| Canada (EPCOT) | |
|---|---|
 | |
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| EPCOT | |
| Area | World Showcase |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Themed pavilion |
| Theme | Canadian countryside |
Canada is a culturalpavilion representing the country ofthe same name as part of the World Showcase area ofEPCOT at theWalt Disney World Resort nearOrlando, Florida. It is located next to theUnited Kingdom pavilion at the northern end of World Showcase Lagoon.
The Canada Pavilion is designed to remind guests of Canada's natural beauty. It includes a canyon, awaterfall, gardens, apool with fountains, and totem poles. Further in to the pavilion, beyond the rustic log cabins, a small thoroughfare is designed to represent theBritish andFrench influences and heritage through its buildings; the Hotel du Canada[1] dominates the skyline to the right whilst English cottages adorn the left. An iconicGilbert-Scotttelephone box stands to the side, and often there is a direct connection on this phone to the boxes in theUnited Kingdom pavilion nearby.[2]
The main attraction isO Canada, aCircle-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 bandOff Kilter. North American animal characters fromBrother Bear (Kenai and Koda) andPocahontas (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 theCanadian 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 thestereotype 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 representingFrench Canada and the otherEnglish 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 toScotland, they also performed in the British pavilion at various times.
In 2007, Disney updated the movieO Canada!, filmed in 1979. For several years, theCanadian 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 actorMartin Short, andCanadian Idol winnerEva 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. On March 25, 2025, following the announcement, since Hotel du Canada as the old space was permanently closed, Disney Vacation Club announced that the opening of the first in-park Welcome Home Center, called Château de Voyage, as the new space, in the Canada pavilion, which was opened on April 20, 2025. This new space serves as a Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center, where guests can learn about DVC memberships and tour a model room of the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.[4][5]
The pavilion opened with two North west coast Indigenous totem polestotem poles, up to 30' (9 metres) in height constructed of fibreglass. Designed by Disney Imagineering, the icons used did not represent any specific nation but rather tried to capture the spirit of the Indigenous peoples of Canada's west coast.[8]
In 1998, the park decided to add a third on, this time using wood so as to be more "authentic". It was carved by theAlaskan artistDavid 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 ofsun,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]
TheVictoria Gardens which are adjacent to the Hotel du Canada are inspired by theButchart Gardens nearVictoria, British Columbia. The gardens are the largest (and most labour-intensive) of all the national pavilions.
The Canada Pavilion contains twoHidden Mickeys:
The Hidden Mickey that was on the fish in the Mercantile was created by cast members in 2002 and removed in 2019. An updated fish created by an artist from Dieppe, New Brunswick received approval by Disney Imagineering and was placed in 2023.
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28°22′17″N81°33′05″W / 28.3715°N 81.5513°W /28.3715; -81.5513