Thursday Treasures
August 11, 2011 by Kayleigh Dafoe
O Canada (from an ultra Canadians point of view)!
For the past two years I've been extremely fortunate
in having the opportunity to take part in the Walt Disney College
Program for the summer. During the summer of 2010 I called Old Key
West Resort my home, and this past summer I had the incredible
chance of working on Main Street, USA in the Magic Kingdom. The Walt
Disney College Program is unlike anything I had ever experienced
before and I definitely consider my last two summers some of the
best of my life. And although I had everything Disney and some of
the most amazing friends you could imagine constantly surrounding
me, it was nearly impossible to avoid the inevitable homesickness.
But as luck would have it, the cure could be found right around the
corner at the Canada pavilion in EPCOT!

The Canada pavilion has lots to offer every guest
that comes through. As soon as you walk into the pavilion you become
surrounded by totem poles, Canadian flags, architecture and even
some real, live Canadians! The two most notable things in the
pavilion are the green roofed hotel, modeled after the Chateau
Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada's capital!) and the Victoria
Gardens, modeled after Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British
Columbia. These two pieces of the pavilion are placed very well and
draw attention to the beauty of Canadian architecture and landscape.

Once you get past the few outdoor carts, which
feature Canadian themed merchandise ' hats, t-shirts, etc. ' you
reach the two indoor stores Northwest Mercantile and The Trading
Post. Inside these two stores you can find many Canadian souvenirs
including t-shirts, pajamas, faux skin caps, stuffed animals,
Canadian chocolate bars, maple sugar, and syrup that comes in all
sizes (which is a lot of fun to drink on Canada Day)! Going through
these stores and talking to the Canadian cast members who work there
has come to be a huge comfort to me when I am missing home. Another
great thing to do in the Canada pavilion stores is to search for the
stuffed animals that are hidden throughout the two stores! It is
really fun looking for them and once you find all of them you can
bring them to the nearest lumberjack and get a magical moment
certificate!

But the great merchandise locations are not all that
the Canada pavilion has to offer! Attractions are another wonderful
thing offered. O Canada has to be one of my all time favourite
attractions at Walt Disney World due to the fact that it really
reminds me of home. However, of all the provinces and territories,
Ontario, Quebec as well as both the West and East coast are depicted
very well and very thoroughly. But when it comes to the rest of the
provinces, namely Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and all three of the
territories, not one word is said. This has naturally irritated
guests visiting from these parts of Canada and the film would not
have the same effect on them as it would have on a guest from
Toronto, Ontario. Apart from this very disappointing omission, the O
Canada film is very well done and is put together very well! It is a
very accurate portrayal of Canadian landscape, architecture and
people and watching it is always a great way to see the true Canada.

The pavilion is definitely a good way to visit
Canada while being away from there and will always hold a place in
my heart. So the next time you are oot and aboot in EPCOT, stop in
to pay the Canadians a visit and don't forget to see O Canada and
say 'hi' to Marty for me, eh!

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