The drinks

Image: DisneyImagine if Disney built a tribute to Oktoberfest but then messed up the beer selections. Exactly. While Sommerfest doesn’t have a deep menu, true Disney fanatics know that this place isn’t about the food. It’s really a delivery vehicle for the tastiest German suds.

Brews like König Ludwig Weissbier and Altenmünster Oktoberfest are beloved selections, while more daring folks can sample the unusual Schöfferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen. And if you’re in the mood for something stronger, Jägermeister Shots and Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon are both available. You can even order a Riesling if you want something classier instead. At the Germany Pavilion, the not-so-secret reality is that you’re there for the Oktoberfest drinking. The menu reflects that.

Plus, this place is even better during Epcot International exhibitions. Several exclusive beers are available during these periods on the calendar. When you’re looking for a good time, head to this pavilion and start drinking!

The shopping

Image: DisneyWhen you visit(ed) your grandparents, do/did they always have caramels for you? You can recreate that feeling of familial comfort when you visit Karamell-Küche, the ONLY Werthers working kitchen in the world. They have plenty of pre-packaged bags of candy for sell, and I speak from much experience when I say that these travel well. Still, while you’re at Epcot, you want something fresher. Head over to the counter and treat yourself to a delightful series of fresh caramels and other diet-destroying sweets. Also, maybe you’ve heard about the wonders of Bavarian chocolate… You’ll find plenty of that here, too.

Once you’re done with the chocolate and caramel candies, take a look at the popcorn available. Giant bags of caramel corn are on sale here. While they don’t travel as well due to staleness issues, they’re absolutely divine the first 36 hours. Eat them while they’re fresh and know the meaning of culinary bliss.

Image: DisneyAfter you’re done eating, head over to the various shops in the town center. They’re all in the same general vicinity, with distinctive products available in each location. My favorites are the teddy bear store, the drinking stein store, and the best of the bunch, the holiday store. At the Germany Pavilion’s Die Weihnachtsecke, it feels like December all year long, which gets confusing since it’s also October all year long. Anyway, the holiday decorations here are adorable. Other specialty stores sell wines, clocks and watches, and glassware. You’ll find plenty of individuality at the various Germany Pavilion merchant stores, just as if you were shopping in a Bavarian village.

The Germany Pavilion is a delightful place to visit. Fans of Snow White and her seven friends will have a wonderful time here. Anybody feeling hungry can pig out at Biergarten Restaurant or snack on chocolate, caramels, and popcorn. Shopaholics will find innumerable knickknacks worthy of a spot on the shelf. Most importantly, fans of Octoberfest will feel like they’re home as they chug down a few suds and celebrate the spirit of Germany’s most famous festival. Out of all the World Showcase pavilions, Germany is the one where friends are most likely to gather and share a wonderful night together.