Marathon Weekend 2025

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD:

I’d be good with anywhere as long as they do it right.

Before they add anything though, I would love to see them get Morocco back to its pre-pandemic functionality. I really enjoyed Restaurant Marrakech the couple times I ate there and Tangierine Cafe is grossly underutilized as a sometimes festival kitchen.

Perhaps Morocco is the unfortunate example of why more countries haven’t been added to World Showcase. Although I’m sure, at least initially, that any new location and its restaurants/attractions would be quite popular; my question would be, where does that new supply leach demand from? Would there be collateral damage to other things that may have already been struggling? I think it’s fairly easy to infer that things would have reopened in the Morocco pavilion, even with the change of ownership, if it was seen as financially viable.

I don’t want to seem doom and gloom about things and I realize that’s all speculative and/or rhetorical. My primary concern is, I want things done right and to feel complete. Thinking about the Moroccan Pavilion right now is exactly how things shouldn’t be. Although I have a personal fondness and a lot of memories from Morocco, I’d be in favor of a complete replacement over the limbo that it’s in right now.

 

[The Expert]

I think it could be cool to add a few spaces that rotated through different countries every few years (or 5). You couldn't really have a major attraction with that rate of turnaround, but not every country does now. It could be kind of like an expanded Outpost area, with a counter service restaurant and seating, a show space (live entertainment or a movie), and a spot for a marketplace and CM or character interaction, etc.

No idea what kind of nightmare this might be for setting up the temp visa workers or swapping things out, but it would be a fun way to invite other cultures into WS without a huge commitment.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: I think Greece could be a fun choice, and we could have a Hercules-themed story time show narrated by the Muses, which would add entertainment, and a shady place to sit.

And of course, if they could add whatever South American country Emperor’s New Groove is set in (Peru, maybe? I dunno) we could finally get the Yzma & Kronk coaster we’ve all wanted since forever.

 

[marty3d]

SAFD: Love all of the ideas so far! All my picks have already been mentioned so I’ll just pick my top 3.

1 - Oceania and Polynesia
2- india
3- Anything from South America

I would have picked Africa but we have a whole land in AK. Though given the size and diversity of the continent I’d love to see a specific country represented in addition to Morocco.

 

[Cabius]

SAFD:

1. India
2. Brazil
3. Australia or New Zealand

I'd love to see a sub-Saharan Africa pavilion, but I think they would struggle to differentiate it from the GREAT stuff they built at DAK, and also recognize the lack of sponsorships available. While Disney isn't cash-poor and beholden to sponsorships like they once were, I think that still matters (if only to make the other sponsors feel like their dollars still matter).

I'd also love to do Polynesia as a whole, but I think it should really stick with single countries rather than entire regions, and it's tough to make the case for any one polynesian nation other than AUS/NZ. They're just too small! (But hey -- if you're ever on Oahu, go spend AT LEAST one full day at the Polynesian Cultural Center -- preferably two. And then read the book 'Sea Peoples' which is just a mind-blowing work of history.)

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:

1. Brazil or Chile
2. Australia or New Zealand
3. South Africa

Pretty sure these were all
already shared, but what came to mind for me also.

 

[azrivest]

SAFD:
1. India
2. Brazil
3. Knowing this is all blue sky thinking, would Madagascar ever be an option? Or is that out of the question because of that other franchise over there...

Great subject idea!

 

[nancipants]

Definitely an African country and a South American country. Maybe Jamaica or another Caribbean country. A Russian pavilion would be super interesting but probably won't happen any time soon for obvious reasons. I also like the Australia idea!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: I am loving this discussion because this is my first full and I am sure I will have to adjust the strategy I’ve used for halfs. That strategy is two honey stinger chews every 2 miles or so, LMNT in my vest for hydration and a mustard packet at miles 8, 10 and sometimes 12. Believe it or not but the mustard prevents me from getting muscle cramps towards the end of the race. Plus it’s a decent palate cleanser after all the sweet!

A packet of mustard?!!

No pun intended, but I'm trying to digest this one. I've never heard of this before.
And if it works, it works, but.... mustard?

 

[DisneyParrothead]

SAFD:

1) Spain. Like the idea for India, the food choices could be fantastic!
2) Greece
3) India

 

[Kerry1957]

SAFD:

1. Sweden

I don't care if 99.99% of the folks couldn't tell the difference between Sweden and Norway and would see this as a complete duplication. I'm Swedish by heritage so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[PrincessV]

SAFD: ANY country, so long as it doesn’t come attached to IP. I’m an EP purist: I want the original World’s Fair theme back, minus fictional nations and rampant IP. #RIPMaelstrom

 

[Let's Get Kronk]

SAFD:

1. Brazil
2. Australia
3. India

 

[Cabius]

SAFD:

1. Sweden

I don't care if 99.99% of the folks couldn't tell the difference between Sweden and Norway and would see this as a complete duplication. I'm Swedish by heritage so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

What if they just open an IKEA at Disney Springs and we call it good?

 

[stitchnj]

A packet of mustard?!!

No pun intended, but I'm trying to digest this one. I've never heard of this before.
And if it works, it works, but.... mustard?

same mechanism as pickle juice:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32459412/

 

[Kerry1957]

What if they just open an IKEA at Disney Springs and we call it good?

Perfect. That's a win in my book!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

SAFD: ANY country, so long as it doesn’t come attached to IP. I’m an EP purist: I want the original World’s Fair theme back, minus fictional nations and rampant IP. #RIPMaelstrom

There goes my ideas:
1. Latveria
2. Wakanda
3. Atlantis


OK, IRL:
1. Greece
2. Egypt
3. Australia

 

[matt and beth]

There goes my ideas:
1. Latveria
2. Wakanda
3. Atlantis


OK, IRL:
1. Greece
2. Egypt
3. Australia

Well I was going to say
Russia
Iran
North Korea

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

SAFD: ANY country, so long as it doesn’t come attached to IP. I’m an EP purist: I want the original World’s Fair theme back, minus fictional nations and rampant IP. #RIPMaelstrom

SAFD: Lol.. I was going to say the exact opposite. I want the country tied to IP... I know it is the hook that kids like my son need to care about the country. But I want authentic first then have IP like in the ride and charcter meet and greats. So want authentic food and architectures in the area. Also important to me in any new country it needs a ride... we need more rides in the countries... keeping my son entertained on that side of the park is hard. So for me...
1. Peru... Emperors New Grove such a underutilized IP and we need a ride going through Izma secret lab... Also Peru is amazing country to represent. All the Inca ruins and Andres mountains and the fabrics!
2. Colombia... with Encanto. This is where it should be not in Animal Kingdom.. leave our dinosaur area alone(well update it but keep it dino themed, kids like my son looove dinos). The food and music in the place would be amazing!
3. Greece.. with Hercules movie and thise charactes! Like it would be cool if they had a greek theater going on there and a replica Greek amphitheater. Again such great Greek ruins they could fill the area with and Greek food is soo good.

 

[1lilspark]

SAFD:
1. Greece : it’s a popular F&W booth plus if they need to add IP element’s Hercules & the vaguely Mediterranean set Wish are right there
2. Something South American…yes I know it double dips with the whole tropical Americas land at DAK but Brazil is another fan favorite festival booth
3. As for the third maybe India (again probably too much crossover with the Asia section of DAK) or Australia

As a bonus expand equatorial Africa into a proper “country” for balance