Walt Disney World's EPCOT theme park in Florida includes a fake UK town, complete with its own pub, chippy and tea rooms. Travel editor Julie Delahaye visited to see what Americans think the UK is like, and the result left her speechless.
EPCOT is made up of pavilions inspired by countries around the world, including the UK. The design and theming, created by Disney's Imagineers, is fairly accurate, though it has a cleaner shine and feel than a typical British town. The UK pavilion boasts its own pub, chippy and tea rooms, all close to what you'd find back home.
The Rose & Crown Pub
Heading straight to the pub for research, Delahaye found the Rose & Crown wouldn't look out of place in the UK from the outside. The decor and theming were impressive, with a decent selection of beers, ciders, whiskeys and wines. A sangria was the only menu item that felt out of place. The wait to get served was about 10 minutes, which compares well to a Saturday night at Wetherspoons. The pints were decently poured, and classic British drinks included a Pimm's for $15.50, not far off prices at Wimbledon that summer.
The pub is drinks-only, with some indoor seating. The vibe was good, but it felt too clean and wholesome compared to a typical British pub. The Rose & Crown Pub is currently expected to close in January 2027 for refurbishment and reopen later in the year.
The Chippy and Tea Gardens
The chippy, named Yorkshire County Fish and Chips, serves beer-battered fish and chips. A portion costs $14.49 (approximately £10), with sizeable portions. A condiments counter offers ketchup, mayonnaise and vinegar, but no curry sauce, which could be controversial with visiting Brits. The queue was long during the visit, so Delahaye decided to spend time and money elsewhere, knowing she could get decent fish and chips back home.
The tea rooms, in partnership with Twinings, offer a tranquil spot. Visitors can tour tea gardens full of plants used for Earl Grey, Lady Grey, Jasmine Green and Chai, and there's a shop to buy favourite brews. The area felt relaxed and wholesome, a nice break from the crowds.
Overall Vibe
A theme park will never feel exactly like home, but EPCOT gets pretty close. The pub and chippy offer a taste of British culture, and the tea rooms are a wholesome corner of the resort. Delahaye was pleasantly surprised at how great the theming was, calling it the ideal spot to enjoy a pint in the sunshine.
