by Rhonda Allen

Created on: June 27, 2009

Any trip to Disney World is an adventure. Combining the entertainment and experiences of Disney World with educational homeschooling is like making the best of an already great situation.

Disney's EPCOT park is a wonderland of cultural and scientific information. Families who are interested in learning more about world cultures outside of their own homeland can spend anywhere from hours to days cruising through Disney World's World Showcase pavilions. There they will find tiny pockets of foreign architecture, arts, food and merchandise. All of this is located in a beautiful setting staffed by many native workers who have come to Disney on an exchange program.

Norway's pavilion is located between Mexico and Canada on left side of the World Showcase. This pavilion is a tiny glimpse into Scandinavian history and architecture. The pavilion is patterned after several Norwegian cities, among them Bergen and Oslo.

The replica of Stave Church that is found in the Norway pavilion is a replica of of the Gol Stave church located in Oslo, Norway's Folk Museum. Disney hosts their Viking history history exhibit inside the church. This exhibit is full of information about Viking weapons, tradition, and biographical info about famous historical figures such as Eric the Red and Olaf II. Outside the church is a statue honoring Grete Waitz, a famous Norwegian Olympic medalist long distance runner.

Traditional foods of Scandinavia are available throughout the pavilion. From quick snacks and pastries like lefse or rice cream located at walk up counter service spots, to the reservations required sit down dining at Disney's Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, folks with brave palettes or a love for traditional food will have plenty to fill their tummies and their imaginations.

The Akershus Banquet is hosted inside a replica castle styled to resemble a famous 14th century stone construct located in Oslo harbor. This buffet dinner begins with a traditional smorgasboard full of pickled and preserved fish, smoked cheeses, dark breads, and traditional cold vegetable salads. Hot meals are ordered from a menu, and range from salmon or pasta to a traditional Scandinavian meatball dish called kjotkaker. The signature dessert in the Norway pavilion is a rice pudding with strawberry sauce called Rice Cream. There are also sweet pretzels, cheesecake, and more common desserts available.

Music and arts are prominant at in the Norway pavilion, and visitors may find themselves being

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