What is in the huge Japan (Epcot) building?

[FWRR3]

I hope this is the right place to ask this. I was looking at Epcot in Google Earth and discovered that behind the Mitsukoshi store the Pavilion building is huge, three to four times the size of the store. What was meant to be there, and what is it used for now?

 

[umichigan10]

There's nothing there now (to my knowledge) but I know at one point a bullet train simulator and Matterhorn esque Mt Fuji boblsed rode was planned. I have no idea if that building has anything to do with that. Otherwise id assume its a storage area or whatnot for the store.

 

[Jedi]

not sure on that one, but I do know that a few of the large backstage WS buildings are used for dance practices for various things, parades etc, throughout the entire resort

 

[lockedoutlogic]

There is a small gallery that sits in the rear of mitsukoshi for cultural exhibits.

As others have said...there are support structures located all over EPCOT and for that matter...all disney parks...that are hidden from view buy and large because disney imagineering did a wonderful job of concealment in park design.

EPCOT...particularly the showcase...has much room for further expansion. The designers were careful not to wall themselves in.

But that is merely a dream now...as only things that lead to direct quick bucks are approved by the accounting department. Or those things that are deemed "necessary monetary evils" by the management.

I've been back there and i know it is quite a large pavilion building...i just can't remember what exactly its used for.

 

[nytimez]

It was actually built to hold a clone of a Tokyo Disney attraction, "Meet the World," but it never happened.

I don't know what's in there now, besides broken dreams.

 

[KYMickey]

It was actually built to hold a clone of a Tokyo Disney attraction, "Meet the World," but it never happened.

That building was built well before Tokyo Disney was even dreamed of so it certainly had an original purpose that wasn't a clone of something from Tokyo Disney!

 

[nytimez]

That building was built well before Tokyo Disney was even dreamed of so it certainly had an original purpose that wasn't a clone of something from Tokyo Disney!

Tokyo Disney opened just six months after Epcot. The Tokyo Disney deal helped pay for Epcot.

The show building was not built "well before Tokyo Disney was even dreamed of," it was built to house "Meet the World," which is a history of Japan that was in Tokyo Disney for a long time.

 

[doconeill]

Tokyo Disney opened just six months after Epcot. The Tokyo Disney deal helped pay for Epcot.

The show building was not built "well before Tokyo Disney was even dreamed of," it was built to house "Meet the World," which is a history of Japan that was in Tokyo Disney for a long time.

Yup, that's how I remember it - in fact the attraction may have even been designed for Epcot originally, and then used in Tokyo.

The Fuji coaster and bullet train simulator were later ideas I believe.

 

[FWRR3]

Thanks for the replies and info. Its a shame no attraction was ever built. There are certainly many great things that could have been done there. Maybe someday!

 

[umichigan10]

Yup, that's how I remember it - in fact the attraction may have even been designed for Epcot originally, and then used in Tokyo.

The Fuji coaster and bullet train simulator were later ideas I believe.

Yeah I wasn't sure, kinda took a shot in the dark with this one. But that's interesting about Meet the World. I never knew it was intended to ever go in Epcot. Also, OP I went on google to see the building you're talking about. I can see why you're curious, I've never seen it before. Just goes to show how good Disney is at hiding these kind of things.

 

[chartle]

not sure on that one, but I do know that a few of the large backstage WS buildings are used for dance practices for various things, parades etc, throughout the entire resort

Well magic music days classes are behind the area between Italy and Germany and dance classes are by AK at the Hippo something or other building.

But that is a huge building behind Japan. Much more than is needed for merchandise storage.

 

[ItAllStrtdWAMouse]

Show buildings were built for both Germany and Japan when Epcot was was first built. The park's costs/budget required extensive cuts which included the Equatorial Africa pavilion and the shows/rides at Japan and Germany. I have an old park map that shows coming soon for these exhibits, but there were no details.

 

[chartle]

Show buildings were built for both Germany and Japan when Epcot was was first built. The park's costs/budget required extensive cuts which included the Equatorial Africa pavilion and the shows/rides at Japan and Germany. I have an old park map that shows coming soon for these exhibits, but there were no details.

Wasn't Biergarten built in the space that was to be used for Germany's attraction?

 

[doconeill]

Wasn't Biergarten built in the space that was to be used for Germany's attraction?

Biergarten occupies at least the entry area of the attraction, and perhaps some of the ride area, but not the whole thing.

 

[chartle]

Biergarten occupies at least the entry area of the attraction, and perhaps some of the ride area, but not the whole thing.

After I posted that I looked up a Bird's eye view of the area and saw that it is another huge building just like the one in Japan and could see that though I have never been inside the restaurant wouldn't take up all the space unless it was huge.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I hope this is the right place to ask this. I was looking at Epcot in Google Earth and discovered that behind the Mitsukoshi store the Pavilion building is huge, three to four times the size of the store. What was meant to be there, and what is it used for now?

As has already been noted in this thread, the large show building at the back of the Japan pavilion was built for the "Meet the World" rotating theater attraction, but was never used for that purpose. Instead, it was used for the lumber mill / carpentry shop for all of Epcot. I assume that's still what it's used for today.

Wasn't Biergarten built in the space that was to be used for Germany's attraction?

No. The Biergarten was built as designed. As you face the Germany pavilion's clock tower, the arch to its left is the entrance to the Biergarten. The arch to its right (now Sommerfest) was meant to be the entrance to the Rhine River Cruise ride. Despite the often-repeated story that the show building for the ride was built, that's not true.

The ImagineeringDisney blog has an excellent article about this subject:

http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2012/2/17/rhine-river-cruise-mysteries.html

 

[nytimez]

As has already been noted in this thread, the large show building at the back of the Japan pavilion was built for the "Meet the World" rotating theater attraction, but was never used for that purpose. Instead, it was used for the lumber mill / carpentry shop for all of Epcot. I assume that's still what it's used for today.



No. The Biergarten was built as designed. As you face the Germany pavilion's clock tower, the arch to its left is the entrance to the Biergarten. The arch to its right (now Sommerfest) was meant to be the entrance to the Rhine River Cruise ride. Despite the often-repeated story that the show building for the ride was built, that's not true.

The ImagineeringDisney blog has an excellent article about this subject:

http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2012/2/17/rhine-river-cruise-mysteries.html

Awesome link. Thanks.

 

[doconeill]

No. The Biergarten was built as designed. As you face the Germany pavilion's clock tower, the arch to its left is the entrance to the Biergarten. The arch to its right (now Sommerfest) was meant to be the entrance to the Rhine River Cruise ride. Despite the often-repeated story that the show building for the ride was built, that's not true.

The ImagineeringDisney blog has an excellent article about this subject:

http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2012/2/17/rhine-river-cruise-mysteries.html

Interesting...I may be getting Sommerfest and Biergarten confused in my memory.

Taking a closer look at the building design, the higher, semi-circular portion probably matches closely to the amipitheater-like setup of Biergarten, which would leave the extension to the back as a somewhat unknown facility (I'm not sure where the kitchen is located, but the buffet tables are towards the front).

And, now that I think of it, it would have left Germany without a table service location...which would be unique other than American Adventure.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Interesting...I may be getting Sommerfest and Biergarten confused in my memory.

Taking a closer look at the building design, the higher, semi-circular portion probably matches closely to the amipitheater-like setup of Biergarten, which would leave the extension to the back as a somewhat unknown facility (I'm not sure where the kitchen is located, but the buffet tables are towards the front).

And, now that I think of it, it would have left Germany without a table service location...which would be unique other than American Adventure.

Summerfest is the counter service facility serving bratwurst, pretzels, beer, and such.

Biergarten is the semi-circular dining room with the show stage. It's been a buffet for many years, but was originally a table service restaurant. I assume the large dining room was designed with a large kitchen (and food storage area). The "unknown facility" would be that kitchen. The building on the other side of the dining room houses shops.

It appears that the Germany pavilion want through a number of changes as the original World Showcase concept evolved. Eventually, they built a pavilion with shopping, a large show-restaurant, and a location (the right arch and the vacant lot behind it) than could eventually be used for an attraction. It's now almost 30 years later, and no attraction was ever built there.

 

[doconeill]

Summerfest is the counter service facility serving bratwurst, pretzels, beer, and such.

Yup, I knew that...the article you posted says that the arch to Sommerfest was meant to be the entry way, as opposed to the near-identical Biergarten arch to the left.

Biergarten is the semi-circular dining room with the show stage. It's been a buffet for many years, but was originally a table service restaurant. I assume the large dining room was designed with a large kitchen (and food storage area). The "unknown facility" would be that kitchen. The building on the other side of the dining room houses shops.

I do think I remember it being served food in '99. Not sure.

But even if it was converted to a buffet, and the kitchen was in that back building, it would seem odd to put the buffet tables on the opposite side. unless there was a set on the other side as well - don't remember - didn't have to go far for my food

Plus, if the kitchen was closer to the front, they could share with Sommerfest. But I'm just guessing.