

 

[mejaie]

Change the movie! The 360 is annoying, and the Calgary Stampede looked like it was the Morris, Manitoba Stampede. Other than that I enjoyed the pavilion, and watched illuminations from there.

 

[TiggerCat]

Wow, I almost forgot about the countless "eh's". Maybe they could change the film to Bob and Doug McKenzie's "Strange Brew". Take off eh!

Or maybe they could perform the Monty Python song "He's a Lumberjack and he's okaaaaaay. He sleeps all night and he works all day...."

And whats with the cheddar cheese soup at Le Cellier?

TC.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I second the motion for Bob and Doug - coo loo coo coo coo coo coo coo!

 

[ally_87]

i havent been to wdw in a while, but when i was there, my whole family agreed that Canada was the worst represented country there. Disney could do a far better job by not stereotyping us and making us all lumber jacks, or avid hockey fans. Yes i love hockey but that doesnt mean that everyone does and that we are all hockey players. Maybe they can make a new movie and get some real Canadians.

 

[flyingenie]

I wonder how it'd be if the pavillion "truly" represented who we were... probably way too incoherent and busy to come to think about it. Diversity is what we are all about but it would be hard to capture that in a pavillion!

 

[dsneygirl]

I'm just cutting and pasting my post from the earlier thread


I'm a Canada Pavillon Alum and lots of Canadian's complain about it but it's a representation of Canada. Obviously there's no way with a country as diverse as this every area could be represented. Also the original idea was to be a more frontier time of Canada, trapping, logging etc.

As for Off Kilter they've been playing in the pavillon since 1997. They are Americans because of VISA/contract issues as are the entertainers who are "The British Invasion", "El Mariachi Cobre" etc, etc. Sometimes countries might have short term entertainment from their home country but for the most part they are Americans or Permanent Residents of the US.

Also in regards to the movie, China just got a new movie however France still has their original 1982 film showing and the pavillon has no kind of gov't sponsorship or anything like that so it's all Disney money. And they are going to put their money into big ticket attractions at this point.

I would say if it really bothers you than don't stop there. But the CM's are the friendliest in all of Epcot and eager to tell any visitor about their home province.


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I really don't think you can say Canada is the "worst" represented country there. OF COURSE they're all stereotypical it's DISNEY! The idea is to show a glimpse of what Canada is. What fun would it be if all the CM's in every country were all wearing Nike's like they do in the real world.

Obviously I have a very different opinion after working there for an entire year rather than someone who just passes through in an afternoon.

Just my 2 cents. And remember it all boils down to $$$$$. Disney spends on attractions that will get people into the parks and the Canada pavillon is not high on their priority list.