New Country at Epcot?!?!?

[maxairmike]

There is a concept floating around WDI for some major changes to the Outpost area. Not a new country, but a substantial infrastructure change that would require that area to be totally redone.

I would certainly be interested in what kind of infrastructure changes they've got in mind, as I've been lucky enough to see the prep for Illuminations (quite a while ago), and I would think it might be difficult to relocate/change that up just from what I saw. It is a decent size chunk of land that I'm sure they would love to open up more even if just for F&W/Flower and Garden.

 

[raven]

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.

Nope. That area is being looked at for another idea.

There is a concept floating around WDI for some major changes to the Outpost area. Not a new country, but a substantial infrastructure change that would require that area to be totally redone.

:animwink:

As for the other areas mentioned, it's easy to look at Google Earth and see places where they can fit in but they are actually small areas. If you've actually been backstage around those areas you will know that they use these areas to service sections of the existing countries (food deliveries and merchandise storage, break trailers, offices, maintenence storage as well as entertainment prep areas). Adding "new" countries will certainly have a HUGE effect on the operation of the existing countries. You can also forget about a buffer zone anymore in this case. Music, landscaping and visual intrusions will bleed from one country into the next.

Just something to think about.

 

[Captain Chaos]

The DVC in World Showcase 74 was talking about not so long ago??? :lookaroun

 

[HiYa Pal]

Australia would be cool, do the Sydney Opera House on the lagoon, Brazil with an Amazon ride or Carnival ride, Greece with a Mt Olympus roller coaster, Russia with a Soarin type movie, Egypt with a boat ride through the Nile, Adventure's Club African Outpost, India with Taj Mahal magic carpet ride, New France movie (with same great soundtrack), New Canada movie without Martin Short and a Northern Territories sled race roller coaster, I LOVED the Yellow Submarine ride suggested a few posts ago.

So basically I'm going to still go to France and get my Grey Goose Lemonaid and enjoy WS as it always has been and will be for the foreseable future

Now if they would just open up a restaurant in the 2nd floor of Imagination.........

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

You can also forget about a buffer zone anymore in this case. Music, landscaping and visual intrusions will bleed from one country into the next.

Just something to think about.

I was working at the Canadian pavilion when Off Kilter was formed. The area of the stage right now was always called the "temporary stage" for Off Kilter until a permanent one was built at the corner of the garden - kind of where the podium for Le Cellier is now. Of course Disney's idea of "temporary" is rather different than mine. :lookaroun

One of the reasons for not wanting it where is right now is that they didn't want to still be able to hear the bagpipes when heading to the UK pavilion which we all thought was kind of silly. Yeah who would want to hear Bagpipes in the pavilion that is supposed to at least partially represent Scotland. :brick:

If you've actually been backstage around those areas you will know that they use these areas to service sections of the existing countries (food deliveries and merchandise storage, break trailers, offices, maintenence storage as well as entertainment prep areas). Adding "new" countries will certainly have a HUGE effect on the operation of the existing countries.

When Soarin' was built the backstage of the Canadian pavilion was changed. This was also the area for the UK characters for breaks and to get ready for onstage. From speaking to the Canadians working there the change was dreaded but it went pretty seamlessly. The water hookups were delayed by one day which left them going to the UK break room for washroom breaks but other than that the buildings were relocated fairly easily.

I realize compared to some of the other backstages it was an easy move but it can be done if a new country is planned. I assume if they put the effort into a new pavilion this would just be part and parcel of building the area.

My father used to move houses for a living. I don't look at very many buildings and think of them as "permanent" structures. I've seen him move buildings by taking them in 3 or 4 pieces sometimes. Actually he always wanted to relocate Spaceship Earth...but he wanted to do it by rolling it down the I4 :lol:

 

[Texas84]

Just expand Germany & Japan. A lot of potential for UK expansion as well.

 

[filmy3]

The only reason I think they should add a new country is because we have been seeing the same countries for 28 years!

 

[raven]

The only reason I think they should add a new country is because we have been seeing the same countries for 28 years!

Many are still visiting Epcot for their first time though. :animwink:

 

[MaryJaneP]

Just expand Germany & Japan. A lot of potential for UK expansion as well.

Wasn't this the cause of WWII?

 

[steve2wdw]

You can also forget about a buffer zone anymore in this case. Music, landscaping and visual intrusions will bleed from one country into the next.

Just something to think about.

If all the available expansion pads were used, the countries would be up against each other like Norway and China currently are. It would definately affect the park like atmosphere of the current World Showcase.

 

[steve2wdw]

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.

My kids have been calling the UK, England since they were little, and although I know its the UK, in our house everyone still says England, even though were all grown adults now....so sorry. Hope I didn't offend anyone out there!

 

[Lee]

As in an actual new attraction? Or just more bars and shopping and expanded walking areas.

Not an attraction. More like new infrastructure and a modified guest area.

Shame about Brazil though...

Yeah, the art looked good. Would have been a nice, but expensive, addition.

well i have two questions...

1) is this recent news? because all that ive found have been a year or two old.
2) could disney be planning this expansion to be a major announcement during the 30th anniversary?

Nope and nope.

 

[marni1971]

If all the available expansion pads were used, the countries would be up against each other like Norway and China currently are. It would definately affect the park like atmosphere of the current World Showcase.

With careful planning and design it could work for some areas - Norway and China work fine with the service road between them, and the fact that the sides of 2 restaurant buildings face each other. No area music spill, no big conflict of theming. The original park design called for minimum, well planned buffers and this - or backstage facility space - cant be used as an excuse not to build anything more.

Ironically, Africa corner is actually 2 separate expansion pads, and loosing one could mean loosing the biggest buffer zone possible between the Equitorial pad and Germany.

 

[The Duck]

Maybe they could build a new mini-land at the Outpost and call it "Third-World Showcase". You could tour the slums of various third world nations and swat flies while eating out of Care packages. Entertainment could be provided by leper street performers and beggars. Wait... What was I thinking? The budget would never allow it. :drevil:

 

[Scuttle]

Maybe they could build a new mini-land at the Outpost and call it "Third-World Showcase". You could tour the slums of various third world nations and swat flies while eating out of Care packages. Entertainment could be provided by leper street performers and beggars. Wait... What was I thinking? The budget would never allow it. :drevil:

Now that's funny.:ROFLOL:

 

[Dawlad]

Spain of course.

 

[raven]

Not an attraction. More like new infrastructure and a modified guest area.

Now Lee, must we not forget the new "ride" for this area? :animwink:

 

[Lucky]

Wasn't this the cause of WWII?

Nice!:ROFLOL:

 

[Lee]

Now Lee, must we not forget the new "ride" for this area? :animwink:

Dude, they'd have to add a ton of show to make it a "ride".:lol:

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

Maybe they could build a new mini-land at the Outpost and call it "Third-World Showcase". You could tour the slums of various third world nations and swat flies while eating out of Care packages. Entertainment could be provided by leper street performers and beggars. Wait... What was I thinking? The budget would never allow it. :drevil:

and we could all hope that a celebrity comes in and adopts us out of there.

"Help me Angelina Jolie, you're my only hope"