Empty Epcot Buildings

[sigmaphi289]

Can anyone advise why and what they are used for? You have these buildings such as the Canada Hotel that are great to look at but can never go into these buildings. Were they originally supposed to be attractions and just never made it open to the public or is it just storage?

Just curious???

 

[LowesChevy]

There actually was a store inside the Canadian Hotel. They sold pewter items, plates, ceramics and Anne of Green Gables merchandise. It was quite a few years ago when it close, perhaps someone else will remember.

 

[Disney Doll]

My understanding is that some of those buildings actually have office or storage space in them.

 

[Robo]

Can anyone advise why and what they are used for? You have these buildings such as the Canada Hotel that are great to look at but can never go into these buildings. Were they originally supposed to be attractions and just never made it open to the public or is it just storage?

Just curious???

Too many, really, to all list here, but the largest...

Wonders of Life Pavilion (near Mission: SPACE and Energy)
Odyssey Restaurant (on bridge between FW & WS)
Millennium Village (behind UK)

all each now used for special events.

 

[idofabric]

I remember the store in Canada that sold the Anne dolls! I think the last time I was in it was 3 years ago-but could very well be wrong! I do remember looking for it a year or 2 ago and it was closed, but at the time I just thought it was closed for reno. Will have to check it out next trip in Sept.
I also have asked in the past about what the different front/building were used for. Storage, office, training, and so on are some of the replies I have got. Of course, no idea if that was true then, or if it has changed. Disney is really, really good at keeping the "magic" magic, or secret. And I was also told that the building were used for different uses as needed, and some were shells only. So who really knows?
Maybe it is covered in one of the backstage tours? or other tour?

 

[bradk]

WoL is famously being used as a festival space now. prior to that, the Odyssey was. The Odyssey still is used for the Illuminations GG event and I believe still has a CM eatery attached to it. the Millennium Village which is normally tucked away has also been used for large events. most of the time however, these are all rentable spaces.

then there are other buildings that have been re-purposed such as one in Germany which was meant originally to be an attraction but that never happened so it's used as a rehearsal space instead.

the truth is, there are a lot of unused/re-purposed spaces all over the resort.

 

[WEDWDW]

There actually was a store inside the Canadian Hotel. They sold pewter items, plates, ceramics and Anne of Green Gables merchandise. It was quite a few years ago when it close, perhaps someone else will remember.

The merchandise location in the Hotel du Canada was called La Boutique des Provinces and closed in January,2005.It was a beautiful,upscale shop.I keep hoping Disney will put something in that space.That area is just not the same without the Hotel du Canada having a shop.The Pavilion doesn't "flow" as well.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The amount of vacant space at Epcot rivals your local indoor shopping mall.
2) Really a pity that WDW doesn't spend some money and fill them up.
3) Other parks don't use sponsors to build/maintain/support attractions.
4) But, when WDW loses a big sponsor, the exhibit dowsizes or dies.
5) Or, makes it into a private party/function area.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Disney is really, really good at keeping the "magic" magic, or secret.

Not totally related...but it reminds me of the first time I saw WDW on google maps (satellite view). You don't really think about, for instance, the size of the actual Haunted Mansion building...but then you can see this HUGE white building attached to the "Mansion" that is completely covered with trees, walls, and other themed buildings so you can't see it! They tricked us! And that scenario is true over and over again at WDW.

Good job Disney World, good job.

 

[Technosavant]

Not totally related...but it reminds me of the first time I saw WDW on google maps (satellite view). You don't really think about, for instance, the size of the actual Haunted Mansion building...but then you can see this HUGE white building attached to the "Mansion" that is completely covered with trees, walls, and other themed buildings so you can't see it! They tricked us! And that scenario is true over and over again at WDW.

Good job Disney World, good job.

The imagineers really are masters of hiding things in plain sight- their use of sightlines, perspective, and landscaping is nothing short of amazing. If they don't want you to realize that a building is there, you will never see it from the places guests are usually allowed to go.

I also share the sympathies of "why is it Epcot that always loses space when a sponsor backs out?" I know there's changing needs and plans, but it does seem like that park in particular tends to have a lot of unused places.

 

[Robo]

Not totally related...but it reminds me of the first time I saw WDW on google maps (satellite view). You don't really think about, for instance, the size of the actual Haunted Mansion building...but then you can see this HUGE white building attached to the "Mansion" that is completely covered with trees, walls, and other themed buildings so you can't see it!

 

[disneylove69]

WOW I thought Haunted House was stories high. They really make the senses think you are really going up and down. Not sideways.

 

[Robo]

WOW

1- I thought Haunted House was stories high.
2- They really make the senses think you are really going up and down. Not sideways.

1-It is a 2 "level" building, and each level has very high ceilings.

2- You do both.

 

[tofubeast]

What used to be in the Odyssey building at EPCOT?

 

[WEDWDW]

What used to be in the Odyssey building at EPCOT?

It was a Quick Service(Counter Service) restaurant.

 

[Snookies]

Here are a few links about the history of the Odyssey Center. YMMV

http://photosfromtheparks.blogspot.com/2007/12/odyssey-center.html

http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Epcot/Secrets/OdysseyCenter.html

http://www.oinc.net/disney/whatplace-epcot.php

I have a map from a trip in the 1980s when it was listed as a restaurant. I don't remember when it closed, but I've only seen it open for things like Flower and Garden festival events or Mother's Day brunches in the last decade or so.