I wish you were a beer

Image: DisneyYou know that beer’s important since Rose & Crown is also a pub. It does not disappoint, either. You’ll find more than 20 brands of beer at the pavilion, including the requisite Guinness offerings. Beer matters to the British, and that’s why a deep roster of ales and stouts populates the roster. It’s an inclusive menu that isn’t specific to England. Guinness is a concoction from Northern Ireland, after all. For that matter, a brand doesn’t even have to come from the country to have a tap at the pub. Stella Artois, one of the most popular drinks on the British Isles, is a Belgian brew that’s available at the pavilion.

Guests who don’t want to stop at the pub – or can’t get seats – have another option. You can grab a bottle on the go from the UK Beer Cart. You’re free to carry it around Epcot or sit down somewhere at the Pavilion to rest your feet while chugging. If you’re not a big drinker and have no idea what’s good, simply ask the employee manning the cart. They too are British natives, meaning that they know what’s culturally authentic. You’ll feel like a true Brit as you down a lager and complain about ManU.

The pro of the con

Image: DisneyOne thing this pavilion lacks is a true attraction. I’m a fervent believer that every pavilion should have some sort of ride, and I don’t count those IMAX movies that are glorified sponsored travelogues. That means that I am frustrated with most of the pavilions at Epcot. My hope is that the situation ill improve in coming years, but I will still point out each one’s lack of an attraction as a negative.

The United Kingdom Pavilion also gets dinged for cancelling a fun show they used to have called World Showcase Players. This comedy troupe traced their roots to the first year of EPCOT Center, and they’d put on shows at the pavilion for more than 30 years prior to ending their run in 2014. They were consistently good for a laugh, thanks to their splendid retellings of King Arthur and the Holy Grail among other classics. Eliminating this show negated one of the strongest positives about the pavilion.

Image: DisneyOne positive remains, though. A live band called The British Revolution performs several sets a day. They play basically any classic rock track originally performed an English music act. They run the gamut from psychedelic to hard rock to punk, which means that a show could include The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and The Clash. The only act that’s 100 percent to have a song during each set is The Beatles. The entirety of the United Kingdom Pavilion celebrates the band that triggered the British Invasion of the 1960s. Their merchandise is (understandably) ubiquitous. As for The British Revolution, their stage is a gorgeous setting surrounded by hedges. It’s a wonderful spot to relax for a bit and take in a show featuring many songs you know by heart.

What do you like and dislike about United Kingdom Pavilion? Leave your thoughts in the comments.