>

Epcot is my favorite park in Walt Disney World. I have a few reasons for this, one is food. The food in the World Showcase is the best anywhere. I think we have only been disappointed by a meal once in all the times we’ve been going and now that restaurant has been replaced. The other major reason I like Epcot is the fact that it is seems more laid back than the other parks. We were there this past week and it was like it normally is; busy in Future World and quieter in the World Showcase. I like walking around the different countries’ pavilions and around the World Showcase Lagoon. I like that you can find a place to sit and relax and I really like the little intricacies of the details around the park. Many people cruise through the World Showcase without taking the time to enjoy these Unknown Magics.

Many of the Unknown Magics that I’m talking about are little things that seem to go unnoticed because they are part of the décor or architecture. In each of the different country pavilions, not only will you find the culture and people of the country, but you will find the little things in their buildings that make them unique. These Epcot Details can add a Magical Experience to your Epcot visit.

In Norway the main building is a Stave Church. Most people notice this and then move on to the Maelstrom. But something many people miss is a neat detail that is something that they have in Norway, and that is replicated here. It is a building with a sod or grass roof. The building that has this grass roof is the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe’s. Here you can get sandwiches and desserts.

Another Epcot Detail that many people miss is the painting in the Morocco pavilion. If you walk through the pavilion, there is one building that has a wall mural that looks like a window overlooking a street scene. This wall mural has a pillow seat underneath of it so that you can sit and have your picture taken with the street scene in the background. The neat thing about this street scene is that it is the street scene from the movie Aladdin.

In Italy, not only is the architecture amazing, with the arches and statues, and the Piazza, but it is based on Venice. Since it is based on Venice and Venice is famous for its canals, the Imagineers, built into the World Showcase Lagoon, the Isola del Lafo (or Isle of the Lake), which is a very pretty area that looks like a connections of bridges, but has a gondola next to it, so that you can feel as if you are in Venice. This bridge structure is also a wonderful place to get pictures of the World Showcase.

Another Unknown Magic is the little town area in Germany. Most people don’t take the time to sit in this little area, but there are many benches to do just that. The main Focal point in this area is the fountain and statue of St. George. But as you look around the area, check out the buildings and other statues. There are statues of three of the four original Hapsburg Emperors on the outside of Gild Hall. To the other side of the pavilion, the shops have hidden areas above them that open at different times. On the back building where the Biergarten Restaurant is located there is a clock, which opens up on the hour and plays music and has a special presentation with it. On the other side of the “town” another area opens up on the one building, but it is part of the Kim Possible mission that goes on throughout the park.

Another place that’s Details seem to be missed by most people, except when The British Invasion is playing, is the little bandstand area behind the shops in Great Britain. The roadway that goes back to this area is shaded and quiet, and very rarely travelled (except when the British Invasion is playing as stated above). But this area is a very nice place to go and sit and relax with a pint and your fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. Another place in Great Britain that is sometimes overlooked are the Phone Booths right on the main walk-way. These Phone Booths are a great place to make a Magical Experience with your kids and get a great picture.

Another neat Epcot Detail that is often overlooked, but always seen is the Torii Gate at the waterfront in Japan. This structure is seen by everyone that walks around the world showcase and is photographed often, but if you take a good look at it there are some neat details, that usually are missed. If you look toward the bottom of the gate, it looks as if there barnacles on the legs of it. If you think about it, this is part of Disney Magic, because barnacles only live in salt water.

So, now that you know, there are some great Unknown Magics throughout Epcot that can add to your Magical Experiences. And there are other great Epcot Details that you can find on your own. So, take a stroll around World Showcase and look at the Details.