Disney World - The Online Guide - Epcot World Showcase:Shopping Around the World?s as Easy as A-B-C

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2003
(UK customers)

Epcot World Showcase: Shopping Around the World’s as Easy as A-B-C

Imagine a globe-trotting shopping spree.

Jetting into Germany to swoop up some Hummel figurines; sweeping through Japan for delightful and delicate origami paper art; marching into Morocco to gather up a genie’s lamp and make a special wish; finding a quick minute to go to Italy for some of those silk fashions you have been fawning over; and finally, hitting France for some perfume -- for your pet.

In Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, guests can shop around the world without going around the world. It’s a shopper’s dream come true!

From the rare and exquisite to the fun and festive, Epcot World Showcase is a smorgasbord of international shopping delights. For the holidays or any day, World Showcase is the place to stock up on treasures from around the globe. In fact, the pavilions of the eleven World Showcase countries are brimming with so many unique gift items that, well, shopping’s as easy as A-B-C:

A -- For the collector on your list, authentic autographed memorabilia anchors the American Adventure pavilion. Get items that have been signed by legendary American figures such as presidents George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt, author Tennessee Williams and astronaut Alan Bean, ranging from $200-$25,000.

B -- Beautiful bonsai trees are a delicate treat from Japan, ranging from $18-$119. Or that special person on your gift list may love to cuddle up in a colorful blanket found in Mexico. Guests can choose from a wide variety ranging in price from $19-$30.

C -– A creatively handcrafted cuckoo clock is a gift that’s always right on time. Displayed in Germany, these timepieces made of wood from the Black Forest range from $250-$2,700.

D -- A very uncommon gift is a dream catcher, found in Canada and priced between $10 and $44. It hangs from a ceiling or wall and consists of feathers and two loops, one open and one webbed. Based on American Indian mythology, the open loop allows good dreams to pass through, and the webbed loop catches the bad dreams.

E -- Everyone will love the exquisite eggs designed by Justa Levasser, who has been a Disney egg artist since 1983. These beautiful hand-painted works of art can be found in Germany and are priced between $55-$1,400.

F -- No gift list is complete without fragrance. A great find is an ounce of pure perfume in France by the popular brand Guerlain, ranging from $60-$70.

G -- Make a wish. A lacquered brass genie’s lamp from Morocco is a magical gift with an even better price: $8-$11.

H -- For the collector on the gift list, shoppers should hurry over to Germany for a Hummel figurine. These hand-painted items come in a wide variety and in many sizes. A few limited-edition pieces are available. The prices range from $80-$26,000.

I -- Satisfy someone’s itch to make melodies by giving a variety of unique musical instruments. In Mexico, find $3 hand-painted maracas, $25 bongos, and tambourines ranging from $9-$25.

J -- Dress up your little princess with a Jasmine character costume found in Morocco. This adorable outfit with sheer aqua sleeves and a matching jeweled band costs $55.

K -- For the serious and careful collector, Norway presents a variety of knives with beautifully hand-carved handles made of birchwood. Various styles and sizes are priced from $45-$205.

L --The London Game can be purchased in the United Kingdom for about $30. This fun game for the entire family is based on London’s subway system. Players race to the finish while traveling through London’s Underground.

M -- Epcot guests can make their gift a hit with a mask from Italy. These colorful, carnaval-style works of art are made of papier-mâché and fabric and are very popular in Venice. They range in price from $37-$400.

N -- A nice holiday gift is a nutcracker from Germany. Choose from the traditional or more modern models by Steinback that are priced from $250-$275.

O -- Know someone creative? An origami paper art kit instructs on the fascinating art of paper folding, which is popular in Japan. It’s a perfect cultural gift for the person with a lot of imagination. These kits can be found in Japan for about $14.

P -- Don’t forget the furry friends. Pick up some pet perfume in France. Choose from “Oh My Dog” or “Oh My Cat” for $35. Also, if there is a foodie on the list, pancake mix packaged with Canadian maple syrup is a sweet and tasty gift from Canada at $10.

Q -- Speaking of Queens, a nice gift book is Elizabeth, 50 Glorious Years. Published by Reader’s Digest, it can be found for about $27 -- in the United Kingdom, of course.

R -- A handcrafted rosewater glass decanter is classy and a special delight, found in Morocco for $17.

S -- Ein Prosit! Beer steins, including limited-edition creations, are available in Germany, ranging from $13-$315.

T -- Trolls are the guardians of the mountains and forests in Norway. Ranging from $18-$160, these delightful, rascal-looking collectibles are available in Norway. If shoppers want a more potent guardian, they should pick up a troll with more than one head. The more heads, the more wicked they are!

U -- Any lady on the gift list would love to stroll around in the sunshine with a paper umbrella/parasol from China. Ranging from $10-$14, these colorful and dainty items are not only beautiful but also functional in the midday heat.

V -- Give the special person on the gift list a healthy way to get clean with vegetable soap, which is sold in the France pavilion. Guests can choose from carrot, lettuce and cherry tomato soap. Nothing man-made here -- these soaps actually contain the vegetable ingredients. The price: $7.

W -- Men can wow the lady-love on their gift list with a Welsh love spoon from the United Kingdom. As a 17th century custom, the hand-carved spoon was presented to a young woman by her suitor as a token of his affection. Today, love spoons are also considered great wedding and anniversary gifts.

X -- Give history. Modeled after the terra-cotta warrior figures discovered in an underground mausoleum in China, Xi’an warrior figurines are elegant gifts that can be purchased in the China pavilion. The figurines range from $15 to $40.

Y -- Find a variety of yule ornaments in the Norway pavilion that will bring holiday merriment. Choose from angels, snowflakes and holiday bells ranging from $3-$18.

Z -- The A-Z shopping adventure ends with a good read, Zen in Your Garden, by Jenny Hendy. This book, found in the Japan pavilion for $18.95, shows readers how to use principles of Zen to create a peaceful garden where they can relax and enjoy all of the beauty they have been able to create.

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