Thoughts on new countries in Epcot?

[hookedonears]

Europe, N. America, Asia & Africa are all represented in the World Showcase. The 3 that aren't are:
1) Antarctica - Out
2) Oceania (Australia etc.) - Possibly, though pretty remote, and doesn't have a big population that patronizes WDW, or vise versa from the US.
3) South America - They've got the Olympics - has a big population that comes to WDW each year. The bazillion Bazillions.
I would have to say that Brazil should probably get the nod.

 

[KellyNY]

Israel can have Hanuka during Christmas season but how about Fridays and Saturdays, will they be close? And I do not see Israel paying that much money to build the pavilion, unless they find sponsors. Same goes to Russia, and be honest there is nothing special about Red Square, ubless they will bring Lenin replica next to vodka fountain

 

[idieh]

I'll add my 2 cents...

Austrialia- would be great! Pros-Americans like English speaking countries that don't dislike us! Cons- Epcot already has a Nemo Ride. Do they need another underwater Nemo themed ride??

India- Pros- Large, diverse population. Excellent food! Cons- Sadly, viewed as poor and impoverished by most Americans. Is there a large Indian crowd at WDW??

Egypt- Pros- Excellent history. A Pyramid/ pharaoh themed ride would be outstanding. Cons- How would it "feel" any different than Moracco, the least popular country at Epcot?

Greece- Pros- another country with deep history. A ride that goes thru Athens and the islands would be beautiful. Climaxed by a visit with the Gods would be very cool! Excellent food too! Cons- After the Olympic disaster (the country lost hundreds of millions of $) are the Greeks willing to lay out the money to build and support it?

Brazil- Pros- Large population that spends big $$ to visit Disney each year. An Amazon themed ride would be interesting. Good food. South America not currently represented. Cons- ???

Russia- Pros- interesting, although not pretty history. Once the Czars were booted, things got a little tough for Americans to understand. Cons- being only 20+ years removed from the "Cold War" Russia is still not overly popular in U.S. Not known for dining.

Antartica- Pros- Lots of ice and snow. Cons- Lots of ice and snow...not much else! Holds no appeal.

So, my choice would be:

1-Brazil
2-Greece
3-Australia

Doug

 

[johnGorski]

This thread is great.
I have a silly suggestion would it be great if Disney would let the guest choose a countries have 2 spots. One of the countries will have a E-ticket.
looking at the map
1. E-ticket country would be across the bridge by Germany
2. other country could fit into the spot by France and morocco.

I am still going for
Brazil with the E-ticket
Russia with the other spot


would love to see Australia, but I can see Australia being a new land in AK

 

[si-am]

As much as I would love to see Australia represented, I think it's just too similar to the USA and UK to really bring something new and different to Epcot.

I can definitely see it being a great addition to AK, though!


In Epcot, I think India, Brazil, or Greece would be interesting choices.

 

[Reddog1134]

2) Oceania (Australia etc.) - Possibly, though pretty remote, and doesn't have a big population that patronizes WDW, or vise versa from the US.

Maybe I'm missing the point but why would these be deterring factors? Why would someone travel thousands of miles to see an attraction based on their home? And isn't the part of the reason for the attractions to generate travel interest in the featured country?

As for my picks, Egypt and Greece. They are the 2 countries I'd most like to visit. Their ancient ruins and mythologies are fascinating to me.

 

[Anglefan]

Maybe I'm missing the point but why would these be deterring factors? Why would someone travel thousands of miles to see an attraction based on their home?

Yeah, by the measure of having a high population, they should build China. Only problem with that would be for familes since you'd only be able to bring one child in.

 

[Pecobill]

Maybe I'm missing the point but why would these be deterring factors? Why would someone travel thousands of miles to see an attraction based on their home? And isn't the part of the reason for the attractions to generate travel interest in the featured country?

As for my picks, Egypt and Greece. They are the 2 countries I'd most like to visit. Their ancient ruins and mythologies are fascinating to me.

I don't think they would theme it around ancient Greece or Egypt.Epcot isn't about the past it's about the future.

Yeah, by the measure of having a high population, they should build China. Only problem with that would be for familes since you'd only be able to bring one child in.

China has already been built

 

[DisneyFanSince71]

I'll add my 2 cents...

Austrialia- would be great! Pros-Americans like English speaking countries that don't dislike us! Cons- Epcot already has a Nemo Ride. Do they need another underwater Nemo themed ride??

India- Pros- Large, diverse population. Excellent food! Cons- Sadly, viewed as poor and impoverished by most Americans. Is there a large Indian crowd at WDW??

Egypt- Pros- Excellent history. A Pyramid/ pharaoh themed ride would be outstanding. Cons- How would it "feel" any different than Moracco, the least popular country at Epcot?

Greece- Pros- another country with deep history. A ride that goes thru Athens and the islands would be beautiful. Climaxed by a visit with the Gods would be very cool! Excellent food too! Cons- After the Olympic disaster (the country lost hundreds of millions of $) are the Greeks willing to lay out the money to build and support it?

Brazil- Pros- Large population that spends big $$ to visit Disney each year. An Amazon themed ride would be interesting. Good food. South America not currently represented. Cons- ???

Russia- Pros- interesting, although not pretty history. Once the Czars were booted, things got a little tough for Americans to understand. Cons- being only 20+ years removed from the "Cold War" Russia is still not overly popular in U.S. Not known for dining.

Antartica- Pros- Lots of ice and snow. Cons- Lots of ice and snow...not much else! Holds no appeal.

So, my choice would be:

1-Brazil
2-Greece
3-Australia

Doug

First of all I would add Spain to the list.

The downside to some of these countries is that they have some political strife; Greeks and Turks not get along? Same for India and Pakistan?

Then from a Disney perspective you have to think of what cross marketing opportunities are there. If you add Greece you would presumably have the Herculeus characters be in that pavillion.

I would love to have an E-ticket ride there to add some additional excitment

Mexico already has a pyramid, so how would the Egyptian pyramid be markedly different?

My list

1) Brazil
2) Greece
3) Spain
4) India

 

[Anglefan]

China has already been built

Haha. I guess that means I was the child left behind.

 

[Reddog1134]

I don't think they would theme it around ancient Greece or Egypt.Epcot isn't about the past it's about the future.

Future World is about the future but World Showcase is about the history and culture of different countries.

Either that or Disney is saying Vikings are making a comeback.

 

[dj1028]

I agree...Australia and India would be fantastic!

 

[Pecobill]

Future World is about the future but World Showcase is about the history and culture of different countries.

Either that or Disney is saying Vikings are making a comeback.

Well Favre might do something for the Vikings but we never know

 

[Reddog1134]

Well Favre might do something for the Vikings but we never know

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Turkmenistan, Luxumborg, Uzbekistan, Lichtenstein, Estonia, Vatican City, maybe Papua New Guinea or Latvia, all good choices, so hard to choose!

We should put it to a vote. What about Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam? Oh wait, they can't vote.

 

[mickaholic4077]

As UN-P.C. as that is, I find it extremely funny.

I got this info from Jim Hill...so who knows if it's at all reliable, but thought it was interesting:

"Don't Russia to Conclusions - It's been more than 20 years since a new country was last added to the World Showcase, but that long dry spell may soon be over. Very quietly over the past few years, Disney has been putting out feelers to representatives from Russia, Australia, and Spain, in hopes that one of those countries might be interested in joining the community of nations around the World Showcase Lagoon. According to what my sources at Disney Imagineering tell me, the Russia pavilion that was orginally proposed for this theme park back in 1990 as part of the "Disney Decade" may finally be making its way off the drawing table soon."

I personally think they need to add a country from Africa or South America since there are none from either of those continents already. I like the Brazil idea with a boat ride down the Amazon!

I'm sure Morocco would be extremely surprised to learn that they aren't part of Africa!!

 

[crazycatlady]

Well Favre might do something for the Vikings but we never know

Good Lord, let's hope not!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[loveWDWalways]

I'll add my 2 cents...


Egypt- Pros- Excellent history. A Pyramid/ pharaoh themed ride would be outstanding. Cons- How would it "feel" any different than Moracco, the least popular country at Epcot?

Doug

That's sad; why is Morocco thought to be the "least popular"? Maybe there have been some threads about this that I've missed? It's my favorite, but come to think of it, I never see that many people there. I love its architecture, the food, the gorgeous theming, and the beautiful and hospitable CMs who work there. I've had some memorable conversations with them (Sorry if that was OT).

I would love to see Peru; maybe a tie-in with Kuzco from The Emperor's New Groove, and the movie in general. There were the Incas in Peru ... the Quechua culture would be fascinating to see there. The Aymara would be too. Here's another opportunity for a mountain range with the Andes.

 

[EMom]

Russia! If they had a Russian restaurant and I could get solyanka and pelmini, I'd dine there every night. A little caviar and smoked salmon on the side (breakfast of choice while in St. Petersburg) and I'd be in heaven!

A replica of St. Basil's would be stunning. The cathedrals of Russia are amazing. And vodka? Well, I'm not much of a vodka drinker, but while in Russia, DH and I were slackjawed at the sheer variety of flavors and types of vodka. Russian Christmas ornaments are lovely souvenirs.

Yes, Russia is a winner!

Although.....Australia has a special place in my heart as well.

 

[AshleyW]

My votes would be for:

1) Thailand
2) Brazil - or maybe even Peru or Ecuador.
3) Russia