By Tinkerboy
One of our favorite stops around Epcot’s World Showcase is the Germany Pavilion. The sounds of the “ompha” band and cries of “Prost!” (a traditional German toast) welcome you upon entering. Here every day is Oktoberfest! The pavilion is designed to look like a small 16th Century German town, with little shops lining the sides, all centered around a fountain with the statue of St.George slaying the Dragon. Also featured in the courtyard is a large glockenspiel (cuckoo clock) that overlooks the pavilion and chimes on the hour.
The Germany Pavilion is one that does not have a ride, but does have plenty to do, see, and eat. The shops that surround St. George’s platz (plaza) are designed in traditional German architecture and carry some of the most unique German items. The shops include:
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Glaskunst – an outside shop with fine crystal items that can be personalized/etched and occasionally a real life glass blower creating beautiful pieces that make great gifts or to add to your collection.
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Der Teddybear – features German toys, dolls and of course Teddy bears including Duffy items.
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Volkskunst – here you will find traditional German beer steins, felt hats, cow bells and some of the most interesting cuckoo clocks.
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Weinkeller – this shop stocks many great German wines, and you can sample them as you talk with the shop’s wine experts.
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Sussigkeiten – satisfy your sweet tooth here with German candies and snacks, including the Haribo brand. This shop also carries humorous shirts with both World Showcase and German designs.
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Die Weihnachtsecke – it’s always Christmas in this shop. Trees are adorned with gorgeous holiday ornaments including the German Pickle. This is a German tradition where a pickle ornament is hidden on the tree each year. The first child to find the pickle receives an extra special gift. We have one for our tree and hide it each year.
The food and snack options at Germany are some of our favorites, and we always stop here for a “bier und pretzel.” Similar to other pavilions in World Showcase, traditional foods that are unique to each country are featured. Germany has one seated dining option, one quick service counter option, and one of the best sweet shops. You should have no trouble satisfying your hunger and thirst here.
Biergarten is a seated dining area which includes an Oktoberfest style buffet with bratwursts, salads, spaetzel, sauerkrat and other traditional German foods. You are seated at long communal tables, where you get to sit with others as you dine. Say “Guten tag” (“Hello” in German) to your new friends and watch the German band, Oktoberfest Musikanten, perform. The band plays many German songs and instruments including the saw and cow bells. Raise your stein and sing along.
