The Germany Pavilion

  The Germany Pavilion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010

Guten tag! The Germany Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s Epcot is a combination of different eras and locales representing Bavarian villages from the 13th through 17th centuries. This romantic, fairy-tale architecture gives the Pavilion instant recognition without directly reproducing specific buildings in the region.

The platz, or plaza, the equivalent of an American Main Street or Town Square, captures the essence of German townships. The castle walls at the rear combine features of Eltz Castle near Koblenz and Stahleck Fortress on the Rhine near Bacharach, while the Biergarten exterior resembles a similar establishment in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and smaller village facades are taken from Romerburg Platz in Frankfurt, Freiburg, and Rothenburg.[1] 

Standing guard over the Pavilion is a statue of St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, slaying a dragon. German legend states that St. George killed a dragon with his magical sword, Ascalon, thus freeing the king’s daughter from being sacrificed. Similar statues can be found in most German villages. The one here is modeled after the one in Rothenburg. 

The Biergarten Restaurant offers a wonderful sampling of delicious German foods and beverages, paying homage to festival settings like Sommerfest and Octoberfest. At lunch and dinner, lederhosen-clad musicians yodel and dance and invite Guests onstage to join in the fun. And don't miss the daily wine tastings at the Weinkeller or the freshly baked goods at Sussigkeiten.

Adorning the Gild Hall, a 16th century merchants hall inspired by Kaufhaus in Freiburg, are three armored figures. They represent three of four Hapsburg emperors who ruled Austria-Hungary from 1273-1918. Only three are seen here due to the building’s scale. They are Philip I, Charles V, and Ferdinand I; Maximilian I was excluded.

As you exit the Pavilion and head toward Italy, don’t miss the miniature train setup that maneuvers through, around, and even briefly under a German-style town and countryside. Young children especially enjoy watching the train steam through.

 Cast Members from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs appear in & around the Germany Pavilion.

[1] The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot. NY: Disney Editions, 200