Birt Family Focus

Epcot World Showcase, Norway Pavilion -- 10/8/02

Ufdaa!! Howdy folks!

Today we visit the Norway Pavilion.

I am a decendent of Celts-both Irish and Norwegian, so I just love this pavilion. In fact, I love all things Viking-including the Althing. Except for the Althing, which is an event and not a thing, you can find it here. Confused? At least I didn't write with a Norse accent. I could. I actually have a cousin named Olli. I won't, but I will tell you a little rhyme that I learned while researching Viking lore once. It goes like this (you will need 5 toes to do it):

This little Norseman went a-viking
This little Norseman stayed home.
This little Norseman sacked Ireland
This little Norseman sacked Rome.
And this little Norseman went "teehee, teehee, teehee" all the way to the fijord....

Ok- now that that's out of my system, we'll talk about the pavilion. LOL

This pavilion was added in 1988. It was designed to resemble the towns of Bergen, Oslo, Alesund, and Setesdahl. Having never been to any of those towns, I will have to take their word for it. ;-) In any case, it is pretty. One of the cutest little rides in Epcot is housed here- the Maelstrom. It is a little boat ride fraught with the bane of the Norse- trolls! This little ride is so popular that it was recently made into a fast pass attraction! I can remember riding it over and over because no one was in line! The boats are patterened after those sailed by Eric the Red and his crew. When you go, look carefully at the mural painted on the wall in the queue area. There is a very cute hidden mickey here. Just after the boat ride, there is a short movie which introduces you to the Norse countryside and it's people. Most folks bypass this , but stay at least once. It is worth a look. The seating is cool, too- not your average slide along benches, but very "scandesign" looking. It's a small thing but neat.

The most visable attraction here is the Stave Church, Stavkirke in Norse. Everyone sees this but many don't realize that you can go into it! Do go in. You will find a mini museum with Norwegian artifacts and a history of the stave churches in Norway. Very few exist any longer.They were first built in about 1050 after St. Olaf brought Christianity to Norway. The change from worship of Odin to Christ is seen in the beautiful Norse woodwork. It is a combination of Christian and Pagan symbology that melds together into lyrical artwork. The church is a beautiful little building and surprisingly quiet inside. Cool too- a very nice break from the heat of the day.

Of course there is shopping a plenty here. Be sure to buy a troll for good luch and take your picture by the big troll in the middle of the store. We do one every year- it's like measuring your height in the doorway. You see how much you change from year to year because the troll never does. There is a bakery here with some yummy offerings AND an out door deli, so it is a great place for a snack or lunch. My favorite Epcot restaurant is here- Akershus. It is built to look like a 14th century castle of the same name in Oslo. It is an authentic Norwegian buffet -not for everyone- but I love it. Try the brown goat cheese with the thin wheat crackers-yummy. Dollerless tip- try booking here for a late lunch at 3:30. You will save $5 over supper and get the same food. There is also a princess breakfast served here now, PS required. I believe the menu is standard, though, no pickled herring or lutefisk (OK- I detest pickled herring and lutefisk- I'm only half Norse! My cousin Olli loves it).

If you like Norwegian things, try some folk music. Spelmanns Gledje is a folk group that performs in the square from time to time. Consult your program guide for performance times. I have not caught them, though I have visited this pavilion hundreds of times, so I can't tell you what they are like.

There is play area for kids that is made like a Viking Dragon Head ship. It is pretty cool. I have explored it thoroughly- to make sure it was safe for the kids, of course... It is right next to the restrooms, making it extra convenient. In fact, it is right next to a covered area with tables and chairs outside of the deli. It is shady and cool and makes a nice place from which to watch the parades.

If your child is the first one to visit this pavilion when it opens, they will be crowned Viking of the Day and receive a hat and a certificate- very neat.

Next week we visit our last destination- Mexico.