Epcot boasts amazing food, breathtaking attractions, and an incredible fireworks show, but did you know that the park also offers entertainment from all over the world? In fact, almost all of the eleven pavilions in the World Showcase present at least one form of entertainment respective of each country. From music to juggling to acrobatic stunts, you never know what you’re going to come across next while strolling around the World Showcase.
In Mexico, the sweet sounds of violins, guitars, trumpets can be heard throughout the pavilion from Mariachi Cobre, a traditional 12-piece mariachi band. Some songs are instrumental, while others are sung in Spanish. This band is truly a pleasure to listen to, and their music will make you want to get up on your feet and dance.
Over in China, you will be astounded by the talents of the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats. The feats this group accomplishes are absolutely breathtaking. Each performance includes flag-twirling, daring flips in the air, juggling, and more and lasts around twenty minutes. If you want to get a good view of the performers, I would recommend showing up around ten minutes before the scheduled start time since viewing space tends to fill up fast, especially during busier months.
Italy features two forms of entertainment: Sergio the Mime and Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro. Sergio, like most mimes, doesn’t speak, but he is able to communicate and excite the audience with his whistle, which can be heard from a few pavilions away. With the help of some younger audience members, he catches soccer balls in a net from various distances and juggles up to five balls at once. No matter what kind of mood you’re in, Sergio’s silly antics will put a smile on anyone’s face. While you’re in Italy, you can also enjoy watching Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro, a newer group of Italian flag throwers. Accompanied by live trumpet music, this group will dazzle you with their ability to juggle and throw flags in the air. My favorite part of the performance was a solo by the lead performer in which he juggled a flag entirely with his feet. At the end of the show, there’s also an opportunity to take a picture with the group and chat with them, which was a nice touch.
Over in The American Adventure, you can find my favorite entertainment in the World Showcase- the Voices of Liberty. This group of a cappella singers clad in traditional 1800s clothing could actually be mistaken for a choir of angels as they sing Americana songs like “Oh Susanna” and “America the Beautiful” and sometimes popular Disney music such as “Let it Go.” Each performance lasts 15 minutes and is usually before the showing of The American Adventure featuring Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. The Voices of Liberty always bring a tear to my eye, and it’s a must-do to watch them on every trip.
In the France pavilion, you can hold your breath in anticipation as two waiters perform balancing stunts as Serveur Amusant. With the aid of chairs and some oversized champagne bottles, one-half of the duo ends up balancing on the top of five chairs stacked on top of each other. As the name suggests, there is also some humor thrown in to keep the act light-hearted and entertaining, but I wouldn’t blame you if you ended up biting your nails as the stack of chairs gets higher and higher.
Next, in the United Kingdom, you can hear covers of songs originally sung by British artists like the Beatles, Billy Idol, and the Police performed by a band called British Revolution. The four-piece band features a lead singer, drummer, and two guitarists and easily gets the crowd singing along. At the end of the performance, there’s a chance to get signatures and pictures from the band, who are friendly and fun to talk to.
