| Canada Pavilion | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Epcot | |
| Area | World Showcase |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Themed Pavilion |
| Theme | Canadian countryside |
The Canada Pavilion is a Canadian-themed pavilion that is part of World Showcase within Epcot at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. It is located next to the United Kingdom pavilion.
The Canada Pavilion is designed to remind guests of Canada's outdoors. It includes a canyon, a waterfall, gardens, a pool with fountains, and totem poles. Further in to the pavilion, beyond the rustic log cabins, a small thoroughfare is designed to represent the British and French influences and heritage through its buildings; the Hotel du Canada [1] dominates the skyline to the right whilst English cottages adorn the left. An iconic Gilbert-Scott telephone box stands to the side, and often there is a direct connection on this phone to the boxes in the United Kingdom pavilion nearby. [2]
The main attraction is Canada: Far and Wide , a Circle-Vision 360° movie of Canada's cities, scenery and people. The pavilion also includes Le Cellier Steakhouse and the former home of the Celtic rock band Off Kilter. North American animal characters from Brother Bear (Kenai and Koda) and Pocahontas (Meeko and Percy) used to make the occasional appearances to patrons, but have been absent from the pavilion for a few years.
Prior to the construction of the pavilion, the Walt Disney Company sought financial support for the attraction from the Canadian government. The company wanted the federal government to fund the cost of building the attraction; in return the government would have input into the design and layout. The Canadian government was concerned about the stereotype of Canada that Disney wanted (i.e., lumberjacks). Funding was refused, and Disney threatened to pull the exhibit, but ultimately did not.
At one time during the planning, the entire pavilion was to have been divided by a main street of shops and restaurants, with one side representing French Canada and the other English Canada. Today this is somewhat evident as a small thoroughfare.
At the opening in 1982, the original musical talent for the Canadian pavilion was a trio called the "Caledonian Pipe Band", consisting of two pipers and one drummer. The performers were Robert (Bob) Proctor (lead, drummer), Kenneth Mauchin (piper) and Robert Mauchin (piper). They were recruited by Ron Rodriguez (talent co-ordinator for Walt Disney World) from the Rosie O'Grady's Pipe Band of Orlando. Because all three had ties to Scotland, they also performed in the British pavilion at various times.
In 2007, Disney updated the movie O Canada!, filmed in 1979. For several years, the Canadian Tourism Commission lobbied to have the movie updated, partly to remove outdated stereotypes of Canadian life. On August 31, 2007, the updated edition opened with a new host, Canadian actor Martin Short, and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila reprising the original film's theme song, "Canada (You're a Lifetime Journey)". [3]
The attraction closed in late 2019 to make adjustments for the new update; Canada Far and Wide, which opened in 2020.
The pavilion opened with two North west coast Indigenous totem poles totem poles, up to 30' (9 metres) in height constructed of fibreglass. Designed by Disney Imagineering, the icons used didn't represent any specific nation but rather tried to capture the spirit of the Indigenous peoples of Canada's west coast. [7]
In 1998, the park decided to add a third on, this time using wood so as to be more "authentic". It was carved by the Alaskan artist David A. Boxley in front of guests over a two-month period and was officially put on display in April 1998. The third totem pole depicts three stories of the Raven tricking the Sky Chief into the release of sun, moon and stars from a chest. Then, in 2017, Disney commissioned Boxley to create two more poles to replace the original fibreglass ones.[ citation needed ]
The Victoria Gardens which are adjacent to the Hotel du Canada are inspired by the Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. The gardens are the largest (and most labour-intensive) of all the national pavilions.
The Canada Pavilion contains two Hidden Mickeys:
The Hidden Mickey that was on the fish in the Mercantile was removed in 2019.
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