Epcot UK pavilion

[goreesha]

Okay, I had a discussion with an English friend of mine the other day (he actually live in Hawaii currently). He visited WDW a couple of years ago, and he liked it, but he complained that the UK area in Epcot does not look like the actual UK. Now, my understanding has always been that UK pavilion is not supposed to look like modern day United Kingdom, but actually that each building is meant to represent different periods of time in British history. In the same way that, say, the French pavilion is not modern day France but turn-of-the-century Paris. I remember either hearing this or reading this on my first visit to Epcot way back in the 80's.

Anyway, I told him this, and he found the idea interesting and it kind of explained the UK pavilion to him in a way that he could accept. Am I right about this, or did I just dream up this explanation?

 

[marni1971]

All the WS pavilions are designed to show the `ideal` image of a country. While the UK has high rises and such buildings like these are indeed still standing today all over the country.

Mexico has skyscrapers, but still has pyramids. And yes, the UK pavilions each capture a unique style and period.

 

[KCMO]

Okay, Now, my understanding has always been that UK pavilion is not supposed to look like modern day United Kingdom, but actually that each building is meant to represent different periods of time in British history.

Except that is pretty much how most of the real UK is - collections of buildings that "represent different periods of time in British history". Was he expecting some realistic grit and modernisim? . . . because I think we can safely say that is intentionally missing from all of the pavilions.

 

[goreesha]

Except that is pretty much how most of the real UK is - collections of buildings that "represent different periods of time in British history". Was he expecting some realistic grit and modernisim? . . . because I think we can safely say that is intentionally missing from all of the pavilions.

He was expecting more modern day landmarks, like Piccadilly Circus or famous current neighborhoods. I guess he expected it to look like some actual place that he's been. I don't know.

 

[marni1971]

Hmmmm.....

`nuff said.

 

[goreesha]

lol, yes, I suppose this might be more along the lines of what he expected, and wouldn't it make for an exciting pavilion?

 

[Tink *~*~*]

The American Adventure doesn't "look like America" either. I don't know anyone who wears those Betsy Ross frilly caps and aprons these days :lol:

 

[kissinuk]

Worst thing about the British pavilion is the price of a pint of cider in the pub!! About twice as much as it costs in the real UK.....

Oh and the snotty barman who would only let me buy ONE DRINK AT A TIME!!!! (my wife was sitting outside the pub at the time)

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

It represents buildings from English history, the UK is not solely England, no mater how much they think it is.

 

[kissinuk]

the UK is not solely England

Although it seems most of the other regions would like that way.....

 

[marni1971]

Careful....

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

So there is a plus side then.

 

[SIMONRTAYLOR]

But the chip shop is superb - you cant beat fish and chips followed by watching Illuminations - The only thing missing is bread to make a good old british Chip Butty!!

 

[joel_maxwell]

My old boss was from Canada. He had the same comments. The pavilion was a joke. Everything was a stereotype. I said that it was a representation of a collaboration of Canadian history. He still said that people would see that stereotype when envisioning Canadians, so i said at least he wasnt from the southern states of the US and dealt with our stereotypes.

If the pavilions were truly a representation of real life, no one would visit them. They would just look outside their window.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The Canada pavilion does not look like anything the real place does. We do not wear lumber jack outfits or live in some twisted Pacific coast meets Atlantic coast town and there are better looking railroad hotels then the blandly named "Hotel du Canada". Plus we still sell Beavertails here in certain spots.

But I'm sure Americans and others would rather have what's there now then a more accurate representation of the place. Same goes for all the other pavilions which are more appealing to me "Disneyfied".

 

[goreesha]

The Canada pavilion does not look like anything the real place does. We do not wear lumber jack outfits or live in some twisted Pacific coast meets Atlantic coast town and there are better looking railroad hotels then the blandly named "Hotel du Canada". Plus we still sell Beavertails here in certain spots.

But I'm sure Americans and others would rather have what's there now then a more accurate representation of the place. Same goes for all the other pavilions which are more appealing to me "Disneyfied".

And I guess that's the point. The pavilions are Disneyfied and not like some actual neighborhood from that country transplanted into Disney World. It is as true of the American Adventure pavilion as it is with any of the other pavilions. A representation of some of the historical and stereotypical things about each country to give people a sense of it and to entertain.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If the UK Pavillion was a true representation (of where I work) you'd not get to France or Canada with your wallet, Ipod or mobile phone still in your pocket

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

And no Big Issue sellers either.

 

[Figment632]

All the WS pavilions are designed to show the `ideal` image of a country. While the UK has high rises and such buildings like these are indeed still standing today all over the country.

Mexico has skyscrapers, but still has pyramids. And yes, the UK pavilions each capture a unique style and period.

This is exactly right, I work in Camden NJ and I am very glad they didnt theme the pavilion off of places like that. If I could have one wish for the UK Pav it would be to put some kind of attraction that dealt with the British contribution to American music in the 60's and 70's and being the huge Beatle fan that I am a recreation of Abbey road would be awsome.

Also I had no idea that there was som much crime in the UK.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Also I had no idea that there was som much crime in the UK.

I believe along with heart attacks and lowest life expectancy in the developed world, Glasgow is the world capital of knife crime and has the highest murder rate per head of population.

It makes you proud to be a world leader. :lookaroun