New country in World Showcase

[eodultis]

Does anyone know if Epcot will be opening a new country any time soon in World Showcase? I heard Brazil is suppose to be coming. Is this true?

 

[erionm]

AFAIK, no country/company is willing to foot the construction/operating bill to open a new country. Disney does not build these on their own.

 

[Azree]

A bus driver told me this was true.

That, Somalia, and Sudan. Can't wait!

 

[erionm]

A bus driver told me this was true.

That, Somalia, and Sudan. Can't wait!

Now, if you can get confirmation from a lifeguard and a housekeeper.

 

[eodultis]

So it's possible for Somalia and Sudan will be added as two new countries to World Showcase? Any word as to when this will take place? Personally they should consider Ireland for a new country. It's been a long time since a country has been added to Epcot. Anyone else hear this news?

 

[meggiebeth]

I think a Spanish pavilion would be good- or what about India? However if it is true that they are building brazil I can't wait, sounds so exciting!

 

[Dopey420]

LOL, Somalia and Sudan! Followed by Iran and Libya

I heard it was going to be North Korea. Then Kazakhstan with a meet and greet with Borat!

 

[Dopey420]

If they were to expand, it would be a country that wanted to increase tourism from America. So Egypt is OUT! We'll be lucky if they don't destroy the Great Pyramids, like the Taliban did in Afghanistan.

I would think Russia would be an obvious choice. Maybe Australia. Thailand?

I would think that Ireland is already included in United Kingdom, right?

 

[meggiebeth]

If they were to expand, it would be a country that wanted to increase tourism from America. So Egypt is OUT! We'll be lucky if they don't destroy the Great Pyramids, like the Taliban did in Afghanistan.

I would think Russia would be an obvious choice. Maybe Australia. Thailand?

I would think that Ireland is already included in United Kingdom, right?

Well, northern Ireland is included, but the republic of Ireland isn't, being a separate country. I don't really want an Irish pavilion, because the UK pavilion really is vaguely similar. Similar pubs and all.

I would love to see a Russia and India. It would be nice to have all continents represented, with the countries each continent is well known for. As for Somalia and Sudan- not too sure. I think an Egypt would be really neat- with pyramids to explore.

I've always been surprised that Spain does not have a Pavilion. The other well known European countries; UK, France, Italy and Germany do. Spanish culture is so diverse and... Makes me feel on vacation! And their food... I would probably rather tuck into some Spanish cuisine than the cuisine of Somalia and Sudan lol- being vegetarian.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There is no new country under construction at Epcot World Showcase, and no new country has been announced.

The countries mentioned in this thread are all jokes, wishes, or speculation.

It is not necessary for a country or company "to foot the construction/operating bill," but sponsorship and participation are part of the business equation. It seems that Disney has not been able to come up with a winning business plan for a new country at Epcot since Norway opened in 1988.

 

[Legendteri]

There is no new country under construction at Epcot World Showcase, and no new country has been announced.

The countries mentioned in this thread are all jokes, wishes, or speculation.

It is not necessary for a country or company "to foot the construction/operating bill," but sponsorship and participation are part of the business equation. It seems that Disney has not been able to come up with a winning business plan for a new country at Epcot since Norway opened in 1988.

Ok that is what I was wondering. So say for example there was to be a Greece Pavilion, it wouldn't necessarily have to be sponsored by the country of Greece ( highly unlikely), but could be sponsored by a greek yogurt company. Again, I doubt either would happen, but I was just wondering how it worked.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Ok that is what I was wondering. So say for example there was to be a Greece Pavilion, it wouldn't necessarily have to be sponsored by the country of Greece ( highly unlikely), but could be sponsored by a greek yogurt company. Again, I doubt either would happen, but I was just wondering how it worked.

It would not have to be sponsored by the country of Greece. Except for Morocco, none of the countries at Epcot are sponsored by a national government.

But now let's suppose that the Patina Restaurant Group wants to expand beyond their successful Tutto Italia, Via Napoli, and Tutto Gusto restaurants at the Italy pavilion. Let's suppose the Patina Group decides that a Greek restaurant would also be successful, and that Patina is willing to build it. If Patina can work out a deal with Disney, you would have the basis for adding Greece to World Showcase.

Add a merchandise location and street entertainment, and you would have a full-fledged pavilion. The pavilion would need architecture of the same quality as other World Showcase pavilions. Of course, most Disney fans would like to see an attraction too, but right now I'd settle for a cultural exhibit along the lines of the one at Morocco.

 

[Disneyfreak44]

There were rumors about a new Brazil country on World Showcase but then the rumors just disappeared, so I doubt any new country will be coming any time soon

 

[usd2bmd]

The rumors about Brazil always seem to resurface around the time of the Food & Wine Festival. But usually Australia is attached to it as well.

There will most likely be no new country in the near future.

There have also been rumors about an expansion at HS...

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I would not look to a new country any time soon.
2) Companies are not putting out $100-million any more.
3) Are you serious about $100-million?
4) Yep!
. . . design the pavilion
. . . build the pavilion
. . . operating costs for 10-years, minimum
. . . manpower (recruiting, training, transportation) for 10-years, minimum

NOTE: As listed above, only Morocco is sponsored by a country. All
the other exhibits were built and are manned with money from companies
and visitor bureaus.

 

[rabbitroger]

Personally i would love to see either
Greece
Hercules characters, Kebabs, greek salads, Olympic themed ride

Spain
Tapas, Sangria, Ferdinand The Bull

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

NOTE: As listed above, only Morocco is sponsored by a country. All
the other exhibits were built and are manned with money from companies
and visitor bureaus.

A slight correction: In the absence of participation by national governments, Walt Disney Productions WANTED the World Showcase pavilions to be built and manned with money from companies and visitor bureaus. But, for the most part, that didn't happen either.

China and Canada had no outside participation. For the other pavilions, outside participation was generally limited to such things as lessees operating restaurants and shops. The original World Showcase pavilions did not have visitor bureau participation. (Norway, which came later, originally had national visitor bureau participation, but no longer does.)

Yesterland has a list of the original World Showcase participants in this article: http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

The high cost of building and operating EPCOT Center WITHOUT enough outside money was one of the reasons that Walt Disney Productions was in trouble in the early 1980s. That set the stage for the arrival of Eisner and Wells.