Epcot, order of countries

[Max Rebo]

Just wondering if there's any rhyme or reason to the order of countries in Epcot's World Showcase. It's obviously not alphabetical or geographical. Anyone know the answer?

 

[bradk]

it's an interesting question. yes... and ... no.

initially, the american adventure was actually going to be in the front of the lagoon. that would have made it between mexico and canada (got it?). ultimately it was decided that it might be deemed too imperialistic, it would have had a futuristic look to it to transition it from future world (so they wouldn't have had the georgian look it has now) and it would have blocked the lagoon. so they moved it to the back.

china and japan had to be separated because they were afraid people might have confused the two (not that people don't anyway)

that's all i know about the layout. norway and morocco were added later, so it may have just been filling space. they have room for several more pavilions should they decide to add them.

 

[MuppetDisneyKrazy]

It was probably the order that they came into World Showcase.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

it's an interesting question. yes... and ... no.

initially, the american adventure was actually going to be in the front of the lagoon. that would have made it between mexico and canada (got it?). ultimately it was decided that it might be deemed too imperialistic, it would have had a futuristic look to it to transition it from future world (so they wouldn't have had the georgian look it has now) and it would have blocked the lagoon. so they moved it to the back.

Hmmmm.... I never knew this. Makes sense though

 

[bradk]

oh.. and duh.. UK and France are next to each other, separated by the english channel.

 

[fla4fun]

oh.. and duh.. UK and France are next to each other, separated by the english channel.

But if you follow this logic, the Atlantic Ocean should separate UK and Canada . . .and then you have to explain how Norway ended up between Mexico and China . . . I kind of like that it's random. I think if all the European countries were together, and all the Asian countries together, etc., it wouldn't be as interesting visually.

 

[Fast Pass]

They gave a test to a bunch of politicians and who ever did the test the fastest with the most correct answers got to pick where they wanted their particular country to go!

Unfortunately, none of them got an answer right so they had to pick the countries location by a lottery!

Seriously, I heard that the U.S. is in the middle because it was a sign of respect to our native country. Mexico is to one side, Canada to the other because Mexico is to our South, Canada to our North. The other countries I am not sure about.

 

[newholidayx2]

also if America was in front of the lagoon it would have made it harder for deliveries - there would have been no offstage area