Rumor Brazil is the frontrunner for a new World Showcase Pavilion

[epcotWSC]

Uh for the record, Russia in in Asia,not Europe. At least most of it that is.

Except that the vast majority of the people who live in Russia are on the European side

 

[ToTBellHop]

So we've established most of Russia is Asian but most Russians are European.

 

[Phicinfan]

So we've established most of Russia is Asian but most Russians are European.

Now we know, can't call it a bad day when you learn something new

 

[larandtra]

Politics aside, if it were me being aware of nations already represented and wanting to diversify and have more representation from around the world, I would put the nations in this order of appeal to me at least. Thinking about the different foods, experiences , and how they could do a very cool pavillion ( not thinking about movie tie ins just how cool the pavillion could look). Also avoiding African countries like Kenya for the most part because I believe Animal Kingdom does that part well and will continue to expand on it:
1. India
2. Australia/New Zealand
3. Russia
4. Egypt
5. Brazil

Again, just my opinion for whatever its worth.

 

[MisterPenguin]

So we've established most of Russia is Asian but most Russians are European.

Have we established yet that a distinction between Europe and Asia as separate continents makes no sense and is just historical cultural bias?

 

[drwadadli]

Have we established yet that a distinction between Europe and Asia as separate continents makes no sense and is just historical cultural bias?

LOL

 

[ProfSavage]

It wasn't political. It was engineering.

Ah, I thought it was because they didn't want to offend WWII vets. Is that just a rumor?

 

[ProfSavage]

Agreed, only issue i have with adding Russia is that it's another European country, though i feel many people are mislead to view Russia as a enemy due to the Cold War which is far over, Russia in World showcase would be an excellent choice for releavance and to educate the general public.

Don't tell Russians they're European...

 

[righttrack]

I think India is only slightly represented in Animal Kingdom and is probably a great choice. Different food offerings, a Taj Mahal iconic representation, lots of very different culture, music etc. I'm not saying Brazil is a bad idea, but it's just not so vastly different as other countries that came to be out of European occupation. (Yes, I know The British Empire colonized India). I just think for American's it's more exotic.

 

[ABQ]

Have we established yet that a distinction between Europe and Asia as separate continents makes no sense and is just historical cultural bias?

Heh heh, was thinking something along that line as I thought..Hmm, they shoehorned the Aladdin (based on Thief of Baghdad, which would make him Asian by continent) meet and great into Morocco (African, by continent) which certainly dilutes any meaningful continental distinction in World Showcase.

 

[monothingie]

Have we established yet that a distinction between Europe and Asia as separate continents makes no sense and is just historical cultural bias?

Sounds like a good place for a wall... I hear they're all the rage these days.

 

[Father Robinson]

Sorry if this has been answered, but I read they are going to squeeze the pavilion between Italy and Germany. That would totally eliminate all the space between those 2 countries essentially making it look like one long continuous pavilion. All the countries now are separated for aesthetic purposes I assume, I think squeezing one in a small space like that would throw the balance way off. Any word on why they aren't using the space behind the outpost? Tons of room back there.

 

[peter11435]

Sorry if this has been answered, but I read they are going to squeeze the pavilion between Italy and Germany. That would totally eliminate all the space between those 2 countries essentially making it look like one long continuous pavilion. All the countries now are separated for aesthetic purposes I assume, I think squeezing one in a small space like that would throw the balance way off. Any word on why they aren't using the space behind the outpost? Tons of room back there.

That's how the pavilions were always intended to be spaced. They just never kept building them. Look to the separation between Norway and China as an example.

 

[drwadadli]

That's how the pavilions were always intended to be spaced. They just never kept building them. Look to the separation between Norway and China as an example.

Or the space between Italy, The American Adventure and Japan.

 

[rioriz]

Sounds like a good place for a wall... I hear they're all the rage these days.

You know the Vatican would snug up nicely to the pizza joint in Italy...

 

[lentesta]

Of course we all have our preferences, which are obviously valid. I would gently suggest, though, that the Manueline architectural style and the Portuguese monuments you posted are not well-known to most people. They could easily create a little mock-up of Rio which might lean more heavily on a recreation of natural features than the other pavilions but that would be instantly recognisable to most guests as Brazilian. I'm sure Disney also thinks more broadly than architectural styles when they consider what might make a good pavilion.

Beyond that, Brazil just makes sense for a whole host of reasons. Chief among them is that there are no South American countries in World Showcase, it is the biggest country in terms of population and economy in Latin America, and loads of Brazilians visit WDW. As to why this is happening before, say, India, I suspect it's because they found someone who was willing to pay for it first.

I get Brazil might not be some people's first preference for a new country, but I find it hard to argue that it doesn't make a lot of sense for it to be added to WS. What gets me is people suggesting yet more European countries that should be added first. I'd venture that if WS were being built today, the over-representation of Anglo & European countries from the 1982 version would be considered unacceptable.

I just went on a rant with Jim Hill because I didn't understand why Brazil would be considered for World Showcase. But after reading your post and doing some research, I'm coming around.

I'd love to see a pavilion in the style of the Palacio del Alvorada:

Or the Museum of Modern Art:

 

[MisterPenguin]

Or the space between Italy, The American Adventure and Japan.

There are mini-pads on either side of the American pavilion.

Besides the abutment of Norway and China that has existed since Norway was built. There is also the same abutment between Norway and Mexico now because of the Sommerhus.

 

[The_Jobu]

abutment

Heh.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I just went on a rant with Jim Hill because I didn't understand why Brazil would be considered for World Showcase. But after reading your post and doing some research, I'm coming around.

I'd love to see a pavilion in the style of the Palacio del Alvorada:

Or the Museum of Modern Art:

I absolutely love Niemeyer's architecture!

It would be fantastic if they could do a blend of Rio's landscape with Niemeyer buildings, which very much suit the original EPCOT aesthetic. Even if they just put a replica of the Museum of Modern Art looking over WS lagoon and turned it into a restaurant that would be something!

 

[No Name]

There seems to be an assumption that Disney is simply choosing Brazil. While that may be true, I don't think it is.

This is the country that spent a fortune on bribing for and then hosting a World Cup, followed by an Olympics, just for a few weeks of fame. They poured billions of dollars of into new facilities that now largely sit abandoned and rotting away.

Putting a fraction of that amount into a pavillion that will be seen by millions of tourists for years and years to come... that seems like a no-brainer compared to what they've been doing. While it's possible I am wrong, I imagine there is someone or some group from Brazil behind this. I think Brazil is the best choice, so I would be happy regardless.