MSN: Epcot World Showcase is overrated

[haveyoumetmark]

Well, it looks like Epcot's World Showcase made it on the list of MSN's list of "America's Most Overrated Places: Tourist traps to avoid & tips on what to do instead".

Downtown Anaheim also made the list.

So when you've had enough of the Magic Kingdom, forget about downtown and instead head five miles southeast to the Circle at the center of Orange, where Chapman and Glassell avenues meet in a roundabout. . . . And if you want to bring something home that doesn't have a Disney logo, the antique and collectible shops offer countless temptations.

That won't be a problem for me, as I'll never get enough of the Magic Kingdom. :lol:

Then, there was one that surprised me. They listed Epcot's World Showcase. Here's what they had to say:

The guidebooks make Epcot’s World Showcase sound like a miniature United Nations. Where else can you see men in lederhosen blowing alpenhorn, listen to a strolling mariachi band and enjoy the calming effect of a Japanese pagoda all in one place? It’s a chance to sample savory Moroccan-style lamb or filet mignon from Canadian corn-fed beef, topped off with a French éclair. Sure, a trek around the park is less grueling than a 10-cities-in-10-nights tour across Europe. But if you’ve spent any time outside of the United States, the 11-nation showcase seems like a pale imitation of the real deal.

Here's the link to the page of the article that list World Showcase:
http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4939978&page=4

:lol: Just thought I'd share that with everyone because naturally, I don't agree. I think the World Showcase is stunning and it is one of my favorite places at WDW. It just rocks and as a matter of fact, I'll be there today.

 

[I-4Warrior]

Men in lederhosen blowing an alpenhorn... check... you can experience that in Biergarten. Lamb... check... you can eat lamb at Marrakesh. An eclair... check... you can pick up an eclair among many other pastries at Boulangerie Patisserie. So, what's this clowns point? Looks to me that maybe they've gone to Epcot, but it's amazing what you'll see if you actually look around, take in your surroundings, and above all PAY ATTENTION. That way, you may not make yourself look like an idiot saying "you can't do this here" or "you can't eat that here", when you very obviously can. Then again, the ignorant views of a goofball who is at MSN because they couldn't get into CNN is likely not to color my view of my favorite WDW destination.

 

[k.hunter30]

*hides this thread from the mermaid...:lookaroun *

 

[MattyFresh]

Maybe this guy needs to take into consideration that not everyone can afford a trip to all these places in Europe. So what better way then to have them all in one place. Its not like you have some hillbilly trying to act like he is from Mexico or anything like that. I think Disney went to great lengths to make sure everything from people, food, atmosphere was as close to being there as possible.

 

[disneytopdog]

I read the whole article.....WHAT A BUNCH OF BITTER PEOPLE....I have been to over half those places and had a great time at all them. Guess some people will say anything for there 15 minutes of fame.

 

[k.hunter30]

But if you’ve spent any time outside of the United States, the 11-nation showcase seems like a pale imitation of the real deal.

In my considerably short life I've been blessed to have been able to visit many different places across the world. I've seen Mayan ruins, the Great Wall of China, the Swiss Alps, marketplaces of Tunisia, the castles of Prague and of course World Showcase is just an imitation of beautiful places like these - but I still adore it!

Being immersed in a different culture and being able to speak to people born halfway around the world is something everyone should experience - and Disney helps people do that for a (tiny bit) smaller price tag, shorter trip, etc. It is a wonderful place - one my favorites in WDW.

 

[HoW]

Well, not everyone can have taste. As for me, if anyone actually listens to that article, and stays away from World Showcase, that will just allow more space to those of us who love it.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I do get to visit much of Europe, and while World Showcase may not be the same, it's a pretty darn nice representation. The architecture is great and it as close an approximation (sometimes better) than the original. Restaurants are good....maybe not great, but a nice variety. What makes World Showcase however are the international CM's. If you spend the time talking with the great folks working in the various countries, you can always have a great time. It is a wonderful experience for your kids as well. My children always remember various special interactions with CM's in WS, more so even that MK or the other parks.

 

[Since1976]

Hold your horses!! You mean, World Showcase's countries are not real? I never would have guessed!

I think that calling World Showcase a pale imitation of the real countries is like saying Raiders of the Lost Ark is nothing like real archaeology. We *know* it's not real, but we appreciate the artistry involved in creating it. And most of all, we have *fun*!

 

[disneytopdog]

From my observations from traveling in Europe in order to make the pavillions in world showcase more authentic...Disney would have to put Mc Donalds, Gaps and Starbucks in each and every pavillion

 

[kcnole]

Men in lederhosen blowing an alpenhorn... check... you can experience that in Biergarten. Lamb... check... you can eat lamb at Marrakesh. An eclair... check... you can pick up an eclair among many other pastries at Boulangerie Patisserie. So, what's this clowns point? Looks to me that maybe they've gone to Epcot, but it's amazing what you'll see if you actually look around, take in your surroundings, and above all PAY ATTENTION. That way, you may not make yourself look like an idiot saying "you can't do this here" or "you can't eat that here", when you very obviously can. Then again, the ignorant views of a goofball who is at MSN because they couldn't get into CNN is likely not to color my view of my favorite WDW destination.

I think the guys point was silly, but you misunderstood him. He never said you couldn't do those things. He said where else can you do all those things in one place, but that he thought it was overhyped because its not as good as the real thing. With that I agree, but still, where else can you see all of it in one place, even if they are just small immitations.

 

[travelskip]

And visiting Tomorrowland is nothing like a REAL trip to the future...
And EE is nothing like REALLY climbing Everest...
And meeting Price Phillip is nothing like meeting Prince Charles...

"Here you leave the world of today, and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy"

Hmmm.....

 

[Richie248]

From my observations from traveling in Europe in order to make the pavillions in world showcase more authentic...Disney would have to put Mc Donalds, Gaps and Starbucks in each and every pavillion

Haha, soo true!!! Don't forget an H&M or two!

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

I do think the world showcase needs more work. My problem is there is not much to do there. Especially if your not hungry or dont want to spend money shopping.

I do think it needs another ride though. Even if its a scenic trip around germany boat ride or something like that .

 

[maggiegrace1]

World Showcase is my favorite..

I could just sit there for hours and just people watch..

 

[raven]

I think the MSN writer had nothing else to write about. I read all of that article on all of those cities and thought "What a bunch of bull."

Where else in America can you go where 11 different countries are represented in food, decor, achetecture, music, people, and lifestyles on the scale that Disney has done? Nowhere. Again...what a bunch of bull.

 

[jimmieglen2006]

I read the whole article.....WHAT A BUNCH OF BITTER PEOPLE....I have been to over half those places and had a great time at all them. Guess some people will say anything for there 15 minutes of fame.

i agree, just read the whole article. they are trashing places that are ment for out of towners. poeple who like big crowds and are wowed by magic and history. these peole seem to be the type that wnat the whole world to them selfs and caterd for themself. oo well that just leaves one less person to deal with when i am at wolrd showcase. more beer for me:slurp: :sohappy:
i write who says that the mall of america is not for the casual shopper , no dud it is a gigantic mall that brings tourist. i jsut dont get people like that

 

[travelskip]

I also agree WS needs somthing new... ie, a new pavillion to draw in more guests.

Seriously... it's been since Norway in 1988 since a new pavilion opened. Considering it was supposed to be its own park, that's a long time without something big and new.

 

[erasure fan1]

"the 11-nation showcase seems like a pale imitation of the real deal."
Imitation? Yes. Pale? No. I am not a huge fan of world showcase but it is a Fantasticly themed part of WDW. 1 more larger scale and smaller scale attraction is needed yes. But that doesnt take away from how WS represents the countries that are there.

 

[eroyee]

:wave: From someone that cant afford to go all over Europe I totally appreciate World Showcase. they arent trying to BE those countries. Just give people a little taste of what they are like. geezzz!!:hammer: