As we looked around, he explained that the pavilions were constructed to keep visitors in the mood of the country and of World Showcase. Jim also explained that in order to keep propriety, all the pavilions had exactly the same amount of square footage to be used. We walked over to China, where we learned about the use of gold in royal settings only, and the royal five-toed dragon. We walked through the garden, where Jim told us the differences between Chinese and Japanese gardens. Chinese gardens are a tribute to nature, very rough where necessary without much planning or ongoing motion.
Japanese gardens are more planned, with moving water and fish, and much more color.
As we walked from China around the African marketplace, Jim explained that originally the area had been planned for an African pavilion, representative of the whole continent, but in-fighting among the sponsoring countries and wars between the various nations prevented the pavilion from actually happening. As we walked towards Italy, we walked through the miniature train area. We stopped in Italy to sit for a while. Jim told us the story of how Alfredo sauce was introduced to the United States and how famous actors brought back stories of the cream sauce and Hollywood started a trend. Apparently Alfredo's was the only restaurant in Italy to serve an alternative to tomato sauce, and the actors ate there every night of the vacation before singing its praises back in the States.