Welcome back to the Disney Den! Today’s post is diving straight into the one and only Disney property where you can literally “eat around the world” – Epcot’s World Showcase! There are many countries across the showcase, with lots of options for food, rides/attractions, shopping, merchandise, and entertainment offerings, and so much more! By the end of this article (well, the end of the second part of it), however, instead of being overwhelmed on your next visit to Epcot, you will most definitely be able to slay the World Showcase!
Map of the Showcase
While there are many great debates about which side of the showcase is acceptable to start/finish with, where I start usually just depends on whether I want to ride the Three Caballeros ride in Mexico, or whether I want to take the Skyliner back to the hotel (and therefore head towards Canada). For the sake of this article, let’s start with Mexico!
Mexico
The Mexico Pavillion is adorned with a breathtaking Mesoamerican pyramid towering above the showcase. Inside the pyramid, however, is where the real action is: it sets the scene of a small Mexican pueblo (village) on the water, with La Cava De Tequila, an entire indoor market, and the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros! Don’t miss the spectacular Mariachi Band that performs multiple times each day right outside the pyramid, singing Coco classics as well as Mexican favorites!
In my opinion, the Mexico Pavillion is for those who are in need of a break from the hot sun (the pyramid does have AC!), for those who want to try some tequila and/or margaritas, as well as for those who want to ride an entertaining attraction that rarely has a wait time (cue the Three Caballeros!). The outside of the pyramid itself is also fantastic for picture taking, and the inside market is where I “adopted” my very own Doñaldo of the Three Caballeros.
Norway
Norway is an adorable pavilion, filled with cute cottage-like houses and buildings, a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa of Frozen, a Norwegian bakery, Norse gods, viking emblems and props, and the attraction Frozen Ever After. Although the Norway Pavillion is not exactly a hang out spot, it spawns enormous popularity due to Frozen Ever After. There is a cute store to shop at at the end of the ride that supplies coats and other authentic Norwegian clothing for the cold days (though you don’t need to ride the attraction to access the store), however the main attraction is still Frozen Ever After!
My advice when visiting this pavilion is to visit the bakery – Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe– for some delicious custard-filled School Bread, Eplekake, Kringla, or a Troll’s horn! Although I like Frozen Ever After, it is definitely a bit overrated, a very short attraction (especially for such a long wait), and always filled to the brim with crowds (since it is a newer ride and everyone loves Frozen). If you are planning to ride, my best advice is to either secure a Lightening Lane Pass, or to go during the down times (right at park opening, during fireworks, right at park closing, etc.).
China
Although the China Pavillion does not have any attractions, it does have so many fun merchandise and dining opportunities that guests should take advantage of! The Pavillion itself is gorgeous – adorned with gardens, a river, and a beautiful pavilion (which are all incredibly picture-worthy!). Lotus Blossom Cafe is the best for quick-service food, which offers standard Chinese takeout options, and Joy of Tea serves all sorts of standard drinks and cocktails, as well as a wide array of bubble teas!
My best recommendation for those visiting is to check out the lengthy and varied House of Good Fortune shop, filled with all sorts of traditional Chinese foods, toys, goodies, clothes, plushes, Good Fortune Cats, and so much more! It’s so fun to just wander around the pavilion for pictures and to check out the merch, even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything. 
Germany
Although Germany does not have rides inside the pavilion itself, it is full of adorable shopping and dining options that are impossible to miss! There are many carts around the pavilion that sell different types of German beers, as well as giant Bavarian pretzels that are delicious – and bigger than your face! Germany contains a mini train village which is usually decorated for whatever festival Epcot is celebrating, and if you time the visit right you get to see the Glockenspiel mark the hour!
My best recommendations for this pavilion is to check out all of the stores: Karamell-Küche (which sells delicious Werther’s caramel creations such as caramel apples, truffles, chocolates, and the famous caramel popcorn), Die Weihnachts Ecke (the German Christmas shop that’s open year-round), Stein Haus and Kunstarbeit in Kristall (for beer steins and delicate jewelry/crystals), and Der Teddybar (full of German teddybears and other traditional toys).
Italy
The Italy Pavilion, like Germany, is well known for its fantastic food, stunning architecture, and captivating shopping experiences. While much of the Pavilion is designed to resemble Venice (with St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile bell tower, Doge’s Palace) there are nods to other Italian cities as well (the Neptune Fountain resembling Rome’s Trevi Fountain). In Italy, Tutto Italia Ristorante is a relaxing spot for linch and dinner, while Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria transports guests straight to Naples with their pizzas!
My favorite things to do in this pavilion are to grab a delicious gelato at the Gelati stand, and explore the shops! Il Bel Cristallo is full of beautiful (imported) Italian goods such as Murano glass, silk scarves, jewelry, and more, while La Gemma Elegante hosts perfumes and designer handbags. Across the square, La Bottega Italiana is full of Italian cookware, food items, and a plethora of Italian wine.
The American Adventure
Commonly known as the “halfway mark” of Epcot’s World Showcase, the American Adventure Pavillion is home to a couple stage shows, as well as lots of delicious food! The American Adventure is a 30-minute long show complete with audio-animatronics which highlight moments from the country’s past, while the Voices of Liberty consists of a troupe of performers who sing harmonies that celebrate the American experience. For food offerings, the pavilion hosts Regal Eagle Smokehouse, which serves regional BBQ favorites, while the Funnel Cake stand serves all sorts of funnel cakes (usually with a seasonal rotating flavor).
To be completely honest, I don’t usually spend too much time in the American Adventure Pavillion (mainly just because I already live the “american experience” daily). It is certainly a fun place to explore American history and eat BBQ dishes, but the only thing I usually do is stop inside the main building to see what the museum exhibit is at the time (the exhibits are always rotating as well!).
In conclusion … that’s the end for now! We’ve officially reached the halfway mark of Epcot’s World Showcase. I hope you were able to learn something fun about the food, entertainment, and shopping options available at each location, and be sure to look out for part two, where we explore the second half of Epcot’s World Showcase in depth!