New Country at Epcot?!?!?

[steve2wdw]

This is a urban legend I believe. Based on the aerials I have taken there is only room for 1 more country (Africa outpost) without any major demolition of current buildings.

Between Mexico and Norway-1

Between China and Germany-1 super country or 2 depending on configuration

Between Germany and Italy-1

Between Japan and Morocco-1

Between Morocco and France-1

Between England and Canada-1

Also up for debate is a location between England and the International Gateway. It would be an odd entry, but possible if there was demand.

So my count is a possible 8 expansion pads...
Of course, current backstage facilities would need to be moved in some areas and the World Showplace is currently occupying a pad.

Originally they may have counted the areas on each side of the American Adventure (those areas seem far too narrow now), because it was originally announced that there would be 20 countries in the first ring, with the ability to build two more rings off the canals, for a total of 60! That was pretty optimistic, but it would have been amazing. Obviously, those rings will never be built and considering it takes at least 25 years to add a country, they won't run out of room until the middle of the 23rd century.

 

[Devin36]

Looking at google earth, I see room for at least 5 more countries....but it does not mean any will get built...

 

[bhg469]

But what if they picked really skinny countries, like say Chile or Vietnam. They could easily squeeze them in between the existing countries.

Don't forget Panama. That's pretty slender too!

 

[Scuttle]

But what if they picked really skinny countries, like say Chile or Vietnam. They could easily squeeze them in between the existing countries.

Haha I didn't think about that. personally I'd love to see Egypt or Brazil as they both have great river ride potential. I'm with everyone else, the new country needs a D or E ticket ride to act as a weenie and spread the crowds out when food and wine and garden festival aren't going on.

 

[steve2wdw]

New countries that I'd like to see...

Provided that everyone is playing nice in the global sandbox, I'd love to see...

Russia, Switzerland, Brazil, Australia, Thailand, India, Spain, Greece, Poland, Israel, S Korea, Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, and any country in the non-desert African continent. Any addition would make me happy. Sadly, world economics and politics will dictate future addtions, if any.

 

[Scuttle]

Looking at google earth, I see room for at least 5 more countries....but it does not mean any will get built...

Where do you see room for 5!?

 

[Rescue Ranger]

New Zealand or Australia would be great. I could definitely see Australia with a ride/attraction. Its been way too long with no new country updates or in general with Epcot.

 

[Enchantâmes]

This is the 336th time this type of thread has been made is it not? :wave:

Oh that's right its summer...

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Any addition would make me happy. Sadly, world economics and politics will dictate future addtions, if any.

World economics and politics?

Countries might be tempted to fund a pavilion in a showcase about culture and world travel, in an inspiring park that sets the standard of its industry. After all, dozens of countries fund pavilions for World Expos, spending tens of millions.

But who would want to be associated with a run-of-the-mill theme park and a showcase setting devoted to 'eat your way around the world, preferably drunk'?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

This is the 336th time this type of thread has been made is it not? :wave:.

One day, one day a new country will be announced, for real.

And the poster who started the then-current 'WS expansion - my bus driver said so!' - thread will brag about it forever. (Well him/her and JT04, who will claim he told us so all along.)

 

[Admiral01]

Cool Idea! What kind of ride would you want in Somalia?

Pirates of the, er, ah, Indian Ocean?

 

[yankspy]

I would love to see a Russian pavilion. I think St Basil's or The Church of the Resurrection could be one of the most beautiful buildings in the showcase.

Also, imagine all those Mickey Eared nesting dolls :lookaroun:lol:

I would put the winter palace there instead.

 

[misterID]

We still do have that one great WS ride... You know the one that suckers unsuspecting people deep into WS with the prospect of real attractions, but it just ends up being some old films in an large outdor mall, but they trap you with endless amounts of booze and pastries, so that you spend money on over-priced merch and more over-priced booze, and you walk away not exactly knowing what happened... Yeah, that's the big E-ticket we're stuck with in WS for a while.

Where do you see room for 5!?

There's definitely room for five countries. And, at the very least, room enough to easily adding some attractions to existing countries.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I would put the winter palace there instead.

oh, that would be lovely too. I spent a fair amount of time wandering the Hermitage when I was in St P. For future reference they seem to frown when you attempt to touch the da Vinci's :lookaroun

 

[AEfx]

World economics and politics?

Countries might be tempted to fund a pavilion in a showcase about culture and world travel, in an inspiring park that sets the standard of its industry. After all, dozens of countries fund pavilions for World Expos, spending tens of millions.

But who would want to be associated with a run-of-the-mill theme park and a showcase setting devoted to 'eat your way around the world, preferably drunk'?

LOL @ the last comment.

On the first, I think that's one reason that no one really pushes for new countries, especially in the last 10 years. Political climate changes all the time, and it's just a place that neither party may want to approach.

I bet it goes both ways, as well - Disney has to be careful who they "let in the club" (there are countries that were rumored in the 80's that now would be political firestorms), and I'm sure a lot of countries are not eager to jump in bed with Disney/an American theme park for fear of criticism from their own citizens.

Now, personally, I may not agree with that reasoning - but I'm sure it keeps both parties thinking, at the very least. Add to that the dubious value to the "host" country (in the 80's when Epcot was new and shiny and overall the world was much more Pro-U.S. it's much different than now), I can see why there isn't a ton of movement on that front, even from countries we might find rather innocuous.

 

[Imagineer Mitch]

I think the best fit to add, if we are talking about financial and politically justified right now, would have to be Australia. Recently they were listed in 8th of the top 10 happiest countries.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-happiest-countries-in-the-world.html?page=2

^not necessarily accurate but kind of a good estimate of what countries could fit well.

 

[Millionaire2K]

Between Mexico and Norway-1

Between China and Germany-1 super country or 2 depending on configuration

Between Germany and Italy-1

Between Japan and Morocco-1

Between Morocco and France-1

Looking at "birds eye view" with bing maps all you say above is spot on. Not all spots are huge but not all the current ones are huge.

 

[real mad hatter]

Lol.

Somalia

Yo Ho yo Ho,a pirates life for me:ROFLOL:

 

[real mad hatter]

Yep, Spot On. England.

Between Mexico and Norway-1

Between China and Germany-1 super country or 2 depending on configuration

Between Germany and Italy-1

Between Japan and Morocco-1

Between Morocco and France-1

Between England and Canada-1

Also up for debate is a location between England and the International Gateway. It would be an odd entry, but possible if there was demand.

So my count is a possible 8 expansion pads...
Of course, current backstage facilities would need to be moved in some areas and the World Showplace is currently occupying a pad.

Originally they may have counted the areas on each side of the American Adventure (those areas seem far too narrow now), because it was originally announced that there would be 20 countries in the first ring, with the ability to build two more rings off the canals, for a total of 60! That was pretty optimistic, but it would have been amazing. Obviously, those rings will never be built and considering it takes at least 25 years to add a country, they won't run out of room until the middle of the 23rd century.

Your spot on with England,as UK represents that country,not mine.:goodnevil

 

[real mad hatter]

Mmm,Let Me Tink.

Ah ha,Let's make UK into England,it already is,and make the new country Scotland just in time for it's independence.Bring on the Red Hot Chilli Pipers,for the live music,serve haggis,neeps,and tatties wae a large malt whisky,and wee loch ness monsters for the bairns to play with,oh aye and have Bonnie wee lassies wae mini kilts serving a cool tenants lager.:wave::sohappy: