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As you enter World Showcase from Future World , the first pavilions you can visit are the Mexico Pavilion or the Canada Pavilion . Imagineers chose these two countries because they ’ re the bordering neighbors to the United States .
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In the outdoor square of the Germany Pavilion is a fountain featuring a statue of a knight slaying a dragon . The knight represents Saint George , who , according to legend , slayed a dragon to save a princess . Saint
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George is represented in monument form in many towns throughout the country of Germany .
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As you visit the United Kingdom Pavilion , check out the thatched roof on the replica of Anne Hathaway ’ s childhood cottage originally found in Warwickshire , England ( that ’ s William Shakespeare ’ s wife , not the actress , of course ). Have you ever noticed the soot-stained chimney ? The chimney was hand-painted to give the smokestained appearance .
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Have you ever noticed the turf-covered roof in Norway ? You can find it between the Stave Church and the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe ; it covers a small seating area . Sod-covered roofs remained a tradition in Norway well into the 18th century because they provided insulation and durability to homes . In Norway , actual goats would be placed on the roof to trim the grass . At Disney , horticulturists cut the grass by hand . Keep an eye out for special designs — you just might spot a Hidden Mickey !
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The Eiffel Tower replica within the France Pavilion area stands at 103 feet tall , roughly 10 % of the height of the actual Eiffel Tower in Paris . Thanks to forced perspective , it appears taller . But if birds were to land on it , they would ruin the illusion . Therefore , Disney uses bird repellent to deter birds from landing on the tower . It is also placed where humans cannot access it .
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The American Adventure Pavilion stands five stories high but only appears to be two stories through the Imagineers ’ use of forced perspective . This pavilion is full of patriotism , right down to the 110,000 Georgian clay bricks , which were hand-made and were colored and aged to match the time period .
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The Morocco Pavilion is one of the most authentic destinations in EPCOT because King
Hassan II assisted in its planning and design . The striking tile work found here includes “ zellij ” mosaics , a traditional abstract art that began in Morocco in the 11th century . The king sent his own top artisans to EPCOT to create these representations of Moroccan culture .
The totem poles at the Canada Pavilion were carved by Tsimshian artist David Boxley to tell two cultural tales . The Eagle Totem Pole relates a story about returning kindness ( to humans and animals ), while the Whale Totem Pole tells of the first ceremonial feast celebrated by the native Nagunaks and ocean creatures .
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The bell tower at the Italy Pavilion is
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The backside of Tower of Terror in Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios was built to specifically blend in with Morocco . To view the full Moroccan skyline properly , head over to the Mexico Pavilion , walk up the steps , then look over the water toward Morocco . a functioning replica of St . Mark ’ s Campanile . There is a statue of St . Gabriel at the top , which is covered in gold leaf , a copy of which can be viewed at ground-level in the garden to the right . A recreation of Doge ’ s Palace is located right next to the tower , as it is in Italy .
PREVIOUS PAGE : Some of the beautiful zellij design in the Morocco Pavilion . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS