Along the shoreline of the lagoon, a bright red torii gate, patterned after one in Itsukushima, welcomes visitors. A plaque inscribed in calligraphy proclaims “Japan.”

Japan is one of eleven international villages around World Showcase at Epcot, the Walt Disney World theme park of discovery.

Restaurant: Patina Restaurant Group to open a new restaurant in fall 2008. Tutto Italia is the temporary eatery, showcasing authentic Italian fare. Shops: Il Bel Cristallo offers fine leather purses and wallets, silk scarfs and ties, Gucci, Armani, Dolce e Gabbana Perfumes, Giuseppe Armani ceramic figurines, Venetian glass jewelry, and gold and silver jewelry. La …

Restaurant: Biergarten, an indoor German “courtyard” featuring a German Oktoberfest buffet. At lunch and dinner time, yodelers, dancers and other lederhosen-clad musicians perform an Oktoberfest dinner show. Guests are invited onstage to join in the musical fun. Shops: Several specialty shops featuring steins, cuckoo clocks, toys, wine, Christmas ornaments and German confections. Architecture: Inspired by …

In the shadow of a scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, millions of Walt Disney World guests have sampled the beauty and charm of France and its people at Epcot in Florida.

Walt Disney World audiences see Canada from coast to coast in a 17-minute motion picture presented in CircleVision 360 as a major feature in Epcot World Showcase.

The stage measures 130 by 50 feet, about half the size of a football field. The “actors” in the show are Audio-Animatronics

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Hotel du Canada is a towering landmark that leads guests to the Canada pavilion at Epcot World Showcase. The distinctive building, modeled after Ottawa’s familiar Chateau Laurier, also boasts a Rocky Mountain and waterfall backdrop.   Near the entrance to the pavilion, guests are often seen snapping photos in the …

“Mickey’s PhilharMagic,” presented by Kodak, features the worlds’ largest seamless projection screen in the world, representing the most immersive wrap-around image Disney has ever created. The show begins with a concert hall proscenium, gradually expanding, resulting in an experience that embraces the audience in a 165-degree musical extravaganza. As the theater magically “disappears,” guests become immersed in the imagery and performance, experiencing favorite Disney characters in an entirely new way.

Bursting with color, sound and emotion, “Wishes” is the biggest fireworks spectacular ever presented at Magic Kingdom. Narrated by the voice of Jiminy Cricket with help from the Blue Fairy, the dazzling display weaves a thrilling “story in the sky” for Walt Disney World guests with hundreds of brilliant pyrotechnic effects exploding above and around Cinderella Castle.

"Mickey’s PhilharMagic" features one of the largest seamless projection screens in the world, representing the most immersive wrap-around image Disney has ever created. The screen measures 150 feet long and 28 feet high. Donald’s voice as heard in the show was created out of classic performances from the past by Clarence "Ducky" Nash, the original voice …