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Guten Tag, and welcome to Germany! Within the boundaries of this pavilion, you will have abundant opportunities to taste incredible food, sip delicious beverages, browse fun and elegant merchandise, and rub elbows with serious Disney royalty. Offering the perfect balance of kid friendly fun, adult approved cuisine, and a healthy dose of Disney magic, here are 5 reasons Germany is the perfect pavilion for the whole family:
5. Snow White
Okay, I don’t generally put character meet and greets first on my list, but this is a big one. Germany is home to the holy grail of Disney characters, the OG, the very first Disney Princess, (and my personal favorite,) Snow White. Disney has hooked this German princess up with a simple, but perfect dedicated meet and greet area, featuring Snow White’s wishing well! While it’s amazing to pose for a picture with Snow White in her “home Pavilion,” this spot is an equally excellent place for an impromptu photo shoot, even when Snow isn’t there. Have your little princess (or prince) pose at the wishing well, to recreate an iconic frame from Disney’s first feature-length animated film.
4. Biergarten Restaurant
Germany is home to one of my very favorite casual sit-down restaurants in the World Showcase. Biergarten Restaurant is the Pavilion’s marquee establishment, offering a fun and immersive dining experience. Here, it’s always Oktoberfest, and the celebration continues all year round. The Bavarian buffet offers a huge variety of foods, that while decidedly and deliciously German, feature familiar ingredients that keep the selection accessible for even your pickiest eaters. Loaded with tons of salads, meats, several potato dishes, amazing desserts (try the hand-pulled apple strudel) and Biergarten’s legendary pretzel bread, there’s something here for everyone. Once you’ve filled your plate, head to your table for a unique dining experience. Biergarten features communal seating, so you may be seated with another party of guests- I’ve made acquaintance with some wonderful friends this way, and even keep in touch with a couple of them on Facebook. The traditional oompah polka band plays several shows a day, and is heavy on audience participation- dancing is encouraged! As a bonus for the adults in your party, the extensive beer and wine list can’t be beat. (The Schofferhofer Grapefruit beer is perfect for a hot day.)
3. Great Shopping
One of the best things about the shops in the Germany Pavilion is how they are organized into contained, themed sections. If you’re on the hunt for a specific treasure, you’ll know exactly which store to enter to find it. If you’re more in the mood to leisurely browse the merchandise, you can weave your way through the many interconnected stores. Der Teddybar offers a diverse selection of children’s toys, including stuffed animals, puppets, princesses, and of course, teddy bears. Volkskunst is a whole room dedicated to a huge array of beer steins and accessories. Weinkeller does double duty as a wine shop, and a charming little tasting room, offering a variety of wine flights. And, for the holiday fanatic in your group, be sure to stop by Die Weihnachts Ecke, where it’s all Christmas, all the time. Beyond this, Germany features a beautiful selection of crystal figurines, souvenir merchandise, and a wide array of products sure to please young and old alike.
2. Karamell-Kuche
As famous as Snow White is, she may not even be the most popular attraction in the Germany Pavilion. That distinction might just belong to Karamell-Kuche, one of the sweetest spots in all of Epcot. This caramel lover’s dream come true is a bakery featuring, you guessed it, all things caramel. From fruits (apples, strawberries, grapes, and pineapples, oh my!) to popcorn, to pretzels, to brownies and more, if you can imagine it, you can probably find it here, dipped in caramel (and chocolate) and waiting for you to gobble it up. They even have a caramel bacon square, which is a magical concoction of caramel mixed with bacon, and then covered in chocolate. Yes, you read that right. No, I am not kidding. It’s every bit as amazing as it sounds.
Bonus Tip!
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1. Epcot Garden Railway
This often overlooked attraction, located on the Italy side of the Germany pavilion is a true hidden gem of the World Showcase. The Epcot Garden Railway is an amazingly intricate and extensive working miniature train exhibit. The area was created for the 1995 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, and quickly became so beloved by park guests, that it’s been in operation ever since. Three miniature train engines run on expansive stretches of tracks, surrounded by perfectly preened live plants, to populate the “countryside” in between the intricately staged miniature villages. With so much to look at, this is a perfect spot to take a break, and let curious little ones wander, watch, and explore. The bridge through the middle of the garden is a great place to get a better view from a new angle. Even if you’ve visited the Garden Railway before, make sure to check back often- the trains and villages are sometimes decorated for holidays, and special events!
As amazing as the Germany Pavilion is, and despite all of the wondrous things it has to offer, it’s time for us to say” Auf Wiedersehen” and continue on our journey around the World Showcase. Next week, we’ll visit our ninth Epcot Pavilion, China! In the meantime, feel free to catch up on any countries you’ve missed in the Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, by exploring the article links below. See you next time!
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like MickeyTravels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!
– Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, Part 1: Canada – 5 Things You Won’t Want To Miss
– Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, Part 2: United Kingdom – 5 Things You Won’t Want to Miss!
– Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, Part 3: France – 5 Fun Facts and ‘Must See’ Attractions
– Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, Part 5: Japan – 5 Reasons Not To Pass This Pavilion
– Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, Part 6: The American Adventure (5 Hidden Gems)
– Epcot World Showcase Tour Series, Part 7: Italy (5 Things that Prove Italy Has it All!)
