You Are Not the First to Pass This Way

The spirit of Norway lives in this World Showcase pavilion, added to Epcot in 1988. Norway presents a charming, Scandinavian coastal village, at the forefront of which is an attraction often photographed but rarely visited - the Stave Church Gallery.

Once found throughout Norway, fewer than thirty Stave Churches remain to this day. The replica church here at Epcot houses a small exhibit space, currently showing "Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas."

Across the way is the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, home to daily princess dining experiences. The restaurant structure was directly inspired by Akershus Castle in Oslo. Built in the 1300s, Akershus Castle at various times served as a fortress. In times of battle, the windows of the castle would be bricked over, protecting those within its walls. Large stores of food would be held inside, such that one could easily outlast an enemy. As a result, Akershus Castle has never been taken by siege (unless you count the morning onslaught of little girls in fancy dresses). Take a close look at the outer walls of Akershus at Epcot, and you'll notice some of the windows are still covered in brick.

Toward the back of the village square is the pavilion's signature attraction, Maelstrom. Maelstrom gets its name from a strong tidal current which exists off the northern coast of Norway. The Maelstrom can be, at times, a violent whirlpool. Those who happen to get caught up in it can only beg that Odin show them mercy. The current of Maelstrom takes us into the past with a visit to a Norwegian fishing village, through a mystical forest for a close encounter with a three-headed troll, backward through a fjord, and finally splashing down a waterfall and into the North Sea at the base of a modern day, deep-sea oil platform.

Before setting off on this seafaring adventure, take some time to admire the massive mural which graces the back wall of the Maelstrom loading dock. There's incredible detail here... along with one of the most clever Hidden Mickey tributes anywhere. Look closely at that Viking longboat, and you'll discover that one of the ship's passengers is wearing Mouse Ears!