Give me some Epcot info/trivia...

[Ducky4Disney]

I was perusing the website Walt Dated World and they talked about some of the pavilions that never made it into WS. Such as Isreal and Spain. I was just wondering, how many spaces are there in the WS for countries? What were the original countries and what's been added over ther years? How about a good Epcot website with this kind of info.

Thanks!
D4D

 

[eeyore0062]

If you walk around the WS, you will notice areas between the existing pavillions that seem to have more space than others. In between China and Germany you will find the Outpost. It isn't a full pavillian, but does represent Africa in merchandise and has a drink stand. Also, between Germany and Italy, where you will find the German trains is room for another smaller pavillion. There is also room between Morocco and France, where Spain was located for the Food and Wine Festival this year, is a large tract of land, where it is possible that 2 pavillions could fit. Between the International Gateway and the UK there would be room for yet another pavillion. And they could make a permanent site out of the Millinium Village. Of course, since the countries are sponserd by the home country, you have to have the country's financing in order to get it. So, to answer you question, they could feasibly fit 16 to 17 pavillions in the World Showcase! The original design of the World Showcase had it at the front of the park, and it was all in one big building. They decided that they needed an icon in the front, hence Spaceship Earth, and the moving of the WS to the back. Originally the American Pavillion was supposed to be 1st, but then it was decided that it should be the largest and the focal point of the WS, hence it is not between Canada and Mexico, but rather in the back, to be seen across the lake. You can find this information in the Hyperion published book, Since the World Began.

Norway was not one of the original pavillions, nor was Morocco. Morocco was built with full cooperation of the Moroccan government. You will even find an authentic prayer room and at times during the day, you may see Castmembers in their praying to Allah.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Nice additions would be:
Greece
Ireland
Austraila
Russia
Sweden
Chile
Egypt
India

I had always heard Africa started putting money and sponsorship into a pavilion, but backed out. Hence the Outpost, as Africa was in the process. That could just be an urban legend though.

 

[InstImpres]

I believe they said there is room for 6 more.

the OP nailed it though.....it is all paid for by the country so no sponsor money, no more countries.

 

[jordanyosh]

If you look around www.jimhillmedia.com , you will find an article that discusses other pavilions that were supposed to be built. I think he mentions Russia and Switzerland as two of them. There was supposed to be an attraction in the Germany Pavilion. They already have the space for it. It is now used for storage. That's all I can add that hasn't already been added.

 

[ufgator]

Nice additions would be:
Greece
Ireland
Austraila
Russia
Sweden
Chile
Egypt
India

I had always heard Africa started putting money and sponsorship into a pavilion, but backed out. Hence the Outpost, as Africa was in the process. That could just be an urban legend though.

I'd like to see Australia and Ireland too!

 

[kaabost]

It seems like countries would be "fighting" for a slot in world showcase, doesn't it? I'm sure that those pavilions are expensive to build and maintain but the cost would be like a couple of pennies to a lot of countries...wouldn't it? Imagine, a permanent interactive tourism add in the middle of one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Surely, increased tourism in these countries would more than compensate for the sponsorship of the pavilion. I'm sure it's more complicated than this.......what am I missing?

 

[chimera]

I think Ireland is kinda, sorta represented in the UK pavilion.

Australia would be a really cool addition. DH has always wanted Greece.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Here are some I'd like to see:
Greece, Brazil, Ireland, Australia, India, Egypt, Spain... that's all I can think of right now.

Can you imagine a Brazil pavilion? It could be done up like Rio de Janeiro and then there could be a boat ride through the Amazon! I think that would be fun!

Ireland is kind of represented in the UK pavilion but I would love to see it's own separate area.

Greece would be a great pavilion. They could offer a lot of great history and think of the food!

We can dream, right?
D4D

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

I think Egypt would be awesome too. Maybe a ride through The Great Sphinx. Maybe a pyramid...that would be great....I love Epcot, because it lets me get to experiance countries I would probably never actually get to go to.

 

[marypops!]

id love to see an australien and spanish pavillion they would be good saso maybe africa seeing as they already started making it

 

[SnackyStacky]

This isn't really about what countries were supposed to be, but you asked for EPCOT trivia, so here goes!

Initially, EPCOT was supposed to be a living breathing Experimental Prototype Community Of Tommorrow. Tons of info on that at www.waltopia.com

Anyway, when that went south, there were different ideas for how to create a theme park out of that concept - and among the themes that were being created were a park about the future, and a park with pavilions representing different countries - a standing world's fair concept.

The Imagineers had eyed land between the Contemporary and Ticket and Transportation Center to build this park - and what they had planned to do was to solicit coporate sponsorship from the countries. The size of each pavilion would be determined by the amount of money that a country could provide to fund its pavilion.

BUT, what the Imagineers decided to do - to avoid any flashy spectacle for any one country - was make the facades non-descript, and exactly alike in size and scope. Think of the entrance to the current Mexican pavilion - passing through a door and then behind a wall - but without the lavish Mayan pyramid - just a stark white design with perhaps the name, flag, and colors of each country visible.

The INTERIOR of the pavilion could then be huge if a large sponsorship was given, or smaller if a smaller sponsorship was given.

But all that went south when the Future park concept and the World's Fair park concept were pushed together to create what we now know as Epcot.

If I can find the link to the original story where I read all of this, I will. But my computer crashed, and I lost my links.

 

[Jennasis]

I agree that it is time to add to WS in Epcot. I also like many of the suggestions already made. Keep in mind that Ireland IS part of the United Kingdom and hence is already represented.

I would like to see perhaps:

Scotland (though PLEASE no restaurant...blech!)

Spain (Good food and LOTS of history!)

Australia (They could put "Soarin" here!)

Greece (after having the olympics there it seems like a natural choice)

Russia (I still can't figure out why it isn't in there!)

South Africa (lots of history and a colorful place)

Egypt (a thril ride through the pyramid!)

Israel

Argentina (Gooooooooooooal!)

Brazil (could have a carnivale every day!)

Indonesia

Jamaica (Come back to Jamaica mon)

India (I'd even try the restaurant)

Thailand (mmm...thai food...)