Life in Canada is more than hockey, poutine and an awesome city skyline that includes water and mountains…but that’s just one Canadian’s opinion.
Here are Fun Facts about the O Canada! in the Canadian Pavilion
GENERAL STATS
Area – Canada Pavilion at EPCOT
Opening Date – October 1st, 1982
Attraction – Circle Vision 360 movie
Duration – 13:53 minutes
FastPass+ is not Available
INSPIRATION
The attraction was actually inspired by the popular Circle-Vision 360 documentary “Canada ’67”, which was shown in the Telephone Pavilion at EXPO 67. This 22 minute doc was directed by Robert Barclay and was produced by Walt Disney Productions.
UPDATE
In 2007, the original exhibition of O’Canada! was closed for a month, re-opening on September 1st under the guise of an updated and re-imagined movie. Really, it wasn’t as much of a redo and more of a showcase of Martin Short…who is a Canadian comedian who’s style is very divisive and not for everyone.
They also created an updated soundtrack, which included “Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey)”, recorded by Eva Avila.
DON IWERKS
Cited as defining moments of his career, Disney Legend Don Iwerks (son of fellow Disney Legend Ub Iwerks) was instrumental in the creation of advanced film equipment for the 1964-65 Worlds Fair AND EPCOT’s Circle-Vision theatres, Impressions de France and the American Adventure.
Next time you’re on Main Street USA, look for the “Iwerks-Iwerks Stereoscopic Cameras” Disney Legends window!
CITIES AND BACKDROPS
When you’re enjoying the movie, be prepared to spot Canadian cities from coast to coats!
If you look closely, you can actually see my house! HAHA
RECOMMENDATIONS
I absolutely love this attraction, but it’s for reasons that I can’t quite explain. It’s not accurate or up-to-date and the representation of Canadians is still stuck in the past (igloos, “eh”, etc), but the idea of showcasing my home country to the millions of visitors to EPCOT each and every year is worth it.
My recommendation is to go to the pavilion and just enjoy the show. It’s an investment of time, but let’s be honest…if you’ve already got your Frozen Ever After FastPass+…why not enjoy the air conditioning?
AND WITH THAT…I LEAVE YOU WITH MY MY FAVOURITE CANADIAN JOKES
Q: What are the 2 seasons in Canada?
A: WINTER AND JULY!
Q: What’s the difference between an American and a Canadian?
A: A Canadian not only has a sense of humour but can also spell it.
Q: What Dr Seuss book do they read every morning in Canada?
A: Tim Hortons Hears a Who.
Alanis Morissette asked me what the capital of Canada was? I told her “I’m not sure”.
Then she blurted out “You ottawa know”.
Hope this article was entertaining and helps with your Disney World trip planning! There is so much to discover and even hidden gems like the O’ Canada! film is something that many folks walk past because it’s hidden in the back of the pavilion. Take your time around the World Showcase and explore as much as you can!
