World Showcase Countries That Don't Light Up

[The Scotts]

Hello All,

Just been listening to the recent email roundtable discussion, and I thought I'd offer an alternative reason that Norway and Morocco do not light up during Illuminations. Sorry John, but this is what I heard when I worked at the Rose and Crown a few years ago.

The countries that light up are all 'Opening Day' pavillions. Norway and Morocco were not opening day, Morocco opened in '84 and Norway opened in '88 (ever notice that some countries are really squashed together and others have a lot of greenery on either side? - there's still room for more!)

Apparently, Disney DID look into wiring up the new pavillions with the necessary lights and lasers. However, the price that they were quoted at the time was not acceptable to them, in the millions. Eisner had other things on his mind at the time - MGM, Typhoon Lagoon, PI were all being bankrolled at that time - sparking up a couple of countries was not on his priority list. And hell, when it's dark you can't see them anyway.

So, it's one of those things that just fell away. People weren't complaining about it, no one seemed bothered. So the countries remain in the dark, that is until a 'show' requires every country to light up.

So I agree in a way John, it's nothing sinister, nothing political. It's just Disney not coughing up (cue Pete rant)

Personally, I'd like Iger to dig deep into his recent bonus, get up on a ladder and attach some Walmart fairy lights to Norway and Pavillion for the next incarnation of Illuminations.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I had another explanation for Morocco as well. I was talking to some of the CM from Morocco, and they told me this. Morocco is the only pavilion sponsored by the government of the country. The showcase building is a prayer tower - the Koutoubia Minaret. This building has important religious significance to Moroccans and lights from Illuminations are not permitted to shine on it.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/morocco/marrakesh-koutoubia-mosque.htm

 

[safetymom]

Dave, that is the explanation I had heard as well.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

My info came when I was still a Cast Member. We were given a sneak peak at the Millenium Celebration activities that were planned and we had a special presentation by an Imagineer that worked on Illuminations: Reflection of Earth.

There is a big back story to the show (has to do with the evolution of man's communication processes, blah, blah, blah). The person giving the lecture said that the show was perfectly timed and everything happened for a reason.

He was probably just blowing smoke and didn't want to tell us 'these countries don't light up because they don't have bulbs on them'.

 

[Love That Mouse]

Hey guys:

I'm the one who asked the question on the podcast. Thanks for all the info!! I actually did not even notice until I heard someone talking and they were saying that those countries were funded by the "actual" countries and refused to pay for the lights . I was just curious because now everytime I see Illuminations that's all I can focus on Drives me nuts!!! Now, I can enjoy the show again without wondering why those darn countries don't have any lights.

Thanks, as usual, for all the great info!