The food

Image: DisneyDining at the China Pavilion is precisely what you would expect. There are two offerings here: a Quick Service and a Table Service restaurant. The counter service eatery is Lotus Blossom Café, which isn’t quite a grab-and-go place, but it can be. This place has indoor seating which is to say that you’ll have a roof over your head. It’s not enclosed, though. There are no windows blocking bugs or heavy rain.

The food is frankly pedestrian by World Showcase standards. It’s not Chinese in the traditional sense but rather the Americanized version that you can grab at a dozen places in your city of residence. The highlights are the Pot Stickers, the Orange Chicken, and the TsingTao beer. You can do better.

In fact, you can do better at the China Pavilion. Nine Dragons Restaurant is an elegant establishment with a traditional backdrop. You’d find similar design at any classy Chinese restaurant in a major city, but that’s not a bad thing. Instead of getting obsessed with Disney theming, it’s a quieter affair, a place with a lovely ambiance. Those opportunities are rare at Walt Disney World, and I relish them.

Image: DisneyAs for the food, Nine Dragons Restaurant has historically suffered terrible reviews for middling food. I can say with complete sincerity that the situation has changed in recent years. Disney has addressed the culinary concerns in crafting a stronger menu. The Braised Pork Belly Steamed Buns here are exquisite, and the Kung Pao Shrimps are succulent. I’m also a huge fan of the Nine Dragons Lunch Boxes that they sell each afternoon. Still, the best part of the restaurant is the pricing. Most entrees here are under $20, which is rare for the World Showcase. For that discounted price, you get exceptional Chinese delicacies.

Few people mention Nine Dragons in discussing the best restaurants at the World Showcase, but that should change soon. It’s better than ever before. The other plus here is that due to its reputation, you can often eat faster here than any other Table Service restaurant at Epcot.

The shopping

Image: DisneyI have to be blunt that the shopping here isn’t great. Still, I understand that everyone has differing taste in the knickknacks that they love to buy, and hoarders will have plenty of options at the two similarly named shops here.

Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune sell some wonderful merchandise. Chinese parasols are especially gorgeous, as the materials used are so refined and elegant. The stores also sell some puppets and toys that are cute enough. House of Good Fortune is a bit more upscale with its silks and porcelain. It also has some Chinese wall prints that may or may not involve Disney characters. Honestly, the best thing that I’ve found at either store is the kitchenware.