Is Spain In Epcot's Future?

[Empress Room]

I just returned from a WDW trip between 8/8 and today, 8/12. While touring the WS yesterday at about 11:00 a.m., my attention focused on a group of apparent VIPs (all very well dressed young Asian men and women wearing CM buttons on business suits - could not discern whether they were new CMs for Epcot or CMs from another Disney park - Tokyo or Hong Kong?). In any event, this small group was being guided around the WS by a somewhat older caucasian Disney employee flanked by three younger caucasian male employees with earpieces and walkie-talkies.

To paraphrase, he told this group that Epcot has not added a new country since 1986 and was "long overdue," that there is room for seven (!)(?) additional countries, that the U.S.S.R. would have been the next addition if it hadn't have ceased to exist politically and that Spain was in the final stages of negotiations to be added "as part of Epcot's 25th anniversary plans in 2007." It was hard for me to decide whether his speech was informational or educational or part of some orientation process - but the specific mention of Spain caught my attention.

Now, we all know what credence we should typically pay to CMs' stories but something about this group struck me as important - it was not a typical CM giving a typical "behind the Epcot magic" tour. The attendees were clearly not tourists - entirely too well dressed in business attire and the additional CMs with earpieces and walkie-talkies seemed to indicate that there was a little more to this than met the eye.

Did anyone else see this group yesterday? Does anyone else have any other information about this (besides, of course, the typical rumors of additional countries and the like)?

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Oh yes, Epcot was hopping yesterday with activity. I saw the same group being escorted around World Showcase - it was hard not to notice them compared with the rest of the tacky tourists. Didn't hear anything about Spain or additions to WS. I did happen to overhear several imagineers on break at Epcot who were working on Laugh Floor while in Teppanyaki.

 

[PBarton]

that Spain was in the final stages of negotiations to be added "as part of Epcot's 25th anniversary plans in 2007." It was hard for me to decide whether his speach was informational or educational or part of some orientation process - but the specific mention of Spain caught my attention.

Don't want to put a downer on the original post, but 2007 is only a few days away. Surely if Spain was to be added for the 25th anniversary, work would have needed to start months ago? I can't see them completing a pavillion in the required time..

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Keeps fingers crossed

....and Greece too? :zipit:

 

[Empress Room]

Don't want to put a downer on the original post, but 2007 is only a few days away. Surely if Spain was to be added for the 25th anniversary, work would have needed to start months ago? I can't see them completing a pavillion in the required time..

I took the comment to mean that the new pavillion would be part of other major announcements for Epcot's 25th - not that any new pavillion would be completed in 2007.

 

[Lee]

Epcot and Spain have been dancing around for years. Nothing new happening that I know of.

 

[juan]

Recall a few years back...Epcot has had a makeshift Spain as part of the Food and Wine Festival
When they built it, it was much more involved than recent countries (like Australia this year)

as for room for countries - each would have to be squished in-between current ones
but there is room for one between Norway and Mexico, one (two if small) between China bridge and Germany, one between France and Morocco, and one between Canada and UK (assuming Showplace pavilion is removed)
And then there is always the possibility of putting one between the two towers stores (original plans for WS had the US at the entrance to WS, but it was moved across the lake because it seemed to self-centered)

 

[PBarton]

I took the comment to mean that the new pavillion would be part of other major announcements for Epcot's 25th - not that any new pavillion would be completed in 2007.

Now that would make sense!

:wave:

 

[MickeyTigg]

While the addition of Spain would be interesting, I'd rather see a non-Western European addition such as Greece, Russia, India, Egypt, etc.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

A new country is LONG overdue, but maybe we should think about redoing some things at the countires that are ACTUALLY THERE. I know people don't like to hear that, but I would incorporate either historical rides or movies into the pavillions that don't have them before I even thought about making additions.

 

[DDuckFan130]

Epcot and Spain have been dancing around for years. Nothing new happening that I know of.

The flamenco?

:lookaroun

I'm done

While the addition of Spain would be interesting, I'd rather see a non-Western European addition such as Greece, Russia, India, Egypt, etc.

I think those would make great pavilions as well.

 

[sknydave]

My mouth is watering thinking of the possibilities for great restaurants!!!!!!

 

[CelticRose]

My mouth is watering thinking of the possibilities for great restaurants!!!!!!

Ditto, I'm with your Dave, Paella, Gyros, Baklava, OPA!!!!!!:sohappy: We can only hope!!!
Since Greece is a small country perhaps she can be squeezed in between two other countries.


149 days and I am there!!!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

It has been so long since anything significant has happened in world showcase I would be happy with almost any new country. The last thing I remember being added other than changing out a few exhibits is Maelstrom back in 88. They could add Kazakhstan for all I care at this point just give us something new.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

While the addition of Spain would be interesting, I'd rather see a non-Western European addition such as Greece, Russia, India, Egypt, etc.

I agree, but, at this point, any addition would be welcome. I especially liked the Spain temporary set up in '02 because it had the trees on one side so that the pavilion felt set back. It was very interesting how encompassing it was.

 

[sknydave]

It has been so long since anything significant has happened in world showcase I would be happy with almost any new country. The last thing I remember being added other than changing out a few exhibits is Maelstrom back in 90's. They could add Kazakhstan for all I care at this point just give us something new.

VERY NICE!! HIGH FIVE!

 

[jmani56]

I agree that Greece would be more interesting. One section like Athens, another like the islands, particularly Santorini.

I think the only place another country could go is where the Outpost is, between Germany and China. Anywhere else would crowd things. I have no idea how seven more countries could fit anywhere in World Showcase. The structures would have to be nearly touching, and all the trees and landscaping would have to go. I think the whole area would suffer if it becomes too crowded.

As for Egypt, I think it's a good idea but it might be too similar to Morrocco. The focus of the pavillion would have to be a pyramid, and unless it was on a huge scale people would not respond well to it. I think that may be a good section for Animal Kingdom, with sphinxes and tombs and all that. Maybe have a camel exhibit lol. Ok maybe not.

 

[kcnole]

Don't want to put a downer on the original post, but 2007 is only a few days away. Surely if Spain was to be added for the 25th anniversary, work would have needed to start months ago? I can't see them completing a pavillion in the required time..

Epcot's 25th doesn't start until October of next year so there is almost a full year before the celebration would even start. I doubt we'll have any new attractions in place by the 25th, but I hope they use the 25th to freshen up a lot of the grounds and also announce some new additions that are on their way.

Specifically I'd like to have the new Canada film and the rumored soarin film in place, the update to SSE completed, and some announcements of at least one new pavilion in World Showcase and either a major refurb to UOE or an overhaul of WOL if not both.

If all of those (as well as the removal of the tacky wand from SSE) took place then I would say that the 25th was a smashing success.

 

[kcnole]

I think the only place another country could go is where the Outpost is, between Germany and China. Anywhere else would crowd things.

There have been plans from as long back as shortly after the opening of Norway to bring in more pavilions. I remember specifically seeing some advertisements for an upcoming Israel pavilion that never opened and I think a Spain or Greece one two way back when. There's more space there for more pavilions than you realize.

 

[BeachClubVillas]

I'd much rather see Greece or Russia than Spain. There's already so much of Europe represented, and they already have Mexico. I know Spain and Mexico are totally different countries, but an Eastern European country would be nice. Or an African country.

Regardless, it's nice to see attention being paid to World Showcase.