How realistic are the representations of each country in EPCOT?

Polydweller

Polydweller

Well-Known Member
Lucky said:
Apparently many Canadians were offended by the stereotypes in the old film (maybe @Monty can confirm) but it's been updated to fix that.
Click to expand...
That helps somewhat but the stereotypes of the Trading Post and those hideous completely wrong stereotype uniforms undo all of that. I totally cringe at those uniforms. At best they might have represented Canada of two hundred or more years ago but they have nothing to do with the country now. And while we're at it the Off Kilter stage is just as bad a stereotype of a very long gone era. It's like saying Americans all wear coonskin hats and live in log cabins. Disney's depiction of Canada is a bit offensive really.
 
BoarderPhreak

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure I get the issue. Sure, the countries might be a little dated and of course, limited by space and budget concerns. But what's the problem?
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
I don't think any of the countries represent the way everyday people live, but for the most part are lovely, cleaned-up versions of the best of the countries, with a little stereotypical stuff tossed in.

There are few drum corps in any American neighborhood, ;) but I love to see them at WDW when I can. :D
 
RandomPrincess

RandomPrincess

Keep Moving Forward
Polydweller said:
That helps somewhat but the stereotypes of the Trading Post and those hideous completely wrong stereotype uniforms undo all of that. I totally cringe at those uniforms. At best they might have represented Canada of two hundred or more years ago but they have nothing to do with the country now. And while we're at it the Off Kilter stage is just as bad a stereotype of a very long gone era. It's like saying Americans all wear coonskin hats and live in log cabins. Disney's depiction of Canada is a bit offensive really.
Click to expand...

They costumes aren't are supposed to represent the country as is is today but a traditional costume. All the pavilions have traditional costumes. If they wore what the citizens of the counties wore today everyone would look pretty much the same and would blend in with the tourists. They are changing and up dating the costumes though. They seem to be moving away from the traditional looks.

Also it is very difficult to squeeze any county into a pavilion. We all know there is a wide range of landscapes, architecture etc. how do you show all that in such a small space?
 
Bairstow

Bairstow

Well-Known Member
If the pavilions weren't based on stereotypes, wouldn't every pavilion look more or less the same?

44-beijing-city-street-crowds.jpg

autos_near_vittorio_emanuele2.jpg

517056507_be039e63bf_z.jpg

paris_street_1609.jpg
 
eddy21

eddy21

Active Member
hellowonderland said:
I'm Canadian... let's just move past those hideous costumes for one moment...

They do try to hit on the highlights - hockey, Roots merchandise, ice wine, the lovely scenery. But I still think it's a sad state of affairs. Not to mention the neglected area up top with the fake shopfronts that used to be Kidcot and a gift store... when I was a CM, there was constantly talk about things going in there, but the stairs were always used as an excuse not to do it.

The Canadian pavilion just isn't living up to its full potential. Whether it's representative of our country or not... hmmm, well it's a snapshot of stereotypes, so I guess it works on one level.
Click to expand...


I hear there's a trailer Park boys themed ride going in.
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
I know the King of Morocco was consulted about that particular pavilion. These countries are only designed to be a quick "snapshot" of what it would be like to visit a major city in that country, hence the Eiffel Tower representation of Paris. If I'm not mistaken, those Italian gondolas were in use at one point in time.:happy: Sadly though, it is about sponsorship, and money.:greedy: If you talk to the waiters and waitresses at the restaurants, they are all too happy to share information and experiences about their beloved countries.:D The performers, such as the Mariachi band, are also quite wonderful. They enjoy sharing their culture with us.:D I agree with one of the posters that EPCOT needs to update/change/add new things to their countries. I'm waiting...:inlove:
 
Monty

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
Lucky said:
Apparently many Canadians were offended by the stereotypes in the old film (maybe @Monty can confirm) but it's been updated to fix that.
Click to expand...
Actually, most were just upset at how very dated the original film was. It desperately needed an update. Both the original and current films were developed with Tourism Canada and although there are some depictions of our native cultures, certainly none were offensive as far as I'm aware.
 
R

Ralphlaw

Well-Known Member
Polydweller said:
That helps somewhat but the stereotypes of the Trading Post and those hideous completely wrong stereotype uniforms undo all of that. I totally cringe at those uniforms. At best they might have represented Canada of two hundred or more years ago but they have nothing to do with the country now. And while we're at it the Off Kilter stage is just as bad a stereotype of a very long gone era. It's like saying Americans all wear coonskin hats and live in log cabins. Disney's depiction of Canada is a bit offensive really.
Click to expand...

Perhaps Red Green could be used. I think we could all find offense if we went looking for it. If America was portrayed as cowboys, or street hoods, or Duck Dynasty guys, or Desperate Housewives, or Hollywood idiots, or politicians, we'd all be offended too. Personally, I'm surprised that more Mexicans aren't offended by the 3 CaBelleros.
 
englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Ralphlaw said:
Perhaps Red Green could be used. I think we could all find offense if we went looking for it. If America was portrayed as cowboys, or street hoods, or Duck Dynasty guys, or Desperate Housewives, or Hollywood idiots, or politicians, we'd all be offended too. Personally, I'm surprised that more Mexicans aren't offended by the 3 CaBelleros.
Click to expand...
Especially because the Cabelleros aren't Mexican. They are South American!
 
Polydweller

Polydweller

Well-Known Member
RandomPrincess said:
They costumes aren't are supposed to represent the country as is is today but a traditional costume. All the pavilions have traditional costumes. If they wore what the citizens of the counties wore today everyone would look pretty much the same and would blend in with the tourists. They are changing and up dating the costumes though. They seem to be moving away from the traditional looks.

Also it is very difficult to squeeze any county into a pavilion. We all know there is a wide range of landscapes, architecture etc. how do you show all that in such a small space?
Click to expand...
Fine, but these never were traditional costumes. It's not like lumberjack outfits were some kind of cultural thing in Canada at all. I could understand if they were some kind of ethnic costume but they are and were never so. They are just a cliche that is offensive to me as a Canadian.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Disnee4Me said:
I'm Italian-American. My biggest complaint is why display Venice as a representation of Italy and not have a gondola ride, something similar to the Mexican pavilion? And when I was in Italy last year, the food was cheaper!!
Click to expand...
This makes me wonder what would happen if the Venetian independence movement was ever successful.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom