The China Pavilion

Ni hao, hello! When Walt Disney World’s Epcot opened in 1982, special ceremonies spotlighted various attractions. The China Pavilion was the first nation on World Showcase to be dedicated, and it is the last Pavilion we will visit as we draw summer break to a close. Entering the Pavilion through Zhao Yang Men, or Gate of the Golden Sun, modeled after the one at the emperor’s Beijing summer palace, Guests notice the architecture of ancient China’s Imperial Palace, or Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven complex prevail here.

The circular building with layered roofing is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. “In Chinese design, circles define the heavens and squares stand in for the earth—used together, they form the universe,” according to The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World. Inside the building are four columns representing the four seasons; 12 exterior columns are for the months of the year and the 12-year calendar cycle the Chinese people live by. The original hall was built without nails or fasteners and was held together by interlocking lumber.

Both Circle-Vision films shown at Walt Disney World Parks are located at Epcot’s World Showcase. O Canada! is one; the other is Reflections of China, viewed in the half-scale replica of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. Circle-Vision films are projected onto nine screens that surround the perimeter of the theater. Guests must stand to watch the 13-minute movie so as not to miss a piece of the 360-degree visual experience. Reflections of China replaced Wonders of China in 2003, offering updated footage of the country, including great views of the Great Wall, modern sights of Hong Kong, and detailed footage of the Forbidden City.

The colors red and gold dominate the China Pavilion, with red symbolizing happiness and gold royalty. Images of the dragon and phoenix are also prevalent and they too carry meaning. The dragon with five claws refers to the power of the emperor and those with four, the empress, while the phoenix represents peace and prosperity. In Chinese beliefs, the two together signify marriage.

Check showtimes for Mulan Character appearances and  performances by the Dragon Legend Acrobats and Si Xian musicians.

Today’s Takeaway:

Guests have two options to sample Chinese cuisine at the China Pavilion. Traditional fare like stir-fry and eggrolls is offered at the counter-service Lotus Blossom Café, and more elegant meals like Cantonese Lobster and Treasure Duck delight Guests’ taste buds at the table-service Nine Dragons Restaurant.

Today, we are going to learn to eat like the Chinese—with chopsticks! Some readers may already be experts in this area, but I struggle to do this correctly, and my kids always get a kick out of trying. So, cook up some rice or order up take-out, grab a set of sticks, and try to do what’s shown in the below video:


SKILL LEVEL: Elementary
SCHOOL SUBJECT: Social Studies

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Earn Your E.A.R.S.!

*Hi! Thanks to so many who have already signed up! I apologize for the glitch in the registration about it allowing only one name per email. I have changed the form to enable you to enroll up to 4 students. If you've already signed up and/or have emailed me your additional students, there is NO NEED to sign up again.*

It's GO time! When we first launched the Magical Mouse Schoolhouse blog back in February, we promised you an incentive program. The Enriching Academic Reward Series, or E.A.R.S., is an achievement program designed to encourage kids to continually reach for academic success.

As a homeschooler, I emphasize learning. I do not stress getting good grades, and so my children do not always appreciate the value of a high score. I would rather see them grasp concepts than celebrate or despair over rankings. E.A.R.S. is a way to stimulate students to do their best. It motivates them to complete their assignments and gives them the desire to do more. E.A.R.S.  is not a standalone curriculum; it enhances students' current course loads and rewards their diligent efforts.

Our initial goal was to offer this to high school seniors, but we have decided to open it up to all skill levels. The program will run September through May of each school year. Here's how it will work:
1) Register your students by submitting the below form. (Also available on left-hand sidebar.)
2) Magical Mouse Schoolhouse will email your assignment on the first day of each month.
3) Have your students complete and return the assignment by the last day of the month to receive an incentive reward. Please note that Magical Mouse Schoolhouse will NOT assign grades. We are interested in completion and education.
4) Students who complete ALL NINE MONTHS' assignments will receive a Certificate of Completion and small "graduation" gift in June.

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August Review

Well, Summer is winding down as August draws to a close. If you missed anything this month, be sure to go back and review. You might just get a jump start on the new school year!

Six months ago, Magical Mouse Schoolhouse opened the doors to a unique educational experience. We’re so glad you’ve chosen to join us that we celebrated all month with lots of giveaways! We hope you are gaining a new perspective on Walt Disney entertainment and are having fun learning while you play.

We learned about several Pavilions around Epcot's World Showcase this month. The Germany Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s Epcot is a combination of different eras and locales representing Bavarian villages from the 13th through 17th centuries. This romantic, fairy-tale architecture gives the Pavilion instant recognition without directly reproducing specific buildings in the region. Try a sampling of a scrumptious German dessert, apple strudel.

The United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase is both a progression through time and a tour across the British Isles. William Shakespeare is possibly the most famous playwright England boasts as its own. With your students, read and/or watch Romeo and Juliet and view the High School Musical trilogy. Have them analyze and chart similarities and differences between High School Musical and Romeo and Juliet.

The Japan Pavilion blends nature and architecture into an equally exquisite experience. Study the Japanese art of origami and follow the video tutorial to create a paper crane.

The natural environment can be seen in the architecture and design of Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. Aged stone, stucco, rockwork and wood surfaces bring visual authenticity to the rustic, earthy facades, and a dragon-headed Viking ship play area pays homage to the country’s seafaring heritage. Create a fleet of paper boats & check out this giant one!

World of Color nighttime water and multimedia spectacular opened on June 11th of this year at California Adventure Park, blending light, color, water and fire with paper, sand and digital animation projections, all set to beautifully choreographed orchestration.Visit the Science Buddies website to discover how to reveal brilliant hues hiding in shadows.

Did your kids do any summer reading? If not, start now with the 1812 escapades of The Swiss Family Robinson. Live out the read by recreating their treehouse in your own backyard.

Phineas and Ferb is one of the Disney Channel’s hottest shows. It’s perfect for this blog, because it’s obviously educational…it is, isn’t it? "I know what we're going to do today!" Go to Disney XD to get some Phineas and Ferb character printouts and downloadable chain reaction blueprints, and make a chain reaction.

The Disney Youth Education Series (YES) is a curriculum taught onsite by specially trained facilitators at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Theme Parks are the classroom for these enriching educational opportunities. If you live near or will be visiting the Parks, take a course in one of these four disciplines: Leadership & Careers, Arts & Humanities, Physical Sciences, and Natural Sciences.

Today's Takeaway:
Check out the posts you missed and expand the walls of your home classroom.

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