Norway Pavilion in the World Showcase

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Epcot’s World Showcase is made up of 11 country pavilions.  In each country, you’ll find authentic architecture, landmarks, historical
references, food, and people.  Each country’s pavilion is staffed by people who are actually from the country.

The Norway pavilion was designed to represent the Norwegian towns and cities of Bergen, Oslo, Alesund and Setesdahl. You’ll see an impressive stave church in the town square. You can go inside the church to see rotating displays on Norwegian culture and history.  And in Frozen Ever After you can voyage to Arendelle aboard an ancient Nordic vessel.

The Norway Pavilion and your Homeschool

A stave church is a medieval wooden church building. The name derives from the building’s structure of post and lintel construction, a type of timber framing where the load-bearing ore-pine posts are called stafr in Old Norse (stay in modern Norwegian).

You can read more about the Stave Church Gallery, and how it currently explores Viking lore, on the Walt Disney World website.

Also there, you can read about the Kidcot Fun Stops in each pavilion of the World Showcase where kids can collect stamps and create a craft.

The various building styles seen at the pavilion are reminiscent of four different architectural eras in Norwegian history:

• Setesdal-style
• Bergen-style
• Oslo-style
• Alesund style

Epcot designers wanted guests to experience the different eras of Norwegian architecture and to learn about Norway just by walking through the village.

Read more about Norwegian architecture here.

One of the most distinctive architectural features is the addition of grass on some of the rooftops of shops and restaurants.

The restaurant Akershus has the same name as the famous 14th century castle which stands in Oslo’s harbor and is of the same stone construction.

Some books you might like:

• Leif the Lucky
• D’aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths
• From Vikings to Modern Living: Geography of Norway
• Norway: Country Explorers

Try making a recipe like Norwegian Potato Lefse  or (my favorite snack from the Norway Pavilion) School Bread.

Online Resources for Studying Norway

You may choose to do an in depth geography curriculum in preparation for your visit.

Check out this Norway unit study for a shorter study.

Free Norway printable pages pack – Includes a flag coloring sheet and information sheet, a Norway mapping page, and more.

Norway blackline printable map.

Short reading comprehension passages:

• Norway history
• Norway daily life
• Norway geography

Your kids might enjoy this Viking longboat craft.

Free printable world geography pack.

The following ideas will work for your study of any of the countries in Epcot’s World Showcase:

• Create a Power Point on the country and present it.
• Plan a menu from the country and prepare it. (If you have a World Market store near you, check out their International foods section).
• Plan a pretend trip there.  Where would you visit? What would you do?
• Create a ‘scrapbook’ of your fictional trip to the country.
• Write a report on historical events that happened in the country.
• Study the original buildings and landmarks represented in each pavilion.
• Learn a few words in the native language of the country.
• Find and listen to music from the country.
• Make a shoebox diorama of a famous place in the country.
• Watch a documentary on the country.