Canada Far and Wide: A Review
Recent Pavilion Improvements
Canada, a favorite country in Epcot’s World Showcase, has a new film. not only has the film been changed out, but there are many improvements that have recently been made to Canada far and wide within this pavilion. Before we see the film, let’s take a look. We’ll start at The Trading Post.
Somewhat recently a wine bar has been added to the Trading Post area:
I don’t drink, so other than a diet Coke, the location seems limited. It seems they would do well to sell some specialty snacks. Up on the upstairs attic shelf there were some critters who had taken up residence with the trading post’s supplies:
Alas, those are gone. They were removed some time ago, though a Cast Member noted that it was only recently that the last motors finally burned out. Sorry to see that leave. It was really cute.
What I do like is that chairs were added outside along the promenade. It provides a terrific respite to sit and enjoy your beverage of choice.
A few steps up and we get to the Hotel du Canada. People know the location for la Cellier Restaurant, which of course by title, is downstairs. Most may not remember, however that upstairs they had some lovely retail space. That has been closed for some period of time.
I think this is a missing retail or F&B opportunity. There is also a space above it that could be used.
Heading further toward the new film you get a wonderful view of the falls and rock work, which recently were fixed up.
What do you think? A little moss goes a long way. It does look a tad heavy. Here’s a shot from a few years ago:
Here’s that same view with the remodeling.
Perhaps too much green but with time and a lot of Florida sun baking down the colors, I think it will be an improvement over the previous look which was a little too much of what I would call Canadian Rocky Beige.
The New Canada Far & Wide
Eventually you come to the entrance to Canada Far & Wide.
An electronic board shows how many minutes until the next show. I also like the old-fashioned looking timer inside the waiting area:
The waiting are has not really changed, but I still appreciate the fact that it was a cool respite on hot days, and that it had plenty of benches to sit on while awaiting the next show:
When it’s time to enter the theater you will notice that there are no blank screens, but rather you are encompassed by a forest. It’s a simple, but nice touch.
The film features a new story, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington, and narration by Canadian actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy. The best news? O’ Canada, one of the most beautiful songs ever written for Epcot, still lives on in this new show.
I don’t offer the video of the film. It’s available on YouTube, though guests are specifically asked not to video tape when they are in the theater. Therefore, those that video the show, are ignoring Disney’s requests. Because they are multi-dimensional experiences, I do videos of attractions like The Jungle Cruise or Epcot Forever, but I feel a video of just a film itself leaves no reason to really see the film. I recommend you wait to see the show in the theater. Still, I have a review as shown below:
That’s my review, I hope you go and see the movie when you’re at Epcot.
Want to see and know more? Check out my unique treatise on this terrific park, available only on iBooks. It’s called Lessons From Epcot: In Leadership, Business & Life. To learn more, visit the Apple Store:
